Chapter 3 INTERMEDIATE LICENSES FOR DRIVERS

UNDER 18—GRADUATED LICENSE PROCEDURES

Drivers under 18 years old are required to go through immediate 180 days preceding your application.
graduated steps of driving experience to gain full, unrestricted • You must have verification from a parent, legal guardian
Driver License status. The graduated Driver License steps are or licensed driving instructor stating you have fifty hours
designed to incrementally teach young drivers how to drive by (ten hours at night) of driving experience. Certification of
requiring minimum levels of driving experience and a safe driving experience must be made on the official form (SF-
driving history record before allowing teenage drivers to 1256) provided by the Department of Safety. This form is
receive a “full-fledged” Class D driver license. Motor vehicle available at all DL Stations or may be downloaded from
crashes are the major cause of death for young people between our web site. This form must be signed by either a parent,
the ages of 15 and 20. By requiring more supervised practice, legal guardian or licensed driving instructor.
the State of Tennessee hopes to save lives and prevent tragic • Driver and passengers must wear a seat belt.
injuries.
Second Level - Intermediate Unrestricted License
There are four steps to becoming a full, unrestricted Driver To move from the Intermediate Restricted to the Unrestricted
License holder: License, you must be 17 years old and meet the following
1. Learner Permit conditions:
2. Intermediate Restricted License • You must have held an Intermediate Restricted License for
3. Intermediate Unrestricted License one (1) year.
4. Regular Driver License. • You cannot have accumulated more than six points on
your driving record.
The above four steps are part of the Graduated Driver License • You cannot have had a traffic accident that was your fault.
Program. A license issued under the first three steps will have • You cannot have 2 seat belt violations.
“GDL” printed in the bottom left corner. See page 15 for • Driver and passengers must wear a seat belt.
pictures of graduated licences. • No additional tests are required.

Learner Permit Final Level - Regular Driver License

• You must be 15 years You may obtain a Class D regular driver license when you are
old and pass the 18 years of age, or when you graduate from high school or
standard written and receive a GED, whichever is sooner. The word “Intermediate”
visual exams. will be removed from your license when you move to the
• You must hold a Regular Driver License. However, the license will still include
learner permit for 180 the “Under 21” indicators.
days in order to move to
the Intermediate Hardships may be issued at age fourteen and will always
Restricted License step. expire on the driver’s sixteenth birthday. Hardships
• You may drive a car only automatically serve as a Learner Permit (PD) once the holder
when accompanied by a turns fifteen (15) years of age.
license driver 21 years or older who is riding
in the front seat of the vehicle. If driver did not have the Hardship License for the minimum
• You may not drive between the hours of 10 P.M. and 6 of 180 days by the time the Hardship expires on the sixteenth
A.M. birthday, the driver will have to be re-issued the learner permit.
• Driver and passengers must wear a seat belt. This permit must be carried for the remainder of time to
complete the required 180 days before the issuance of an
Intermediate License Intermediate Restricted is allowed. The Hardship license
There are two Intermediate License levels for drivers under 18 cannot be renewed.
years of age. The first level is the Intermediate Restricted
License and the second level is the Intermediate Unrestricted New Residents Under 18
License. If you are fifteen years old and have a valid permit from the
state you used to live in, then a Tennessee learner permit is the
First Level - Intermediate Restricted License only thing that you will qualify to have issued. You must hold
• You must be sixteen (16) years old and pass the driving a valid permit for a total of 180 days and turn sixteen years old
test. before being eligible for the Intermediate Restricted License
• You must have held a learner permit for 180 days. Class D. The length of time that you held the permit your
• You cannot have tickets for driving offenses that add up to previous state may be included in the 180-day period as long
more than six (6) points on your driving record during the as you can provide a certified driving record from your

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Examples of the license documents issued under the Graduated Driver License (GDL) Program are shown below.
Learner Permit Intermediate Restricted

Front of PD Card Front of IR Card

Back of PD Card Back of IR Card

Intermediate Unrestricted

Note: No Restriction
Card issued with this
level. No driving
restriction applied at
this level.

