Driver Licenses - As enacted, requires driver license station staff to inquire of applicants whether the applicant would like a driver license that complies with the federal REAL ID Act of 2005 or does not comply with su, the official text

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                            PUBLIC CHAPTER NO. 1094

                                                   SENATE BILL NO. 1783

                                                       By Johnson, Pody

                                           Substituted for: House Bill No. 2612

                                                 By Hulsey, Reneau, Salinas

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 55, Chapter 50, relative to application
          procedures for driver licenses.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:

          SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 55-50-321, is amended by adding the
following new subsection:

                    U)(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 U)(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;

                                        (B) The purposes for which a REAL ID compliant driver license may be
                              utilized, and the purposes for which a non-REAL ID compliant driver license
                              may be utilized; and

                                        (C) The electronic technology incorporated into a REAL ID compliant
                              driver license, and the electronic technology incorporated into a non-REAL ID
                              compliant driver license.

                              (3) If the applicant elects not to apply for a REAL ID compliant driver license,
                    then staff shall facilitate and complete the processing of the application for a non-
                    REAL ID compliant driver license.

                              (4) This subsection U) does not apply to an applicant seeking a renewal of a
                    REAL ID compliant driver license.

                              (5) The department's website must contain a prominently displayed statement
                    that indicates obtaining a REAL ID compliant driver license is optional.

                              (6) As used in this subsection 0):

                                        (A) "Driver license" includes a photo identification license· issued under
                              § 55-50-336 and a learner's permit;
SB 1783
                                       (8) "Non-REAL ID compliant driver license" means a driver license that

                             is not compliant with the standards of the REAL ID Act of 2005 (49 U.S.C. §§
                             30301, et seq.) and 6 CFR Part 37; and

                                       (C) "REAL ID compliant driver license" means a driver license that
                             complies with the standards of the REAL ID Act of 2005 (49 U.S.C. §§ 30301,
                             et seq.) and 6 CFR Part 37.
          SECTION 2. This act takes effect July 1, 2026, the public welfare requiring it.

                                                                2
         SENATE BILL NO. 1783

PASSED:  April 21, 2026

                                              RANDY Mc
                                SPEAKER OF THE

                         ~·~?:.

                          CAMERON SEXTON, SPEAKER
                          HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

APPROVED this 2;:J~ day of (VJ~ c          2026
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                       BILL LEE, GOVERNOR