Department of Safety & Homeland Security (TDOSHS)
Tennessee Permit Test (2026)
Study for the official TDOSHS Driver License Knowledge Test with free practice tests written from the state's own rules — plus the verified facts below: how many questions, the passing score, and what it costs.
Tennessee permit test: quick facts
- Questions on the exam
- 30
- Passing score
- 24 of 30 correct (80%)
- Minimum permit age
- 15
- Fee
- Class PD learner permit: $10.50 total for applicants under 18 ($8.50 license plus $2 application fee) or $5.50 total for 18 and over; county clerk locations add a $4 administrative fee. The $2 application fee is charged again for each retest after a failure.
- If you fail
- A mandatory 1-day waiting period applies after failing any driver license knowledge test, including second and later attempts, and no test may be repeated the same day; the $2 application fee is paid again at each retake. Teens testing online get a maximum of two online attempts with a 24-hour wait after a failure.
- Online testing
- Available in some cases
- Languages
- English, with Spanish, Korean, and Japanese available on computerized testing machines at Driver Service Centers; applicants may use a clean translation dictionary. The online teen knowledge test is offered in English and Spanish.
How it works
Step 1
Take Practice Test 1 like the real thing — no notes, one question at a time.
Step 2
Read every explanation, especially for questions you missed. That's where the learning happens.
Step 3
Repeat with Test 2 and the road signs test until you pass comfortably every time.
Free Tennessee practice tests
Tennessee Practice Test 1
30 questions — signs, rules, and state law
Tennessee Practice Test 2
30 fresh questions, no repeats from Test 1
Tennessee Road Signs Test
25 questions on signs, shapes, and signals
New-driver rules in Tennessee
Tennessee's GDL program starts with a learner permit at 15 that must be held 180 days, with 50 hours of supervised driving (10 at night) certified on the state form before moving up. The Intermediate Restricted license at 16 bars driving between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. and allows only one passenger, with limited exceptions such as a parent or a designated licensed adult 21 or older. After one clean year, drivers age 17 can move to an Intermediate Unrestricted license.
Verified 2026-08-18 · Source: TDOSHS
Tennessee permit test FAQ
How many questions are on the Tennessee permit test?
The official Tennessee Driver License Knowledge Test has 30 questions, according to the TDOSHS (verified 2026-08-18).
What score do you need to pass the Tennessee permit test?
You must answer 24 of 30 questions correctly (80%) to pass the Tennessee Driver License Knowledge Test.
How old do you have to be to get a learner's permit in Tennessee?
You can apply for a learner's permit in Tennessee at 15, according to the TDOSHS (verified 2026-08-18).
How much does the Tennessee permit cost?
Class PD learner permit: $10.50 total for applicants under 18 ($8.50 license plus $2 application fee) or $5.50 total for 18 and over; county clerk locations add a $4 administrative fee. The $2 application fee is charged again for each retest after a failure. — as listed by the Department of Safety & Homeland Security (TDOSHS), verified 2026-08-18. Always confirm current fees on the official site.
What happens if you fail the Tennessee permit test?
A mandatory 1-day waiting period applies after failing any driver license knowledge test, including second and later attempts, and no test may be repeated the same day; the $2 application fee is paid again at each retake. Teens testing online get a maximum of two online attempts with a 24-hour wait after a failure. (per the TDOSHS, verified 2026-08-18).
Can you take the Tennessee permit test online?
Yes, in some cases. The TDOSHS offers an online option for the Driver License Knowledge Test — check eligibility on the official site.
What languages is the Tennessee permit test offered in?
English, with Spanish, Korean, and Japanese available on computerized testing machines at Driver Service Centers; applicants may use a clean translation dictionary. The online teen knowledge test is offered in English and Spanish. (per the TDOSHS, verified 2026-08-18).
Who runs the permit test in Tennessee?
Driver licensing in Tennessee is handled by the Department of Safety & Homeland Security (TDOSHS). The official site is https://www.tn.gov/safety.