The REAL ID deadline is in six months. How do I get a REAL ID in Tennessee?

The REAL ID Act goes into effect on May 7, 2025, meaning Tennesseans have just six months to ensure their IDs are REAL ID compliant.

The IDs are required for people 18 years or older to enter certain federal buildings or board commercial flights within the United States. Of the Volunteer State’s 5.8 million valid IDs, 1.6 million are currently not compliant with REAL ID, according to a statement from the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security.

The department encourages Tennesseans to decide before the implementation date whether they want to update their IDs to prevent the potential influx of customers to Driver Services Centers.

Here’s what you need to know before the deadline.

What is the REAL ID Act? What is a REAL ID?

According to the Tennessee Department of Safety, the REAL ID Act of 2005 establishes minimum security standards for the issuance and production of licenses. The law prohibits federal agencies from accepting driver’s licenses and identification cards from states that do not meet the law’s minimum standards.

A REAL ID compliant driver’s license is an identification document that can be used for activities such as boarding a commercial domestic flight or entering certain federal facilities in addition to normal license or ID use.

REAL ID compliant driver’s licenses have a small gold circle with a star in the right corner of the driver’s license, while non-REAL ID driver’s licenses display the phrase “NOT FOR REAL ID ACT PURPOSES.”

What is the deadline for getting a REAL ID in Tennessee?

The deadline to obtain a REAL ID is May 7, 2025.

Are REAL IDs required by law in Tennessee?

No, obtaining a REAL ID is completely optional. It is not required for any reason other than to allow you to continue flying domestically and access certain federal facilities. Non-REAL ID compliant driver’s licenses are still accepted for operating motorized vehicles.

What documents are needed to get a REAL ID?

To apply for a REAL ID you will need:

• Proof of US citizenship or legal presence

• Proof of your citizen service number

• Two proofs of Tennessee residency

All documents must be original or certified; photocopies are not accepted.

What is the cost of obtaining a REAL ID?

If you are getting a Tennessee license for the first time or it is time to renew your license, the cost to obtain a REAL ID is $28.00. If you get a REAL ID outside your renewal period, you will be charged a fee of $8 or $12, depending on your license classification, the Department of Security said.

Where can you get a REAL ID in Tennessee?

Federal law requires you to apply for a REAL ID in person. If you have already obtained a Tennessee driver’s license or identification card, you can apply for a REAL ID at a driver service center or at participating county offices.

If you don’t have a Tennessee driver’s license or ID, you can sign up with a full-service driver service center.

If you already have a REAL ID and would like to renew it, you can do so online, at a self-service kiosk, visit a district office, or use the mail-in option.

Diana Leyva covers trending news and service journalism for The Tennessean. Contact her at Dleyva@gannett.com or follow her on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, at @_leyvadiana

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: When do you need a REAL ID to fly? Where can you get one in Tennessee