Tennessee – With the REAL ID Act of 2005 set to take effect in three months, the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security is adding 1,432 additional REAL ID-specific appointment slots per day at Driver Services Centers statewide.

The federal law requires individuals 18 or older to have a REAL ID or another federally issued photo ID to board domestic commercial flights or enter certain federal facilities. TDOSHS Commissioner Jeff Long emphasized that the expansion aims to provide Tennesseans with ample opportunity to obtain a REAL ID before the deadline, reducing last-minute delays.

Since TDOSHS began issuing REAL IDs on July 1, 2019, more than 2.7 million Tennesseans have obtained compliant credentials. However, nearly 1.2 million have yet to decide, and 1.9 million have opted out.

To apply, individuals must provide proof of U.S. citizenship or legal presence, their Social Security Number, and two proofs of Tennessee residency. Name changes require certified legal documents. Applications must be submitted in person at a Driver Services Center or a participating County Clerk office.

REAL ID remains optional, as standard licenses will continue to be valid for purposes such as driving, voting, and accessing most public services. More information, including document requirements and appointment scheduling, is available at [tnrealid.gov](https://tnrealid.gov).