What age can you get a driver's license in Tennessee?

Answer 1

WHO QUALIFIES FOR A CLASS D LICENSE? To qualify for a Class D license, you must be at least sixteen (16) years of age, and must pass a vision test, knowledge test, and driving test. (NOTE: if you are under 18 and have graduated from high school you would qualify for the regular Class D license). You must also provide proof of U.S. Citizenship or Lawful Permanent Residency in order to qualify for a Class D license. Otherwise you would only qualify for a TD Certificate for Driving. All the other requirements for a TD Certificate for Driving are the same as those for a Class D license. If you are under age 18, you will be issued a Class D Intermediate Restricted license (or TD Intermediate Restricted Certificate for Driving) and you must also: * Have a Minor/Teenage Affidavit signed by a responsible adult * Provide proof that you are actively enrolled in school or are a high school graduate, and * Have prior driving experience through either (a) having a learner permit in Tennessee for 180 days with less than 6 points on your driving record, (b) having a learner permit in another state for 180 days AND providing a copy of a clear driving record from that state showing no traffic, or (c) being licensed to drive in another state for at least three months with a license level equivalent to a graduated, intermediate or provisional license. * Have a 50 Hour Driving Certificate signed by your parent or driving instructor affirming that you have completed at least fifty hours of practice driving including 10 hours at night. WHO IS NOT REQUIRED TO HAVE A DRIVER LICENSE? Any member of the armed forces while operating a motor vehicle owned or leased by any branch of the armed services of the United States, including the National Guard. * Operators of any road machinery, farm tractor, or implement of husbandry that is temporarily operated or moved on a highway. * Non-residents who have in their immediate possession a valid driver license issued by their home state or country, equivalent to the appropriate class or type of Tennessee license. * Individuals who are not U.S. citizens and who, in connection with their employment in managerial or technical positions in Tennessee, may operate vehicles with a valid driver license issued by another state, country, or international body for a period of six (6) months. * Students pursuing an approved driver training course in a public or private secondary school, or in a licensed commercial driver training school for passenger vehicles, when accompanied by a certified instructor. WHO IS NOT ELIGIBLE? * Anyone whose license is currently suspended or revoked in Tennessee, or any other state * Anyone the Commissioner has reason to believe would not be able to operate a motor vehicle safely because of mental or physical disabilities * Anyone who has been proven to be a habitual drunkard or who is addicted to the use of narcotics. * Anyone required to show proof of financial responsibility who has not done so. * Anyone under the age of eighteen who has dropped out of school before graduating, or who does not make "satisfactory progress" in school. * Anyone who is not a U.S. Citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident will not qualify for the issuance of a driver license or identification only license. Those who drive and who have never been licensed may be found guilty of a class B misdemeanor. The penalty is a fine up to five hundred dollars ($500) and/or six months in jail. While driving in Tennessee you must have your driver license in your possession to display upon demand to any law enforcement officer. If you do not have your license with you, you may be fined not less than two dollars ($2.00) and no more than fifty dollars ($50.00). PENALTY FOR DRIVING WITHOUT A LICENSE Driving without being licensed (or having a certificate for driving) is a class B misdemeanor . The penalty is a fine up to five hundred dollars ($500) and/or six months in jail. While driving in Tennessee you must have your driver license in your possession to display upon demand to any law enforcement officer.If you do not have your license with you, you may be fined not less than two dollars ($2.00) and no more than fifty dollars ($50.00). OTHER DRIVER LICENSE SERVICES Anatomical Gifts Organ and tissue donation give the gift of life to someone in serious medical need. There is a shortage of organs and tissues for transplantation. Today, hundreds of Tennesseans fill local waiting lists for these much needed organs and tissues. In order to be on record with the Tennessee Department of Safety as a donor, you must inform us of your decision when you apply for or renew your driver license or certificate for driving. There is a box to check on your application or your renewal notice to indicate whether you do or do not wish to be registered as a donor. You may fill out the Tennessee Organ Donor Card, on the back of your license/certificate, at any time. Please remember to have a discussion with your family to inform them of your decision. Being on record with the Department of Safety as an organ donor does alert medical staff, however in most cases they still need permission of your immediate family members to proceed. "Motor Voter" To make it easy for citizens to register to vote, the law requires us to offer you the opportunity to register to vote, or to update your voting records, when you apply for a driver license, ID, or certificate for driving. The Department does not actually process your voter registration application. Instead, we forward your information to your local election commission, if you request.