What You Need to Bring and Know Before Test Day
The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security runs the road test in Memphis through its Driver Services division. You will take your test at one of two locations in Shelby County: the Memphis Driver Services office on Getwell Road or the satellite office, depending on which one has availability when you schedule. The test itself lasts about 20 to 30 minutes and covers basic vehicle control, following traffic laws, and safe driving decisions.
Before you arrive, you must have a valid learner's permit (a Class CP permit in Tennessee) that you have held for at least 30 days. You also need a vehicle that is registered, insured, and in safe working condition — the examiner will check the brakes, lights, wipers, horn, and mirrors before you drive. Bring your permit, proof of insurance, and the vehicle's registration. The examiner will not test you if any of these documents are missing or if the vehicle fails the safety check.
You pay a one-time road test fee when you schedule your appointment. As of 2024, this fee is $7, though you should confirm the current amount when you call to book. Payment is typically made at the time of scheduling or on the day of your test, depending on the office's process.
Key Takeaways
- You must hold a valid Tennessee Class CP learner's permit for at least 30 days before you can take the road test.
- The vehicle you use must pass a safety inspection covering brakes, lights, wipers, horn, and mirrors — bring proof of registration and insurance.
- Schedule your test by calling the Memphis Driver Services office directly; online scheduling is not available for road tests in Tennessee.
- The test takes 20 to 30 minutes and covers vehicle control, traffic law compliance, and safe driving judgment on public roads.
- If you fail, you can retake the test, but you must wait at least one day and pay the fee again.
How to Schedule Your Road Test in Memphis
Tennessee does not offer online scheduling for road tests. You must call the Memphis Driver Services office directly to book an appointment. The main office number is (901) 465-8500. Have your learner's permit number and a calendar ready when you call — staff will ask which days and times work for you and will tell you what is available.
Wait times for appointments vary by season. During busy months (spring and summer), you may wait two to four weeks for an opening. In slower months, you might get in within a week or two. The office typically offers appointments Monday through Friday during business hours, with some locations offering limited Saturday hours. Ask about both the Getwell Road office and any satellite locations to find the soonest slot.
Once you schedule, write down your appointment date, time, and location. Arrive 10 to 15 minutes early with all required documents. If you cannot make your appointment, call to reschedule at least 24 hours in advance. If you miss your appointment without canceling, you may lose your fee and have to schedule again.
What Happens During the Road Test
The examiner will meet you in the waiting area and walk you to your vehicle. Before you drive, they will inspect the vehicle's safety features: brake responsiveness, headlights and taillights, windshield wipers, horn, and mirror positioning. If anything fails this check, the test stops and you will be told what needs repair. You cannot test again until those items are fixed.
Once the vehicle passes inspection, you will drive on public roads in the Memphis area. The examiner will direct you where to go and will watch how you handle common driving situations: starting and stopping smoothly, turning at intersections, merging into traffic, parking, and responding to traffic signals and signs. They are also observing your awareness of other vehicles and pedestrians, your use of mirrors and turn signals, and your overall judgment.
The examiner scores you on a point system. Minor errors (like hesitating at a stop sign or drifting slightly out of your lane) cost a few points. Major errors (like running a red light, hitting a curb, or failing to yield to oncoming traffic) result in an automatic fail. You must score at least 80 percent to pass. At the end of the drive, the examiner will tell you whether you passed or failed and will explain any major errors if you did not pass.
Common Reasons People Fail the Road Test
The most frequent cause of failure is not checking mirrors and blind spots before changing lanes or turning. Examiners watch for this constantly because it is a safety issue. If you change lanes without looking or turn without signaling, you will lose significant points. Practice mirror checks and shoulder glances before your test, even when the road looks clear.
Failing to come to a complete stop at stop signs is another common mistake. Rolling stops — slowing down but not stopping fully — count as a violation. The same applies to red lights: you must stop completely behind the white line, not in the intersection. Examiners are strict about this because it is a legal requirement, not a judgment call.
Parking errors also cause failures. If you hit a curb, take more than three attempts to park, or park outside the lines, you will fail. Practice parallel parking and perpendicular parking before your test. Many people underestimate how much practice this requires.
Hitting or nearly hitting another vehicle, pedestrian, or object is an automatic fail. So is stalling the engine more than once or failing to use your turn signal. Nervousness is normal, but if it causes you to make a major safety error, you will not pass.
What to Do If You Fail Your Road Test
If you do not pass, you can retake the test. You must wait at least one day before scheduling your next attempt. Call the Memphis Driver Services office again to book another appointment. You will pay the road test fee again — there is no discount for retakes.
Before you retake the test, identify what went wrong. The examiner should have explained the major errors that led to your failure. If you failed on mirror checks, spend extra time practicing that specific skill. If you failed on parking, find a parking lot and practice until you are confident. Many people pass on their second or third attempt after focused practice on their weak areas.
Your learner's permit remains valid while you retake the test, so you do not need to renew it unless it expires. Check the expiration date on your permit — if it is about to expire, you may need to renew it at a Driver Services office before you can test again.
After You Pass: Getting Your License
When you pass the road test, the examiner will give you a temporary driving license document on the spot. This temporary license is valid for 30 days and allows you to drive while your permanent license is being mailed. You do not need to do anything else — the office will process your permanent license and mail it to the address on your learner's permit.
Your permanent license should arrive within 7 to 10 business days. If it does not arrive within two weeks, contact the Memphis Driver Services office to check the status. Once it arrives, the temporary document is no longer valid, so keep your permanent license with you when you drive.
Your new license will be valid for eight years if you are under 65, or five years if you are 65 or older. You can renew it online or in person before it expires, depending on your age and whether you have any restrictions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can someone else sit in the car while I take my road test?
No. Only you and the examiner are allowed in the vehicle during the test. A parent, instructor, or friend cannot be present. The examiner needs to observe your driving without distractions or outside input.
What if my vehicle breaks down on the way to my test appointment?
Call the Memphis Driver Services office as soon as possible to explain what happened. Ask if you can reschedule for another day. If you call before your appointment time, you should be able to book a new slot without losing your fee, though policies can vary by location.
Do I have to take the test in Memphis, or can I test in another Tennessee city?
You can test in any Tennessee Driver Services office, but you must test in the county where your learner's permit was issued or where you currently live. If you moved to Memphis after getting your permit elsewhere, contact the Memphis office to ask whether you need to transfer your permit first.
What happens if I get nervous and stall the engine during the test?
Stalling once is usually not an automatic fail — you will lose some points, but you can continue the test. Stalling twice or more will likely result in a failure because it suggests you do not have adequate control of the vehicle. Practice smooth starts before your test to build confidence.
Is the road test the same difficulty for everyone, or does it vary?
The test covers the same skills and legal requirements for all test-takers, but the specific roads and situations you encounter depend on traffic and weather on the day of your test. Some days you might encounter heavier traffic or more complex intersections than others, but the scoring standards remain consistent.