Your license exam has three parts: a vision screening, a computerized knowledge test and a road test. Knowledge tests are first-come, first-served; road tests need an appointment. No test can be repeated the same day.
Which tests you take
| Situation | Tests |
|---|---|
| Original Class D or Class H | Vision, knowledge and road skills |
| Class PD (learner permit) | Vision and knowledge |
| Exchanging PD for Class D | Vision and road skills |
| Duplicate or renewal | No test |
| Adding For-Hire endorsement | Vision and knowledge |
| New resident, valid out-of-state license | Vision only |
| New resident from another country | Vision, knowledge and road skills |
Vision needed in each eye and both eyes together (glasses or contacts allowed)
Handbook p. 35 ↗The knowledge test is about 25% each of:
- Traffic signs and signals
- Safe driving principles
- Rules of the road
- Drugs and alcohol
Know the rule
The computer test is offered in English, Spanish, Korean and Japanese. A translation dictionary with no notes is allowed; phones, electronic dictionaries and interpreters are not. Oral tests are by appointment (under 18 needs a doctor's or specialist's statement).
Handbook p. 35 ↗Know the rule
Any cheating — notes, talking, using a phone or a stand-in — is an automatic failure, and you can't retest for 30 days.
Handbook p. 35 ↗Mandatory wait after failing a knowledge test (plus a $2 fee each time you fail)
Handbook p. 36 ↗Pre-trip check: you must show you can use
- Safety belts (required on 1969 and newer cars)
- Foot brake and parking brake
- Headlights, high and low (at least 2, no more than 4, white)
- Tail and brake lights (license light, 2 red tail lights, 2 red brake lights)
- Windshield wipers (2, unless 1 cleans to within 1 inch)
- Defroster and fan
- Rearview mirror
- Horn
Other equipment the test vehicle must have
- No tint material on the windshield
- Car windows passing at least 35% of visible light
- Driver and passenger doors that open inside and out
- Bumpers 14–22 inches high (4x4s: 14–31 inches)
- A working speedometer and a muffler
Know the rule
Book road tests up to 45 days ahead, pass the knowledge test first, arrive 15 minutes early, and bring your own registered vehicle. Arrive 5 or more minutes late and you must reschedule. Only you and the examiner ride — no animals.
Handbook p. 36 ↗Causes for immediate road-test failure
- Violating any traffic law
- Not cooperating or refusing to follow directions
- Any dangerous action
- Contributing to an accident
Road test errors and retest wait
| Errors / points | Result |
|---|---|
| 1 to 6 | Pass |
| 7 to 9 | Retest after 1 day |
| 10 to 12 | Retest after 7 days |
| 13 to 15 | Retest after 14 days |
| 16+ or automatic failure | Retest after 30 days |
Know the rule
Road tests average 20–25 minutes and aren't given in heavy rain, thick fog, flooding, snow or ice, severe weather warnings, or in the dark.
Handbook p. 38 ↗Know the rule
Teens 15 to 17 may take the knowledge test online with a parent or guardian as proctor through the Tennessee Proctor Identification (PID) app.
Handbook p. 38 ↗Put it into practice
You make 11 errors on your road test. That's in the 10-to-12 range, so you must practice at least 7 days before retesting. Roll through a stop sign, though, and it's an automatic failure with a 30-day wait.