Automatic Fail: 10 Common Mistakes to Avoid on the Tennessee Driving Test

The Tennessee road test is the final, practical exam standing between you and the freedom of a driver's license. The examiner will be scoring your performance on a variety of maneuvers, but certain errors are considered so critical to safety that they can result in an immediate failure of the test, regardless of how well you performed on other parts.

Knowing what these deal-breakers are is the best way to avoid them. To help you prepare for success, here are 10 of the most common mistakes that can cause you to fail your Tennessee driving test.

1. Disobeying a Traffic Sign or Signal

This is the most fundamental error a driver can make and an instant test-ender. The examiner must see that you obey all traffic control devices without exception.

The Mistake: Failing to come to a full, complete stop at a stop sign (a "rolling stop" is an automatic fail). Running a red light or blatantly ignoring a yield sign.
How to Avoid It: At every stop sign, bring the vehicle to a complete stop before the white limit line or crosswalk. Make a conscious effort to feel the car's momentum cease before proceeding. Be alert and scan ahead for signs as you approach any intersection.

2. Examiner Intervention

If the driving examiner has to take physical control of the vehicle (by grabbing the wheel) or give a sharp verbal command ("Stop!") to prevent a collision, your test is over.

The Mistake: Drifting towards a parked car, failing to see a stopped vehicle ahead, or beginning an unsafe maneuver that forces the examiner to take protective action.
How to Avoid It: This type of failure is almost always the result of another error, such as a lack of observation. Stay focused, maintain a safe following distance, and constantly scan your surroundings to anticipate hazards before they become emergencies.

3. Causing a Collision

Any contact with another vehicle, a pedestrian, a fixed object (like a cone or sign), or a curb is considered a critical error.

The Mistake: Misjudging your vehicle's dimensions and bumping a cone during a maneuver, scraping the curb on a turn, or any other form of contact.
How to Avoid It: Practice key maneuvers like backing up and turning in a safe, open area until you have a solid understanding of your car's size. Take turns slowly and give yourself plenty of space.

4. Dangerous Action or Failure to Yield

Any action you take that forces another driver or a pedestrian to take evasive action (braking hard or swerving) is a serious safety violation.

The Mistake: Pulling out in front of an oncoming car that has the right-of-way. Not yielding to a pedestrian in a crosswalk. Merging into traffic unsafely.
How to Avoid It: Be patient and defensive. The golden rule is: when in doubt, yield. It is always better to wait a few extra seconds than to cause a dangerous situation.

5. Speeding

Exceeding the speed limit demonstrates a lack of control and a disregard for safety regulations.

The Mistake: Driving over the posted speed limit. Examiners are particularly strict about this in residential and school zones where limits are low. Conversely, driving excessively slow without reason can also lead to point deductions.
How to Avoid It: Be constantly aware of your speed by frequently glancing at your speedometer. Scan ahead for speed limit signs, especially when your environment changes (e.g., entering a residential area).

Relying only on your mirrors is not enough and is a major mistake new drivers make.

The Mistake: Changing lanes, merging, or pulling away from a curb without physically turning your head to look over your shoulder into the vehicle's blind spot.
How to Avoid It: Make this a non-negotiable habit. Every time you intend to move the car sideways, use a three-step check: Mirrors, Signal, Head Check. Make your head check obvious so the examiner can see you do it.

7. Poor Vehicle Control

The examiner needs to feel safe and confident with you behind the wheel.

The Mistake: Consistently weaving within your lane, taking turns too widely and entering the oncoming lane, or having trouble keeping the car straight while backing up.
How to Avoid It: Get very comfortable in the specific car you will use for your test. Practice smooth starts and stops. To drive straight, focus your vision far down the road in the center of your lane, not at the ground just in front of the car.

8. Making an Improper or Illegal Turn

Turns are a fundamental driving skill, and performing them incorrectly can lead to a failure.

The Mistake: Turning from the wrong lane (e.g., a left turn from the right lane), turning into the wrong lane, or consistently forgetting to use your turn signal.
How to Avoid It: Plan your turns. Get into the correct lane well in advance. Remember the principle: turn from the lane closest to you into the lane closest to you. Make signaling a reflex.

9. Violation of Any Other Traffic Law

This is a broad but critical category. Any illegal action can be grounds for failure.

The Mistake: Following too closely (tailgating), making an illegal U-turn, failing to wear your seatbelt, or, for teens, using a cell phone.
How to Avoid It: Know the Tennessee Comprehensive Driver Manual inside and out. Turn your phone completely off and put it away before the test begins. Your number one priority is to follow every law perfectly.

10. Refusing to Perform a Maneuver

You must follow the examiner's instructions and attempt all parts of the test.

The Mistake: If the examiner asks you to perform a maneuver like backing up 50 feet and you say "I can't do that" or refuse to try.
How to Avoid It: Practice all the core maneuvers listed in the Driver Manual. Even if you perform one imperfectly and lose some points, it is far better than refusing to do it at all, which signals a lack of preparation and confidence.

By keeping these critical errors in mind during your practice sessions, you can build the safe driving habits needed to pass your road test with confidence.