Minimum Driving Age
- Learner’s Permit: Available at 15 years old.
- Intermediate Restricted License: Eligible at 16 years old, after holding a learner’s permit for at least 180 days and completing required practice hours.
- Intermediate Unrestricted License: Available at 17 years old, after holding the restricted license for one year without violations.
- Regular Driver’s License: Available at 18 years old, granting full driving privileges.
Learner’s Permit Rules
- Supervision: Permit holders must be accompanied by a licensed driver aged 21 or older, seated in the front passenger seat.
- Holding Period: Must hold the learner’s permit for at least 180 days before applying for an intermediate restricted license.
- Practice Hours:
- 50 hours of supervised driving, including:
- 10 hours at night
- 10 hours at night
- 50 hours of supervised driving, including:
- Driving Restrictions:
- No driving between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.
- All passengers must wear seatbelts
- No use of handheld electronic devices while driving
- No driving between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.
License Types
- Learner’s Permit: For practicing with a licensed adult.
- Intermediate Restricted License: Allows unsupervised driving between 6 a.m. and 11 p.m.; outside these hours, a licensed adult must accompany the driver.
- Intermediate Unrestricted License: Grants extended driving hours without supervision, provided the driver has maintained a clean record for one year.
- Regular Driver’s License: Full driving privileges granted at 18 years old.
- Commercial Driver’s License (CDL): Required for operating commercial vehicles.
- Motorcycle License: Required for operating motorcycles; applicants must pass a motorcycle knowledge test and skills test.
Driver’s License Rules & Requirements
Required Documents for Driving
To apply for a permit or license in Tennessee, applicants must provide:
- Proof of Identity: Such as a birth certificate or valid passport.
- Proof of Social Security Number: Social Security card or approved document.
- Proof of Tennessee Residency: Two documents, such as utility bills, lease agreements, or school transcripts.
- Parental Consent: Required if under 18; parent or guardian must accompany the applicant or provide a notarized signature on the application.
- School Attendance/Progress Verification: Required for applicants under 18.
Seatbelt and Car Seat Laws
- Children under 1 year or under 20 pounds: Must be secured in a rear-facing car seat in the back seat.
- Children aged 1 to 3 and over 20 pounds: Must be secured in a forward-facing car seat in the back seat.
- Children aged 4 to 8 and under 4 feet 9 inches: Must use a belt-positioning booster seat in the back seat.
- Children aged 9 to 12 or over 4 feet 9 inches: May use an adult seat belt if it fits properly across the thighs and chest.
- Seatbelt Use: All passengers aged 16 and older must wear seatbelts.
- Penalties: Violations may result in fines.
Cell Phone and Distracted Driving Rules
- Handheld Device Use: Prohibited while driving. Drivers may not hold a phone to talk, text, email, or use apps.
- Hands-Free Use: Permitted through in-car systems or accessories like Bluetooth.
- Penalties:
- First offense: Fine of $50
- Second offense: Fine of $100
- Third and subsequent offenses: Fine of $200
- Violations in school zones or resulting in accidents may incur higher fines.
- First offense: Fine of $50
DUI Laws
- Legal BAC Limits:
- 21 and over: 0.08%
- Under 21: 0.02%
- 21 and over: 0.08%
- Penalties:
- First Offense:
- Fine: $350–$1,500
- Imprisonment: 48 hours to 11 months and 29 days
- License Revocation: 1 year
- Mandatory enrollment in DUI education program
- Fine: $350–$1,500
- Second Offense:
- Fine: $600–$3,500
- Imprisonment: 45 days to 11 months and 29 days
- License Revocation: 2 years
- Mandatory installation of Ignition Interlock Device (IID)
- Fine: $600–$3,500
- Third Offense:
- Fine: $1,100–$10,000
- Imprisonment: 120 days to 11 months and 29 days
- License Revocation: 6 years
- Mandatory IID
- Fine: $1,100–$10,000
- First Offense:
Speed Limits
- School Zones: 15–20 mph during school hours
- Residential Areas: 25–30 mph
- Unpaved Rural Roads: 35–45 mph
- Multilane Divided Highways: 55–65 mph
- Interstate Highways: 70 mph
Reckless Driving Laws
- Definition: Operating a vehicle with willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property.
- Penalties:
- Classification: Class B misdemeanor
- Fine: Up to $500
- Imprisonment: Up to 6 months
- License Suspension: Possible upon multiple offenses
- Points: 6 points added to the driver’s record
- Classification: Class B misdemeanor
Points System
- Point Accumulation:
- Various traffic violations result in points added to the driver’s record.
- Accumulating 12 or more points within 12 months can lead to license suspension.
- Various traffic violations result in points added to the driver’s record.
- Point Reduction:
- Completing a defensive driving course can reduce points.
- Points remain on the record for 2 years from the violation date.
- Completing a defensive driving course can reduce points.
Insurance Requirements
- Liability Insurance: Tennessee requires minimum coverage of:
- Bodily Injury: $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident
- Property Damage: $15,000 per accident
- Bodily Injury: $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident
- Uninsured Motorist Coverage: Not required, but insurers must offer it; drivers can reject in writing.
Renewal Frequency and Testing
- License Renewal:
- Under 65: Every 8 years
- 65 and over: Every 5 years
- Under 65: Every 8 years
- Vision Test: Required at each renewal.
- Written/Driving Test: May be required if there are medical concerns or after certain violations.
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