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 Chapter 3 INTERMEDIATE LICENSES FOR DRIVERS
UNDER 18—GRADUATED LICENSE PROCEDURES
previous state. The certified driving record must be issued for 60 days = 180 days total) and
within the 30 days immediately preceding the date of the 2. That there are no violations or accidents on the driving
Tennessee application. This certified driving record must record. If there are any violations on the record, a
show no violations or accidents on the record. If there are learner permit only may be issued until the previous state
any violations on the previous state record you will be required record can be reviewed and evaluated by the Department
to retain the Tennessee Learner Permit until your driving of Safety’s Driver Improvement Section. It must comply
record can be reviewed by the Department of Safety’s Driver with Tennessee’s “less than 6 points” requirement.
Improvement Section to see if the record complies with
Tennessee’s “less than 6 points” requirement. Regardless of the length of time a license is held in the
previous state, a Tennessee Intermediate Restricted license
If the applicant is 16 years old and holds a valid license must be held for a full year before qualifying for the
(regular, provisional, probationary, graduated, etc.) from a Intermediate Unrestricted license.
previous state (issued at least 90 days before applying for a
Tennessee license), the application will be for an Intermediate
• After graduating from high school or after receiving a
Restricted license.
GED before age 18 a regular Class D operator’s license
may be issued as described on page 1 (Chapter 1).
If the applicant had an out-of-state license for LESS than 90
days, an Intermediate Restricted License can only be issued
if a clear driving record from the previous state is provided. Restriction Cards for Learner Permit and
The driving record must confirm: Intermediate License Holders
1. That a valid learner permit and/or license class has been A driver with a learner permit will be given a “Restriction
held for a combined period of at least 180 days. (e.g. - Card” to carry along with the permit that explains the
Georgia permit held for 120 days + Georgia license held restrictions of driving with the permit. The Restriction Card

Unsafe driving incidents or violations that could result in the suspension or automatic downgrade of license level under The
GDL Program are outlined in the following table:
GDL Penalties (Table: 3.1)

Incident After PD Issued After Intermediate After Intermediate

Restricted Issued Unrestricted Issued
(a) Six or more points Requires the applicant to continue Adds 90 days to the minimum 1 If any of the violations listed in (a),
on driving record to hold the learner permit for an year teen required to hold (b), (c) or (d) occurred during the
additional time period until they are Intermediate Restricted (Total = 1 time the teen had an Intermediate
able to maintain a record with less year & 3 months) Restricted license, but the DOS did
than 6 points for 180 consecutive not receive notice from the court
days until after we had already issued
(b) Contributing to the Adds 90 days to the minimum 1 the teen an Intermediate
occurrence of an N/A year teen required to hold Unrestricted license, the penalties
accident Intermediate Restricted in the preceding column will still
(Total = 1 year & 3 months) apply. The teen will be “dropped
(c) Conviction of a N/A Adds 90 days to the minimum back” to an Intermediate Restricted
2nd Seatbelt violation N/A 1 year teen required to hold license for 90 days.
Intermediate Restricted (Total = 1
year & 3 months)
(d) Conviction of a Requires completion of a certified
2nd Moving violation N/A driver education course
(e) Forged letter of Revocation of Intermediate If DOS notified after Intermediate
N/A
parental approval Restricted and Re-issuance of a Unrestricted issued, teen’s
Learner Permit only until teen Intermediate privileges will still
reaches the age of 18 be revoked and a Learner Permit
re-issued until the 18th birthday.
(f) Contributing to the Must maintain a Learner Permit Revocation of Intermediate Revocation of Intermediate
occurrence of a fatal only until teen reaches the age of Restricted and Re-issuance of a Unrestricted and Re-issuance of a
accident 18 Learner Permit only until teen Learner Permit only until teen
reaches the age of 18 reaches the age of 18

