Driver Licenses

Plain English Breakdown

The bill summary does not provide specific details on how much additional cost will be incurred beyond $13,700.

Driver License Application Procedures

This bill changes how driver license applications are handled in Tennessee by adding requirements for REAL ID compliance and providing information to applicants.

What This Bill Does

• Requires staff at driver license stations to ask if an applicant wants a REAL ID compliant or non-REAL ID compliant license.
• Provides the applicant with a printed document that lists required documents, purposes of each type of license, alternative forms of identification for travel and federal access, and electronic technology details.
• Clarifies on the department's website that getting a REAL ID compliant driver license is optional.
• Ensures staff complete applications for non-REAL ID compliant licenses if an applicant chooses not to get a REAL ID compliant one.

Who It Names or Affects

• People applying for or renewing driver licenses in Tennessee.

Terms To Know

REAL ID

A federal standard that requires stricter identification and documentation to obtain a driver license, which is needed for certain government services and travel.

Non-REAL ID compliant driver license

A driver license that does not meet the REAL ID standards but can still be used for general driving purposes within Tennessee.

Limits and Unknowns

• The bill does not apply to those renewing a REAL ID compliant driver license.
• It is unclear how much additional cost this will add to the state's budget beyond the $13,700 mentioned in the summary.

Official Summary Text

Present law provides the application requirements for a driver license, instruction permit, intermediate driver license, and photo identification card. This bill requires the staff at a driver license station to inquire whether an applicant for a driver
license would like to be issued a REAL ID compliant driver license or a non-REAL ID compliant license. The applicant must be provided a printed document to sign making such selection. The printed document must include all of the following information:



A list of the documents that the applicant must provide to obtain a REAL ID compliant driver license and a non-REAL ID compliant license.


A description of the purposes for which a REAL ID compliant and non-REAL ID compliant license may be utilized.


A list of the alternative forms of identification that may be used in lieu of a REAL ID compliant driver license to fly domestically within the United States or to enter a military base, nuclear facility, or certain federal buildings.


Information regarding the electronic technology incorporated into a REAL ID compliant and non-REAL ID compliant driver license.

This bill requires the department of safety's website to contain a statement that indicates obtaining a REAL ID compliant driver license is optional. If an applicant elects not to apply for a REAL ID compliant driver license, then the staff of a driver
license station must complete the processing of the application for a non-REAL ID compliant driver license.

ON MARCH 2, 2026, THE SENATE ADOPTED AMENDMENT #1 AND PASSED SENATE BILL 1783, AS AMENDED.

AMENDMENT #1 makes the following changes:



Eliminates the requirement that the printed document provided to an applicant for a driver license contain information about the alternative forms of identification that will be accepted to fly domestically in the United States or to seek entry to a military base, nuclear facility, or certain federal buildings.



Clarifies that the bill does not apply to an applicant seeking a renewal of a REAL ID compliant driver license.

Current Bill Text

HOUSE BILL 2612
By Hulsey

SENATE BILL 1783
By Johnson
SB1783
011726
- 1 -

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 55,
Chapter 50, relative to application procedures for
driver licenses.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:
SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 55-50-321, is amended by adding
the following new subsection:
(j)
(1) At the time of application or renewal of a driver license by an
applicant who appears at a driver license station, staff shall inquire of the
applicant whether the applicant would like to be issued a REAL ID compliant
driver license or a non-REAL ID compliant license. The applicant must be
provided a printed document that the applicant shall sign and on which the
applicant shall check a box stating whether the applicant is applying for a REAL
ID compliant driver license or a non-REAL ID compliant driver license and that
the applicant was provided the printed document as required pursuant to
subdivision (j)(2).
(2) The applicant must be provided a printed document that includes the
following information:
(A) The documents that are required to be provided by the
applicant to obtain a REAL ID compliant driver license, and the
documents that are required to be provided by the applicant to obtain a
non-REAL ID compliant driver license;

- 2 - 011726

(B) The purposes for which a REAL ID compliant driver license
may be utilized, and the purposes for which a non-REAL ID compliant
driver license may be utilized;
(C) The alternative forms of identification in lieu of a REAL ID
compliant driver license, including a U.S. passport, that will be accepted
to fly domestically within the United States or to seek entry to a military
base, nuclear facility, or certain federal buildings; and
(D) The electronic technology incorporated into a REAL ID
compliant driver license, and the electronic technology incorporated into a
non-REAL ID compliant driver license.
(3) If the applicant elects not to apply for a REAL ID compliant driver
license, then staff shall facilitate and complete the processing of the application
for a non-REAL ID compliant driver license.
(4) The department's website must contain a prominently displayed
statement that indicates obtaining a REAL ID compliant driver license is optional.
(5) As used in this subsection (j):
(A) "Driver license" includes a photo identification license issued
under § 55-50-336 and a learner's permit;
(B) "Non-REAL ID compliant driver license" means a driver
license that is not compliant with the standards of the REAL ID Act of
2005 (49 U.S.C. §§ 30301, et seq.) and 6 CFR Part 37; and
(C) "REAL ID compliant driver license" means a driver license
that complies with the standards of the REAL ID Act of 2005 (49 U.S.C.
§§ 30301, et seq.) and 6 CFR Part 37.
SECTION 2. This act takes effect July 1, 2026, the public welfare requiring it.