Like most states, Tennessee has a Graduated Drivers License program (GDL) for teenage drivers, starting at 15 years old. This program has three phases to work through before gaining an unrestricted license at age 18.

Most teens are itching to get behind the wheel the second they’re old enough, but the legal driving age is different from state to state. Curious about the rules in the Volunteer State?

Jerry

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What is the driving age in Tennessee?

Tennesseeans can’t hit the road until they’re at least 15 years old with a Learner’s Permit. At 16 years old, they can get a Restricted Licensed, then an Unrestricted License at 18 years old.

What is the Graduated Drivers License program in Tennessee?

Like most other states, Tennessee follows a

Graduated Drivers License program

(GDL), first implemented to make the roads safer for young drivers. According to the

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

(CDC), car accidents are the second leading cause of death for teens.

Tennessee’s GDL program contains three phases, each allowing young drivers to get more experience behind the wheel:

Learner permit stage: supervised driving

Intermediate restricted license stage: limited unsupervised driving

Intermediate unrestricted license stage: unrestricted standard driver’s license

MORE: How to choose the best car for a teenager

How to get your learner’s permit in Tennessee

Teenage drivers under 18 must follow the GDL program through the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security (TDOSHS). Before you pop into one of the state’s

Driver Services Centers

, though, you’ll need to gather up all the required documents to apply for your permit.

Here are all the necessary steps and requirements for getting your learner’s license:

You have to be at least 15 years old

Pass a standard vision test

Pass the

Class D knowledge exam

A parent or legal guardian (with proof of guardianship) to sign the necessary forms

Proof of current school attendance in a Tennessee school

Pass the required road test

Pay the $28 fee

The knowledge exam will be based on the content found in

Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual

, so make sure to study up! To get the green light, you’ll need to get 24 questions correct out of 30. If you don’t pass on your first try, you only have to wait seven days before retaking the test.

If you pass, you’ll be the lucky new owner of a Tennessee Learner’s Permit.

Learner’s permit restrictions

Having a Tennessee Learner’s Permit means you can drive under the following conditions:

You have a licensed driver in the front seat who is 21 years or older

You aren’t driving between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.

All passengers are wearing a seatbelt

When you’ve got a learner’s permit, you have to have it for 180 days before graduating to the next level—the Intermediate Restricted License.

MORE: Your questions about teenage car insurance, answered

How to get your intermediate restricted license in Tennessee

Once you’ve had your learner’s permit for 180 days and you fit all the requirements, you can move up to the next stage in Tennessee’s GDL program.

Here are all the requirements to get your intermediate restricted license:

You have to be at least 16 years old

You’ve had your Tennessee Learner’s Permit for at least 180 days

You can’t have more than six

points on your record

in the 180 days before your application

You need a

verification form

from a parent, guardian, or driving instructor confirming you’ve had 50 hours (at least 10 of them at night) of driving

All

required documents

, including proof of U.S. citizenship, your Social Security Number, and two proofs of Tennessee residency

Pass the road skills test

Once you submit all of the necessary information to apply for your intermediate license, you’ll finally be in the driver’s seat—for the road test. Just schedule your test through a Driver Services Center nearest to you, then show off your safe driving skills. You’ll need to use the car you’ll be driving in real life, so make sure it’s up to the task.

Key Takeaway Remember to bring your learner’s permit, proof of required driving experience, and show up ready to take your driving exam before you can obtain your intermediate restricted license.

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Intermediate restricted driver’s license restrictions

Ready to hit the road by yourself for the first time? You’re ready to go—as long as you know your new license limitations.

The second level of Tennessee’s GDL program requires drivers to follow these rules with their intermediate restricted license:

You can only carry one passenger with you

You cannot drive between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m.

All passengers must be wearing a seatbelt

Be sure to note that in

“Hands Free Tennessee,”

it’s illegal for all drivers to use a cell phone while driving, including holding a phone, reaching for a phone, sending a text, recording, or watching video while driving. When you turn 17, you’ll graduate to the final phase of the GDL program: the intermediate unrestricted license.

How to get your intermediate unrestricted license in Tennessee

When you’re 17 and have held an intermediate restricted license for a year, you’re eligible to upgrade to the intermediate unrestricted license—as long as you haven’t accumulated six points on your record and you don’t have more than one seatbelt violation.

As the name of the license implies, there are no restrictions on this license other than all passengers must be wearing seatbelts.

Exceptions

In Tennessee, if you’re at least 14 years old and are experiencing family hardship with specific needs, you may be able to qualify for a

Hardship Driver’s License

. Each application is considered on a case-by-case basis. In general, though, here are the restrictions for a Tennessee hardship:

You can only drive between 5 a.m. and 7 p.m.

You can only have immediate family members as passengers

You can drive up to 25 miles and only on the most direct route

You cannot tow other vehicles or trailers

You can only travel to necessary destinations, like work, school, or medical appointments.

MORE:

Worst cars for teenage drivers

How to save on car insurance in Tennessee

With a Tennessee license in hand, the sky’s the limit—but not so fast! Before hitting the road, you need to make sure you’re set with proper insurance coverage for a teen driver. Lucky for you, the insurance comparison app

Jerry

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All you have to do is download the free app and sign up. Then you’ll gain immediate access to the best quotes sourced from over 50 top insurance providers in no time. As a

licensed broker

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Teen drivers can get stuck with sky-high rates, but average Jerry users save over $800 a year on coverage!

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Can you get a Tennessee driver’s license at 16?

In Tennessee, you can get an intermediate restricted license at 16—but only if you’ve had your learner’s license for 180 days, have proof of 50 hours (including 10 at night) of driving practice, and pass your road skills exam.

Can you drive by yourself at 17 in Tennessee?

Yes! You can actually drive alone at 16 when you have your intermediate restricted license. Until you’re 17, you can only have one passenger with you—and you can’t be on the road between 11 pm and 6 am.

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