Tennessee: Vehicle controls and signals — Starting the Vehicle Engine and Gears Practice Test
Questions in this part include: “What must you make sure of before starting any manual transmission vehicle?” · “Some newer automatic cars have an "O" gear selection for overdrive. When is it for use?”
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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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In which position should the gearshift selector be before you start an automatic transmission vehicle?
- DRIVE
- REVERSE
- PARK
- L (low)
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Correct answer: PARK
For automatic transmissions the selector goes in PARK, with your foot on the brake, before starting.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 28 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 28)
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In which position should the gearshift be before you start a vehicle with a manual (standard) transmission?
- NEUTRAL
- PARK
- REVERSE
- First gear
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Correct answer: NEUTRAL
For manual or standard transmissions the gearshift goes in NEUTRAL, with your foot on the brake, before starting.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 28 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 28)
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What must you make sure of before starting any manual transmission vehicle?
- That the parking brake is off
- That the parking brake is on
- That the parking brake is half released
- That the headlights are on high beam
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Correct answer: That the parking brake is on
The manual says to make sure the parking brake is on before starting a manual transmission vehicle.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 28 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 28)
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In a vehicle with a manual transmission, what must be depressed before the vehicle will start?
- The accelerator pedal
- The parking brake release
- The headlight dimmer switch
- The clutch
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Correct answer: The clutch
A manual transmission vehicle will not start until the clutch is depressed.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 28 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 28)
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After you turn the key to "on," what should you check for warnings or alerts?
- Dash lights and instruments
- The tread depth of the tires
- The position of the outside mirrors
- The seat adjustment
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Correct answer: Dash lights and instruments
The manual says to check the dash lights and instruments (ABS, air bags, fuel level and so on) for warnings or alerts.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 28 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 28)
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Which headlights does the manual say to turn on when starting the vehicle, particularly at night or in bad weather?
- High-beam headlights
- Fog lights only
- Low-beam headlights
- Parking lights only
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Correct answer: Low-beam headlights
The manual says to turn on low-beam headlights, particularly at night or in bad weather.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 28 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 28)
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In normal daylight, how far away are vehicles visible when their headlights are on, compared with headlights off?
- The same distance
- Half the distance
- Twice the distance
- Three times the distance
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Correct answer: Twice the distance
The manual notes that in normal daylight vehicles are visible at twice the distance when headlights are on.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 28 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 28)
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Some newer automatic cars have an "O" gear selection for overdrive. When is it for use?
- On interstates or other expressways with very little stop and go traffic
- On steep mountain grades where the vehicle needs engine braking
- At slow speeds on icy or other slippery roads
- For emergency deceleration after a brake failure
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Correct answer: On interstates or other expressways with very little stop and go traffic
Overdrive is meant for interstates or other expressways where there is very little stop and go traffic.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 28 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 28)
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Which situation does the manual list for using the lower gears ("L," "2" or "1") of an automatic transmission?
- Normal city driving
- Accelerating onto an expressway
- Backing out of a driveway
- Driving down steep mountain grades
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Correct answer: Driving down steep mountain grades
The lower gears are generally used only in special situations such as steep mountain grades, slow driving on slippery roads and brake failure.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 28 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 28)
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With a standard (manual) transmission, what can the driver use, rather than brakes, to help slow down the vehicle?
- Neutral
- Gears
- The clutch held down
- The parking brake
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Correct answer: Gears
A driver with a standard transmission can use the gears instead of the brakes to help slow down.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 28 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 28)
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In a vehicle with a standard transmission, at what speed should you hold the clutch pedal all the way down as you come to a stop?
- When speed drops below 10 MPH
- When speed drops below 5 MPH
- When speed drops below 20 MPH
- When speed drops below 25 MPH
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Correct answer: When speed drops below 10 MPH
The manual says to hold the clutch all the way down when starting, when shifting and when speed drops below 10 MPH while coming to a stop.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 28 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 28)
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What does it mean to "ride the clutch"?
- Pressing the clutch all the way to the floor before every turn signal
- Shifting gears without using the accelerator pedal
- Driving with your foot resting on the clutch pedal when it is not needed
- Keeping the vehicle in a low gear on every hill
Show answer
Correct answer: Driving with your foot resting on the clutch pedal when it is not needed
Riding the clutch means keeping your foot on the clutch pedal when you are not changing gears, which the manual says not to do.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 28 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 28)
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The manual says coasting with the gears in neutral is:
- Allowed on downgrades
- Illegal
- Allowed on interstates
- Recommended to save fuel
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Correct answer: Illegal
The manual states that coasting with the gears in neutral is illegal.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 28 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 28)
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What should you do when going down steep hills in a vehicle with a standard transmission?
- Shift into neutral and coast down
- Hold the clutch pedal down all the way
- Shift into the highest gear available
- Place the vehicle in a lower gear
Show answer
Correct answer: Place the vehicle in a lower gear
The manual says to place the vehicle in a lower gear when going down steep hills.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 28 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 28)
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While traveling down a grade, which action must you NEVER do?
- Keep the vehicle in gear while moving
- Use the regular brakes to slow down
- Stay in the right lane the whole way
- Coast with the transmission in neutral
Show answer
Correct answer: Coast with the transmission in neutral
Coasting in neutral (or with the clutch pedal pressed down in a manual car) reduces the driver's control of the vehicle.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 45 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 45)
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With a standard transmission, how can you use the gearshift when approaching a stop sign or signal?
- Shift into neutral, then coast to the sign
- Shift up to a higher gear before braking
- Shift into reverse to slow the vehicle down
- Flash the brake lights, then shift down a gear
Show answer
Correct answer: Flash the brake lights, then shift down a gear
After flashing your brake lights to signal drivers behind you, you can shift down to a lower gear to slow down.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 48 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 48)