Tennessee Road Test 2026: DOS Scoring, Routes, and How to Pass

Tennessee's Department of Safety (DOS) road test costs just $5 per attempt, requires 70% to pass, and lasts approximately 20-25 minutes at a Tennessee DOS Driver Services Center.

Key Takeaways

• Tennessee road test costs $5 — one of the cheapest in the US
• Requires 70% to pass on a 100-point scale
• Tennessee first-attempt pass rate: approximately 53% statewide
• Teens must hold a permit for 1 year and complete 50 hours of supervised driving
• Automatic fails: striking objects, running traffic controls, unsafe driving

Tennessee DOS Road Test Scoring

The Tennessee Department of Safety uses a 100-point deduction system. You start with 100 points and lose them for errors.

Scored areas:

• Vehicle control (acceleration, braking, steering)
• Speed compliance
• Lane use and positioning
• Signaling (required 100 feet before maneuvers)
• Intersection navigation
• Observation and scanning

Automatic fail conditions:

• Striking any vehicle, object, or person
• Running red lights or stop signs
• Requiring examiner intervention
• Unsafe vehicle operation

Tennessee Road Test Maneuvers

Standard Tennessee DOS maneuvers:

• Parallel parking (within 18 inches of curb)
• Three-point turn
• Straight-line backing
• Left and right turns at intersections
• Lane changes on multi-lane roads

Nashville-area specifics: Nashville DOS locations include arterial road segments with higher traffic complexity and school zone compliance requirements. Brentwood and Franklin locations have active suburban neighborhoods with pedestrian traffic.

Rural Tennessee: East Tennessee (Knoxville area) and West Tennessee locations test primarily on residential and two-lane roads with simpler traffic scenarios.

Practice Tennessee traffic rules on Wheelingo to prepare for your DOS road test.

Tennessee Road Test Pass Rate

Tennessee DOS does not publish official pass rate data. Driving school data indicates:

• Tennessee statewide first-attempt pass rate: approximately 53%
• Nashville metro: approximately 47% first attempt
• Rural Tennessee: approximately 59% first attempt

Per NHTSA data on young driver crashes, Tennessee teen crash rates are near the national average, with rural road crashes being a specific area of concern.

Top Tennessee Road Test Fails

1. Rolling stops — Most common error at all Tennessee DOS locations
2. Parallel parking outside 18-inch tolerance
3. Failing to signal 100 feet before turns
4. Blind spot check omission on lane changes
5. Speed in school zones (15 mph in Tennessee school zones when active)

Tennessee GDL Requirements

• Hold a Class PD permit for 1 year (if under 18)
• Complete 50 hours of supervised driving (10 hours at night)
• Be at least 16 years old
• No violations during permit period

Frequently Asked Questions

What score do you need to pass the Tennessee road test? You need 70% or higher (70 out of 100 points) to pass the Tennessee DOS road test.

How much does the Tennessee road test cost? The Tennessee DOS road test costs $5 per attempt — one of the lowest fees in the United States.

How long must you hold a permit in Tennessee? Tennessee requires holding a Class PD permit for 1 year before the road test (for drivers under 18).

How many supervised hours does Tennessee require? Tennessee requires 50 hours of supervised driving, including 10 hours at night, before the road test.

What is the school zone speed limit in Tennessee? Tennessee school zones are 15 mph when children are present or when flashers are active — lower than most states.

How long does the Tennessee road test take? The Tennessee DOS road test typically lasts 20-25 minutes including all maneuvers and the pre-drive inspection.