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 Chapter 3 INTERMEDIATE LICENSES FOR DRIVERS
UNDER 18—GRADUATED LICENSE PROCEDURES
also explains the requirements for advancing to the
“I do hereby authorize __________________________________
Intermediate Restricted level of the Class D license. An
example of the PD Restriction Card is shown on page 15. to sign for a driver license for____________________________.”
Signed: ______________________________________________
• Both levels of the Intermediate License (Restricted and (Notary certificate)
Unrestricted) show the license class as Class D and have
the words Intermediate Driver License displayed in the
yellow header bar on the front of the license. Proof of School Attendance/Progress
° A driver with the first level Intermediate Restricted Applicants under the age of 18 must prove they are either
(IR) Class D will be given a “restriction card” to enrolled in or have already graduated from high school.
carry along with the license that explains the Acceptable proof of this status must be provided to the
restrictions of driving with the IR. The Restriction examiner in one of the following methods:
Card also explains the requirements for advancing to
the Intermediate Unrestricted level of the Class D 1. If the applicant has graduated, the applicant must bring
license. An example of the IR Restriction Card is the original high school diploma or G.E.D. certificate
shown on page 15. when applying (no photo copies).
• A driver with the second level Intermediate Unrestricted 2. If still enrolled in a Tennessee school, the applicant must
(IU) Class D does not have any restrictions on driving. ask the school to complete a Certificate of
Therefore there is no restriction card for this license Compulsory School Attendance (Form SF1010). The
level. applicant must take the original, completed form to
the driver license station. This form is only valid for 30
Additional Documentation Requirements for days from the date of signing by the school official.
Minors
In addition to the documentation requirements described in NOTE: During the traditional summer vacation months, a
Chapter 2 (Proof of Identity, TN Residency, Social Security properly completed SF1010 form signed within the last 30
Number and U.S Citizenship / Lawful Permanent Resident) all days of the school year will be accepted throughout the
applicants under the age of eighteen (18) must also meet the summer until 30 days after the start of the following school
requirements described in this section. year (e.g. a form signed in May is accepted through Aug/Sept,
approximately).
Minor/Teenage Affidavits
Applicants under eighteen years old must have an adult sign a 3. If the applicant is enrolled in school outside of Tennessee
Minor/Teenage Affidavit and Cancellation form, available at (or in an approved private or church school in Tennessee
all driver license stations. This form confirms that the adult without access to the SF1010 forms), the applicant must
signing the form joins in the application for the license and provide a statement from the school principal or
will be responsible for the actions of the minor driver. This headmaster on official school letterhead specifically
includes assuming financial responsibility for the minor driver. confirming that the applicant is not truant and is
It must be signed by a parent, a step-parent living at the same making satisfactory progress in their school.
address as the applicant, legal guardian, or a grandparent
authorized by the parent, step-parent or guardian. • Grade cards or school transcripts are not acceptable as
proof of compliance with this law. Due to the various
If adults cannot accompany the minor to the driver license grading scales, evaluation of excused / unexcused
station to sign the form, it may be completed ahead of time absences and other factors that differ from school system
and signed before a notary public. to school system. the Driver License personnel are not
authorized to interpret the information in these
If a grandparent is assuming financial responsibility for the documents. It is the responsibility of the school system
youth, the grandparent must bring a notarized statement or Department of Education to confirm the applicant’s
authorizing this, signed by the parent, a step-parent, custodian eligibility. It is the responsibility of the applicant to
or guardian, as appropriate. The statement is not on a provide satisfactory documentation of this requirement.
department form, but should be in the following general 4. If the applicant is being Home Schooled, the
format: documentation required is:
• If a minor applies for an additional class of license (such • A letter from the Superintendent’s Office in the
as motorcycle), the parents or legal guardian will be county/city of the applicant’s legal residence, confirming
required to sign a second teenage affidavit for that that the parent has registered their “intent to home
license type. school” with the County/City School System.

