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Tennessee General Knowledge Test

Test your knowledge of Tennessee's 'Move Over' law – you'll see it on the real exam.

140
Questions
80%
To Pass
60
Minutes

140 questions · 60 min time limit · 80% to pass

Opens in a practice window — choose your mode inside.

JM

Reviewed by Jack Mahana, CDL Instructor (13+ years)

Last verified: August 2026

All questions sourced from the official Tennessee CDL handbook and FMCSA regulations.

About the Tennessee General Knowledge Test

Tennessee's CDL General Knowledge test covers everything you need to drive a commercial vehicle safely on our roads. You'll face questions about vehicle inspection, basic control, and state-specific laws. The exam has 50 multiple-choice questions, and you need to get 80% right to pass.

Our roads are diverse. You'll drive I-40 through the Smoky Mountains, I-24 through Chattanooga's winding valleys, and flat stretches of I-55 near Memphis. Tennessee's weather adds challenges too – fog in the Cumberland Plateau, ice on bridges in winter, and heavy spring rains that cause flash flooding.

Trucking is huge for Tennessee's economy. Memphis is home to FedEx's global hub. Nashville's distribution centers keep music and retail moving. Agriculture from West Tennessee cotton and soybean fields requires careful hauling. You can't afford to guess on the test.

Our practice test helps you spot weak areas before you spend the $30 testing fee. Study the Tennessee CDL Handbook alongside these questions. Focus on Tennessee-specific rules like school bus stop laws and hazmat restrictions on I-65.

Tennessee is a major freight crossroads in the Southeast, with I-40, I-65, and I-75 all carrying enormous commercial volume. I-40 crosses the entire state from the Mississippi River at Memphis through Nashville to the Smoky Mountains, while I-65 connects the state from Alabama to Kentucky through Nashville. Our general knowledge practice test mirrors the official Tennessee DOS CDL written exam.

The eastern third of the state is the most demanding. I-40 through the Cumberland Plateau and the Great Smoky Mountains features steep grades, tight curves, and heavy truck traffic. The Tennessee Department of Transportation has installed runaway truck ramps on several descents, and the Cumberland Plateau grade on I-40 east of Crossville is a known brake-fade risk. The exam tests engine braking, gear selection, and runaway-ramp awareness because these are real, daily hazards.

Memphis is one of the largest freight and logistics hubs in the United States. The FedEx Express SuperHub at Memphis International Airport drives massive feeder truck traffic, and the Mississippi River bridges (I-40 and I-55) carry freight between Tennessee and Arkansas. Nashville's rapid growth has created increasingly congested interstate traffic on I-40/I-65/I-24 interchanges, testing scanning, following distance, and lane management.

Topics Covered

✓Vehicle Inspection – Tennessee's varied terrain from the Mississippi Delta to the Appalachian foothills means your pre-trip check must catch issues before they cause a breakdown.
✓Basic Control – You'll need to navigate steep grades on I-40 near the North Carolina border and tight curves on I-24 outside Chattanooga.
✓Communication – Tennessee's construction zones on interstates require clear signaling with hazard lights and flashers.
✓Speed Management – Know Tennessee's speed limits: 70 mph on rural interstates, 55 mph on most two-lane highways, and lower limits in school zones.
✓Space Management – Leave extra room on I-65 around Nashville where traffic merges from multiple ramp lanes.
✓Night Driving – Many Tennessee rural roads lack streetlights; watch for deer and slow-moving farm vehicles after dark.

Study Tips

Visit your local Tennessee Driver Services Center early – appointments fill up fast. Bring your medical examiner's certificate, current license, and proof of residency. Study the Tennessee CDL Handbook's chapter on state-specific laws, especially the 'Move Over' law and school bus passing rules.

Use our practice test to identify which areas you need to review. Don't just memorize answers – understand the rules behind them. When you're ready, schedule your test online at tn.gov. Bring a valid form of payment for the $30 test fee.

Tennessee Specific Information

  • Tennessee offers CDL knowledge testing at all Driver Services Centers across 95 counties. Major locations include Nashville (Hart Lane), Memphis (5270 Pleasant View), Knoxville (7105 Maynardville), and Chattanooga (5705 Uptain Road). You can also test at many county clerk's offices. Schedule an appointment online – walk-ins aren't guaranteed.

    The General Knowledge test costs $30 per attempt. You'll need a valid Tennessee driver's license, Social Security card, two proofs of Tennessee residency, and a current DOT medical certificate. If you don't pass, you can retake the test the next day. No limit on retakes, but each attempt costs the $30 fee.

  • The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security requires a knowledge test for all CDL classes; the general knowledge exam is the foundation for every commercial license.
  • I-40 across the Cumberland Plateau east of Crossville has steep grades and runaway truck ramps — low-gear descents and engine braking are essential.
  • Memphis is a national freight hub (FedEx SuperHub, Mississippi River bridges) — drayage, feeder, and intermodal traffic is heavy on I-40, I-55, and I-240.
  • Nashville's I-40/I-65/I-24 interchange area is increasingly congested; blind-spot management and following distance are critical.
  • The Great Smoky Mountain routes (US-441 and surrounding highways) have tight curves and steep descents where speed management prevents off-tracking.
  • Tennessee's spring and fall storms produce sudden heavy rain and reduced visibility on mountain routes — the exam tests wet-road following distance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a medical examiner's certificate to take the General Knowledge test in Tennessee?
Yes, you must have a valid DOT medical card before taking the test. Bring it to the DMV.
Can I take the Tennessee CDL General Knowledge test online?
No, Tennessee requires you to take it in person at a Driver Services Center.
How many questions can I miss on the Tennessee General Knowledge test?
You can miss up to 10 out of 50 questions. That's an 80% passing score.
What documents do I need for the Tennessee CDL knowledge test?
You'll need your Tennessee driver's license, social security card, proof of residency, and a valid medical certificate.
Is there a fee to retake the General Knowledge test in Tennessee?
Yes, each retake costs $30. You can retake as many times as needed, but you must wait at least 24 hours.
JM

Reviewed by Jack Mahana, CDL Instructor (13+ years)

Last verified: August 2026 · FMCSA-compliant content