Why REAL ID?
You are not required to get a REAL ID compliant license or Identification credential. However, some reasons you may wish to upgrade your Tennessee driver license or ID to REAL ID include:
Access
Beginning May 7, 2025, you must have a REAL ID compliant credential, passport, or other TSA approved alternative form of identification to board commercial flights within the United States, access federal buildings, or enter nuclear power plants.
Security
The REAL ID Act of 2005 established minimum security standards for license issuance and production. These standards provide an additional level of security to protect your identity.
Options
Tennesseans are not required to obtain a REAL ID compliant license. The decision to get a REAL ID credential is completely up to you. A REAL ID driver license or Identification credential is not required for any other reason than to allow you to continue to fly domestically within the United States and access certain federal facilities after May 7, 2025.