Tennessee driving law, answered
Every answer here comes from Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, with the page or the section it is in.
Manuals fetched on 14 September 2026. How the answers are made
How far from a fire hydrant must you park?
It is illegal to park within 15 feet of a fire hydrant. Firefighters need to reach the hydrant fast. A car in the way costs time during a fire.
Within 15 feet of a fire hydrant
As of 14 Sep 2026
How far from a crosswalk at an intersection must you park?
It is illegal to park within 20 feet of a crosswalk or in the crosswalk's marked area. A car parked at the corner hides a child stepping into the crosswalk from passing drivers.
Within 20 feet of a crosswalk or in the crosswalk marked area
As of 14 Sep 2026
How far from a stop sign or traffic signal must you park?
It is illegal to park within 30 feet of a traffic signal, stop sign or other traffic control device. A parked car near the corner can block the stop sign from view of the driver who needs it.
Within 30 feet of a traffic signal, stop sign or any other traffic control device
As of 14 Sep 2026
How far from a railroad crossing must you park?
It is illegal to park within 50 feet of a railroad crossing. A car near the tracks blocks drivers' view of the train coming down the line.
Within 50 feet of a railroad crossing
As of 14 Sep 2026
How far from a fire station driveway must you park?
Across the street from a fire station driveway, you may not park within 75 feet of it. Fire trucks swing wide coming out. A car parked across the street can block their turn.
Within 20 feet of a fire station driveway on the same side of the street or on the other side of the street within 75 feet of the fire station driveway
As of 14 Sep 2026
How close to the curb must you park?
When stopping at a curb to park, move to within 18 inches of the curb. Parked too far out, your car sticks into the lane and passing traffic can clip it.
If stopping at a curb, move to within 18 inches of the curb for proper parking.
As of 14 Sep 2026
When must you stop for a school bus with flashing red lights?
When a school bus has red lights flashing and its stop arm out, you must stay stopped until the stop arm is pulled back and the bus starts moving. A child who has dropped something may run back across the road. The bus moving again is the sign that all are clear.
The vehicle must remain stopped until the stop arm is pulled back and the bus resumes motion.
As of 14 Sep 2026
What must you do when passing a stopped emergency vehicle with flashing lights?
When safe, move over into a lane that is not next to the stopped emergency vehicle; this applies whether it is on the right or left side of the road. Crews work on both shoulders. A car in the next lane over can hit someone stepping out on either side.
This requirement to move over applies, regardless of whether the emergency vehicle is on the right or left-hand side of the road.
As of 14 Sep 2026
When must you turn on your headlights?
Your headlights must be on from 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise. Dusk and dawn are dim enough that a dark car blends into the road. Lights on in that half hour let others see you coming.
Required Night Use: Your car headlights must be turned on 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise.
As of 14 Sep 2026
How far from an oncoming vehicle must you dim your high beams?
When your high beams are on, you must dim them when an oncoming vehicle is within 500 feet. High beams shine straight into the eyes of the driver coming at you. A blinded driver can drift right into your lane.
When your vehicle’s high beam headlights are on, you must dim or lower the beam when an oncoming vehicle is within 500 feet (approximately the distance of one city block) or when you are following another vehicle within 500 feet.
As of 14 Sep 2026
Who must wear a seat belt?
Safety belts are required for all drivers and all front-seat passengers any time the vehicle is moving. A short trip to the store is when many crashes happen, so the belt goes on every time the car moves.
Safety belts are required for ALL drivers and all passengers in the FRONT seat, any time the vehicle is in motion.
As of 14 Sep 2026
When must a child ride in a car seat?
A child under 1 year old, or any child under 20 pounds, must ride in a rear-facing car seat. A baby's neck is too weak to hold its head in a crash. Facing the rear, the seat back takes the hit.
A child under one year old, or any child weighing less than 20 pounds, must be in a child passenger restraint system (car seat) that is facing the rear of the car.
As of 14 Sep 2026
What is the legal blood alcohol limit for adult drivers?
It is DUI in Tennessee to drive while the alcohol concentration of your blood or breath is .08 percent or higher. At .08 a driver reacts too slowly to stop for a child in the road. The law draws its line there for every adult.
While the alcohol concentration of the operator’s blood or breath is .08 percent or higher.
As of 14 Sep 2026
What is the blood alcohol limit for drivers under 21?
A person at least 16 but not yet 21 who is found driving with a BAC of .02 percent will be convicted of underage driving while impaired. For a young driver there is almost no safe amount. One drink can put you over the line and cost you your license.
A person who is at least 16, but is not yet 21 years old, and who is found: (1) driving with a BAC of .02 percent; (2) under the influence of alcohol; or (3) under the influence of any other intoxicant, will be convicted of underage driving while impaired.
As of 14 Sep 2026
What happens if you refuse a breath or blood alcohol test?
If you are arrested and refuse an officer's request to take the test, the court will likely suspend your driving privileges for 12 months. If refusing cost less than failing, every drunk driver would refuse. The year-long loss makes saying no a bad trade.
If you are placed under arrest and a law enforcement officer asks you to take the test and you refuse, it will likely result in the suspension by the court of your driving privileges for twelve (12) months.
As of 14 Sep 2026
May you use a handheld phone while driving?
