Tennessee: Right-of-way, turning and passing — Turning Basics Practice Test
Questions in this part include: “Which of these is listed among the most common faults when making turns?” · “Which of these should you avoid while actually turning?”
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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 16 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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Which of these is listed among the most common faults when making turns?
- Slowing down before the turn
- Turning on a green light
- Checking mirrors before the turn
- Turning from the wrong lane
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Correct answer: Turning from the wrong lane
The common turning faults include failing to signal, not signaling long enough, failing to search for hazards, turning from the wrong lane and failing to turn properly.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 55 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 55)
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Where do the rules for turning apply?
- At all locations, even driveways and alleys
- Only at intersections
- Only at intersections with traffic signals
- Only on roads with painted lane lines
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Correct answer: At all locations, even driveways and alleys
The manual says turning rules apply at all locations, not just at intersections.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 55 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 55)
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What is the first rule of turning?
- From the center lane into whichever lane happens to be open and clear
- From the closest lane in your direction to the closest legal lane
- From the left lane into the farthest lane in the direction you want
- From whichever lane has the least traffic into the nearest open lane
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Correct answer: From the closest lane in your direction to the closest legal lane
The first rule is to turn from the closest lane in your direction to the closest legal lane in the direction you want to go.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 55 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 55)
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Before making a turn, where should you check for traffic?
- Ahead only
- Ahead and to the right only
- Ahead, behind and to the side
- Behind only
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Correct answer: Ahead, behind and to the side
The manual says to check traffic ahead, behind and to the side before making a turn.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 56 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 56)
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How does the speed of traffic affect when you should move into the correct turn lane?
- The faster the traffic is moving, the later you should move into the proper lane
- The faster the traffic is moving, the sooner you should move into the proper lane
- You should always wait until you reach the intersection
- You should move only when the car ahead has turned
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Correct answer: The faster the traffic is moving, the sooner you should move into the proper lane
Move into the correct turn lane as soon as possible, and sooner when traffic moves faster.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 56 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 56)
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How should you move from one lane to another when getting into a turn lane?
- Gradually, drifting across several lanes at the same time
- By weaving back and forth between lanes to find a gap
- By slowing to a stop in the lane and then crossing over
- As directly as possible, without interfering with traffic
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Correct answer: As directly as possible, without interfering with traffic
Go from one lane to the other as directly as possible without crossing lane lines or interfering with traffic.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 56 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 56)
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When should you select the proper gear for a turn?
- While you are in the middle of the intersection
- Before entering the intersection
- While you are turning the wheel
- After you finish the turn
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Correct answer: Before entering the intersection
Select the gear before entering the intersection and accelerate slightly through the turn; do not shift in the intersection.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 56 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 56)
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Which of these should you avoid while actually turning?
- Checking for pedestrians and cyclists
- Maintaining a safe speed
- Braking or depressing the clutch
- Staying in the proper lane
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Correct answer: Braking or depressing the clutch
The manual says not to brake or depress the clutch while actually turning.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 56 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 56)
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Why should you not shift gears in an intersection?
- If you stall, you could cause an accident or block the intersection
- It uses more fuel than shifting before you reach the intersection
- It can damage the clutch and the transmission of the vehicle
- It is not allowed on any road that has painted lane lines
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Correct answer: If you stall, you could cause an accident or block the intersection
Stalling in the intersection could cause an accident or block other traffic.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 56 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 56)
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After you have completed a turn, what does the manual say about changing lanes?
- Change lanes in the middle of the turn whenever it saves time
- Always stay in the lane where the turn ended for several blocks
- Change lanes right away, before you check the traffic behind
- Finish the turn in the proper lane; change lanes later if you need to
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Correct answer: Finish the turn in the proper lane; change lanes later if you need to
Finish the turn in the proper lane and only then change to another lane if needed and clear.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 56 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 56)
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Which road users does the manual say you must always check for before turning right?
- Only vehicles behind you
- Pedestrians and bicyclists
- Only pedestrians in marked crosswalks
- Only vehicles in the lane to your left
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Correct answer: Pedestrians and bicyclists
The manual tells you to always check for pedestrians and bicyclists before turning, and to yield the right-of-way if necessary.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 58 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 58)
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What should you be aware of at certain locations before you turn?
- Signs prohibiting right or left turns
- Signs posting a lower speed limit
- Signs showing the name of the street
- Signs marking a bus stop
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Correct answer: Signs prohibiting right or left turns
Do not turn unless the turn is permitted and can be made safely; some locations prohibit right or left turns.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 56 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 56)
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You are not in the proper lane for the turn you want to make. What should you do?
- Turn from the lane you are in and correct your position later
- Cut across the other lanes to make the turn at this intersection
- Drive to the next intersection and turn from the proper lane there
- Stop where you are and wait until the proper lane clears out
Show answer
Correct answer: Drive to the next intersection and turn from the proper lane there
Turning from the wrong lane is unsafe; go to the next intersection and circle back if necessary.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 56 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 56)
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What does the manual say will leave you in the wrong lane after a turn?
- Turning too slowly or with your signal on
- Turning from the closest lane in your direction
- Slowing down before you begin the turn itself
- Turning too wide or too late, or straddling lanes
Show answer
Correct answer: Turning too wide or too late, or straddling lanes
Turning too wide or too late, straddling lanes or turning into the wrong side of the street leaves you in the wrong lane.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 56 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 56)
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In an intersection with multiple turn lanes, what should you always follow?
- The yellow lines
- The white lines
- The car ahead of you
- The curb
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Correct answer: The white lines
The manual says to always follow the white lines in intersections using multiple turn lanes.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 56 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 56)
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The traffic light is about to change and traffic ahead may keep you from completing your turn. What should you do?
- Enter the intersection and wait inside it to finish the turn
- Stay behind the stop line or crosswalk until you can finish the turn
- Enter quickly and try to complete the turn before the light changes
- Stop in the crosswalk until traffic ahead has cleared out
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Correct answer: Stay behind the stop line or crosswalk until you can finish the turn
Do not enter the intersection if you might not finish the turn before the light changes and block traffic.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 56 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 56)