Adult First-Time Drivers

Have you had a name change?

Please provide all name change documentation that connects to the original name listed on your proof of
identity, citizenship, or legal presence.

• Marriage Certificate 
• Divorce decree
• Court Order

Acceptable Documents for U.S. Citizenship

• Official Birth Certificate issued by a U.S. state, jurisdiction or territory (Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, Swain's Island, Guam) 
  • Puerto Rican birth certificates issued before July 1, 2010, will NOT be recognized as proof of Lawful U.S. Citizenship.
  • The government of Puerto Rico has provided information for citizens to apply for new birth certificates
• U.S. Government-issued Certified Birth Certificate
• U.S. Certificate of Birth Abroad (DS-1350 or FS-545)
• Report of Birth Abroad of a Citizen of the U.S. (FS-240)
• Valid, unexpired U.S. Passport
• Certificate of Citizenship (N560 or N561)
• Certificate of Naturalization (N550, N570 or N578)
• U.S. Citizen Identification Card (I-197, I-179)
   

Acceptable Documents for Lawful Permanent Resident Status

• Permanent Resident Alien Card (I-551)
• Foreign passport stamped by the U.S. Government indicating that the holder has been "Processed for I-551"
• Permanent resident Re-entry Permit (I-327)
• Arrival Departure Form I-94 with “Temporary I-551” stamp and holder’s photograph affixed
• Travel Document issued to Permanent Residents (I-327)
• Travel Document issued to Refugees (I-571)
• Form I-94 stamped  with one of the following statuses:  Asylee, Parolee or Parole, Refugee, Asylum, HP-humanitarian parolee or PIP-public interest parolee

Applicant must furnish their Social Security Number. If it is not known, one (1) of the following
approved documents showing applicant's name and full Social Security Number is acceptable:

• Social Security Card
  
• W-2 - (within last 12 months)
• 1099 - (within last 12 months)
• Payroll check stub 

Two (2) Documents from List A   
        -OR-
One (1) Document from List A and One (1) Document from List B

List A - Acceptable Proofs of Residency

• Current Utility Bill – This includes landline telephone, electric, water, gas, and cable bills. 
• Current Bank Statement - Internet bank statements are acceptable only if taken to the local bank, stamped and dated by teller as an active account. Checks and checkbook information are NOT acceptable.
• Current Rental/Mortgage Contract or Receipt including the Deed of Sale for property.
• Current employer verification of residence address or letter from employer as long as it is on company letterhead with an original signature. If employer does not have letterhead, then the signature of the employer must be notarized.
• Current Paycheck/Check Stub, Work ID or Badge – residential address must be included on the badge or document.
• Current Automobile, Life or Health Insurance Policy - Wallet Cards will NOT be accepted.
• Current Driver License/ID issued by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security to a parent, legal guardian or spouse of applicant.
• Current Tennessee Motor Vehicle Registration or Title (may use one, not both)
• Current Tennessee Voter Registration Card
• Internal Revenue Service tax reporting W-2 form within last 12 months.
• Receipt for Personal Property or Real Estate Taxes paid within last 12 months.
• In case of a student enrolled in a public or private school in Tennessee, the student may provide a photo student ID and acceptable documentation from the Dean or Bursar’s Office that the student lives on campus.
   

List B - Acceptable Proofs of Residency

• Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) issued by the Internal Revenue Service
• Form I-94 issued to the applicant by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service
• Employment Authorization card (I-766) issued to the applicant by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service
• I-551 issued to the applicant by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service
   

Acceptable Proof of Residency for Homeless or Shelter Residents

This affidavit will be accepted as the secondary proof of residency document evidencing your principal residence address in Tennessee.

• What is RealID and how do I get it? 
  
• What are the fees for service? 
• How do I renew my license?
• How do I replace a lost license? 
• How do I change my name on my license?
• How do I change my address? 
• How do I apply for a Hardship License?
• What documents are required for proof of citizenship or lawful permanent residency? 
• What documents are required for proof of Tennessee residency? 

• I have been revoked or suspended what should I do? 
• How do I submit an Owner/Operator Report? 
• Where can I get a crash report? 
• I have been court-ordered or need to take driver education in traffic school? 
• I got a Driving Under the Influence (DUI) conviction, now what? 

If a person holds a valid Tennessee license and is in the United States Armed Forces, that license shall remain valid regardless of the displayed expiration date as long as:

1. the person remains on active duty; and
2. is based outside the State of Tennessee, and
3. the license is not surrendered, canceled or suspended.

Active-duty military personnel may have a "Code 30" placed on his or her license, which will indicate the license does not expire. Members of the National Guard and family members of military personnel are not eligible for this provision.

Once the active-duty military member has been discharged, separated or has been reassigned to a duty station within Tennessee he or she must renew his/her license within sixty (60) days following the date of separation on the DD214 form or reassignment to Tennessee.

NOTE: Assignment to Fort Campbell Army Base is considered reassignment back to Tennessee. Fort Campbell Army Base is in both Tennessee and Kentucky.

Apply for a “Code 30” In-Person

To add a "Code 30" to their license, military personnel can provide identification and required military documents at a Driver Services Center and pay the appropriate fees. Please use the Military Checklist form to assist you in making your request.

Military Orders verifying active-duty status and showing the member of the military will be based outside of Tennessee

A letter on military letterhead from the commanding officer or a leave and earnings statement (LES) if it identifies current deployment station may be accepted in lieu of orders.
 

Apply for a “Code 30” by Mail

To add a "Code 30" to your license by mail send a completed Military Checklist with the following:

• Military Orders verifying active-duty status and showing the member of the military will be based outside of Tennessee
  • A letter on military letterhead from the commanding officer or a leave and earnings statement (LES) if it identifies current deployment station may be accepted in lieu of orders.
    
• Address to mail the approved and processed license with the Code 30
• Fees based upon the number of duplicates issued to the applicant
• Contact e-mail address in the event additional information is needed

Mail the application to the Department of Safety and Homeland Security at:

Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security
Driver Services Division – Special Handling Unit
Attn: Military Coordinator
Browning Building, Room 253
1150 Foster Avenue
Nashville, TN 37243 (use zip code 37210 for overnight shipping)

• Operators of any road machinery, farm tractor, or implement of husbandry that is temporarily operated or moved on a highway.
• Non-residents who have in their immediate possession a valid driver license issued by their home state or country, equivalent to the appropriate class or type of Tennessee license.
• Individuals who are not U.S. citizens and who, in connection with their employment in managerial or technical positions in Tennessee, may operate vehicles with a valid driver license issued by another state, country, or international body for a period of six (6) months.
• Students pursuing an approved driver training course in a public or private secondary school, or in a licensed commercial driver training school for passenger vehicles, when accompanied by a certified instructor.
  

• Anyone whose license is currently suspended or revoked in Tennessee or any other state.
• Anyone the Commissioner has reason to believe would be unable to operate a motor vehicle safely because of mental or physical disabilities.
• Anyone who has been proven to be a habitual drunkard or who is addicted to the use of narcotics.Anyone required to show proof of financial responsibility and has not yet done so.
• Anyone under the age of 18 who has dropped out of school before graduating, or who does not make "satisfactory progress" in school.
• Anyone who is not a U.S. Citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident will not qualify for the issuance of a driver license or identification only license.

REAL ID

Tennessee Drivers may wish to get a REAL ID instead of a Regular Driver License. Beginning May 7, 2025, everyone must have a REAL ID or passport to enter certain Federal buildings, military bases and nuclear power plants or to board commercial flights within the United States.