Department of Safety outlines Real ID outreach as federal May 2025 deadline approaches

Department of Safety staff updated the House Transportation Committee on the federal Real ID requirement and the department’s outreach and appointment capacity as the federal deadline approaches.

Assistant Commissioner Russell Shoop told the committee that the Real ID Act (federal law enacted in 2005) will be enforced for domestic commercial air travel and entry to some federal facilities beginning in May 2025. Shoop said the department has expanded appointment capacity across driver-service centers and has added options for applicants to upload documents ahead of time to reduce in-person wait times.

Shoop and other staff described issuance figures and target groups: in the hearing, the department said about 2.7 million Tennesseans "have chosen to get their Real ID" since the state began issuing them in July 2019; the department also gave a roughly equivalent figure expressed later in the hearing (about 2.9 million, described as roughly 47% of an estimated 5.8 million licensed drivers). Department staff said roughly 1.2 million Tennessee drivers still need to make a decision during their renewal cycles. The department emphasized that Real ID is "100% optional," and that alternative federally acceptable forms of ID (for example, passports or passport cards) will remain valid for boarding and facility access.

The department said it has added more appointment slots statewide and urged applicants to upload required documents before visiting a driver-service center so staff can pre‑vet paperwork. Staff said they have a specialized unit to assist applicants who lack name-change documentation or have complex documentation histories.

The department also offered member-focused support: staff told the committee they will host an in-person event for members and their staff in March to help upload documents and issue Real IDs by appointment; committee staff later said details would be circulated to members. The department said applicants should allow time for card printing and mailing after issuance.

Why it matters: Beginning in May 2025, the federal government will require Real ID (or another federally acceptable ID such as a passport) for domestic commercial airline travel and access to certain federal facilities. The department’s outreach, increased appointments and online document-upload process are intended to reduce last-minute problems for travelers.

Open questions and implementation notes: The department recommended online document upload and appointments; it did not present a formal estimate of additional staff costs or the number of on-site staff needed to handle the remaining applicants. Committee members asked about public messaging; the department said it is conducting an awareness campaign and will provide materials to legislators for constituency outreach.