Tennessee Driver Services outlines Real ID rollout, notifies 8,800 CDL records for documentation

Tennessee Driver Services officials told the House Transportation Committee on Feb. 3 that the agency has substantially completed Real ID implementation, is modernizing offices, and is pursuing an administrative review of commercial driver records.

Assistant Commissioner Russell Shoop said the department "issued over 7 870,000 real IDs last year" and that about 60% of Tennessee's roughly 5,800,000 active licensed drivers now hold a Real ID. He told lawmakers the department recently underwent a Transportation Security Administration review with "no findings," which authorizes continued Real ID issuance.

Why it matters: Real ID affects travel and identity verification for many Tennesseans; the committee probed how the program is administered and how customers may opt out.

Shoop said the department has renovated facilities, opened new sites and is continuing modernization to improve customer access. He also described an administrative review of commercial driver (CDL) accounts that identified "about 8,800 accounts" without documentation showing lawful presence; the department has mailed notices and reports "about 2,000" drivers have returned with the requested paperwork. Shoop said a departmental deadline of April 6 was set for the remainder to provide documentation so records can be updated.

Members pressed the department on eligibility and customer experience. Chairman Todd asked whether any licenses had been issued "to anyone unlawfully in this country." Shoop said the department's process verifies lawful presence before issuing a license. On CDLs, he said lawful permanent residents may receive a CDL but temporary noncitizen status generally does not qualify for a commercial credential.

Lawmakers raised customer-service issues around Real ID being issued by default; Representative Brunel said some residents reported receiving a Real ID without being asked. Shoop acknowledged that if applicants bring all documentation, Real ID issuance is typically the default and staff are instructed it is optional and can be reversed if requested. Lawmakers also asked about language access for knowledge tests; Shoop said knowledge tests are available in five languages—English, Spanish, Korean, Japanese and German—while CDL testing is administered in English only.

The department committed to follow up on constituent reports of processing delays. Shoop told the committee that if a constituent applied and did not receive a card within the expected processing window, Driver Services would investigate; the agency said it provides a temporary credential that was extended from 20 to up to 45 days while the hard card is produced.

What’s next: Agency staff agreed to follow up with legislators about individual constituent cases and continue outreach to drivers identified in the CDL records review.