Seat and head restraint adjustment — Tennessee Permit Test

Seat and head restraint adjustment on the Tennessee permit test — 6 rules, each with the reason behind it and a question on it while it is fresh.

The rules

Adjust the seat head restraint so it is level with the back of your head.

A head restraint set too low lets your head snap back over it when you are hit from behind.

Properly adjust seat head restraints to a level even with the back of the head.

Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, p.27

Head restraints are designed to prevent whiplash if you are hit from behind.

When a car hits you from behind, your head whips backward. The restraint is there to catch it.

Head restraints are designed to prevent whiplash if hit from behind.

Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, p.27

Your body should be about 10 to 12 inches back from the steering wheel.

At that distance an air bag hits your chest. Closer, and it can hit your chin or face and hurt your head or neck.

Your body should be about 10 to 12 inches back from the steering wheel with or without an air bag.

Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, p.27

Do not drive with the seat reclined or semi-reclined; it cuts your vision and your ability to react to emergencies.

Leaning far back, you see less of the road and need longer to reach the brake when something happens.

This is dangerous and reduces both your vision and your ability to react to emergency situations.

Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, p.27

The top of the steering wheel should be no higher than the top of your shoulders.

If the wheel sits above your shoulders, you are sitting too low to see the road over the hood.

The top of the steering wheel should be no higher than the top of the shoulders.

Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, p.27

Your foot should move smoothly from the gas pedal to the brake while your heel stays on the floor.

If you must lift your whole leg to reach the brake, you lose time in a sudden stop.

Your foot should move smoothly from the accelerator to the brake while the heel is kept on the floor.

Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, p.27

On the test

How high should the seat head restraint be set?

Level with the back of your head. A head restraint set too low lets your head snap back over it when you are hit from behind. Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, p.27: “Properly adjust seat head restraints to a level even with the back of the head.”

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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.