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HB0815 • 2026

Driver Licenses

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 55, relative to the cost of issuing driver licenses and state identification cards.

Active

The official status still shows this bill as active or still awaiting another formal step.

Sponsor
Zachary, Massey
Last action
2025-02-06
Official status
Withdrawn.
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source does not specify that the bill affects people applying for or renewing driver licenses directly. The bill's impact is on reporting requirements and does not alter fees paid by individuals.

Driver License Fee Report

This bill requires Tennessee's Department of Safety to report on how fees for getting or renewing driver licenses are used.

What This Bill Does

  • Requires the Department of Safety to give a report by January 1, 2026.
  • The report must explain how current fees cover costs like processing new and renewed licenses, IT upgrades, and system maintenance.
  • It sends this information to specific committees in both houses of the Tennessee General Assembly.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Tennessee's Department of Safety
  • Members of the Tennessee General Assembly

Terms To Know

Department of Safety
The state agency responsible for safety-related matters, including issuing driver licenses.
Committee
A group within the Tennessee General Assembly that looks at specific topics and makes recommendations.

Limits and Unknowns

  • It does not change how much people pay for their driver licenses.
  • The bill was withdrawn, so it is unclear if or when it will be reconsidered.

Bill History

  1. 2025-02-06 Tennessee General Assembly

    Withdrawn.

  2. 2025-02-06 Tennessee General Assembly

    Assigned to s/c Transportation Subcommittee

  3. 2025-02-06 Tennessee General Assembly

    P2C, ref. to Transportation Committee

  4. 2025-02-05 Tennessee General Assembly

    Intro., P1C.

  5. 2025-02-05 Tennessee General Assembly

    Withdrawn.

  6. 2025-02-04 Tennessee General Assembly

    Filed for introduction

  7. 2025-02-03 Tennessee General Assembly

    Filed for introduction

Official Summary Text

Abstract summarizes the bill.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
SENATE BILL 708
By Massey

HOUSE BILL 815
By Zachary

HB0815
002533
- 1 -

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 55,
relative to the cost of issuing driver licenses and
state identification cards.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:
SECTION 1. On or before January 1, 2026, the department of safety shall report to the
transportation and safety committee of the senate and the committee in the house of
representatives having jurisdiction over driver license matters on the extent to which current
fees imposed on applications for an original or renewal of a driver license are used to offset
processing costs for driver license issuance and reinstatements, information technology
upgrades, and any ongoing costs to maintain the driver license issuance system.
SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon becoming a law, the public welfare requiring it.