Tennessee driver license and state ID — guide for immigrants

Tennessee requires every applicant to prove identity, US citizenship or lawful presence, Tennessee residency, and (where eligible) a Social Security number for a driver license or ID-only license, and it has no program for undocumented residents. Only US citizens and lawful permanent residents (green-card holders) receive a standard, permanent credential. Lawfully-present non-citizens on temporary status instead receive a special XD/XID “Temporary” card that is valid only for their authorized stay.

Quick answer

  • Undocumented DL access: NO — US citizenship or lawful presence is required for every applicant
  • Standard/permanent credential: US citizens and lawful permanent residents (green card / I-551) only
  • Temporary-status non-citizens: a “Temporary” driver license (class XD) or ID-only (class XID), valid only for your Duration of Stay
  • State ID-only (18+) fee: $12.00 total (8 years) · Driver license (D) fee: $28.00 total (8 years)
  • REAL ID costs the same as a standard credential
  • Agency: Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security — Driver Services
  • Website: tn.gov · driver services
  • Phone: (615) 251-5166

Which immigration statuses qualify in Tennessee

Tennessee issues a credential based on whether your lawful presence is permanent or temporary:

  • US citizens and lawful permanent residents qualify for a standard, permanent driver license or ID-only license. LPRs present a valid, unexpired Permanent Resident Card (I-551) issued by DHS.
  • Temporary lawful-presence non-citizens qualify for a Temporary (XD/XID) credential. Acceptable proof of temporary legal presence includes: a Form I-94 stamped Asylee, Parolee/Parole, Refugee, Asylum, HP (humanitarian parolee), or PIP (public-interest parolee); an Employment Authorization Card (I-766 / EAD); a Temporary Resident Card (I-688); a valid foreign passport with a valid visa and I-94 attached; a valid foreign passport with I-94W attached; or an I-94 with a “Temporary I-551” stamp and photo.
  • Undocumented residents do not qualify — Tennessee has no AB60-equivalent driver-privilege program.

The “Temporary” XD/XID credential and Duration of Stay

This is the rule that matters most for immigrants. If your lawful presence is temporary, Tennessee does not issue the ordinary 8-year card. Instead you receive a Temporary credential — class XD for a driver license and class XID for an ID-only card — tied to your authorized stay. Tennessee states plainly that “Temporary IDs (XID) will expire at the end of the individual’s authorized stay,” and the Temporary license/ID is valid only for the Duration of Stay shown on your immigration document. When your status is extended, you renew the credential to match the new end date.

The Social Security number rule

Tennessee requires you to furnish your SSN. If you do not have one, the state requires a sworn affidavit: “Any applicant who does not have a Social Security Number (SSN) shall complete an affidavit, under penalty of perjury, affirming that the applicant has never been issued a SSN.” That affidavit must be signed in front of a driver-license examiner or a notary. If you do have an SSN, you must also present one approved document showing your name and full Social Security number.

What is REAL ID?

REAL ID is a federal standard for state-issued IDs. A REAL ID-compliant card (gold star in the corner) can be used to board domestic flights (federal enforcement began May 7, 2025), enter federal buildings, and access secure federal facilities. Tennessee issues a REAL ID at the same price as a standard credential, so there is no extra fee to choose the compliant version — you simply bring the required identity, lawful-presence, SSN, and residency documents.

How to apply in Tennessee

  1. Confirm your category — citizen/LPR (standard credential) or temporary lawful presence (XD/XID), using the document list above.
  2. Gather originals — proof of identity and lawful presence, your SSN document (or be ready to sign the no-SSN affidavit before an examiner/notary), and proof of Tennessee residency.
  3. Visit a Driver Services Center of the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security (or a participating County Clerk Partner, which adds a $4.00 administrative fee).
  4. Pass the tests — for a first-time driver license, the vision, knowledge, and road tests; an ID-only card does not require driving tests.
  5. Pay the fee — $28.00 for a class D driver license, $12.00 for an ID-only (18+); a Temporary XID (18+) is $9.50.
  6. Receive your card — remember that an ID-only or XID card is not valid to drive; only a class D or XD license authorizes you to operate a vehicle.

If you are undocumented or cannot get an SSN

Tennessee has no driver-privilege card for undocumented residents. Practical alternatives:

  • Use your foreign passport as primary ID for banking, employment (with an EAD), and federal flights.
  • Get a matrícula consular from your home-country consulate (see Consulates in Tennessee).
  • Use an International Driving Permit (IDP) obtained in your home country before travel.
  • Open an ITIN-friendly bank account to bank without an SSN.
  • Consider an AB60-equivalent state if you must drive regularly (CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, HI, IL, MD, MA, MN, NV, NJ, NM, NY, OR, RI, UT, VA, VT, WA).

Last verified: 2026-06-29. Sources: Tennessee Driver Services — Citizenship/Lawful Presence, Class D License, ID Only, and Fees.

General procedural information. DMV policies, fees, and document requirements change frequently — verify with the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security before visiting. Not legal or immigration advice. For case-specific guidance, consult a licensed immigration attorney.