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DMV Appointment Guide
Tennessee REAL ID

Tennessee REAL ID Upgrade Checklist

Complete document checklists and scheduling guides to secure your gold star license before TSA airport enforcement deadlines.

View Required Documents

Tennessee REAL ID Star Recognition

Tennessee REAL ID cards feature a gold star inside a black circle.

Enhanced Driver License vs Standard REAL ID

Tennessee does not offer Enhanced licenses.

Documents You Must Bring to the Office

To upgrade, you must visit a local customer center in person with these original papers. Photocopies or digital scans are rejected:

  • Proof of Identity (1 Document): US Passport, Certified Birth Certificate, or Permanent Resident Card.
  • Proof of Social Security (1 Document): Original Social Security Card, printed W-2, or 1099 form displaying your full SSN. The document must not be laminated.
  • Proof of State Residency (2 Documents): Printed utilities bills, credit card statements, bank statements, or rental leases dated within 60 days.

Cost of a REAL ID in Tennessee

A standard REAL ID costs twenty-eight dollars, representing the normal license renewal fee.

REAL ID FAQs

Yes. TSA checkpoints enforce these guidelines for all domestic flights. Without a gold star license, Enhanced ID, or a valid US passport, you will be blocked from security checkpoints.

Some states permit pre-application online uploads to speed up in-person checkins, but you must still bring your physical original papers to your branch office appointment for validation.