Temporary Driver License
The Temporary Driver License is issued to persons whose presence in the United States has been authorized by the federal government for a specific purpose and for a specific period. Qualifying applicants will be issued a photo license valid for both driving and identification purposes.
This license is available for the operation of regular passenger vehicles under 26,000 pounds GVWR (Class XD) and for the operation of motorcycles, motor scooters or motor driven cycles (Class XM). The Temporary Driver License is NOT available for commercial vehicles requiring the CDL Class A, B or C.
To qualify for a Temporary Driver License, the applicant will be required to provide the Department of Safety and Homeland Security with proof of temporary legal presence in the United States.
Required Documents
NOTE: All documents are subject to verification with the issuing agency or source. Documents subject to verification may delay the issuance of your Temporary Driver License or Temporary Identification License.
NOTE: All items must be original documents. No photocopies will be accepted.
One (1) Proof of legal presence
Have you had a name change?
Please provide all name change documentation that connects to the original name listed on your proof of
identity, citizenship, or legal presence.
* During the application process Jane would need to provide certificates for: Birth, 1st Marriage, Divorce, and 2nd Marriage.
List of acceptable legal name change documents:
- Marriage Certificate
- Divorce decree
- Court Order
* If the applicant wishes to have the Temporary Driver License issued in a name different than what appears on the submitted proofs of Primary and Secondary Identification, additional documentation confirming that the name change has already been submitted to the federal agency is also required.
To prove temporary legal presence, applicants must provide one of the following:
- Conditional Resident Alien Card (I-551)
- Valid Foreign Passport with Valid Visa and I-94 attached
- Note: The passport must have an English translation
- Valid Foreign Passport with I-94W attached
- Holders of F1, F2, M1, or M2 status should also present a valid SEVIS I-20
- Holders of J1 or J2 status should also present a valid DS-2019
- Temporary Resident Identification Card (I-688)
- Employment Authorization Card (I-766)
One (1) Proof of Social Security Number or Sworn Affidavit if no SSN
Applicant must furnish their Social Security Number. If it is not known, one (1) of the following
approved documents showing the applicant's name and full Social Security Number is acceptable:
- Social Security Card
- W-2 - (within last 12 months)
- 1099 - (within last 12 months)
- Payroll check stub
-
Sworn affidavit - MUST be signed in front of a driver license examiner or notary
Two (2) Proofs of Tennessee Residency
Two (2) Documents from List A
-OR-
One (1) Document from List A and One (1) Document from List B
List A - Acceptable Proofs of Residency
- Current Utility Bill – This includes landline telephone, electric, water, gas, and cable bills.
- Current Bank Statement - Internet bank statements are acceptable only if taken to the local bank, stamped and dated by teller as an active account. Checks and checkbook information are NOT acceptable.
- Current Rental/Mortgage Contract or Receipt including the Deed of Sale for property.
- Current employer verification of residence address or letter from employer as long as it is on company letterhead with an original signature. If employer does not have letterhead, then the signature of the employer must be notarized.
- Current Paycheck/Check Stub, Work ID or Badge – residential address must be included on the badge or document.
- Current Automobile, Life or Health Insurance Policy - Wallet Cards will NOT be accepted.
- Current Driver License/ID issued by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security to a parent, legal guardian or spouse of applicant.
- Current Tennessee Motor Vehicle Registration or Title (may use one, not both)
- Current Tennessee Voter Registration Card
- Internal Revenue Service tax reporting W-2 form within last 12 months.
- Receipt for Personal Property or Real Estate Taxes paid within last 12 months.
- In case of a student enrolled in a public or private school in Tennessee, the student may provide a photo student ID and acceptable documentation from the Dean or Bursar’s Office that the student lives on campus.
List B - Acceptable Proofs of Residency
- Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) issued by the Internal Revenue Service
- Form I-94 issued to the applicant by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service
- Employment Authorization card (I-766) issued to the applicant by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service
- I-551 issued to the applicant by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service
Required Testing
The applicant for a Temporary Driver License will also have to successfully pass the required vision, knowledge and road skills tests when applicable.
Temporary Identification License
The Temporary Identification License is issued to persons whose presence in the United States has been authorized by the federal government for a specific purpose and for a specific period. Qualifying applicants will be issued a photo license valid ONLY for identification purposes and not for the legal operation of any type of motor vehicle.
The same documents above will be required however no testing is needed.