Under Tennessee's hands-free law, it is illegal for a driver to hold a cellphone or mobile device with any part of their body. A phone in your hand, even at your ear, takes a hand off the wheel and your mind off the road.
hold a cellphone or mobile device with any part of their body,
As of 14 Sep 2026
May you text while driving?
It is illegal for a driver to write, send or read any text-based communication. Reading a text takes your eyes off the road for seconds, long enough to cross a whole intersection blind.
write, send, or read any text-based communication,
As of 14 Sep 2026
How far before a turn must you signal?
Turn on your turn signal at least 50 feet before the turn. Drivers behind need a few seconds of warning to slow down. A late signal is almost no signal at all.
At least 50 feet before the turn, you must turn on your turn signal lights.
As of 14 Sep 2026
May you turn right on a red light?
Unless a sign says otherwise, you may turn right on red after a complete stop when no pedestrians or cross traffic are present. The red still means stop first. Rolling through to turn can hit a walker stepping off the curb.
Unless otherwise posted, you may turn right on red after coming to a complete stop and when no pedestrians or cross traffic are present.
As of 14 Sep 2026
May you turn left on a red light onto a one-way street?
A left turn on red is allowed where a one-way street meets another one-way street and traffic moves in the direction of the turn. Turning left on red onto a two-way street sends you across lanes of moving cars.
A left turn at a red light or stop signal is permitted at all intersections where a one-way street intersects with another one-way street and the traffic is moving in the same direction into which the left turn would be made.
As of 14 Sep 2026
Where are U-turns not allowed?
You may not make a U-turn at an intersection where a traffic light or police officer controls the traffic. Drivers moving on a green or an officer's wave do not expect a car swinging around in front of them.
At any intersection where a traffic light or police officer is controlling the traffic flow.
As of 14 Sep 2026
What is the speed limit on a highway outside town when no sign is posted?
Unless a sign says otherwise, the speed limit on Tennessee's primary and secondary state and federal highways is 55 mph. Most open roads are not posted at every mile. The 55 mph default tells you the limit when no sign is in sight.
Unless otherwise posted, the speed limit on primary and secondary state and federal highways is 55 m.p.h.
As of 14 Sep 2026
When may you pass another vehicle on the right?
You may pass on the right on an unobstructed road wide enough for two or more lanes of moving traffic in each direction. With two lanes your way, the right lane is a real travel lane, not a squeeze past a car.
When the driver is on a street or highway with unobstructed pavement, not occupied by parked vehicles, and such paved roadway is of sufficient width for two or more lanes of moving vehicles in each direction.
As of 14 Sep 2026
How long must you hold a learner's permit before a license?
Drivers under 18 must hold a learner permit for 180 days and qualify under the GDL program before they can be road tested. The permit period is when a new driver gets supervised practice. Skipping ahead puts someone on the road alone without it.
People under the age of eighteen (18) must have a learner permit for 180 days and qualify under the GDL program before they can be road tested.
As of 14 Sep 2026
What is the penalty for littering from a vehicle?
Littering is against Tennessee law, and fines start at $50 and can go up to $3,000, based on the amount of litter. A bag tossed from the window still costs money. The bigger the mess, the bigger the fine.
Fines start at $50 and can be up to $3,000 based upon the amount of litter.
As of 14 Sep 2026
What is the fine for a first drunk-driving conviction?
A first DUI conviction carries a fine of $350 to $1,500. The fine is only the start. Court costs, classes and higher insurance pile on top of it.
1st Conviction 48 hours (7 days if BAC is 0.20% or more) $350-$1500
As of 14 Sep 2026
How long is your license suspended for a first drunk-driving conviction?
A first DUI conviction revokes your license for 1 year. A year without a license means no driving to school, work or friends. That cost is meant to stop a second time.
1st Conviction 48 hours (7 days if BAC is 0.20% or more) $350-$1500 1 year Does not apply
As of 14 Sep 2026
When must you install an ignition interlock after a drunk-driving conviction?
A person with 2 DUIs in a 5-year period must drive with an ignition interlock device for 6 months after their driving privileges are reinstated. Getting the license back is a second chance with a check built in. The interlock watches the first months back.
Please note that a person with 2 DUIs in a five year period MUST operate a motor vehicle with the ignition interlock device for six months after reinstatement of driving privileges.
As of 14 Sep 2026
How many points on your license lead to a suspension?
Adult drivers who build up 12 or more points within 12 months receive a notice of proposed suspension. A few speeding tickets in one year can bring you close to losing your license as an adult.
Adult drivers (18 years of age or older) who accumulate 12 or more points within a 12-month period receive a notice of proposed suspension.
As of 14 Sep 2026
How much distance must you leave when passing a bicycle?
When passing a bicyclist going your direction, do so slowly and leave at least 3 feet between your car and the bicycle. A gust of air from a car close by can knock a rider over. Three feet gives them room to wobble.
When passing and overtaking a bicyclist proceeding in the same direction, do so slowly and leave at least a distance between you and the bicycle of not less than 3 feet.
As of 14 Sep 2026
Must a vehicle driving slower than other traffic keep to the right lane?
On a highway with more than one lane each way, a SLOWER TRAFFIC KEEP RIGHT sign means you must drive in the far right lane unless passing a slower car or turning left. Slow cars in the left lane force faster drivers to weave around them. That weaving is where crashes start.
It means that you must drive in the extreme right lane unless you want to pass a slower moving car or make a left turn.
As of 14 Sep 2026
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