Speed, Lane Use, Turns, and Parking
Key Takeaways
- Tennessee's rural interstate maximum is 70 mph on most rural sections, but posted limits may be lower and the maximum is only for ideal conditions.
- Active Tennessee school zones are a high-priority permit-test number: slow to 15 mph when the zone is active or when the posted school-zone control requires it.
- The Tennessee manual uses at least 50 feet as the turn-signal distance before turning, changing lanes, stopping, or materially altering course.
- Slower traffic should keep right, and the left lane is for passing or left turns; on interstates, do not back up, cross the median, or stop in travel lanes after missing an exit.
- Parking rules include setting the parking brake, turning wheels correctly on hills, staying out of prohibited areas, and leaving a parked vehicle visible and clear of traffic.
Speed, Lane Use, Turns, and Parking
Speed questions in Tennessee are not only number questions. The posted speed is the legal limit for good conditions, but the driver must still choose a speed that is reasonable for traffic, curves, weather, visibility, work zones, school areas, pedestrians, and stopping distance.
Speed Numbers to Know
| Road or condition | Tennessee rule to remember |
|---|---|
| Rural interstate | 70 mph is posted on most rural Tennessee interstate sections, unless signs show a different limit. |
| Urban interstate | 55 mph is common in congested metropolitan interstate areas. |
| Primary and secondary state or federal highways | 55 mph unless otherwise posted. |
| Active school zone | Know the 15 mph school-zone test number and obey posted flashing school-zone controls. |
| Interstate right lanes | Minimum speed is generally 45 mph under normal conditions. |
| Interstate leftmost lane | Driving under 55 mph is unlawful unless congestion or traffic flow prevents that speed safely. |
The safest answer reduces speed for rain, fog, ice, curves, traffic backups, workers, children, and poor sight distance. A driver can be too fast for conditions even while under the posted limit.
Lane Use and Passing
Slower traffic should keep right. Do not straddle lanes or drift in the center of a multilane road. Before changing lanes, check mirrors, signal, look over your shoulder, check blind spots, and move gradually. In a shared center left-turn lane, use the lane only for left turns or for entering traffic from a side road or driveway; do not use it for passing or ordinary travel, and do not travel in it for more than the limited distance allowed by the manual.
Passing on the left requires a clear view, enough distance, a legal passing zone, and a safe return before oncoming traffic or a no-passing marking. Do not pass when approaching a hill, curve, intersection, railroad crossing, narrow bridge, tunnel, or school bus with active red lights and stop arm. Do not pass a vehicle stopped for a pedestrian in a crosswalk. Passing on the right is allowed only in limited safe situations, such as when a vehicle is turning left or on a road wide enough for multiple same-direction lanes. Never use a bike lane, parking lane, shoulder, or emergency lane as a shortcut to pass.
Turns and Signals
Signal at least 50 feet before turning, changing lanes, stopping, or moving from a parked position. For a left turn from a two-way street, move near the centerline and turn into the lane just right of the centerline on the new road. For a right turn, move close to the right curb or edge without crowding pedestrians, bicyclists, or parked vehicles, and finish in the right lane.
Right turns on red are allowed after a complete stop unless posted otherwise. Tennessee also permits left turns on red from a one-way street onto another one-way street when traffic moves in the direction of the turn and no sign prohibits it. If you miss a freeway exit, continue to the next exit. Never stop, back up, cross the median, or make a U-turn on an interstate.
Parking
Park where your vehicle is visible and does not interfere with travel lanes. Outside city limits, get all wheels off the pavement when possible, leave at least 18 feet of roadway for other traffic, and make sure the vehicle is visible for 200 feet in both directions. Set the parking brake.
Hill parking is predictable: downhill with a curb, turn wheels toward the curb; uphill with a curb, turn wheels away from the curb; no curb, turn wheels toward the road edge. Do not park in intersections, crosswalks, sidewalks, driveways, within 15 feet of a fire hydrant, within 30 feet of a traffic signal or stop sign, within 50 feet of a railroad crossing, in disabled parking without authorization, or on an interstate shoulder except for an emergency.
You are on a rural Tennessee interstate posted at 70 mph, but fog is reducing visibility and traffic is slowing. Which choice best applies Tennessee speed rules?
A Tennessee driver misses an interstate exit. What should the driver do?
When parking uphill next to a curb in Tennessee, which wheel position best prevents the vehicle from rolling into traffic?