Tennessee: Right-of-way, turning and passing — Stops, Malfunctioning Lights and Intersections Practice Test
Questions in this part include: “To avoid being stranded inside a busy intersection, when should you pull in to make a turn?” · “What is a rolling stop?”
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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 19 questions in this practice test
Take the test above first, then use this list to study. Tap “Show answer” to see the correct answer and explanation.
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To avoid being stranded inside a busy intersection, when should you pull in to make a turn?
- Only when your path is clear
- As soon as your light turns green
- Whenever you have your turn signal on
- As soon as the vehicle ahead of you moves
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Correct answer: Only when your path is clear
Do not enter an intersection to turn until your path through it is clear, so you are not left stranded there.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 41 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 41)
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According to Tennessee state law, how must you treat an intersection where the traffic signal is not working?
- As a yield intersection
- As an intersection with a flashing yellow signal
- As an all-way stop intersection
- As an intersection where the larger road has the right-of-way
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Correct answer: As an all-way stop intersection
If a signal is out, Tennessee law requires you to treat the intersection as an all-way stop and not proceed until it is safe.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 41 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 41)
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Two or more vehicles stop at the same time at an intersection where the signal is out. Who yields?
- The driver on the right yields to the driver on the left
- The driver on the left yields to the driver on the right
- The driver in the faster vehicle yields to the slower one
- The driver who has the louder horn goes first
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Correct answer: The driver on the left yields to the driver on the right
When vehicles reach the intersection together, the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 42 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 42)
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According to Tennessee law, where must every driver approaching a stop sign stop?
- Past the crosswalk, in the middle of the intersection
- Only at the sign itself, even if a line is painted
- Before the nearest side of a crosswalk, or at a stop line
- Wherever traffic first appears from the sides
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Correct answer: Before the nearest side of a crosswalk, or at a stop line
The driver must stop before the nearest side of a crosswalk, or at a clearly marked stop line.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 49 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 49)
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How does Tennessee Code define "stop"?
- Slowing to under 5 m.p.h.
- Slowing enough to see cross traffic
- Complete cessation of movement
- Lifting your foot off the gas pedal
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Correct answer: Complete cessation of movement
Tennessee Code defines a stop as complete cessation of movement, not a rolling stop.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 49 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 49)
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At a stop sign, what should you do if you cannot see whether the intersection is clear of crossing traffic?
- Accelerate quickly through the intersection
- Sound your horn and proceed
- Back up and approach again at a higher speed
- Edge up slowly until you can see traffic both ways
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Correct answer: Edge up slowly until you can see traffic both ways
You should edge up slowly until you can clearly see traffic from both directions.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 50 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 50)
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What is a rolling stop?
- Only slowing down at a stop sign or signal
- Stopping with your wheels turned toward the curb
- Stopping a short distance past the stop line
- Stopping and then backing up
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Correct answer: Only slowing down at a stop sign or signal
A rolling stop is only slowing down for a stop sign or signal and going on without coming to a full stop; it is dangerous and illegal.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 50 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 50)
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Most law enforcement officers and driver education instructors agree a vehicle has not come to a complete stop until when?
- The brake lights turn on
- The driver feels the car lurch forward
- The driver counts to two
- The driver sees the cross traffic clear
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Correct answer: The driver feels the car lurch forward
You have stopped completely only when you feel the car lurch forward after all motion has ceased.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 50 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 50)
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Which of these does the manual list as an intersection?
- A stretch of interstate with no ramps
- A bridge over a river
- The shoulder of a rural road
- A shopping center or parking lot entrance
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Correct answer: A shopping center or parking lot entrance
The manual counts cross streets, side streets, driveways and shopping center or parking lot entrances as intersections.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 52 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 52)
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Which advice does the manual give about approaching any intersection or driveway?
- Never assume the other driver will yield the right-of-way to you
- Assume cross traffic will stop if you have a green light
- Assume the driver on your right will wait for you
- Assume oncoming drivers will see your turn signal
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Correct answer: Never assume the other driver will yield the right-of-way to you
You should never assume another driver will yield and should always be ready to stop.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 52 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 52)
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What does the manual mean by “traffic checks”?
- Looking often and carefully for traffic approaching from each direction
- Stopping at every intersection to count the vehicles that pass
- Checking that your signals and brake lights work before driving
- Reading the signs posted before an intersection for warnings
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Correct answer: Looking often and carefully for traffic approaching from each direction
Traffic checks means looking often and carefully for traffic coming from every direction, especially when merging, changing lanes and at intersections.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 52 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 52)
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Under the Left-Right-Left Rule, which way do you look first as you approach an intersection?
- To the right, to see who is coming from that side
- To the left, to make sure cross traffic is yielding
- Straight ahead, at the signal
- Behind you, at traffic you are leaving
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Correct answer: To the left, to make sure cross traffic is yielding
You look left first to see that cross traffic is yielding, then to the right, and then check again.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 52 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 52)
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How should you handle your speed when approaching and crossing an intersection?
- Keep a steady speed all the way through and brake only if the light turns red
- Speed up as you approach it so that you clear it as quickly as possible
- Slow before the intersection, slowest just before entering, then speed up gradually
- Slow down only when you see another vehicle close to the intersection
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Correct answer: Slow before the intersection, slowest just before entering, then speed up gradually
The manual says to slow down before the intersection, drive at your slowest just before entering and gradually increase speed as you cross.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 52 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 52)
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Where should you be before you reach an intersection?
- In the left lane whatever your direction
- In the lane with the fewest vehicles
- In the center lane until the intersection is clear
- In the proper lane for the direction you intend to travel
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Correct answer: In the proper lane for the direction you intend to travel
Be in the proper lane before the intersection and avoid last-minute lane changes.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 52 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 52)
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What does the manual say about passing another vehicle in an intersection?
- Allowed when the road is clear
- Allowed only on the right
- Do not do it
- Allowed if you signal first
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Correct answer: Do not do it
The manual says not to pass a vehicle in an intersection.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 52 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 52)
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When is it illegal to block an intersection after the traffic light has changed?
- Only where a “Do Not Block Intersection” sign is posted
- Only during rush hour
- Only when a police officer is present
- Always, whether or not the intersection is marked
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Correct answer: Always, whether or not the intersection is marked
Blocking an intersection is illegal everywhere, with or without a sign.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 53 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 53)
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At an intersection, which way should you look first before driving through?
- To the right, because those cars will be closer to you
- Straight ahead, then behind you
- To the left, because those cars will be closer to you
- Behind you, then to the right
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Correct answer: To the left, because those cars will be closer to you
The manual says look left first, then right, then take one more quick look left before you go through.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 93 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 93)
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What does the manual say about crossing traffic at an intersection?
- You may stop with part of your vehicle in the traffic lane
- You may enter if the first lane looks clear
- You may enter and wait in the middle for a gap
- You need a gap large enough to get all the way across the road
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Correct answer: You need a gap large enough to get all the way across the road
Make sure you can complete the crossing before entering, and do not block the intersection or leave part of your vehicle in a traffic lane.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 94 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 94)
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What should you make sure of before you enter an intersection to cross or enter the roadway?
- That you can safely complete the maneuver
- That another driver will stop for you
- That the intersection has a stop line
- That your vehicle is in the right lane
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Correct answer: That you can safely complete the maneuver
The manual says not to block intersections, and to enter only when you are sure you can finish the crossing.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 94 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 94)