Tennessee Drivers Education

Teens who are interested in obtaining a Tennessee Drivers License are required by law to complete four (4) steps to becoming a full, unrestricted driver. Those steps are:


1. Learner Permit

2. Intermediate Restricted License

3. Intermediate Unrestricted License

4. Regular Driver License
 

Each step has specific guidelines which are:

 

1. Learner Permit may be applied for at the age of 15 and requires you to pass a written and vision exam, you must hold your permit for 180 days, you may only drive a car when accompanied by a driver who is 21 years old (or older), you are not allowed to drive betwen 10pm and 6am and everyone in the car must wear a seatbelt. Once you have met these requirements, you will be eligible for an intermediate license.

 

2. Intermediate Restricted License requires you have held your learners permit for 180 days, have not had any driving offenses adding up to six points, you are at least 16 years old, and you pass a driving test. In addition, you must have proof (from a parent or a licensed driving instructor) that you have succesfully completed 50 hours of driving including 10 hours at night and seat belt restrictions remain the same as with your permit.
 

3. Intermediate Unrestricted Licenses may be obtained when you reach age 17, provided you have held an Intermediate Restricted License for one year, have not accumulated more than 6 points on your driving record, have not had any accidents where you have been at fault, do not have seat belt offense violations and all drivers and passengers in the car have proper restraints.

 

4. Regular Drives Licenses may be issued to you when you graduate from high school or turn 18, whichever event occurs first. Your license will still bear the “Under 21” designation.

 

Helpful documents: