Tennessee has expanded access to REAL ID services by introducing Saturday appointments to help residents prepare for the upcoming federal REAL ID requirement that takes effect May 7, 2025. The initiative accommodates individuals who cannot visit Driver Services Centers during regular weekday hours and follows similar programs launched in other states like New Jersey’s “REAL ID Thursdays” to increase accessibility ahead of the federal deadline.
“This is all about being responsive to the needs of Tennesseans,” said Commissioner Jeff Long. “We know many people have work, school or family obligations during the week. That’s why we’re expanding access on a Saturday — to give customers more flexibility.”
The Saturday appointments are exclusively available for REAL ID applications and require advance scheduling through www.tnrealid.gov. Eligible customers must already possess a valid Tennessee driver license or identification card and present the necessary documentation. The expansion comes as states across the country work to address REAL ID compliance gaps before the 2025 enforcement deadline.
The state has designated multiple Driver Services Centers across Tennessee to participate in this initiative. In East Tennessee, centers include Oak Ridge, Knoxville – Strawberry Plains, Rockwood, Bonny Oaks, Morristown, and Johnson City. Middle Tennessee locations comprise Hickory Hollow, Lebanon, Murfreesboro – Samsonite Blvd, Franklin, Columbia, Cookeville, and Clarksville. West Tennessee centers include East Shelby, Bartlett Express, Jackson, Oakland, Trenton, and Savannah.
Current data shows approximately 2.7 million Tennesseans have obtained REAL IDs, representing about 47 percent of all valid driver licenses and IDs in the state. After May 7, 2025, individuals will need a REAL ID or acceptable alternative (such as a valid U.S. passport or military ID) to board domestic flights and enter secure federal facilities. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is actively preparing for this transition in air travel identification requirements.
To obtain a REAL ID, residents must provide proof of citizenship or legal presence (such as a U.S. birth certificate or passport), proof of their full Social Security number (like a Social Security card or W-2), and two current documents proving residence (such as utility bills or car registration). These requirements follow the Department of Homeland Security’s standardized REAL ID specifications implemented nationwide.
State officials recommend that residents who don’t require immediate REAL ID credentials wait until within 30 days of their planned travel to apply. Additionally, customers in high-demand urban areas may find greater appointment availability at Driver Services Centers in neighboring, less-populated counties. As states modernize their identification systems, some are also beginning to implement digital ID solutions that complement physical REAL ID credentials, though Tennessee has not yet announced plans for such initiatives.
Sources: Chattanoogan, Axios Nashville, WGNS Radio
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