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HB 1378

Driver Licenses - As enacted, requires written examinations administered to applicants for a driver license or intermediate driver license to include questions concerning hand signals used by operators of bicycles to communicate turning, slowing, and stopping. - Amends TCA Title 55, Chapter 50.

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by Torrey Harris

Tennessee requires driver license exams to include questions about bicycle hand signals for turning, stopping, and slowing to improve road safety awareness.

Comp. became Pub. Ch. 469
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Bill Summary · HB 1378

Legislative bill overview

HB 1378 amends Tennessee's driver licensing requirements to include questions about bicycle hand signals on written exams for driver's licenses and intermediate driver's licenses. The bill specifically requires test questions covering hand signals used by cyclists to communicate turning, slowing, and stopping maneuvers.

Why is this important

This legislation aims to improve road safety by ensuring drivers understand bicycle communication methods before obtaining a license. Better driver awareness of cyclist hand signals could reduce accidents and injuries involving motor vehicles and bicycles, which is a documented public health concern in traffic safety.

Potential points of contention

  • Cost and implementation: Adding new test content requires updating exam banks, training examiners, and potentially extending test administration time, creating administrative and budgetary expenses for the state's licensing authority
  • Effectiveness debate: Critics may question whether written exam questions meaningfully change driver behavior on the road, or if the resources would be better spent on public awareness campaigns or infrastructure improvements
  • Scope limitations: The bill addresses driver knowledge but doesn't mandate cyclist compliance with hand signals or address other factors in cyclist-vehicle accidents, potentially creating a false sense of safety if cyclists aren't similarly educated

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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