Tennessee: Vehicle controls and signals — Backing, Moving Forward and Stopping Practice Test
Questions in this part include: “When backing, which way do you turn the wheel to back to the right?” · “How should you press the brake pedal to make a smooth 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 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 is a common mistake new drivers make when backing?
- Looking over the shoulder through the rear window
- Keeping a slow speed
- Continuing to look to the rear until stopped
- Moving too fast
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Correct answer: Moving too fast
Common backing mistakes are moving too fast, giving too much steering input and turning the wheel the wrong way.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 29 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 29)
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When backing, at which position on the steering wheel do you grasp it with your left hand?
- 3 o'clock
- 6 o'clock
- 9 o'clock
- 12 o'clock
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Correct answer: 12 o'clock
When backing, the left hand grasps the steering wheel at the 12 o'clock position.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 29 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 29)
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How does the manual say to look when backing?
- Only in the inside rearview mirror, without turning your head
- Over your shoulder through the rear window for a safe, clear path
- Only in the outside mirrors on both sides
- Straight ahead, then glance back once or twice
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Correct answer: Over your shoulder through the rear window for a safe, clear path
The manual says to look over your shoulder through the rear window for a safe, clear path.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 29 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 29)
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What speed does the manual say to use when backing?
- A moderate speed so that you can finish the maneuver quickly
- The speed of the traffic behind you
- Idle speed or gentle, smooth acceleration, keeping a slow speed
- A fast, steady speed
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Correct answer: Idle speed or gentle, smooth acceleration, keeping a slow speed
Backing is done at idle speed or with gentle, smooth acceleration, keeping a slow speed.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 29 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 29)
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When backing, which way do you turn the wheel to back to the right?
- To the right
- To the left
- Straight ahead
- It does not matter
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Correct answer: To the right
The manual says to turn the wheel to the right to back to the right and to the left to back to the left.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 29 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 29)
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When backing, how long should you continue looking to the rear?
- Until you have moved one car length
- Until you come to a complete stop
- Only for the first few feet
- Until the vehicle clears the curb
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Correct answer: Until you come to a complete stop
The manual says to continue looking to the rear until coming to a complete stop.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 29 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 29)
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When moving forward, how far ahead should you look?
- About one car length
- Half a block
- About 20 feet
- At least one block
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Correct answer: At least one block
The manual says to look at least one block ahead and steer toward a reference point.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 29 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 29)
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How should you press the brake pedal to make a smooth stop?
- With quick, repeated taps on the pedal
- With full force right away
- With steady pressure, without stomping on it
- With your left foot only
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Correct answer: With steady pressure, without stomping on it
The manual says to press down with steady pressure for a smooth stop and not to stomp on the brake pedal.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 29 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 29)
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With what exception does the manual say you should never back a vehicle into a travel lane?
- Backing out of a driveway onto the road
- Backing into a parallel parking space
- Backing up after you miss your turn
- Backing to let another driver pass
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Correct answer: Backing into a parallel parking space
The only time you may back into a travel lane is when backing into a parallel parking space.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 64 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 64)
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Why is backing more difficult for new drivers than traveling forward?
- The brakes work less effectively when the vehicle is in reverse gear
- Mirrors cannot be used while backing, and the steering wheel locks
- The vehicle blocks your view, and speed and direction are harder to control
- Other drivers always expect you to back toward them
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Correct answer: The vehicle blocks your view, and speed and direction are harder to control
The vehicle itself blocks the field of vision when backing, and speed and direction are harder to control.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 64 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 64)
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When should you check behind your vehicle for children or small objects that are hard to see from the driver's seat?
- After you start the engine
- Before you get behind the wheel
- Only after you shift into reverse
- While you are rolling backward
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Correct answer: Before you get behind the wheel
Check behind the vehicle before getting in, because children and small objects are hard to see from the driver’s seat.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 64 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 64)
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Before backing, which is the correct way to look to the rear?
- Depend only on your rearview and side mirrors
- Open the door and stick your head out
- Watch only your side mirrors while you ease back
- Turn around and look directly through the rear window
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Correct answer: Turn around and look directly through the rear window
Put your arm on the back of the seat and turn so you can look straight through the rear window; do not rely only on mirrors.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 64 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 64)
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What does the manual say about opening the door and sticking your head out to see while backing?
- It is the best way to see in a tight space
- It is acceptable at very low speed
- It is required if your mirrors are dirty
- You should avoid it because it is dangerous
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Correct answer: You should avoid it because it is dangerous
Opening the door and sticking your head out is dangerous and should be avoided when backing.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 64 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 64)
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How should you back a vehicle?
- Quickly, to clear the traffic lane
- Slowly and gradually
- At about the speed you drive forward
- With one quick glance in the mirror
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Correct answer: Slowly and gradually
The car is much harder to control and stop in reverse, so back slowly and gradually while looking to all sides.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 64 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 64)
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If you miss your turn or exit, what does the manual say to do instead of backing up?
- Stop on the shoulder and back up slowly with your flashers on
- Continue to the next turn or exit or a safe, legal place to turn around
- Back up slowly if no vehicle is following you in your lane
- Make a quick U-turn at once from wherever you are on the road
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Correct answer: Continue to the next turn or exit or a safe, legal place to turn around
Do not back up after missing a turn or exit; go on to the next one or to a place where you can turn around safely and legally.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 64 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 64)
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What does the manual say about stopping in a travel lane because you are lost or confused about directions?
- Do not stop; keep moving until you can safely pull off the roadway
- Stop in the lane and turn on your hazard flashers
- Stop in the lane just long enough to check your directions
- Brake quickly and wait in the lane for another driver to help
Show answer
Correct answer: Do not stop; keep moving until you can safely pull off the roadway
Do not stop in the travel lanes for any reason; keep moving until you can safely pull off the roadway.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 64 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 64)