Tennessee: Vehicle controls and signals — Seat, Mirrors and Getting Ready to Drive Practice Test
Questions in this part include: “Before you get into the vehicle, what does the manual say to look for as you check around the outside?” · “How must all three of the rear view mirrors be adjusted?”
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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 22 questions in this practice test
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Before you get into the vehicle, what does the manual say to look for as you check around the outside?
- Small children, pets and any other sort of obstruction
- Only other moving vehicles close to your car
- Only the license plate and registration sticker
- Only the fuel level and the oil level
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Correct answer: Small children, pets and any other sort of obstruction
The manual tells you to walk around the vehicle and look for small children, pets and any other obstruction before getting in.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 27 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 27)
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When you check the condition of the vehicle before driving, the manual lists the windows, lights, body damage and tires. What else does it list?
- The mileage shown on the odometer
- The color of the paint
- Potential fluid leaks
- Whether the radio works
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Correct answer: Potential fluid leaks
The condition check covers windows, lights, body damage, tire condition and potential fluid leaks.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 27 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 27)
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After you enter the vehicle and place the key in the ignition, what does the manual say to do with the doors?
- Leave them unlocked
- Lock them
- Open them slightly
- Lock only the passenger doors
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Correct answer: Lock them
The pre-drive steps are to enter the vehicle, place the key in the ignition and lock the doors.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 27 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 27)
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What does the manual say about knowing where the horn, turn signals, four-way flashers, headlights and wiper controls are located?
- Learn them only after you have driven for a few weeks
- Learn only the controls needed for the road you are on
- Learn them only if the vehicle has a manual transmission
- Know where they are even if you do not need them at the moment
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Correct answer: Know where they are even if you do not need them at the moment
The manual says to know the location of these controls even when there is no need to use them right then.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 27 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 27)
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What does the manual say about driving with the seat in a reclined or semi-reclined position?
- It is acceptable on long trips if you feel tired
- It is fine as long as you wear your safety belt
- It is safe on interstates where traffic moves steadily
- Do not do it, because it reduces vision and the ability to react
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Correct answer: Do not do it, because it reduces vision and the ability to react
A reclined seat is dangerous: it limits what you can see and slows your reaction in an emergency.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 27 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 27)
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About how far back from the steering wheel should your body be, with or without an air bag?
- 3 to 5 inches
- 10 to 12 inches
- 14 to 16 inches
- 20 to 24 inches
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Correct answer: 10 to 12 inches
The manual puts the driver's body about 10 to 12 inches back from the steering wheel.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 27 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 27)
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Why does the manual warn against sitting too close to the steering wheel?
- The air bag would not be able to inflate at all when the crash happens
- The seat belt would not lock properly in a crash
- An air bag could hit your chin or face and cause head or neck injuries
- It would make your turn signals hard to reach while you steer
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Correct answer: An air bag could hit your chin or face and cause head or neck injuries
Sitting closer than about 10 to 12 inches risks serious head or neck injuries from an air bag striking the chin or face.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 27 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 27)
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When your foot moves from the accelerator to the brake, what should your heel do?
- Stay on the floor
- Rest on the accelerator
- Lift off the floor
- Rest on the brake
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Correct answer: Stay on the floor
The manual says your foot should move smoothly between the pedals while the heel is kept on the floor.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 27 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 27)
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When you adjust your seat, what does the manual say about the pedals?
- They should be reachable only with your toes
- They must be easily reached
- They should need a full stretch of your legs
- They should sit just under your knees
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Correct answer: They must be easily reached
The manual says the pedals must be easily reached when you set the seat's distance.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 27 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 27)
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The top of the steering wheel should be no higher than:
- Your chin
- The top of your head
- The level of your eyes
- The top of your shoulders
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Correct answer: The top of your shoulders
The manual says the top of the steering wheel should be no higher than the top of the shoulders.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 27 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 27)
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To what level should seat head restraints be adjusted?
