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Department of Safety briefs committee on Real ID deadline, outreach and documents required
Summary
Department officials told the House Transportation Committee that the federal Real ID requirement goes into effect May 7, 2025, and reviewed who needs the card, what documents are required, current take-up in Tennessee and outreach plans to help residents meet the deadline.
Department of Safety officials briefed the House Transportation Committee on Feb. 18 on the federal Real ID requirement and Tennessee's outreach and operational steps ahead of the May 7, 2025 effective date.
Russell Shoop, assistant commissioner, told the committee that “The Real ID Act of 02/2005 is is going into effect officially May 2025.” He said anyone 18 or older who intends to board a commercial flight in the United States or enter specified federal facilities will need either a Real ID or another federally issued photo identification such as a passport or passport card.
Shoop and other department staff reviewed the documents applicants must present: proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful presence, proof of Social Security number, and two documents proving Tennessee residency; any name changes (for example by marriage or divorce) must be supported by documentation. Shoop noted the department began issuing Real IDs in July 2019 and described Real ID as “100% optional,” adding that a passport or passport card will continue to be an acceptable alternative for federal requirements.
The department provided counts and operational steps: Shoop said about 2,700,000 Tennesseans have chosen to obtain a Real ID; roughly 1,900,000 declined a Real ID at their last renewal; and about 1,200,000 Tennesseans still need to make a decision based on renewal cycles. He also said the department opened “over 1,400 additional Real ID appointments across the state” and encouraged people to upload documents ahead of appointments for pre‑vetting. The department will host a Real ID event for lawmakers and staff March 20–21; staff said members may upload documents in advance and pick appointment times so the process can be completed in roughly 15 minutes.
Nut graph: Committee members raised questions about why some residents decline Real ID, whether the department will run public outreach and PR ahead of the May 7 deadline, and how the department handles applicants who lack name-change documentation. Shoop and Elizabeth Stroker, legislative director, said the department has an awareness campaign, is working with media and will send a Real ID information package and appointment link to legislators to distribute.
Committee members also sought clarification about specific groups: the department said state law already bars people with suspended or revoked licenses (or other statutorily ineligible groups) from getting any Tennessee license and that those rules apply equally to Real ID — a person must be otherwise eligible for a Tennessee license to obtain a Real ID.
Ending: Department staff urged people to make appointments, to upload documents ahead of visits, and reminded members the Real ID rollout has been publicized for years; the department will circulate outreach materials for legislators to distribute to constituents.
