Tennessee supervised driving: 50 hours, 10 at night.

Everything a Tennessee parent needs in one place — required practice hours, night-driving rules, permit age, and what the written test looks like — plus a free log that keeps the hours straight.

What Tennessee actually requires

Requirements summarized from the official Tennessee driver handbook.

The Tennessee graduated licensing path

  1. Learner permit — from age 15

    Requirements: Pass the knowledge and vision tests. Hold at least 180 days and log 50 supervised hours, including 10 at night.

    Restrictions: A licensed driver 21+ must be in the front seat. No driving 10 p.m.-6 a.m.

  2. Intermediate restricted license — from age 16

    Requirements: Hold the permit 180 days, complete the 50 logged hours, and pass the road skills test.

    Restrictions: Only one passenger. No driving 11 p.m.-6 a.m. unless for work, school, church, or with a parent.

  3. Intermediate unrestricted / full license — from age 17

    Requirements: One year of violation-free driving on the restricted license.

    Restrictions: Full privileges at 18.

Tennessee laws your teen will be tested on

Tennessee: belts for the whole car

Tennessee's graduated licensing rules are explicit — while a permit or intermediate driver is behind the wheel, the driver and every passenger must be buckled up.

Tennessee interstate speed limits

Tennessee law sets 70 m.p.h. as the maximum for interstate highways, but variable limits apply — some urban stretches are posted as low as 55 m.p.h., and work zones are usually reduced.

Tennessee: .08 and no phone under 18

Tennessee's legal limit is .08 percent, and you can be convicted of DUI even at .00 if drugs impair your driving. Drivers with a learner permit or intermediate license may not use a cell phone at all — a conviction is a Class C misdemeanor with a $50 fine and delays your next license.

Tennessee School Bus & Pedestrian Rules

Never pass a school bus or church bus when its flashing lights are operating and its stop arm is extended. Also, never pass a car stopped for pedestrians in a marked or unmarked crosswalk.

Tennessee Move Over & Emergency Scenes

On multi-lane roadways with two or more lanes moving in the same direction, move into a lane not adjacent to a stationary emergency vehicle with flashing lights. If you cannot safely change lanes, reduce your speed and maintain a safe speed for current road conditions.

Tennessee Right-of-Way Rules

Treat right-of-way as something to be given, not taken, and do everything possible to avoid a crash. Yield to pedestrians, to oncoming traffic when turning left, to vehicles on a main road when entering from a driveway or similar location, and to traffic already in a roundabout.

A real Tennessee practice question

What is the minimum visible-light transmission permitted for material attached to a passenger car window?

Material attached to a passenger car window must transmit at least 35% of visible light.

Tennessee driving practice questions, answered

How many supervised driving hours does Tennessee require?
Tennessee requires 50 supervised driving hours, including 10 hours after dark.
What counts as a night driving hour in Tennessee?
Driving between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. local time counts toward the 10-hour night requirement.
How old do you have to be to get a learner's permit in Tennessee?
A Tennessee learner's permit can be issued starting at age 15.
How many questions are on the Tennessee written test?
The Tennessee knowledge exam has 30 questions and requires 80% correct to pass.
Does NextDriver Prep have Tennessee practice questions?
Yes — 1 practice questions written from the official Tennessee driver handbook, with explanations for every answer.
How should we track the 50 hours?
Log each drive the same day it happens. NextDriver Prep's free log records date, duration, day/night split, and conditions, and totals your progress toward Tennessee's 50 hours automatically.
Is the Tennessee driving log free?
Yes. The supervised driving log is free forever, with no card required. The Family Plan adds lessons, coaching scripts, hazard training, and Kai the AI co-pilot.
Does NextDriver Prep submit our log to the state?
No. NextDriver Prep helps your family track and organize practice. The Tennessee licensing agency decides permit and license eligibility.
What restrictions apply during the Learner permit stage in Tennessee?
A licensed driver 21+ must be in the front seat. No driving 10 p.m.-6 a.m.
What restrictions apply during the Intermediate restricted license stage in Tennessee?
Only one passenger. No driving 11 p.m.-6 a.m. unless for work, school, church, or with a parent.
What restrictions apply during the Intermediate unrestricted / full license stage in Tennessee?
Full privileges at 18.

Start logging Tennessee hours today

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