REAL ID: When you need one and when you don't
Millions of Tennesseans still don't have a REAL ID, which is marked with a gold star in the corner of your driver's license. The REAL ID deadline is May 7, but what happens if you don't have one by then?
'Unless they're flying domestically, then nothing is going to happen because your state ID, your state driver's license that you have, even if it's not a REAL ID, it's still good to drive. It's still good to vote. It's still good to buy beverages,' said Jason Pack with the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security.
REAL ID is part of the REAL ID Act, which was passed by Congress in 2005 after recommendations from the 9/11 Commission. It is meant to create minimum security standards for driver's licenses and ID cards.
Starting May 7, you will need a REAL ID to routinely board a domestic flight or enter certain federal buildings.
If you have a domestic flight coming up, but no REAL ID, a passport, permanent resident card or other select documents can serve as an alternative. Without one of these documents, you may experience some delays in your travel plans.
'They will be directed to additional screening, so we are encouraging people who are in that category to arrive to the airport at least three hours before their scheduled departure time,' said Becky Huckaby, Vice President of Public Relations for McGhee Tyson Airport.
If you don't have your REAL ID yet, you may be out of luck getting an appointment at the DMV before the deadline.
6 News looked at available appointments at each location within an hour drive from downtown Knoxville. The Alcoa and Sevierville locations had the soonest available appointments, in early June. However, you can also get a REAL ID at some county clerk's offices.
'The Department of Safety partners with Tennessee county clerk's offices, those who chose to participate. In Knox County that's the case and in a lot of other counties around here that is the case too, so you just want to make sure they have that capability before you go out there,' Pack said.
To get your REAL ID, you will need proof of U.S. Citizenship or legal presence, like a birth certificate, proof of your full social security number and two proofs of Tennessee residency, like a utility bill or paycheck.
It's also important to note, if your name has changed from what is listed on any of the required documents, you must also bring certified legal documents supporting the name change. This could include marriage licenses and divorce decrees.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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