Step 1: Check Your Eligibility
- Age 15 — minimum age to apply for a Tennessee learner permit
- Must be a Tennessee resident
- Parent or legal guardian must sign the application if under 18
- Under 18: bring a School Compliance Verification Form from your school (Consequences for school violations law)
Step 2: Gather Your Documents
You'll need to bring original documents (no photocopies) to prove:
- Identity — original birth certificate or certified copy
- Social Security number — bring your Social Security card as proof
- Tennessee residency — 1 proof (2 for REAL ID) dated less than one year
- School Compliance Verification Form — if under 18 (Consequences for school violations law)
- Parent/guardian — must be present and sign if under 18 (with guardianship documents if applicable)
Verify your documents: Visit tn.gov/safety for the official document requirements list. This can change, so always check before your visit.
Step 3: Study for the Knowledge Test
The permit test is a 30-question knowledge exam. You need 80% (24/30) to pass — single combined score, no separate sections.
- Download the Tennessee Driver Manual (free from TDOS website) or visit tn.gov/safety
- Take our free practice test — aim for 90%+ before going in
- Focus on: road signs, DUI laws, right-of-way, speed limits, school bus rules
Step 4: Schedule Your Test with Tennessee Dept. of Safety & Homeland Security
- Schedule online: Visit tn.gov/safety/driver-testing to book your appointment
- Appointments fill quickly — new slots released Mon–Fri at 8 AM. Check early.
- Bring all documents from Step 2
- Pass the vision screening — 20/40 minimum with or without corrective lenses
- Pass the knowledge test — 30 questions, 80% to pass (single score)
- Get your permit at a TDOS Regional Office after passing — you'll receive a temporary paper permit until the card arrives by mail
Step 5: After You Get Your Permit
Your permit comes with restrictions. Here's what you must do during the permit phase:
- Always drive with a supervisor — licensed driver age 21+ in the front passenger seat at all times
- Under 18: Log 50 hours of supervised driving, including 10 at night (form SF-1256 signed by parent/guardian)
- Curfew (under 18): No driving between 10 PM and 6 AM unless good cause (emergency, school, work)
- Hold the permit for at least 180 days before applying for an Intermediate Restricted license (GDL applies to drivers under 18 only)
- Stay violation-free — accumulating 6+ points requires maintaining a clean record (<6 points) for 180 consecutive days before advancing
Step 6: Get Your License
After holding the permit for the required time, schedule a road skills test with Tennessee Dept. of Safety & Homeland Security:
- Under 18: Pass the TDOS road test → receive Intermediate Restricted license → hold IR for 1 year minimum → Intermediate Unrestricted at 17 → Regular Class D at 18 (or HS graduation/GED)
- Age 18+: GDL does not apply — pass the TDOS road test and receive a full unrestricted Class D license directly
- If you fail the road test, wait times depend on errors: 1 day (7–9 errors), 7 days (10–12), 14 days (13–15), 30 days (16+)
Timeline: If you start at age 15, the earliest you can apply for the Intermediate Restricted license is after 180 days + passing the road test. You then hold the IR license for 1 year minimum before advancing to Intermediate Unrestricted at 17, and Regular Class D at 18.