The Adventures of Teenage Driving

For most, driving is an experience that either elicits feelings of joy or feelings of detest. Or sometimes, feelings lie in between these two extremes—as in, people only feel toleration towards driving.

Such is the case for most experienced drivers. When one has driven for a while, they just accept driving as a way of life, a simple form of transportation.

However, for new teen drivers, driving seems to be their WHOLE life. Seeing their picture on one little card and having that card at hand is truly the root of their happiness.

Even for experienced drivers, we were once at this stage. We were once totally enthralled with driving, trying desperately to earn our driver’s license. Perhaps, some of us are still enthralled. However, we wouldn’t have satisfied that nearly insatiable hunger for a license if we were not informed, if we did not receive the proper guidance.

So, if you have yet to receive your driver’s license, I will be that source of information. This is your guide to finally securing your license. With that being said, I will not be on the road to help you actually drive (thank goodness!), so you will still need to practice driving!

How To Get Your Driver’s License:

Get Your Learner’s Permit

Believe it or not, you cannot just simply get your license. You are required to earn your learner’s permit before you even attempt your driver’s test. The permit test (the test you take to get your learner’s permit) is a multiple-choice examination that is given at whatever DMV you choose. The questions consist of various driving concepts like sign recognition, blood alcohol concentration (BAC), and possible driving situations.

-To help you study, the Tennessee Driver’s License Manual is definitely a helpful tool. In fact, this is what the permit test is based off of! Here is the link for it: https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/safety/documents/DL_Manual.pdf

-Also, before you can take the test, there are a few requirements:

• • You have to be at least 15 years of age.
  • Pass a standard vision screening (will be given at DMV before you take the test)
  • A signed minor/teenage affidavit (found here: https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/safety/documents/minor.pdf )
  • Proof of School Attendance/Progress (contact the CHS Attendance Office at [email protected] to retrieve this)
  • Certification of 50 Hours Behind The Wheel Driving Experience (found here: https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/safety/documents/gdl50hrcertificate.pdf )
  • Proof of residence (proof of US citizenship, two proofs of Tennessee residency, proof of social security number) **specific guidelines found here: https://www.tn.gov/content/tn/safety/driver-services.html#documents

Drive With Your Learner’s Permit

Once you earn your learner’s permit, you are required to wait at least 180 days (6 months) until attempting your driver’s test. During these 180 days, there are a few requirements for driving on the road:

• You must have a licensed driver aged 21 or older in the front seat.
• You may not drive between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.
• Passengers 4-17 years of age must wear a seatbelt

Take Your Driver’s Test

After driving for at least 180 days, you are 1 step closer to getting your driver’s license, one step closer to driving FREEDOM. Except, there are still restrictions to getting your license:

• You must be 16 years old and pass the driver’s test.
• You cannot have more than 6 points on your record during the prior 180 days.
• You must have a signed sheet that verifies that you drove at least 50 hours in varying driving conditions (is given at DMV).

If or when you get your driver’s license, there are requirements for driving with a license:

• You may only have one passenger in the car for you.
• You may not drive between the hours of 11 p.m. and 6 a.m.
• Passengers 4-17 years of age must wear a seatbelt.