Tennessee – Beginning January 10, 2025, new or returning Tennessee residents who currently hold a driver’s license from California, Connecticut, Illinois, Kentucky, Nevada, Oklahoma, Vermont, or West Virginia will be required to present a Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) from their former state when applying for a Tennessee driver’s license or ID.
The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security announced that individuals from these eight states must obtain an MVR issued within 30 days of their application for a Tennessee credential. The MVR, along with other required documents, will be necessary to apply for a Tennessee driver license or ID at a Driver Services Center. For more information on the documents required for obtaining a license, individuals are encouraged to visit tn.gov/safety/driver-services.html.
However, residents from other states, including Tennessee, will not need to present an MVR. This is due to Tennessee’s participation in the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators’ State-to-State (S2S) Verification Service. Through this system, 41 participating states, including Tennessee, electronically share complete Driver History Records, which includes information such as convictions and license withdrawals.
The S2S service helps reduce the risk of fraud by providing real-time driver information, ensuring dangerous drivers are kept off the roads, and improving safety. Additionally, the system streamlines the credential application process by reducing processing times.
As more states join the S2S Verification Service, the MVR requirement for new residents may be updated to reflect the changes.
For those from the eight specified states, the MVR must be presented at the time of application for a Tennessee license or ID to ensure a smooth transition and prevent delays.