TN · Drivers education
Tennessee drivers ed guide
Tennessee teens can get a learner permit at 15 and need 180 days and 50 logged hours, not a drivers ed course, to reach the Intermediate Restricted License at 16; a course becomes mandatory only after a second moving violation at that stage. Adults license without a course. After a ticket, a judge may allow traffic school, a 4 hour class can take up to 5 points off a speeding conviction, and an 8 hour class can replace a suspension at 12 points.
Checked against Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, Driver Services on 2026-10-23.
Guiding Your Teen Through Tennessee's Graduated License
This page is for Tennessee parents and teens planning the stretch from a 15th birthday to a full license. The decision most families face is whether to pay for a driver education course, and the answer is that Tennessee ...
- Learner permit age15
- Is a course required?No, unless ordered after a second moving violation
- Shortest permit period180 days
Your First Tennessee License as an Adult
This page is for anyone 18 or older getting a first Tennessee license, or moving in with a license from somewhere else. The decision you face is whether to invest in lessons before the road test. Tennessee does not requi...
- Course required at 18+?No
- Graduated license rules after 18Do not apply
- Tests for a first Class DVision, knowledge and road skills
Tennessee Traffic School, Defensive Driving and Your Points
This page is for Tennessee drivers holding a citation, or a letter about points, who want to know which course actually helps. There are three different tools and the decision is which one fits your situation. Before con...
- Can a course keep a ticket off your record?At the court's discretion; it varies
- Usual traffic school length4 hours minimum
- Speeding points a course can removeUp to 5, for one conviction every 4 years