The GDL rewards a clean record and punishes a bad one. Points, crashes and seat belt tickets slow your climb, and a few offenses send you back to a learner permit. Teens must also stay in school to keep driving.
What happens after a GDL violation
| Problem | With learner permit | With Intermediate Restricted |
|---|---|---|
| 6 or more points | Keep permit until under 6 pts for 180 days | Adds 90 days (1 year 3 months total) |
| Contributing to a crash | — | Adds 90 days |
| 2nd seat belt conviction | — | Adds 90 days |
| 2nd moving violation | — | Must complete driver education |
| Forged parental letter | — | Revoked; permit only until 18 |
| Contributing to a fatal crash | Permit only until 18 | Revoked; permit only until 18 |
Know the rule
If a violation happened while you held the Restricted license but the court reports it after you got Unrestricted, the penalty still applies — you're dropped back to Restricted for 90 days, or to a permit until 18 for revocable offenses.
Handbook p. 30 ↗Know the rule
Permit and Intermediate Restricted drivers carry a Restriction Card listing their limits. Intermediate Unrestricted has no restrictions, so it has no card.
Handbook p. 30 ↗Know the rule
An adult must sign the Minor/Teenage Affidavit and Cancellation form and take financial responsibility: a parent, foster parent or step-parent at the same address, a legal guardian, or a grandparent with a notarized authorization. A second affidavit is needed for another class, like motorcycle.
Handbook p. 31 ↗Proof of school attendance
- Graduated: original diploma or GED certificate
- Tennessee school: Form SF1010, valid 30 days from signing
- Out-of-state or private school: principal's letterhead statement that you aren't truant
- Home-schooled: letter from the local director of schools plus Form SF-1193
Know the rule
Grade cards and transcripts are not accepted as proof of school attendance.
Handbook p. 31 ↗Know the rule
In summer, an SF1010 signed within the last 30 days of the school year is accepted until 30 days after the next school year starts.
Handbook p. 31 ↗Know the rule
If a student 15 or older drops out, the school notifies the Department and driving privileges are suspended. The first time, returning to school restores them (with a $20 reinstatement fee). After a second dropout, you must wait until 18.
Handbook p. 31 ↗Dropping out (for license purposes)
10 consecutive or 15 total days of unexcused absences in a semester. 'Satisfactory progress' generally means passing three subjects per grading period.
Handbook p. 99 ↗Know the rule
A 15-year-old moving here with another state's permit gets only a Tennessee learner permit. Out-of-state permit time counts toward 180 days if you bring a clean certified driving record issued within 30 days before applying.
Handbook p. 28 ↗Know the rule
A 16-year-old with an out-of-state license held at least 90 days applies for Intermediate Restricted. With less than 90 days, you need a clean record showing 180 days of combined permit and license time. Either way you hold the Tennessee Restricted license one year.
Handbook p. 30 ↗Put it into practice
Jordan, on an Intermediate Restricted license, gets a second seat belt ticket. Instead of going Unrestricted after 1 year, Jordan waits 1 year and 90 days. If Jordan had forged the parent letter instead, it would be back to a learner permit until 18.