Tennessee Driver's Permit Requirements
Everything you need to get your Tennessee learner's permit — age, fees, documents for the written test, supervised-hours rules, and what the road test itself checks — summarized from the official DMV pages and linked to the source.
TennesseeDMVTennessee Department of Safety & Homeland Security — Teen/Graduated Driver LicenseChecked 2026-07-18Official source
TennesseeDMVTennessee Department of Safety — Comprehensive Driver License ManualChecked 2026-08-12Official source
TennesseeDMVTennessee Department of Safety & Homeland Security — Teen/Graduated Driver LicenseChecked 2026-07-18Official source
TennesseeDMVTennessee Department of Safety & Homeland Security — Teen/Graduated Driver LicenseChecked 2026-07-18Official source
Last verified 2026-07-18 · Source: Tennessee Department of Safety & Homeland Security — Teen/Graduated Driver License ↗
Fees and rules change — always confirm current requirements on the official page above before you go.
The Tennessee licensing timeline
Each stage below carries what DMV itself publishes, the people it applies to, the page it came from, and the date we last checked it. Where The state agency publishes no figure, the card says so instead of guessing one.
1Eligibility
Minimum permit age15TennesseeDMVTennessee Department of Safety & Homeland Security — Teen/Graduated Driver LicenseChecked 2026-07-18Official source
Class PD learner permit under Tennessee's Graduated Driver License program
2Documents
DMV lists these for the knowledge-test visit:
- Proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent resident status
- Proof of Tennessee residency
- Social Security number
- Proof of school attendance/progress if under 18
- Parent/guardian signature for minors
The knowledge test and the permit itself are handled in the same visit.
TennesseeDMVTennessee Department of Safety & Homeland Security — Teen/Graduated Driver LicenseChecked 2026-07-18Official source
3Required education
Required driver educationWe have not verified a driver-education requirement on The state agency's own pagesTennesseeDMVTennessee Department of Safety & Homeland Security — Teen/Graduated Driver LicenseChecked 2026-07-18Official source
4Application
Permit fee$10.50TennesseeDMVTennessee Department of Safety — Comprehensive Driver License ManualChecked 2026-08-12Official source
Class PD learner permit for applicants under 18, valid for one year; the adult permit fee differs.
5Knowledge test
Wait before a retake1 dayTennesseeDMVTennessee Department of Safety — Comprehensive Driver License ManualChecked 2026-08-12Official source
State site states 30 questions and a 80% (or equivalent) passing score.
6Permit restrictions
Permit validity12 monthsTennesseeDMVTennessee Department of Safety & Homeland Security — Teen/Graduated Driver LicenseChecked 2026-07-18Official source
Restrictions Tennessee puts on a new driver:
- Permit supervision: Learner permit holder must be accompanied by a licensed driver age 21 or older in the front seat
- Intermediate curfew: Intermediate Restricted License holders may not drive between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. unless an exception applies
- Intermediate passenger rule: Only one passenger is allowed unless accompanied by a parent, guardian, or licensed driver 21+
TennesseeDMVTennessee Department of Safety & Homeland Security — Teen/Graduated Driver LicenseChecked 2026-07-18Official source
7Supervised driving
Supervised driving for applicants under 1850 hours (10 at night)TennesseeDMVTennessee Department of Safety & Homeland Security — Teen/Graduated Driver LicenseChecked 2026-07-18Official source
That is a graduated-licensing rule — an applicant who is already 18 follows a different path, so check the official source below rather than assuming this figure is yours to meet.
8Road test
Minimum permit hold6 monthsTennesseeDMVTennessee Department of Safety & Homeland Security — Teen/Graduated Driver LicenseChecked 2026-07-18Official source
9Full licence
Unrestricted driving age16TennesseeDMVTennessee Department of Safety & Homeland Security — Teen/Graduated Driver LicenseChecked 2026-07-18Official source
Intermediate Restricted License at 16+ after permit hold, practice hours, and road test
How to get your permit in Tennessee
- Apply for the Class PD learner permit at 15 and pass the required knowledge and vision tests
- Drive only with a licensed driver age 21+ seated beside you
- Hold the permit at least 6 months while completing 50 supervised hours, 10 at night
- At 16+, pass the road test and meet school attendance/progress rules for the Intermediate Restricted License
- Follow intermediate curfew and passenger restrictions
Frequently asked questions
How old do you have to be to get a permit in Tennessee?
You can get a learner's permit in Tennessee at 15. Class PD learner permit under Tennessee's Graduated Driver License program.
How much does a Tennessee permit cost?
The Tennessee permit fee is $10.5. Class PD learner permit for applicants under 18, valid for one year; the adult permit fee differs..
How long do you have to hold your permit in Tennessee?
You must hold your Tennessee permit for at least 6 months before the driving test.
How many practice driving hours does Tennessee require?
Tennessee requires 50 hours of supervised practice driving for applicants under 18, including 10 at night. That is a graduated-licensing rule — an applicant who is already 18 follows a different path, so check the official source below rather than assuming this figure is yours to meet.
Where can I practice for the Tennessee permit test?
Right here — take a free Tennessee practice test, review every answer, and build readiness in your browser. The free DMV Prep app adds offline study and native reminders.
