Cheat sheet

Tennessee DMV Permit Cheat Sheet

Signs + Signals

25%of exam

Traffic SignsSignalsMarkingsRailroadWork Zones

Rules + Right-of-Way

25%of exam

Right-of-WayTurnsIntersectionsSpeedLane Use

Safety + Sharing

25%of exam

Safe DrivingSharing RoadWeatherFollowingCrashes

Alcohol + GDL

25%of exam

BACImplied ConsentLearner PermitIntermediateFees

Quick Facts

Exam
TN permit
Owner
TN Driver Services
Questions
30
Time
60 min
Pass
80%
Correct
24 of 30
Teen permit
Age 15
Hold
180 days
Fee
$10.50 under 18

Shape Ladder

Octagon stop; triangle yield; diamond warns

OctagonTriangleDiamondPentagon

Stop vs Yield

Stop

  • Full stop
  • Octagon
  • Proceed safely

Yield

  • Slow first
  • Triangle
  • Stop if needed

Required stop vs conditional

Sign Shapes

Octagon
Stop
Triangle
Yield
Diamond
Warning
Pentagon
School
Circle
Railroad ahead
White rectangle
Regulation
Orange
Work zone
Green
Guide sign

Flashing Red vs Yellow

Flashing red

  • Stop sign
  • Yield after stop
  • Proceed clear

Flashing yellow

  • Caution
  • Slow down
  • Watch hazards

Stop vs caution

Signals

Red
Stop
Yellow
Stop if safe
Green
Go if clear
Green arrow
Protected move
Flashing red
Stop sign
Flashing yellow
Use caution
Dark signal
Four-way stop
Rail lights
Stop, wait

Solid vs Broken

Solid line

  • Restricts crossing
  • No passing
  • Stay lane

Broken line

  • May cross
  • If safe
  • Check traffic

Restriction vs permission

Markings

Double yellow
No passing
Broken yellow
Pass if clear
Solid white
Lane change discouraged
Broken white
Lane change allowed
Stop line
Stop before line
Crosswalk
Pedestrian area
Center turn
Left turns only
Edge line
Road boundary

TN Speeds

70 rural interstate; 15 school zone

70 interstate15 schoolSafe conditionsKeep right

Basic Speed vs Posted

Basic speed

  • Conditions matter
  • May require slower
  • Reasonable/safe

Posted

  • Legal maximum
  • Normal conditions
  • Still adjust

Safe choice vs sign

Road Rule Picker

  1. Four-way same timeRight goes first
  2. Turning leftYield oncoming
  3. Entering roundaboutYield inside
  4. Driveway exitYield road
  5. School bus redsStop
  6. Emergency vehicleMove right
  7. Rural interstate70 mph max
  8. Active school zone15 mph

Right-of-Way

First stop
Goes first
Same time
Right goes first
Left turn
Yield oncoming
Driveway
Yield roadway
Roundabout
Yield inside
Blocked intersection
Do not enter
Pedestrian
Yield crossing
Rail gate
Never drive around

Speed + Lanes

Basic speed
Reasonable and safe
Rural interstate
70 mph
School zone
15 mph active
Slower traffic
Keep right
Acceleration lane
Match speed
Lane change
Signal, check
No-passing
Obey signs
Hills/curves
No passing

Turns + Parking

Right on red
Stop, yield
Left turn
Nearest lane
Signal turn
Warn others
U-turn
Only where legal
Hill parking
Turn wheels
Fire hydrant
Do not block
Disabled space
Permit only
Rail crossing
Leave room

Rain vs Hydroplane

Rain

  • Reduce speed
  • Increase space
  • Lights on

Hydroplane

  • Ease accelerator
  • Hold steering
  • Avoid braking

Prevention vs recovery

Sharing Road

Pedestrians
Yield carefully
Cyclists
Share lane
Motorcycles
Check twice
Trucks
Avoid no-zones
School buses
Stop for reds
Emergency vehicles
Move right
Blind spots
Stay visible
Work zones
Slow, obey

Safe Conditions

Following
Leave space
Night
Use headlights
Rain
Slow earlier
Hydroplaning
Ease off
Skid
Steer smoothly
Fog
Low beams
Fatigue
Stop driving
Crash
Stop, help

Test Numbers

30 questions; 24 correct; 60 minutes

30 Q24 pass80%60 min

Learner vs Intermediate

Learner

  • Age 15
  • 180 days
  • 21 supervisor

Intermediate

  • Age 16/17
  • Road tested
  • More independence

Supervised vs staged

Test Picker

  1. Knowledge test30 questions
  2. Need passing24 correct
  3. Time running60 minutes
  4. Fail onlineWait 24 hours
  5. Online attempts usedGo in-person
  6. Under 18 fee$10.50
  7. Age 18+ fee$5.50
  8. Teen applicantParent proctor

Alcohol + DUI

Adult BAC
0.08%
Under 21
0.02%
Commercial
0.04%
Implied consent
Testing required
Refusal
License revocation
Drugs
Can impair
Medication
Read warnings
Best BAC
0.00%

GDL Ages

15 permit; 16 restricted; 17 unrestricted

15 learner16 restricted17 unrestricted18 regular

Adult vs Underage BAC

Adult

  • 21+
  • 0.08%
  • DUI threshold

Under 21

  • Age 16-20
  • 0.02%
  • Stiff penalties

Standard vs low tolerance

GDL Picker

  1. Age 15Learner permit
  2. Learner driving21 front seat
  3. Learner nightNo 10-6
  4. Held 180 daysRoad test
  5. Age 16Intermediate restricted
  6. Age 17Intermediate unrestricted
  7. Age 18Regular Class D
  8. Need road testLicensed adult

GDL + Fees

Learner age
15
Knowledge test
30 questions
Time limit
60 minutes
Pass score
80%
Learner hold
180 days
Adult supervisor
21 front seat
Learner curfew
10 pm-6 am
Under-18 fee
$10.50
Adult fee
$5.50

Common Traps

Pass math

24 correct Not 23

Learner curfew

No 10-6 Not 11-6

Learner supervisor

21 front seat Not back seat

Underage BAC

0.02% Not 0.08%

School zone

15 mph active Not always posted

Dark signal

Four-way stop Not uncontrolled

Rail gate

Never drive around Wait fully raised

Last Minute

  1. 1.30 Q, 60 min
  2. 2.Need 24 correct
  3. 3.Pass score: 80%
  4. 4.Learner permit: age 15
  5. 5.Hold learner: 180 days
  6. 6.Supervisor: 21 front seat
  7. 7.Learner curfew: 10-6
  8. 8.Rural interstate: 70
  9. 9.School zone: 15
  10. 10.Adult BAC: 0.08
  11. 11.Under 21 BAC: 0.02
  12. 12.Under-18 permit: $10.50
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