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Intermediate Licenses for Drivers Under 18 — Tennessee Driver's License Practice Test

Intermediate Licenses for Drivers Under 18Question 1 of 30

70 questions in this topic · 30 drawn at random this round

A 16-year-old new resident holding a valid out-of-state license issued at least 90 days before applying gets what Tennessee license?

Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual

All questions are based on the official Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (TN Dept. of Safety & Homeland Security). Study the relevant chapter to reinforce your knowledge.

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This Tennessee Driver's License Intermediate Licenses for Drivers Under 18 practice set has 70 practice questions based on the official exam materials, each with an instant explanation. You need 80% on the real Tennessee Driver's License knowledge test to pass.

Topic overview

This section explains the Graduated Driver License (GDL) system, the step-by-step path drivers under 18 follow to earn a full, unrestricted license. The reason it exists is sobering: motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for young people ages 15 to 20. Building experience gradually, under real limits, is designed to keep new teen drivers safer while they learn.

There are four steps: the Learner Permit, the Intermediate Restricted License, the Intermediate Unrestricted License, and finally a Regular Driver License. You can get a learner permit at 15 after passing the written exam and vision screening, but you must hold it 180 days, drive only with a licensed adult 21 or older in the front seat, and not drive between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. At 16 you can move to the Intermediate Restricted License by passing the road test and documenting 50 hours of driving (including 10 at night). That level limits you to one passenger and bars driving from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m., with specific exceptions. At 17, after holding the restricted license a year with a clean-enough record, you reach the Intermediate Unrestricted level.

Two themes run through this whole section: school and safe behavior. Applicants under 18 must prove they are enrolled in or have graduated from high school, and dropping out can suspend driving privileges. Points on your record, at-fault accidents, and seat-belt violations can each delay you or add time to a step. Two rules deserve special attention: seat belts are mandatory for the driver and passengers, and any driver on a learner permit or intermediate license is prohibited from using a handheld cell phone anywhere on Tennessee roadways — a violation adds points and delays your progress.

What are the four steps to a full license for a teen driver?

The steps are the Learner Permit (at 15), the Intermediate Restricted License (at 16), the Intermediate Unrestricted License (at 17), and finally the Regular Driver License. Licenses issued under the first three steps have GDL printed in the bottom left corner.

Can a teen with a learner permit or intermediate license use a cell phone while driving?

No. Tennessee law prohibits any driver with a learner permit or intermediate driver license from using a handheld cell phone while driving on any Tennessee roadway. It is a Class C misdemeanor carrying a $50 fine, 6 points added to the record, and a 90-day delay in eligibility for the Intermediate Restricted License.

Does staying in school matter for a teen license?

Yes. Applicants under 18 must prove they are enrolled in or have graduated from high school, and grade cards or transcripts alone are not accepted proof. If a student 15 or older drops out, the school notifies the Department of Safety and driving privileges are suspended, though returning to school can restore eligibility the first time.

Written from the official Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual — Intermediate Licenses for Drivers Under 18 ↗· Last checked: 2026-07-10· Reviewed by the PassPrep editorial team· How we verify →

Sample questions

Three questions from the Intermediate Licenses for Drivers Under 18 bank with the correct answer and an explanation. The practice quiz above draws 30 questions at random from the same bank.

What must drivers under 18 do before gaining full, unrestricted Driver License status in Tennessee?
- Go through graduated steps of driving experience — Correct answer
- Pay a one-time experience waiver fee
- Take only the vision screening
- Own a registered vehicle for one year
Explanation: Drivers under 18 are required to go through graduated steps of driving experience to gain full, unrestricted Driver License status.
Handbook: Intermediate Licenses for Drivers Under 18 — Graduated License Overview
Motor vehicle crashes are the major cause of death for young people between which ages?
- Between the ages of 15 and 20 — Correct answer
- Between the ages of 21 and 25
- Between the ages of 10 and 14
- Between the ages of 25 and 30
Explanation: Motor vehicle crashes are the major cause of death for young people between the ages of 15 and 20.
Handbook: Intermediate Licenses for Drivers Under 18 — Why Graduated Licensing
What are the four steps to becoming a full, unrestricted Driver License holder in Tennessee?
- Learner Permit, Intermediate Restricted, Intermediate Unrestricted, Regular Driver License — Correct answer
- Learner Permit, Provisional, Probationary, Full License
- Permit, Restricted, Full License (three steps)
- Learner Permit and Regular Driver License (two steps)
Explanation: The four steps are: Learner Permit, Intermediate Restricted License, Intermediate Unrestricted License, and Regular Driver License.
Handbook: Intermediate Licenses for Drivers Under 18 — Four GDL Steps