motorcycle.

If an applicant is
under the age of eighteen (18)
WHO IS NOT REQUIRED TO HAVE
a responsible adult must
complete a portion of the
A TENNESSEE DRIVER LICENSE?
• Any member of the armed forces while operating a motor
Minor/Teen-age Affidavit form vehicle owned or leased by any branch of the Armed
(available at any driver license Services of the United States, including the National Guard.
service center) at the time of
application. • Operators of any road machinery, farm tractor, or other farm
equipment which is temporarily operated or moved on a
As a service to Tennessee highway.
residents, families with • Non-Tennessee residents who have in their immediate
children, including infants, possession a valid driver license issued by their home state
may obtain these or country, equivalent to the appropriate class or type of
identification-only licenses for Tennessee license.
their children. Children must • Non-U.S. citizens and who, in connection with their
meet all documentation employment in managerial or technical positions in
requirements. Tennessee, may operate vehicles with a valid driver license
issued by another state, country, or international body for a
1. The first type of identification is an “Expiring period of six (6) months. These individuals must apply for
Identification License” that may be issued to any person not a Tennessee license at the end of six (6) months.
currently holding a valid driver license. The person must
present proof of identification and all other requirements • Students enrolled in a Tennessee Department of Safety and
detailed in the next chapter. NOTE: At age sixty-five (65) or Homeland Security approved driver training course in a
older, this ID does not expire. public or private secondary school, or in a licensed
• Any applicant who does not have a social security number commercial driver training school for passenger vehicles,
shall complete an affidavit, under penalty of perjury, when accompanied by a certified instructor.
affirming that the applicant has never been issued a SSN,
and must provide a certified copy of one of the following:
WHO IS NOT ELIGIBLE?
• Anyone whose license is currently suspended or revoked
(a) Certified Birth Certificate issued by Tennessee or
in this, or any other state.
another state, possession, territory or commonwealth
of the USA – or Valid United States Passport • Anyone the Commissioner (or the Commissioner’s
designee) has determined would not be able to operate a
(b) Documentation proving lawful permanent resident motor vehicle safely because of mental or physical
status issued by the United States Citizenship and disabilities.
Immigration Services acceptable to the Department of
• Anyone required to show proof of car insurance/financial
Safety.
responsibility who has not done so.
2. The second type is a “permanent identification license” that • Anyone under the age of eighteen (18) who has dropped
any person who is mentally challenged or physically disabled out of school before graduating, or who does not make
may obtain. In addition to presenting proof of identification, “satisfactory progress” in school.
the applicant must submit a certified statement from a licensed • Anyone who cannot provide the required proof of U.S.
medical doctor stating that the applicant is unable to operate a Citizenship, Lawful Permanent Residency (LPR) or
vehicle. Those who qualify for this ID may receive it free of Temporary Legal Presence, will not qualify for a driver
charge. ID licenses issued in this manner do not expire. license or identification license (ID Only).
Driving without a valid license is a class B misdemeanor. The
penalty is a fine up to five-hundred dollars ($500) and/or six
months in jail.
TEMPORARY DRIVER LICENSE (TDL) OR
TEMPORARY IDENTIFICATION LICENSE (TID)
Temporary Driver Licenses (TDL) are issued to Tennessee
residents who are not
U.S. Citizens or Lawful
PENALTIES FOR DRIVING
Permanent Residents but
WITHOUT A LICENSE
have temporary legal
While driving in Tennessee you must have your driver license
presence status and
or Temporary Driver License in your possession to show on
authorized stay in the
request to any law enforcement officer. If you do not have your
United States. Their
license with you, you may be fined not less than two dollars
presence in the U.S. has
($2.00) and no more than fifty dollars ($50.00).