Driving Schools in Tennessee

Tennessee Learner Permit Requirements

• You must be 15 (14 with hardship approval) and pass the standard written exams and vision screening.
• You must hold a learner permit for 180 days to move to the Intermediate Restricted License step.
• You may drive a car only when accompanied by a licensed driver 21 or older riding in the vehicle's front seat.
• You may not drive between the hours of 10 P.M. and 6 A.M.
• Driver and passengers must wear a safety belt.

Documents required to get a Permit

1. Proof of U.S. Citizenship or Lawful Permanent Resident: Birth Certificate, Passport, or I-551
2. Secondary Proof of Identity: SSN card, Work ID, Voter Registration Card, School ID
3. Teenage Affidavit/Financial Responsibility
4. Proof of School Attendance/Progress - From SF1010 signed and dated within the past 30 days

Tennessee Intermediate License Requirements

There are two Intermediate License levels for drivers under 18. The first level is an Intermediate Restricted License, and the second is an Intermediate Unrestricted License.

First Level - Restricted License

• You must be 16 years old and pass the driving skills test, also known as the road test.
• You must have held a learner permit for 180 days.
• You cannot have tickets for driving offenses that add up to more than six points on your driving record during the immediate 180 days preceding your application.
• You must have verification from a parent, legal guardian, or licensed driving instructor stating you have 50 hours (10 hours at night) of driving experience. Certification of driving experience must be made on the official form (SF-1256) provided by the Department of Safety. This form is available at all Driver License Service Centers or may be downloaded here: http://www.tn.gov/assets/entities/safety/attachments/gdl50hrcertificate.pdf. This form must be signed by either a parent, legal guardian, or licensed driving instructor.
• Driver and passengers must wear a safety belt.

Second Level - Unrestricted License

To move from the Intermediate Restricted to the Unrestricted License, you must be seventeen (17) years old and meet the following conditions:

• You must have held an Intermediate Restricted License for one year.
• You cannot have accumulated more than six points on your driving record.
• You cannot have had a traffic accident that was your fault.
• You cannot have two safety belt violations.
• Driver and passengers must wear a safety belt.
• No additional tests are required.

Tennessee Driver's License Requirements

You may obtain a Class D regular driver's license when you are 18, graduate from high school, or receive a GED (whichever is sooner). The word "Intermediate" will be removed from your license when you move to the Regular Driver License. However, the license will still include the "Under 21" indicators.