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 Chapter 3 INTERMEDIATE LICENSES FOR DRIVERS
UNDER 18—GRADUATED LICENSE PROCEDURES
• Verification of Home School Enrollment (Department the learner permit until his/her record has less than 6
of Safety Form SF-1193) signed and completed by the points for a full 180 consecutive days.
parent or legal guardian of the applicant affirming the • After the record is clear for 180 consecutive days (i.e.,
attendance and satisfactory progress of the applicant in less than 6 points), the driver may move to the next level,
the home school courses. an Intermediate Restricted License.
5. The Tennessee Department of Education does NOT
recognize the completion of Internet or “correspondence 4. What are the restrictions for an Intermediate Restricted
school” courses and documentation from these sources License?
is NOT acceptable to the Department of Safety as A. Those with an intermediate license can only have one other
meeting the requirements for licensing of minors passenger in the vehicle
UNLESS:
If a student fifteen years old or older drops out of school, the • One or more of the passengers is age 21 or older and has
school is required to notify the Department of Safety which a valid, unrestricted license; OR
suspends the student’s driving privileges. The first time a • The passengers are brothers and sisters, step-brothers or
student drops out, he or she may regain the privilege to drive step-sisters, adopted or fostered children residing in the
by returning to school and making satisfactory academic same house as the driver and going to and from school
progress. However, there is no second chance. The second AND the Intermediate License holder has in their
time a student drops out, he or she must wait to turn 18 years possession written permission from their parent or
old before being eligible to apply for a license again. guardian to transport their siblings.

If a person who dropped out returns to school, the appropriate B. Those with an Intermediate Restricted License are
school official can certify the student has returned by prohibited from driving between the hours of 11 p.m. and 6
completing a different section of the Certificate of Compulsory a.m UNLESS they meet one of the following circumstances::
School Attendance. The official will give the student a pink • They are accompanied by a parent or guardian;
copy of the form to take with them to a driver license station. • They are accompanied by a licensed driver 21 or older
The student will be required to pay a $20 reinstatement fee, in who has been designated by the parent or guardian. This
addition to the appropriate application and license fees. Other designation must be in writing and be in the possession of
fees may be added as well, depending on the individual’s the teen driver;
history. • They are driving to or from a specifically identified
school sponsored activity or event and have in their
Teen Driver FAQs possession written permission from a parent or guardian
1. What is the Graduated Driver License law? to do this;
The graduated driver licensing system places certain • They are driving to or from work and have in their
restrictions on teens under the age of 18 who have learner possession written permission from a parent or guardian
permits and driver licenses. identifying the place of employment and authorizing the
driver to go to and from work; OR
2. What are the restrictions for those with learner • They are driving to or from hunting or fishing between 4
permits? a.m. and 6 a.m. and have in their possession a valid
Anyone under the age of 18 who has a learner permit is hunting or fishing license.
prohibited from driving between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6
a.m. When driving, permit holders must have a licensed driver 5. What would happen to an Intermediate Restricted
age 21 or older in the vehicle with them in the front seat. License holder caught with a forged or fake letter
regarding permission to drive outside of the allowed hours?
3. How long must I have a learner permit before applying A driver with an Intermediate Restricted License who is
for an Intermediate Restricted license? convicted of having a forged or fraudulent letter or statement will
• Anyone under the age of 18 must have their learner have his/her Intermediate Restricted License revoked and will be
permit for a minimum of six months before applying for reissued a learner permit until he/she reaches the age of 18.
an intermediate restricted license. 6. What will an Intermediate license look like?
• The minimum age for applying for an intermediate You may view examples of these licenses on page 15.
restricted license is 16. 7. How long must an Intermediate Restricted License be
• If someone with a learner permit has driving offenses held?
adding up to 6 or more points on their driving record Teens must hold their Intermediate Restricted License for a
during the 180 days before applying for the Intermediate minimum of one year. After one year, an unrestricted
Restricted license, the applicant has to continue to hold Intermediate license may be applied for. There is a $2

