Minimum age for a car driving licence in Tennessee (2026)
Last reviewed: 9 October 2026
In short: A learner permit is available from 15 and must be held for 180 days before the intermediate restricted licence from 16. The intermediate unrestricted licence is available from 17, and the regular Class D licence at 18 or on completing high school or a GED.
| Rule | What applies |
|---|---|
| Minimum age for a car licenceCar (category B) driving licence | 16 years [1] |
| Earliest age to drive a car supervisedCar (category B) driving licence | 15 years [1] |
| Driving before the minimum ageCar (category B) driving licence | A learner permit is available from 15 and must be held for 180 days. The holder may drive a car only with a licensed driver 21 or older in the front seat, and not between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. The intermediate restricted licence is available from 16 with 50 hours of supervised driving (10 at night). The intermediate unrestricted licence is available from 17 after one year on the restricted licence, and a regular Class D licence at 18 or on graduating from high school or obtaining a GED, whichever is sooner. [1] |
| Visitors on a foreign licence: ageCar (category B) driving licence | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Learner's permit from ageCar (category B) driving licence | 15 years [1] |
| Supervised driving hours requiredCar (category B) driving licence | An intermediate restricted licence requires 50 hours of behind-the-wheel driving, including 10 hours at night, certified by a parent, guardian or driving instructor. [1] |
Notes
- The earliest age is for a licence that allows driving without a supervising adult. It carries graduated-licensing restrictions, described under 'Driving before the minimum age'.
- No Department of Safety page read states an age condition for visitors on an out-of-state or foreign licence, and the Tennessee Code Annotated could not be read from the server.
Sources
- Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security: Teen/Graduated Driver License (Internet Archive snapshot of 18 June 2026) (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
Tennessee and neighbouring states
| State | Minimum age for a car licence | Earliest age to drive a car supervised | Driving before the minimum age | Visitors on a foreign licence: age |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tennessee | 16 (intermediate restricted licence) | 15 (learner permit) | Permit at 15; intermediate licence at 16 | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Alabama | 16 (Stage II restricted licence) | 15 (Stage I learner's permit) | Restricted from 16; unrestricted from 17-18 | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Arkansas | 16 (intermediate licence) | 14 (learner's licence) | Intermediate from 16; unrestricted at 18 | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Georgia | 16 (Class D provisional licence) | 15 (Class CP learner's permit) | Class D at 16-17 after 1 year + 1 day on a permit | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Kentucky | 16 (intermediate licence) | 15 (instruction permit) | Intermediate at 16; full licence after 180 days | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Missouri | 16 (intermediate licence) | 15 (instruction permit) | Intermediate licence at 16 after 6 months with a permit | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Mississippi | 16 (regular licence) | 15 (learner's permit) | Permit 12 months or to 17; hardship licence 15-17 | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| North Carolina | 16 (Level 2 limited provisional) | 15 (limited learner permit) | L1 at 15; L2 at 16 after 9 months; L3 after 6 more | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Virginia | 16 yrs 3 mths (provisional licence) | 15 yrs 6 mths (learner's permit) | Permit at 15y 6m; provisional licence at 16y 3m | Nonresident over 16y 3m with a valid home licence |
More rules in Tennessee
- Car speed limitsOutside built-up areas (single carriageway): 55 mph (unless posted)
- E-bikes and speed pedelecsLegal class: Three classes · Minimum age: Class 3: 16
- FireworksConsumers may buy and use category F2 fireworks: Yes where county/city allows sale · Minimum age to buy: 16 (16-17 need photo ID or an adult)
- Knives and pepper sprayFolding pocket knives: Knives no longer in the go-armed offence (2014) · Locking or one-handed knives: No separate rule; knives deleted from (a)(1) in 2014
- Statutory minimum wageNational statutory minimum wage: No state minimum wage · Current adult minimum wage (gross): Federal $7.25 per hour
- Using a mobile phone while drivingHolding a phone while driving banned: Banned · Hands-free use: Allowed
- Seat belts and child seatsSeat belt compulsory in front seats: Yes · Seat belt compulsory in rear seats: Only passengers under 18
- Tobacco and nicotine age limitsMinimum age to buy tobacco: 21 · Minimum age to buy e-cigarettes: 21
Related pages
General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.