Tennessee Learner Permit Driving Rules: 10 PM Curfew, Cell Phone Ban, and

Tennessee Permit Supervision: Who Must Be in the Car and Where

You cannot drive alone with a Tennessee learner permit - period. A licensed supervisor age 21 or older must be in the front passenger seat for every trip, awake and alert.

The supervisor must demonstrate "ordinary and reasonable control" capability. A distracted supervisor on their phone invalidates supervision. If an officer determines the supervisor isn't actively supervising, you, the permit holder, can be ticketed for driving without a valid supervisor present.

Moving a car in a driveway or parking lot counts as driving and requires your supervisor. Dropping off a parent at work and continuing alone to school is a violation - the supervisor must remain in the car for the entire trip. Tennessee's wrong-relation rule catches families off guard constantly: at the Knoxville office, one permit holder drove with a 25-year-old sibling who was asleep in the passenger seat after a night shift. Sleeping supervisor = no valid supervision. Violation issued, licensing delayed.

What Can You Do With a Tennessee Learner Permit?

Drive on any public road, street, highway, freeway, or interstate in Tennessee with your supervisor present - no special road-type restrictions apply. Friends or siblings can ride along as long as working seatbelts exist for everyone and your supervisor occupies the front seat.

Practice driving to school, the grocery store, or on the highway - all hours count toward your required 50-hour log. A Chattanooga parent was surprised when Georgia police cited their teen for violating Georgia's stricter passenger rules during an out-of-state trip. Always check the destination state's laws before crossing the border.

Tennessee Core tennessee learner permit driving restrictions

Four absolute restrictions apply to every Class PD permit holder - no exceptions at the permit stage, even for emergencies.

• Curfew: No driving between 10:00 PM and 6:00 AM. Night driving practice for your required 10 hours must be completed between sunset and 10:00 PM - supervised, logged, and within curfew.
• Cell phone ban: Total prohibition on all cell phone use while driving, including hands-free. GDL restrictions go beyond Tennessee's general hands-free law for permit and intermediate drivers.
• Seatbelt law: Every occupant must be buckled - police can stop you for a seatbelt violation alone.
• Zero tolerance alcohol: Any detectable BAC (0.02% or higher) results in a one-year loss of driving privileges for drivers under 21.

A Knoxville teen lost 90 days of license eligibility after being stopped at 10:15 PM - even with a parent in the car. There are no curfew exceptions at the permit stage.

What Are the Penalties for Tennessee Learner Permit Violations?

Driving alone: $50 fine, 6 points, possible immediate suspension, and a 90-day delay for your license upgrade. Curfew violation: $50 fine plus court costs, 90-day delay, points on record. Cell phone use: $50 (up to $200 in work zones) and 90-day ineligibility for the next license level - a second offense adds 7 points, which can trigger suspension.

Accumulating 6 or more points in 12 months results in immediate permit suspension for drivers under 18. The Tennessee Driver License Manual covers the complete point system.

Practical Tips to Avoid Tennessee Permit Problems

Get a new SF-1010 school attendance form within 30 days before applying for your intermediate license - under-18 drivers need this form for license issuance, not just the permit. A Clarksville teen was rejected for bringing an expired form.

Your permit is valid for one year. Renew before it expires or you must retake the knowledge test. Teens in Murfreesboro have lost weeks waiting for new test appointments after missing the renewal window.

Practice on the actual road test routes near your local Driver Services Center. Many teens in Franklin fail for not knowing local intersection quirks. Understanding the waiting period before your road test helps you plan ahead.

Tennessee Learner Permit vs. Intermediate License: Restrictions Side by Side

Once you complete your permit requirements, learn what to do after getting your permit and whether behind-the-wheel training is right for you.