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 Chapter 3 INTERMEDIATE LICENSES FOR DRIVERS
UNDER 18—GRADUATED LICENSE PROCEDURES
application fee. The word “Intermediate” will still be on the NOTE: At age 18, a driver could apply for a regular
license, but the restrictions will be lifted. unrestricted license without the word “Intermediate” printed on
it. There is an $8 duplicate fee unless the driver chooses to
HOWEVER: If a teen driver (1) has received six or more keep the license with the word “Intermediate” on it until that
points (the equivalent of two minor traffic citations) on their license is at the end of its five-year renewal cycle.
Intermediate Restricted License, (2) has contributed to a traffic
crash, or (3) has been convicted of a second seatbelt violation, 8. Are there any teens not required to complete the steps in
he/she will have to wait an additional 90 days to apply for an the Graduated Driver License program?
Unrestricted Intermediate License. This means he/she is The Graduated Driver License requirements do not apply to
required to hold the Intermediate Restricted License for a total anyone age 18 and older OR anyone under the age of 18 who
of 15 months. has graduated high school or received their GED.

ALSO: If the teen driver gets a second moving violation while

holding the Intermediate Restricted Driver License, an
approved Driver Education class MUST BE COMPLETED
before receiving an Intermediate Unrestricted Driver License.

GDL At-a-Glance Review

Table: 3.2

PD At least 6 months Level 1 At least 12 months Level 2 Until age 18 Level 3

LEARNER PERMIT INTERMEDIATE INTERMEDIATE REGULAR CLASS D

CLASS PD RESTRICTED UNRESTRICTED
▪ Must be 15 years old ▪ Must be 16 years old ▪ At least 17 years old ▪ Must be at least 18 years of
Requirements:
▪ Vision Exam ▪ Held a valid PD for 6 ▪ Held a valid Restricted age
▪ Knowledge Test months Intermediate for 1 year ▪ Optional: can apply for a
▪ SF 1010 Form (Proof of ▪ Certification of 50 hours ▪ Cannot have: duplicate of license without
Compulsory School Attendance behind-the-wheel ▪ six or more points on ‘the word “Intermediate”
and Satisfactory Progress) experience, including 10 driving record on’ the face
▪ Parent or Legal guardian hours at night ▪ have been at fault in a
must sign Teenage Affidavit ▪ Cannot have: traffic crash
of Financial Responsibility ▪ six or more points on ▪ have been convicted of a
▪ Birth Certificate* driving record during the 2nd seatbelt violation
▪ Social Security Number ** 180 days immediately [these would add a 90 day waiting
▪ Proof of citizenship or lawful preceding application period to the 1 yr Intermediate
permanent Resident ▪ Driving Test Restricted duration]

Fees: $10.50, any age under Age 16 = $24.50 Age 17 = $2.00 $8.00 or $12.00, regular
18 years old. Age 17 = $21.00 Age 18 = Eligible for regular duplicate fee depending
Age 18 = Eligible for regular driver license ($8 upon if 1st or subsequent
driver license duplicate fee if had duplicate
Intermediate
license)

Issued for: 12 months until age 21 Same expiration date @ age 21 Same expiration date @ age 21
Restrictions: ▪ Must have licensed driver ▪ Only one passenger ▪ Seatbelts mandatory for all ▪ No restrictions and license
age 21 or older in front seat ▪ Cannot drive between passengers age 4 thru 17 looks like regular “Under
▪ Cannot drive between 10:00 11:00 PM - 6:00 AM (or child restraint device if 21 license”
PM - 6:00 AM ▪ Seatbelts mandatory of all under age 4)
▪ Seatbelts mandatory for all passengers age 4 thru 17 ▪ No additional restrictions,
passengers age 4 thru 17 (or child restraint device if however, license still states
(or child restraint device if under age 4) “Intermediate” prominently
under age 4) on the face of the license
* See Chapter 2, page 11 for information on acceptable forms of identification
** See Chapter 2, page 9-10 for more information in SSN requirements

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