Tennessee legislation · 114th General Assembly
Tennessee HB2612: AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 55, Chapter 50, relative to application procedures for driver licenses.
Status: Chaptered, May 27, 2026
Fiscal Summary STATE GOVERNMENTEXPENDITURESGeneral FundFY26-27 & Subsequent Years$13,700 Bill Summary 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 licen
What the bill says
From the amended text:
House Transportation 1 Amendment No. 1 to HB2612 Howell Signature of Sponsor AMEND S e n ate Bill No. 1783* House Bill No. 2612 by deleting all language after the enacting clause and substituting: 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; HA0706 (B) The purposes for which a REAL ID compliant driver …