Tennessee has issued 2.7 million Real IDs
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
It's time to get a Real ID. Photo: Carrie Shepherd/Axios
This is it, procrastinators: After a series of delays, the federal deadline for Real IDs is May 7.
Why it matters: After that, Real IDs or valid passports will be required for domestic travel and entry into some federal buildings.
✅ You need a Real ID if you're flying and don't have a valid passport. They'll also be required to visit a military base or a secure federal building, like a courthouse.
❌ You don't need a Real ID, and can still use a regular driver's license, to drive, vote and buy alcohol.
By the numbers: About 2.7 million Tennesseans have gotten Real IDs so far, a spokesperson from the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security told Axios last week.
- That's about 47% of all valid driver licenses and IDs in Tennessee.
How it works: To join their ranks, you'll need to go in person to a Driver Services Center to get your Real ID. You can schedule an appointment to avoid long lines, but they are harder to come by in more populated areas.
- For instance, the next appointment in Clarksville is in late June.
- But if you're willing to drive about three hours from Nashville, the driver center in the East Tennessee town of Athens shows availability this week.
State of play: The state recently launched Saturday appointments at some locations to help with the rush. The first round of Saturday appointments in March cranked out about 1,000 Real IDs in Tennessee.
Reality check: If your license isn't expiring and you don't need a Real ID to travel, it might be worth waiting until the crowds die down.
- State officials recommend waiting until within 30 days of your planned travel if you don't need a Real ID immediately.
What you'll need: If you're charging ahead, you'll need to bring some documents.
- Proof of citizenship or legal presence, like a U.S. birth certificate or a U.S. passport.
- Proof of your full Social Security number, like a Social Security card or a W-2.
- Two up-to-date documents that prove your residence, like a utility bill or your car registration.
The big picture: Congress passed the Real ID Act in 2005 after the 9/11 Commission recommended that the federal government require a standard source of identification, rather than accepting state driver's licenses, which have state-specific requirements.
- It looks like a normal license, but it includes a symbol in the upper right corner. (In Tennessee, it's a star.)