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. Which Tennessee county office handles vehicle registration and titling? → County Clerk's office
3. Tennessee law requires bicyclists to follow: → The same traffic laws as motor vehicles
4. 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
5. How soon after establishing Tennessee residency must you obtain a Tennessee driver's license? → 30 days
6. What is hydroplaning? → When tires lose contact with the road due to a layer of water
7. In Tennessee, what is the speed limit in a residential area unless otherwise posted? → 25 mph
8. To pass on a two-lane road, you should: → Judge the distance to any oncoming vehicles
9. In Tennessee, when must you turn on your headlights? → From sunset to sunrise and when visibility is less than 200 feet
10. When following a large truck, why should you maintain an especially large following distance? → To see around the truck and allow stopping distance
11. A driver convicted of vehicular homicide by intoxication in Tennessee faces: → A Class B felony charge
12. What test must be passed to obtain a Tennessee driver's license? → Knowledge test and road skills test
13. When approaching a pedestrian crosswalk, what should a driver do? → Yield to pedestrians and stop if necessary
14. 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
15. When leaving a parallel parking space, you should: → Signal, check traffic, and yield to passing vehicles before pulling out
16. What is the main danger of driving when fatigued? → Slowed reaction time and risk of falling asleep at the wheel
17. When a driver approaches an intersection and sees a flashing yellow light, they should: → Proceed with caution, yielding as needed
18. How should you handle driving on a road that may have black ice? → Drive slowly and avoid sudden braking, acceleration, or sharp turns
19. A major cause of fatal traffic accidents in Tennessee is: → Speeding.
20. What should you do if you experience a tire blowout at highway speed? → Grip the wheel firmly, ease off the gas, and steer straight
21. What is the consequence for a first-time offense of driving without insurance in Tennessee? → Suspension of driver's license
22. What is required during the Tennessee Intermediate Restricted License phase? → No driving between 11 PM and 6 AM without a licensed adult
23. 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
24. 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
25. What is the BAC limit for drivers under 21 in Tennessee? → 0.02%
26. 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
27. Driving at night requires you to reduce speed because: → Your stopping distance can exceed your headlight visibility range
28. If you refuse a chemical sobriety test in Tennessee, what happens? → Your license is automatically suspended
29. At a four-way stop sign, vehicles should proceed in what order? → The order in which they arrived
30. When parking parallel to the curb, your vehicle must be within how many inches of the curb in Tennessee? → 18 inches