Tennessee's Department of Safety mandates all beginning drivers 17 years of age or younger meet the requirements of the state's graduated driver licensing program. The purpose of this program is to help young drivers develop excellent driving abilities, improve road safety and minimize collisions. The program is made up of three distinct phases: the learner's permit, the intermediate restricted license and the intermediate unrestricted license. Let's look at the nuances of the TN learners permit.

The Basics of Tennessee's Learner's Permit

Once you turn 15 years old you can apply for the state's learner's permit. You may then follow these steps:
  • Head on out to the closest TN DOS office. Bring documentation to prove your residency, hand over any out-of-state permits, provide proof of school attendance and two documents to prove residency in the state of Tennessee.
  • Provide proof that you are a U.S. Citizen or have lawful permanent residency, display primary/secondary proofs of identity and present your Social Security number.
  • You must also provide proof of school attendance from your prior school if you are new to the state of Tennessee.
  • Fill out the Form SF—259/Minor Affidavit and Cancellation. Have your parent or guardian sign the form.
  • The next step is to pass the vision test and written knowledge exam. Pay the $10.50 fee for your learner's permit. Those who fail the knowledge test can retake it after seven days have passed.

    • About the Written Learners Permit Test TN

    The state's written permit test consists of several multiple-choice questions pertaining to the rules of the road, defensive driving principles, traffic signals, traffic signs and the risks of impaired driving. Be sure to read the Tennessee Driver Manual to prepare for this test. State-approved TN learners permit test is available on the web.

    A Look at Learner's Permit Restrictions and Requirements for Progression

    When operating a vehicle with the learner's permit, one must be accompanied by a licensed driver who is a minimum of 21 years-old. This is an excellent opportunity for TN drivers test practice. An individual with a TN drivers permit can't drive between 10 at night and 6 in the morning. The Tennessee DOS mandates candidates for driver's licenses to practice driving for 50 hours including 10 hours after sunset. Fulfill these requirements, hold your TN driving permit for at least 180 days without a major problem and you will be eligible to apply for the intermediate restricted license, eventually move on to the TN road test and obtain your TN driver’s license.

    The Next Step: Intermediate Restricted License

    Once you hold your restricted license for a full year while avoiding traffic violations, you can then move on to the intermediate unrestricted driver's license. You will eventually be able to visit TN drivers license stations to apply for an official Tennessee driver's license. The intermediate restricted license license empowers you to drive without the supervision of a licensed adult. However, you must observe specific rules to hold onto the intermediate restricted license and eventually move on to a TN DMV practice test, the pretest for license and the TN DMV test for a driver's license: You can't drive alone between 11 at night and 6 in the morning. Each passenger between the ages of 4 and 17 must wear a seat belt. Aspiring license-holders are encouraged to make use of a practice drivers test TN prior to attempting to pass the official road test. You will be awfully disappointed if you make a seemingly minor mistake during your road test that opens the door for the instructor to fail you. Every youngster should have the opportunity to take a driver's education course, learn from a skilled driver and spend dozens of hours driving on urban, rural and suburban roads as well as highways prior to his or her road test.