Class D Tennessee Driver License

What is a Class D Driver License?

A Class D vehicle is defined as any vehicle, or any combination of vehicles, with a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,000 pounds or less, as long as:

1. The vehicle is not used for the purpose of transporting hazardous materials which are required by law to be placarded.
2. The vehicle is not used to transport more than fifteen passengers including the driver, or
3. The vehicle is not a school bus used to transport children to and from school for compensation.

Generally speaking, the majority of applicants for a Tennessee driver license will be operators of regular passenger vehicles, pick-up trucks, or vans. The Driver License Handbook is designed to provide the information you need to get a Class D license.

If the vehicle is used for any of these purposes, the driver is required to obtain a Commercial Driver License.

Who is not eligible?

1. Anyone whose license is currently suspended or revoked in Tennessee or any other state.
2. Anyone the Commissioner has reason to believe would be unable to operate a motor vehicle safely because of mental or physical disabilities.
3. Anyone who has been proven to be a habitual drunkard or who is addicted to the use of narcotics.
4. Anyone required to show proof of financial responsibility and has not yet done so.
5. Anyone under the age of 18 who has dropped out of school before graduating, or who does not make "satisfactory progress" in school.
6. 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.

Who is not required to have a driver license?

1. Operators of any road machinery, farm tractor, or implement of husbandry that is temporarily operated or moved on a highway.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.

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What documents will you need to bring?

PLEASE NOTE: All documents are subject to verification with the issuing agency or source. Documents subject to verification may delay the issuance of your permit, driver license, identification only license, or certificate for driving. No photocopies will be accepted!

For a Regular Class D Driver License you will need:

• Proof of U.S. Citizenship or Lawful Permanent Resident Status
• Primary Proof of Identification
• Secondary Proof of Identification
• Proof of any Name Changes if Different than name on Primary ID
• Two Proofs of Tennessee Residency with your name and resident address - NO P.O. BOXES (Documents must be current = dated within last 4 months)
• Proof of Social Security Number or sworn affidavit if no Social Security number has been issued. (Acceptable document is Social Security Card, W-2 form.)

If you are under eighteen (18) years of age you will need the above documents plus:

• Teenage Affidavit/Financial Responsibility
• Proof of school attendance/progress
• Certification of 50 Hours Behind the Wheel Driving Experience (SF-1256)

Additional Requirements

To obtain a Tennessee Driver License for the first time when an applicant is under the age of 18, proof of prior driving experience is required. The applicant must either:

1) Obtain a learner permit for at least six (6) months (180 days)

-OR-

2) Have been licensed to drive in another state for at least 90 days.

3) Applicants not yet eighteen years old must have an adult sign a Minor/Teen-age Affidavit and Cancellation form, which can be picked up at any driver license station or downloaded in Adobe PDF format by Clicking Here .

Instructions for New Residents and Returning Residents

New Residents and Returning Residents who need to exchange the license from their former state of resident must present

Your current license (or certified copy of driving record or other acceptable ID).

Proof of name change, such as original, certified court order, marriage certificate, or divorce decree.

Two Proofs of Tennessee Residency with your name and resident address - NO P.O. BOXES (Documents must be current = dated within last four months)

Proof of U.S. Citizenship or Lawful Permanent Resident Status

All new or returning residents must take a Tennessee vision exam at the driver license station. There are certain exceptions for commercial driver license holders.

New or returning residents whose out of state license has been expired for more than six months must take the Tennessee knowledge, road skills, and vision exams.

All new or returning residents must surrender their out-of-state license at time of application for Tennessee license (Only foreign country licenses/IDs may be retained)

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Where to get your license?

Search for a Driver Testing Center by City

Search for a Driver Testing Center by County

Search for a Driver Testing Center by Service Offered

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Related Documents

Review the Driver License Manual

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