Documentation Needed to Obtain a Tennessee Driver License

DO YOU HAVE THE RIGHT DOCUMENTS?

Before you take a trip to the Driver License Station, please review the list of documents that you MUST HAVE with you in order to obtain a Tennessee Driver License. (This document is in PDF format. Click here to download a free version of Adobe Acrobat or click here for a HTML alternative page.) (This is a quick-guide checklist. The information below offers additional information on these documents.)

¿Trajo Los Documentos Necesarios? (PDF) (HTML)

1. For your first license or learner permit bring:
   • Proof of your age and identity (Click for a list of acceptable documents that may be used for proof of identity.)
   • Proof of any name changes since birth certificate (i.e. if married bring certified marriage certificate, etc.)
   • Social Security number if one has been assigned, or Affidavit affirming that no SSN ever issued.
   • Two (2) Proofs of Tennessee Residency (Acceptable proof outlined below)
   • Proof of U.S. Citizenship or Legal Presence (Acceptable proof outlined below)
     
     PLUS if you are under 18 years old:
     
     
   • Parent to sign Minor/ Teenage Affidavit form and agree to financial responsibility law related to the issuance of the learner permit or license.
   • Proof of School Attendance (Please see page 16 of the driver license handbook for further explanation.)
   • Comply with Graduated Driver License Procedures.
2. If you are from another state:
• Your current license (or a certified copy of your driving record along with other acceptable ID)
• Proof of name changes if different from previous license
• Proof of Tennessee Residency
• Proof of U.S. Citizenship or Legal Presence (Click here for a list of acceptable documents.)
3. If you are changing your name:

   • Proof of the change, such as original, certified court order, marriage certificate, or divorce decree
4. If you have lost your license
• Two pieces of identification
5. For an "Identification-Only" License
• Proof of your age and identity
• Social Security number if one has been assigned, or Affidavit affirming that no SSN ever issued.
• Proof of any name changes since birth
• Proof of Tennessee Residency
• Proof of U.S. Citizenship or Legal Presence (Click here for a list of acceptable documents.)
  Plus, if your are under 18 years of age:
• Parent to sign Teenage Affidavit
6. Married
   
   If you are married and your name is different than the name on your birth certificate as a result of marriage, you must provide the certified marriage certificate supporting the change.
   
7. Divorced
   
   If you are requesting a name change due to divorce, you must bring a certified copy of the original court order indicating the new name.
   
   Any change in your name not described by one of the above examples must be supported by a court order.
   
8. Proof of Social Security Number
   
   Tennessee law requires the Social Security number for all applications if a Social Security Number has ever been issued. If you have never been issued a Social Security Number, you must sign an Affidavit under penalty of perjury. The department is also required to maintain this information on each applicant's record. If the license is not a commercial driver license, you can choose whether or not to have your Social Security number printed on your license.
   
   Tennessee has a computer link with the Social Security Administration, so most
   applicants will not have to present proof of the Social Security number. The computer
   will simply return a message indicating the number matches (or it doesn't). However,
   in case the computer link is down, and to make sure the examiner accurately records the number, you should bring one of the documents listed below. These documents may also serve as a second piece of identification, which you will need any way, so it makes sense to bring them along when you can.
   
   

   1. Your original Social Security card or a print-out from the Social Security Administration
   1. The Internal Revenue Service W-2 Wage and Tax Statement form
   2. A computer generated payroll check or bank statement
   3. Health insurance card with both name and Social Security numbers
   4. SSN Affidavit affirming no SSN ever issued in your name.
      
      
9. IF YOU ARE UNDER AGE EIGHTEEN
   
   First License When applicants under the age of 18 apply for a driver license, proof of prior driving experience is required. They must:
   
   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) Minor/Teen-age Affidavits 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 .
   
   The Minor/Teen-age Affidavit confirms that the adult signing the form joins in the application for the license and will be responsible for the actions of the minor driver. It must be signed by a parent, a step-parent living at the same address as the applicant, legal guardian, or a grandparent authorized by the parent, step-parent or guardian.
   The appropriate adult must sign the form in the presence of a driver license examiner, OR ; if for some reason the adult cannot come with the applicant to the driver testing station, the form can be printed by clicking on the link above. The form must be signed by the appropriate adult and the signature notarized. Note: the signature MUST be notarized by a notary public if the adult cannot accompany the applicant to the driver testing station. Only then can the form be accepted without the presence of the adult.
   
   If the grandparent is assuming financial responsibility for the youth, the grandparent must bring a notarized statement authorizing this, signed by the parent, stepparent, custodian or guardian, as appropriate. The statement does not have to be on a department form, but should be in the following general format:
   
   "I do hereby authorize ______________ (name of grandparent)
   to sign for a driver license for ___________ (name of minor).
   Signed: ________________________(name and relationship of adult granting authorization) [Notary certificate]
   
   4) Proof of School Attendance
   Applicants under the age of 18 must prove they are enrolled in school and making satisfactory progress. If they have already graduated, they must bring their high school diploma or G.E.D. certificate with them when they apply. If not, they need to ask their school to complete a Certificate of Compulsory School Attendance and take the original part of this form with them to a driver license station. The form is valid for only 30 days.
   
   If a student fifteen years of age or older drops out of school or fails to make satisfactory academic progress, the school is required to notify the Department of Safety. This suspends the student's driving privileges. The first time a student drops out, he or she may regain the privilege to drive by returning to school and making satisfactory academic progress. There is no second chance, however. The second time a student drops out he or she must wait to turn 18 years old before being eligible to apply.