Since car crashes is the main cause of death among 15 to 20 year-olds, young adults are no longer allowed to simply take a driving test at 16 to get their license (like when I was young). They must go through the Graduated Driver License Program, which has 4 levels:
- Learner’s Permit
- Intermediate Restricted License
- Intermediate Unrestricted License
- Normal Class D License
I’ll discuss the steps and then the restrictions on each.
The steps:
1) Learners Permit
- Must be at least 15 years of age
- Must pass a vision test
- Must pass a knowledge test
- Must have a parent (or legal guardian with proof of guardianship) sign a minor/teenage affidavit and financial responsibility form.
- Must provide a letter from their school, signed by a principal or guidance counselor, confirming attendance/progress
- Must Provide Other Required Documents: http://www.tn.gov/safety/driverlicense/gdl.htm#docs
2) Intermediate Restricted License
- must be sixteen (16) years old and pass the driving test.
- must have held a learner permit for 180 days.
- must not have tickets for driving offenses that add up to more than six (6) points on your driving record during the immediate 180 days preceding your application.
- must have verification from a parent, legal guardian or licensed driving instructor stating they have fifty hours (ten hours at night) of driving experience. Here’s the form: http://www.tn.gov/safety/forms/gdl50hrcertificate.pdf
3) Intermediate Unrestricted License
- must be 17 years old
- must have held an Intermediate Restricted License for one (1) year.
- must not have accumulated more than six points on their driving record.
- Must not have had a traffic accident that was their fault.
- Must not have 2 seat belt violations.
- No additional tests are required.
Restrictions:
1) Learners Permit Restrictions:
- must be accompanied by a license driver 21 years or older who is riding in the front seat of the vehicle.
- must not drive between the hours of 10 P.M. and 6 A.M.
2) Intermediate Restricted License Restrictions:
- Only one passenger allowed in car unless:
- 1 passenger is 21 of older and has valid driver license,
- or all passengers are siblings going from driver’s house to school or vica-versa
- Cannot drive between 11:00pm – 6:00am unless:
- accompanied by a parent/guardian (or a licensed driver over 21 who has parent’s written consent).
- Driving to or from work or specific school sponsored activities*
- Hunting or fishing between 4:00am to 6:00am with a valid hunting or fishing license (I like this one. We are in the South after all.)
* These items require written permission from the parent/guardian explaining each specific situation.
3) Intermediate Unrestricted License Restrictions:
- No special restrictions
- At 18, they are eligible for normal license
More Resources:
More info about applying: http://www.tn.gov/safety/dlhandbook/07chap2.pdf
More info about License Levels: http://www.tn.gov/safety/dlhandbook/07chap3.pdf