Preparing for the Tennessee Class D knowledge test? This page brings together free practice sets, explained answers, and verified facts about the online permit test. Use it to identify rules you need to revisit before testing. Tennessee’s official licensing body is the Department of Safety & Homeland Security; Practice Test Geeks is a separate practice resource with content written using AI tools.
Numbers in brackets link to the official sources listed under Sources & last verified. Dates that have passed are removed automatically.
| Item | Detail | Source · Verified |
|---|---|---|
| Number of questions (Class D knowledge (permit) test – online) | 30 questions[1] | Tennessee Department of Safety & Homeland Security · Oct 25, 2026 |
| Time limit (Class D knowledge (permit) test – online) | 60 minutes[1] | Tennessee Department of Safety & Homeland Security · Oct 25, 2026 |
| Passing score (Class D knowledge (permit) test – online) | 80% minimum[1] | Tennessee Department of Safety & Homeland Security · Oct 25, 2026 |
| Exam fee (Class D Regular Driver License) | $28.00 for 8 years ($26 license + $2 application)[2] | Tennessee Department of Safety & Homeland Security · Oct 25, 2026 |
| Exam fee (Learner Permit (18 and over)) | $5.50 (1-year permit)[2] | Tennessee Department of Safety & Homeland Security · Oct 25, 2026 |
| Exam fee (Learner Permit (under 18)) | $10.50 (1-year permit)[2] | Tennessee Department of Safety & Homeland Security · Oct 25, 2026 |
| Validity (Learner Permit) | 1 year[2] | Tennessee Department of Safety & Homeland Security · Oct 25, 2026 |
| Renewal (Class D Regular Driver License) | Every 8 years from issue date[2] | Tennessee Department of Safety & Homeland Security · Oct 25, 2026 |
| Delivery (Class D knowledge (permit) test – online) | Online, parent/guardian-proctored (ages 15–17)[1] | Tennessee Department of Safety & Homeland Security · Oct 25, 2026 |
| Eligibility (Class D knowledge (permit) test – online) | Ages 15–17, proctored by a parent/guardian[1] | Tennessee Department of Safety & Homeland Security · Oct 25, 2026 |
According to Tennessee Department of Safety & Homeland Security, “A minimum score of 80% is required to pass.”[1]
The Tennessee Class D knowledge test is part of the process for applicants seeking a driver’s license. The verified test format here applies specifically to the online knowledge test. It has 30 questions, allows 60 minutes, and requires a minimum score of 80% to pass. Do not assume these online details describe every testing route.
The online option is available to applicants ages 15–17. A parent or legal guardian must supervise the test through the Tennessee Proctor ID App. For official instructions, consult the Tennessee Department of Safety & Homeland Security’s online knowledge test page: https://www.tn.gov/safety/driver-services/classd/teengdl/knowledge-test-online.html. Retake rules and details for other testing routes are not verified here; check the department’s instructions before arranging your test.
Permit fees depend on age. A learner permit costs $10.50 for applicants under 18 and $5.50 for applicants 18 and over, with a validity of 1 year. The Class D regular driver license costs $28.00 for 8 years, including the license and application fees. These are credential fees, not a separately verified online testing charge. Consult the official fee table at https://www.tn.gov/safety/driver-services/helpful-information/fees.html when budgeting for your application.
Prepare for the TN DMV - Tennessee Department of Motor Vehicle exam with our free practice test modules. Each quiz covers key topics to help you pass on your first try.
These are practice questions written for this site, not questions from the real exam. Each explanation shows why the right answer is right and why the others are wrong.
Question: In Tennessee, what is a Learner Permit and who qualifies for one?
Answer: A. A permit for those at least 15 allowing supervised driving practice
Explanation:
The correct answer is A: a permit for those at least 15 allowing supervised driving practice. The important distinction is between permission to practise under supervision and a license to drive independently. A learner permit serves that supervised practice purpose. Option B describes an age-related medical restriction, which is not the learner permit described here. Option C describes a credential following a DUI suspension, not permission for a new driver to practise. Option D incorrectly treats the permit as commercial driving authorization. Remember the link between a learner permit and supervised practice. Meeting the age threshold alone should not be read as a statement that every application requirement has been met.
Question: Make room for cars that are entering the freeway by:
Answer: B. Merging into a different lane.
Explanation:
The correct answer is B: move into a different lane, if safe and possible. Moving to an adjacent lane can leave room for entering traffic to merge. That condition matters: check the surrounding traffic before changing lanes, and do not force a move into an occupied space. Option A, slowing down, is not the best general answer because changing speed does not necessarily create a suitable merging gap and can disrupt following traffic. Option C, maintaining speed and position, does not actively make room when a safe lane change is available. Remember to help merging traffic through a safe, predictable adjustment, rather than treating a lane change as mandatory.
Question: How should a driver respond to being tailgated by another vehicle?
Answer: C. Move to the right lane or gradually slow down to encourage the tailgater to pass
Explanation:
The correct answer is C: move right when safe or gradually slow to encourage the following driver to pass. The aim is to give the tailgater an opportunity to get past without creating another hazard. A gentle speed adjustment does not automatically increase the gap behind you, so avoid abrupt braking. Option A, speeding up, can increase risk without stopping the tailgating. Option B, slamming on the brakes, gives the following driver less opportunity to react. Option D, ignoring the tailgater, misses an opportunity to reduce the conflict safely. Remember to stay predictable, allow room ahead, and let the other driver pass when conditions allow.
Start with TN DMV Basic to find topics that need attention. For each missed answer or guess, write down the rule you were unsure about. Consult the official Tennessee driver study material to resolve it before returning to practice. Explain why the wrong choices are wrong, rather than remembering only the correct letter.
Choose focused practice from Road Signs, Traffic Laws, and Right of Way Rules. Use Safe Driving Practices and Sharing the Road to work through decisions involving other drivers. Treat these labels as our practice categories, not a verified official exam outline.
Continue with Alcohol and Drug Laws, Parking and Stopping Rules, Special Driving Conditions, and Vehicle Registration and Licensing where your notes show gaps. Before test day, check the department’s instructions for your testing route. If you qualify for the online test, review the parent or guardian supervision requirements together. Our questions are practice material, not real exam questions.
Yes, if you are ages 15–17 and a parent or legal guardian supervises you through the Tennessee Proctor ID App. That is the verified eligibility range for the online option. If you are outside that range, consult the Tennessee Department of Safety & Homeland Security for the testing route that applies to you.
The online Class D knowledge test requires a minimum score of 80% to pass. It consists of 30 questions, and applicants have 60 minutes to finish. These verified format and scoring details apply to the online test; check the department’s instructions for details about another testing route.
A learner permit costs $10.50 for applicants under 18 and $5.50 for applicants 18 and over. The listed permit validity is 1 year. These amounts come from the Tennessee Department of Safety & Homeland Security’s credential fee table; they should not be described as a separately verified online knowledge test fee.
Yes. The regular Class D driver license costs $28.00 for 8 years, made up of a $26 license fee and a $2 application fee. The department states that Tennessee licenses renew every 8 years from the issue date rather than the holder’s birthdate. Learner permit fees are listed separately.
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