Tennesseans Will Soon Need a REAL ID to Travel by Air in the U.S.: What You Need to Know

Starting May 7, 2025, all Tennesseans will need a REAL ID-compliant driver's license or identification card to board domestic flights, enter federal buildings, and access certain federal facilities. With the deadline approaching, it’s crucial to understand what this means and how to prepare.

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What is a REAL ID?

The REAL ID is a form of identification that meets federal security standards established by the REAL ID Act of 2005. This law was passed in response to the 9/11 Commission's recommendation to enhance the reliability and accuracy of state-issued IDs to prevent terrorism, fraud, and other illegal activities.

How to Obtain a REAL ID in Tennessee

To get a REAL ID in Tennessee, you’ll need to visit a Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security driver services center in person. Bring the following documents:

Proof of U.S. citizenship or legal presence: A valid passport, birth certificate, or certificate of naturalization.

Proof of your Social Security number: Social Security card, W-2, or a pay stub with your full Social Security number.

Two proofs of Tennessee residency: Utility bill, lease agreement, or mortgage statement showing your name and address.

If applicable, proof of name change: Marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order if your name differs from your proof of identity documents.

Once you submit these documents, your new ID will have a star in the upper right corner, indicating that it is REAL ID compliant.

What Happens If You Don’t Obtain a REAL ID?

If you don’t obtain a REAL ID by the May 7, 2025 deadline, your regular Tennessee driver’s license or state-issued ID will no longer be accepted for certain activities. Specifically, you will not be able to:

• Board domestic flights: You will need a REAL ID or another TSA-approved form of identification, such as a passport, to fly within the U.S.

• Enter federal buildings: Access to federal facilities, including courthouses, military bases, and certain government offices, will require a REAL ID or other compliant identification.

• Access nuclear power plants: A REAL ID or another approved ID will be necessary to enter these high-security areas.

However, if you choose not to get a REAL ID, you can still use your regular Tennessee driver’s license for many everyday purposes, including:

• Driving: Your regular Tennessee driver’s license will still be valid for driving and identifying yourself to law enforcement or other officials within the state.

• Voting: You can still use your regular Tennessee driver’s license as valid identification for voting.

• Accessing federal benefits: You can still use your regular driver’s license to apply for and receive federal benefits like Social Security, veterans’ benefits, and more.

Here’s a list of locations in Tennessee that will require a REAL ID (or another form of federally accepted identification) starting May 7, 2025:

Airports

• Nashville International Airport (BNA) - Nashville, TN
• Memphis International Airport (MEM) - Memphis, TN
• McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS) - Knoxville, TN
• Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport (CHA) - Chattanooga, TN
• Tri-Cities Airport (TRI) - Blountville, TN

Federal Buildings

• U.S. Courthouse and Federal Building - Nashville, TN
• Clifford Davis and Odell Horton Federal Building - Memphis, TN
• Howard H. Baker Jr. United States Courthouse - Knoxville, TN
• Joel W. Solomon Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse - Chattanooga, TN
• U.S. District Court - Eastern District of Tennessee - Greeneville, TN

Military Bases

• Fort Campbell - Clarksville, TN (Note: Fort Campbell straddles the Tennessee-Kentucky border, with the primary base located in Kentucky, but parts of the base extend into Tennessee.)
• Arnold Air Force Base - Tullahoma, TN
• Naval Support Activity Mid-South - Millington, TN

Nuclear Power Plants

• Sequoyah Nuclear Plant - Soddy-Daisy, TN
• Watts Bar Nuclear Plant - Spring City, TN

Other Federal Facilities

• Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) Headquarters - Knoxville, TN
• Oak Ridge National Laboratory - Oak Ridge, TN
• Y-12 National Security Complex - Oak Ridge, TN

These are the primary locations in Tennessee where a REAL ID will be required starting May 7, 2025. If you plan to visit any of these sites, you’ll need to ensure you have a REAL ID or another form of compliant identification.

The History and Importance of the REAL ID

The REAL ID Act was enacted in 2005 as a response to the security concerns raised by the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The 9/11 Commission found that many of the attackers had obtained state-issued IDs that were easily falsified, leading to the recommendation for stricter identification standards. The REAL ID law established these standards to ensure that state-issued IDs are more secure and reliable, helping to prevent fraud and terrorism.

Tennessee Driver License Offices in Major Cities

To obtain a REAL ID, visit one of these driver license offices in Tennessee’s largest cities

:

• Nashville:312 Rosa L. Parks Avenue, Nashville, TN 37243
  6604 Centennial Blvd, Nashville, TN 37209
  
• Memphis:3200 E. Shelby Drive, Memphis, TN 38118
  6340 Summer Avenue, Memphis, TN 38134
  
• Knoxville:7320 Region Lane, Knoxville, TN 37914
  430 Montbrook Lane, Knoxville, TN 37919
  
• Chattanooga:6502 Bonny Oaks Drive, Chattanooga, TN 37416
  
• Clarksville:220 West Dunbar Cave Road, Clarksville, TN 37040
  
• Murfreesboro:1035 Samsonite Blvd, Murfreesboro, TN 37129
  

For other locations or to schedule an appointment, visit the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security website.

As the May 7, 2025, deadline approaches, it’s important to understand how the REAL ID requirement will affect you. While you can still use your regular Tennessee driver’s license for most everyday activities, obtaining a REAL ID is crucial if you plan to travel by air, enter federal buildings, or access other high-security areas. By preparing now, you can ensure you’re ready for these new regulations and avoid any disruptions to your travel or access to federal facilities.

Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

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