Your First-Time Tennessee Drivers License Guide

by Jim Thompson | Last Updated: September 6, 2023

The Tennessee Department of Public Safety only requires that a teen take a driver education course if they have received multiple moving violations while driving with an intermediate restricted license.

Even if this doesn’t describe your situation, taking a driver education course can be beneficial because of the preparation it gives you before getting behind the wheel.

Enrolling in Tennessee Driving School

If you are 15 and hold a Tennessee learner permit, you may enroll in a driver ed course.

To apply for a Tennessee learner permit, you must fulfill the following requirements:

You can prepare for the driving knowledge exam by studying the Tennessee driver handbook or, even better, by using a Tennessee permit practice test. A permit practice test features questions taken from actual permit exams so that you can see exactly what you’ll be up against when you arrive at the DPS office.

How TN Driving School Works

Tennessee drivers ed courses are offered at public schools and through approved third-party course providers. You will be expected to complete both a classroom and a practical, behind the wheel portion.

The classroom portion of the course will include topics like:

The driving portion of your course will be conducted by a licensed driving instructor in a car that has dual controls. This part of the course will give you the practice and skills necessary for taking to the road safely.

IMPORTANT NOTE: When searching for a driver education course, it is important not to confuse the course you need with a defensive driving course.

Getting Your License after Drivers Ed Tennessee

To move from a learner permit to an intermediate license, you must:

The road skills test is another good reason for taking a drivers ed course. The tips and techniques you will learn in a driver education class will help you pass this driving exam with ease.

The Tennessee Department of Public Safety only requires that a teen take a driver education course if they have received multiple moving violations while driving with an intermediate restricted license.

Even if this doesn’t describe your situation, taking a driver education course can be beneficial because of the preparation it gives you before getting behind the wheel.

Enrolling in Tennessee Driving School

If you are 15 and hold a Tennessee learner permit, you may enroll in a driver ed course.

To apply for a Tennessee learner permit, you must fulfill the following requirements:

You can prepare for the driving knowledge exam by studying the Tennessee driver handbook or, even better, by using a Tennessee permit practice test. A permit practice test features questions taken from actual permit exams so that you can see exactly what you’ll be up against when you arrive at the DPS office.

How TN Driving School Works

Tennessee drivers ed courses are offered at public schools and through approved third-party course providers. You will be expected to complete both a classroom and a practical, behind the wheel portion.

The classroom portion of the course will include topics like:

The driving portion of your course will be conducted by a licensed driving instructor in a car that has dual controls. This part of the course will give you the practice and skills necessary for taking to the road safely.

IMPORTANT NOTE: When searching for a driver education course, it is important not to confuse the course you need with a defensive driving course.

Getting Your License after Drivers Ed Tennessee

To move from a learner permit to an intermediate license, you must:

The road skills test is another good reason for taking a drivers ed course. The tips and techniques you will learn in a driver education class will help you pass this driving exam with ease.