Air bag safety — Tennessee Permit Test

Air bag safety on the Tennessee permit test — 5 rules, each with the reason behind it and a question on it while it is fresh.

The rules

Air bags combined with safety belts are the best protection available; most air bag tragedies can be prevented by also wearing belts.

An unbelted person slides forward into the air bag as it bursts out, which is when it hurts the most.

Air bags combined with safety belts are the best protection currently available in a car, SUV, or truck.

Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, p.33

If you have an adjustable steering wheel, keep it tilted down in a level or parallel position.

Tilted up, the wheel aims the air bag at your face and neck instead of your chest.

If you have an adjustable steering wheel, always try to keep it tilted down in a level or parallel position.

Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, p.33

Children 12 and under are safer in the back seat of a vehicle.

An air bag is built for an adult and opens with enough force to badly hurt a child.

CHILDREN ages 12 and under are safer in the back seat of a vehicle.

Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, p.33

Infants in rear-facing seats should ride in the rear seat, if available, of a vehicle with a passenger-side air bag.

A rear-facing seat puts the back of the baby's head right where the air bag hits.

Infants in rear-facing seats should be placed in the rear seat,

Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, p.33

If a child must ride in the front seat with a passenger-side air bag, move the seat back as far as possible and buckle the child properly.

Every inch from the dashboard gives the air bag room to open before it reaches the child.

If a child must ride in the front seat of a vehicle such as a pickup truck, with a passenger side air bag, the seat should be moved back as far as possible, and the child should be properly buckled up.

Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, p.33

On the test

What gives the best protection currently available in a car?

Air bags combined with safety belts. An unbelted person slides forward into the air bag as it bursts out, which is when it hurts the most. Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, p.33: “Air bags combined with safety belts are the best protection currently available in a car, SUV, or truck.”

How this works

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Where these come from

Every rule here is checked against Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, published by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, and against the state code itself. Last checked 2026-10-03.