TN DMV Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield TN DMV facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. What should you always do before exiting your parked vehicle on the driver's side? → Check mirrors and look for cyclists or traffic before opening the door
2. You are driving on a highway and a vehicle is merging onto the highway from an on-ramp. You should: → Adjust your speed or change lanes if safe to allow the merge
3. Which Tennessee county office handles vehicle registration and titling? → County Clerk's office
4. Tennessee law requires bicyclists to follow: → The same traffic laws as motor vehicles
5. You are approaching an intersection to turn left. Oncoming traffic is present. When should you turn? → When you can make the turn safely with a gap in traffic
6. How soon after establishing Tennessee residency must you obtain a Tennessee driver's license? → 30 days
7. What is hydroplaning? → When tires lose contact with the road due to a layer of water
8. In Tennessee, what is the speed limit in a residential area unless otherwise posted? → 25 mph
9. To pass on a two-lane road, you should: → Judge the distance to any oncoming vehicles
10. In Tennessee, when must you turn on your headlights? → From sunset to sunrise and when visibility is less than 200 feet
11. When following a large truck, why should you maintain an especially large following distance? → To see around the truck and allow stopping distance
12. A driver convicted of vehicular homicide by intoxication in Tennessee faces: → A Class B felony charge
13. What test must be passed to obtain a Tennessee driver's license? → Knowledge test and road skills test
14. When approaching a pedestrian crosswalk, what should a driver do? → Yield to pedestrians and stop if necessary
15. What is the safest action when a dust storm reduces visibility to near zero on a Tennessee highway? → Pull completely off the road, turn off lights, and keep foot off the brake
16. When leaving a parallel parking space, you should: → Signal, check traffic, and yield to passing vehicles before pulling out
17. What is the main danger of driving when fatigued? → Slowed reaction time and risk of falling asleep at the wheel
18. When a driver approaches an intersection and sees a flashing yellow light, they should: → Proceed with caution, yielding as needed
19. How should you handle driving on a road that may have black ice? → Drive slowly and avoid sudden braking, acceleration, or sharp turns
20. A major cause of fatal traffic accidents in Tennessee is: → Speeding.
21. What should you do if you experience a tire blowout at highway speed? → Grip the wheel firmly, ease off the gas, and steer straight
22. What is the consequence for a first-time offense of driving without insurance in Tennessee? → Suspension of driver's license
23. What is required during the Tennessee Intermediate Restricted License phase? → No driving between 11 PM and 6 AM without a licensed adult
24. How should a driver respond to being tailgated by another vehicle? → Move to the right lane or gradually slow down to encourage the tailgater to pass
25. When should you use your vehicle's emergency flashers (hazard lights) in Tennessee? → When your vehicle is disabled or creating a hazard to other traffic
26. What is the BAC limit for drivers under 21 in Tennessee? → 0.02%
27. Under Tennessee's Move Over Law, when passing a stationary emergency vehicle with flashing lights on a multi-lane highway, drivers must: → Move over one lane away from the vehicle if safe, or slow down significantly
28. When a traffic signal is not working at an intersection, drivers should treat it as: → A four-way stop
29. Driving at night requires you to reduce speed because: → Your stopping distance can exceed your headlight visibility range
30. If you refuse a chemical sobriety test in Tennessee, what happens? → Your license is automatically suspended