Tennessee: Licensing basics — Name Changes, Residency and Social Security Practice Test
Questions in this part include: “What does the manual say about name changes sent in through the mail?” · “Proof of relationship for a residency document can be established with a certified marriage certificate or with what?”
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Questions are original and based on the official manual "Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual" (March 2025 printing), Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security.
All 18 questions in this practice test
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What does the manual say about name changes sent in through the mail?
- They are accepted if the documents are certified
- They are accepted when a notarized photocopy is enclosed
- They cannot be accepted
- They are accepted within ten days of a court order
Show answer
Correct answer: They cannot be accepted
Each supporting document for a name change must be an original or certified legal document, and name changes through the mail are not accepted.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 8 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 8)
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Which document is accepted as proof of a name change after a marriage?
- The license that authorizes the union
- A photocopy of the marriage license
- A church record of the wedding ceremony
- A certificate registered after the marriage
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Correct answer: A certificate registered after the marriage
The marriage certificate must be the original or certified copy registered after the marriage, not just the license that authorizes the union.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 10 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 10)
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What must a divorce decree show to be accepted as proof of a name change?
- The judge's original signature or official court seal
- The signatures of both former spouses on the decree
- A notary's stamp added by the applicant after the ruling
- The applicant's Social Security number and signature
Show answer
Correct answer: The judge's original signature or official court seal
A divorce decree is acceptable when it is recorded in the court decree with the judge's original signature and/or official court seal.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 10 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 10)
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Which copy of a court document is acceptable as proof of a name change?
- A copy showing a photocopied seal and signature
- A faxed copy of the court order
- A copy with an original signature or seal added
- A scanned copy sent by e-mail
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Correct answer: A copy with an original signature or seal added
A copy of a court document is acceptable when an original signature or seal is affixed to the copy. A copy with a copied seal or signature is not.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 10 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 10)
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What can happen when documents are subject to verification with the issuing agency?
- The documents are kept by the Department
- Issuance of the license may be delayed
- A restricted license is issued right away
- The applicant must retake the knowledge test
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Correct answer: Issuance of the license may be delayed
Documents that need verification may delay the issuance of the permit or license.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 10 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 10)
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How many documents from the acceptable proof-of-residency table must an applicant provide?
- Two
- One
- Three
- Four
Show answer
Correct answer: Two
Proof of residency requires two documents from the acceptable list.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 10 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 10)
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If the applicant is a minor, whose name may appear on a residency document in place of the applicant's own?
- A school principal
- The applicant's employer
- A parent or legal guardian
- Any adult neighbor
Show answer
Correct answer: A parent or legal guardian
For a minor, the name of a parent or legal guardian may appear on the document, with proof of relationship.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 10 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 10)
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Proof of relationship for a residency document can be established with a certified marriage certificate or with what?
- A vehicle title showing both names
- A birth certificate (the long-form)
- A utility bill sent to both people
- A school report card with both names
Show answer
Correct answer: A birth certificate (the long-form)
Proof of relationship can be a certified marriage certificate or a long-form birth certificate.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 10 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 10)
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On the documents checklist, proof of Tennessee residency counts as "current" if it is from how long ago?
- The last 30 days
- The last 4 months
- The last 6 months
- The last 2 years
Show answer
Correct answer: The last 4 months
The checklist says current proof of residency is from the last 4 months.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 7 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 7)
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What does the manual say about using a post office box alone as your residential address?
- It is accepted in a rural area
- It is accepted for drivers over age 60
- It is accepted when you renew by mail
- It will not be accepted
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Correct answer: It will not be accepted
A post office box alone is not accepted as a residential address. The address needs a house or apartment number and a street, road or highway.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 13 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 13)
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Will your Social Security number be printed on your license?
- No
- Yes, on the back of the card
- Yes, only the last four digits
- Yes, only on a commercial license
Show answer
Correct answer: No
The Department keeps the Social Security number on file, but it is not printed on the license.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 10 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 10)
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From which applicants does Tennessee law require a Social Security number?
- Only applicants who are applying for a first-time license
- Only applicants who are applying for a commercial license
- All applicants who have been issued one by the U.S. Government
- Only applicants who do not already hold a Tennessee license
Show answer
Correct answer: All applicants who have been issued one by the U.S. Government
The law requires the number for every application where the U.S. Government has issued the applicant a Social Security number.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 10 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 10)
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The Social Security number you provide does not match the computer records. What will the Examiner do?
- Issue a temporary license without the number
- Ask for additional proof of the number
- Refuse to ever issue you a license
- Accept the number if you sign an affidavit
Show answer
Correct answer: Ask for additional proof of the number
If the number fails to match, the Examiner asks for additional proof of the number. You may have to contact the Social Security Administration if the conflict cannot be resolved.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 10 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 10)
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If the U.S. Government never assigned an applicant a Social Security number, what may the applicant sign?
- A Teenage Affidavit
- A Certificate of Accurate Translation
- A change-of-address form
- An SSN Affidavit
Show answer
Correct answer: An SSN Affidavit
An SSN Affidavit may be signed when no Social Security number was assigned by the U.S. Government.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 7 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 7)
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A person has never been issued a Social Security number. In whose presence must the sworn affidavit to that effect be signed?
- A Driver License Examiner or a Notary Public
- A county clerk or a school principal
- A Tennessee Highway Patrol officer or a judge
- A parent or legal guardian and one witness
Show answer
Correct answer: A Driver License Examiner or a Notary Public
The affidavit must be signed in person in front of either a Driver License Examiner or a Notary Public.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 11 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 11)
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By signing the affidavit saying no Social Security number was ever issued, the applicant makes the statement under what?
- Suspension of driving privileges
- Cancellation of the license for one year
- The penalty of perjury
- A fine collected at the center
Show answer
Correct answer: The penalty of perjury
The applicant attests, under the penalty of perjury, that the U.S. Government never issued a Social Security number.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 11 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 11)
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An applicant signed an affidavit because no Social Security number was ever issued. What does each later application require?
- The same affidavit, reused without signing again
- A new affidavit signed in person, unless a number can be provided
- A notarized letter from the Social Security Administration
- A new affidavit that is mailed in from home
Show answer
Correct answer: A new affidavit signed in person, unless a number can be provided
Every later application needs a fresh affidavit signed in person unless the applicant can give a Social Security number.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 11 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 11)
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What does the sworn affidavit about never having been issued a Social Security number allow the Department of Safety to do?
- Skip the proof of identity requirement
- Waive the proof of Tennessee residency
- Skip the vision screening
- Process the application without the number
Show answer
Correct answer: Process the application without the number
The affidavit lets the Department process the application without a Social Security number; the other requirements still apply.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 11 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 11)