- Even with the back of your head
- Even with the top of your shoulders
- Level with the base of your neck
- Even with your eyes and eyebrows
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Correct answer: Even with the back of your head
The manual says to adjust head restraints to a level even with the back of the head.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 27 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 27)
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What are head restraints designed to prevent?
- Glare from the rear window
- Injury from a side-impact crash
- Whiplash if you are hit from behind
- Your seat from sliding backward
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Correct answer: Whiplash if you are hit from behind
Head restraints are designed to prevent whiplash when the vehicle is hit from behind.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 27 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 27)
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When should you adjust your mirrors in relation to your seat?
- Before the seat is adjusted
- While the vehicle is moving in traffic
- After the seat is adjusted correctly
- Only after driving a few blocks
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Correct answer: After the seat is adjusted correctly
Mirrors are adjusted after the seat is correct, and always before driving.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 27 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 27)
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How must all three of the rear view mirrors be adjusted?
- So that they give the widest possible view
- So that they show mostly the sides of your own car
- So that they show only the road directly behind
- So that blind spots are covered by the outside mirrors only
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Correct answer: So that they give the widest possible view
The mirrors must give the widest possible view while keeping blind spots to a minimum.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 27 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 27)
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How should you adjust the inside rearview mirror?
- To frame the right side window
- To show only the road surface
- To point at the rear bumper
- To frame the rear window
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Correct answer: To frame the rear window
The inside rearview mirror is adjusted so that it frames the rear window.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 27 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 27)
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To get the smallest blind spot at the right side of the car, what should you see in the inside mirror?
- The whole right rear window and door
- Only the edge of the right rear window post
- Only the rear bumper of your car
- The left rear window post
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Correct answer: Only the edge of the right rear window post
Turning the inside mirror so only the edge of the right rear window post shows gives the smallest blind spot on the right.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 27 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 27)
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You adjust the driver's side-view mirror with your head against the left side window. How should the mirror be set?
- So you can just barely see the side of your car in the part nearest the window
- So you can see a large part of the side of your car in the mirror
- So you cannot see any part of your own car in the mirror at all
- So you see only the road behind your rear wheel in the mirror
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Correct answer: So you can just barely see the side of your car in the part nearest the window
The left mirror is set so only a sliver of your car's side shows in the part of the mirror closest to the window.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 27 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 27)
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To adjust the passenger's side-view mirror, where should you position your head?
- Against the right side window
- Just above the steering wheel
- Just above the center console
- Leaning over the back seat
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Correct answer: Just above the center console
For the right side mirror you sit upright and put your head just above the center console.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 27 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 27)
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After adjusting your mirrors, you lean slightly backward and see more than a glimpse of the rear corners of your vehicle in the outside mirrors. What should you do?
- Adjust the outside mirrors inward
- Adjust the outside mirrors outward
- Leave them where they are
- Tilt the outside mirrors toward the ground
Show answer
Correct answer: Adjust the outside mirrors outward
Seeing more than a glimpse of the vehicle's rear corners means the outside mirrors should be adjusted outward.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 27 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 27)
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To check your mirror position, a car passes you on the left. As it leaves the view of the inside mirror, what should you see?
- Its rear bumper in the outside left mirror
- Its front bumper in the outside right mirror
- Nothing until it is beside your door
- Its front bumper in the outside left mirror
Show answer
Correct answer: Its front bumper in the outside left mirror
With correct settings, a car passing on the left should appear in the outside left mirror as it leaves the inside mirror.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 27 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 27)
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Even with properly adjusted mirrors, what should you always do when you want to turn or change lanes?
- Rely on the outside mirrors alone
- Check only the inside mirror
- Sound the horn instead of looking
- Turn your head and check blind spots
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Correct answer: Turn your head and check blind spots
Mirrors cannot eliminate all blind spots, so you must turn your head and look before any lateral move.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 27 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 27)
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What should you always do before changing lanes, according to the defensive driving rules?
- Check your mirrors
- Sound your horn twice
- Turn on your high beams
- Slow to a stop in your lane
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Correct answer: Check your mirrors
The defensive driving rules say to use your rearview mirrors and always check them before you change lanes.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 93 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 93)