DMV Driving Test Routes Tennessee

About the Practice Drives

Each sample practice drive is a loop of roughly two to three and a half miles that starts and finishes at the Driver Services Center. It's planned from map data to cover the kinds of roads near that center, such as multi-lane main roads, left turns at traffic lights and quieter residential streets.

Are these the actual test routes?

No. The drives on this site aren't the routes examiners use; they're built so you can get used to the local roads before test day. They avoid expressways, follow the turn restrictions recorded in the map data, and don't include U-turns. Roads and signs can change, so look over each drive with your supervising driver first and make sure every part is safe and legal for you to drive.

Where can I find the routes examiners use?

The Driving Test Routes app we recommend has routes mapped from real tests, with voice-guided turn-by-turn navigation and maps you can download for offline use. The sample drives here are a free way to start; the app is the place to go for the full, up-to-date set.

Getting the most from a practice drive

Drive each loop a few times at different times of day rather than trying to memorize it. Concentrate on the habits examiners look for: smooth, full stops, early signals, checking mirrors and blind spots before every lane change, and giving way to oncoming traffic when turning left on a plain green light.

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Taking the Road Skills Test in Tennessee

Road skills tests are given by appointment at Tennessee's full-service Driver Services Centers. You can book online through the state's road test scheduling system or by calling 866-849-3548.

• Bring a licensed driver: if you hold a learner permit, a licensed driver aged 21 or over has to come with you to the test, or the test can't go ahead.
• Choose the right center: express centers, county clerk offices and self-service kiosks only handle renewals and replacements. They don't give road tests.
• Arrive in good time: centers can stop taking new customers before their listed closing time, so plan for delays on the day.

Tennessee's graduated license steps

Drivers under 18 move through three stages before getting a full Class D license:

1. Learner Permit (Level 1): pass the knowledge test, then drive only with a licensed driver aged 21 or over in the front seat. The permit has to be held for 180 days before the next step.
2. Intermediate Restricted License (Level 2): available from age 16 after passing the road skills test, with 50 hours of supervised driving (including 10 at night) certified by a parent, guardian or instructor. Restrictions include a limit of one passenger and no driving late at night, from 11 p.m.
3. Intermediate Unrestricted License (Level 3): available from age 17 once the restricted license has been held for a year.

Types of Driver Services Locations

• Full-service centers: knowledge, skills and vision testing, graduated license upgrades, driving records, reinstatements, and issuing, replacing and renewing licenses, REAL ID and photo ID.
• Express service centers: replacements and renewals, graduated license upgrades and driving records, but no testing.
• County clerk partners and kiosks: replacement and renewal of regular (non-commercial) licenses.

Contacting Tennessee Driver Services

1. Road test appointments: 866-849-3548 or book online.
2. Department of Safety and Homeland Security: 866-903-7357, 312 Rosa L. Parks Avenue, Nashville, TN 37243.
3. Online services: many renewals and replacements can be done through Tennessee's online driver services without a visit.

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Useful Links for Tennessee Learner Drivers