How many practice hours do you need in Tennessee?
In Tennessee, a learner driver must log 50 hours of supervised driving practice—including 10 at night—before applying for a license.
Tennessee learner permit requirements
- Minimum permit age: 15
- Supervised practice required: 50 hours total, 10 at night (what counts as night driving)
- Permit hold period: 180 days
- License eligibility age: 16
- How hours are certified: Certification of Driving Experience (50 hours, 10 at night) signed by a parent or guardian. DriveMint fills in the SF-1256 50-Hour Certificate from your logged drives (see every state form).
Tennessee requires 50 hours of supervised driving with at least 10 at night, certified by a parent or guardian on the Certification of Driving Experience form.
When can you drive with a permit in Tennessee?
Tennessee permit holders under 18 can't drive between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., even with a licensed adult in the car. The intermediate restricted license moves the cutoff to 11 p.m.
With a licensed driver 21+ in the front seat.
Not allowed, even with a supervisor.
Alone. One passenger, unless one is 21+ and fully licensed.
Alone until 11 p.m. Later only with a parent or a designated driver 21+, for work or school with written permission, or to hunt or fish from 4 a.m.
Alone.
Alone. Available at 17 after a year at the restricted level.
- The 10 night hours have to be driven between sunset and 10 p.m., since the permit doesn't allow driving later.
- The work and school exceptions require a parent's letter in the car. Getting caught with a forged one means losing the license and going back to a learner permit until 18.
- Six or more points, an at-fault crash, or a second seat belt violation adds 90 days at the restricted level.
In December, sunset in Tennessee comes between about 4:30 and 5:30 p.m. local time, so the 10 night hours fit in early-evening drives.
Checked against Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (rev. April 2026) and T.C.A. § 55-50-311 in October 2026. Limits after the road test are under restrictions for new drivers.
Requirements change and have exceptions. Always confirm the current rules with the Tennessee Department of Safety before applying.
Tennessee's graduated licensing stages
Drive 6 a.m.–10 p.m. with a licensed adult 21+ in the front seat; log 50 hours (10 at night) over 180 days.
One passenger; no driving 11 p.m.–6 a.m. without a parent or a listed exception.
Issued after 12 clean months; restrictions removed at 18.
Driving restrictions for new Tennessee drivers
Learner permit holders under 18 can't drive between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., even with a supervisor. Intermediate restricted license holders can't drive between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. unless a parent or guardian, or a licensed driver 21+ the parent has designated in writing, is with them; they're driving to or from work or a school-sponsored activity with a parent's written permission; or they're driving to or from hunting or fishing between 4 and 6 a.m. with a valid license.
Intermediate restricted drivers may carry only one passenger unless at least one passenger is 21+ with a valid unrestricted license, or the passengers are siblings living in the same home and the driver carries a parent's letter allowing them on trips to and from school.
Drivers with a learner permit or intermediate license may not use a wireless device while driving.
Log every Tennessee practice hour automatically
DriveMint tracks each supervised drive, separates day and night hours, and generates a PDF you can print or show at the DMV. Prove all 50 hours without a paper logbook falling apart in the glove box.
New to DriveMint? Watch the one-minute video guides, from setup to a signed log.
Tennessee driving practice FAQs
How many driving hours do you need in Tennessee?+
Tennessee requires 50 hours of supervised driving practice, including 10 hours at night, before a teen can apply for a license.
What time can you drive with a permit in Tennessee?+
With a Tennessee learner permit, you can drive from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. with a licensed driver 21 or older in the front seat. Permit holders under 18 can't drive between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., and the state lists no exceptions. With an intermediate restricted license, the limit is 11 p.m. to 6 a.m., unless a parent or guardian (or a licensed driver 21 or older the parent has designated in writing) is with you, you're driving to or from work or a school-sponsored activity with a parent's written permission, or you're driving to or from hunting or fishing between 4 and 6 a.m. with a valid license. The limit ends with the intermediate unrestricted license, available at 17 after a year at the restricted level.
How many hours of driving does Tennessee require?+
50 hours of supervised driving with at least 10 at night, documented on the Certification of Driving Experience form.
How long is Tennessee's permit hold period?+
180 days minimum before applying for the intermediate restricted license at 16.
Requirements in other states
Compare practice hours in all 50 states side by side, or read what actually counts as a night driving hour.