Everyday drugs and driving — Tennessee Permit Test

Everyday drugs and driving on the Tennessee permit test — 4 rules, each with the reason behind it and a question on it while it is fresh.

The rules

When alcohol is combined with another depressant, such as tranquilizers or sedatives, the effects are not just added together; they are multiplied.

A sleeping pill and one drink can hit you harder than either one twice over. The mix can put you to sleep at the wheel.

For example, when alcohol is combined with another depressant, like tranquilizers or sedatives, the results are not just added together; they are multiplied.

Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, p.81

A doctor's prescription is no defense for driving under the influence of that drug.

A legal pill can slow you down just as much as an illegal one. The law looks at how you drive, not where the drug came from.

Just because a drug is prescribed, by law, this is NO defense for driving under the influence of it.

Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, p.81

Over-the-counter cold tablets, cough syrups and allergy remedies may contain antihistamines, alcohol, codeine and other compounds that are dangerous for drivers.

A cough syrup from the store can make you as drowsy as a drink. Reading the label tells you before you drive.

Non-prescription drugs, such as cold tablets, cough syrups, allergy remedies, etc., purchased over-the-counter may contain antihistamines, alcohol, codeine and other compounds that can be especially dangerous for drivers.

Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, p.81

Marijuana and other drugs also affect judgment and motor functions, which makes driving under their influence dangerous.

Marijuana slows how fast your hands and feet answer what your eyes see, and it clouds your choices too.

Studies indicate that marijuana and other drugs also affect judgment and motor functions.

Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, p.81

On the test

What happens when alcohol is combined with tranquilizers or sedatives?

The effects are multiplied. A sleeping pill and one drink can hit you harder than either one twice over. The mix can put you to sleep at the wheel. Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, p.81: “For example, when alcohol is combined with another depressant, like tranquilizers or sedatives, the results are not just added together; they are multiplied.”

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.