Fort Campbell drivers who have Tennessee driver licenses can obtain Real ID compliant licenses starting July 1.
"Real ID is a federal initiative to standardize the issuance of the driver license and the production of the driver license," said Michael Hogan director of driver services for the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security. "All 50 states and territories that have individuals who want to use their driver licenses to fly commercially, enter federal buildings [and installations] or enter a nuclear power plant must have a Real ID compliant license."
This process was established by Congress through the Real ID Act of 2005. Real ID complies with the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission for the federal government to set standards for how certain sources of identification like driver licenses are issued and produced. Beginning Oct. 1, 2020, federal agencies across the nation will be prohibited from accepting noncompliant driver licenses as identification to fly commercially, enter federal facilities and installations, or enter nuclear power plants.
In Tennessee, Read ID compliant driver licenses and IDs will have a gold star in the right-hand corner. Noncompliant licenses and IDs issued after July 1 will have "Not for Federal Identification" printed on the front of the credential.
What do I need for a Real ID driver license?
The documents required for a Real ID are very similar to what is already required by the state of Tennessee, Hogan said. When applying for a Real ID driver license you will have to present the following documents:
• Proof of citizenship or legal residence (one document).
• Proof of Social Security number (one document).
• Proof of Tennessee residency (two documents).
If your name differs on the documents you are presenting you also must furnish name change documentation, which can include a marriage certificate, divorce decree or court order. All documents must be originals or certified. Photocopies will not be accepted.
For more information about what documents that can be used for Read ID identification purposes, visit https://www.tn.gov/tnrealid/requirements.html.
Where do I go and how much does this cost?
Typically, Tennessee drivers can renew their licenses at a self-service kiosks or online. Drivers should be aware this is not the case with the initial issuance of a Real ID license or ID. According to federal law anyone who wishes to obtain a Real ID compliant credential must present the required documentation in person. The Clarksville Driver Services Center is located at 220 West Dunbar Cave Road and is open 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday.
A Real ID driver license costs $28 for an eight-year credential.
Those drivers whose current Tennessee license is not within the renewal period can obtain a Real ID license by presenting the required documents and paying a duplicate fee, Hogan said. The cost is $8 if the driver has never requested a duplicate of the current license, and $12 thereafter.
Once the first Real ID compliant credential has been issued, the subsequent renewal can be completed at a self-service kiosk or online.
Do I have to get a Real ID driver license?
Tennessee driver license holders are not required to obtain a Real ID compliant license but will have to use other acceptable forms of identification like a U.S. passport to fly commercially, enter federal facilities and installations, or enter nuclear power plants, Hogan said.
A list of all acceptable alternative documents that can be used for travel purposes can be found on the TSA website at https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/identification.
According to the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security website, Real ID compliant credentials are not required to drive, vote, purchase alcohol or cigarettes, access hospitals, visit the post office, access federal court or apply for federal benefits like social security or veteran benefits.
Real ID myths.
There are some myths surrounding the Real ID Act requirement, according to the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security website that lists the following:
• This is a national ID card: Real ID compliant credentials are not a national identification card. Every state is complying with the Real ID Act of 2005 by establishing minimum security standards for the issuance and production of driver licenses and IDs.
• More people will have access to my personal identifying information: The only people who will have access to your PII will be authorized officials of the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security and law enforcement officers.
• Tennessee Real ID licenses will have radio-frequency identification chips: Real ID compliant credentials will not have RFID chips embedded into them, but will have security features that are resistant to counterfeiting.
Do not wait until the last minute.
If you use your Tennessee driver license as identification for which Real ID compliance is required, you have until Oct. 1, 2020 to obtain your credential, Hogan said.
"We would like for everyone to take advantage of that 15-month period. You don't have to come July 1, but let's not wait until Sept. 28 or 29, 2020. We still issue an interim document, which is a paper license." he said." If you wait until the last minute we can't guarantee that you will get your permanent license before Oct. 1, 2020."
Hogan advises Tennessee driver license holders should direct their Real ID questions to managers at their local driver services center.
"They will be able to help you and if they cannot help you call my office and we will get someone to walk you through the process," he said.
The state of Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security main telephone number is 615-251-5166. For more information about Tennessee Real ID, visit https://www.tn.gov/content/tn/tnrealid.html.
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