Quick Answer
No. Tennessee issues licenses only to applicants who prove U.S. citizenship or lawful presence, and an ITIN doesn't count. Since January 1, 2026, Tennessee also treats out-of-state license classes issued only to undocumented immigrants as invalid, and driving on one is a Class B misdemeanor. The state's list names Connecticut and Delaware, and other states' non-REAL ID classes may also be invalid.
Can You Get a Driver's License in Tennessee Without Legal Status?
No. Tennessee's Department of Safety and Homeland Security issues driver licenses only to applicants who prove U.S. citizenship, permanent residency or other lawful presence, and the state has no license for residents without status. An ITIN is a tax number from the IRS, not proof of immigration status.
New residents who already hold a license from another state must get a Tennessee license within 30 days. See Tennessee’s new-resident rules.
Who Can Get a Tennessee Driver's License?
Citizens and green-card holders can get a Tennessee license, and so can people with temporary lawful status, such as visa holders, asylees and DACA recipients with a valid Employment Authorization Document, using their immigration documents. New residents from other countries must pass vision, knowledge and road tests before Tennessee issues a license.
- U.S. citizens and permanent residents
- Visa holders with an authorized stay
- Asylees and refugees
- DACA recipients and others with a valid Employment Authorization Document
Can I Drive in Tennessee With a License From Another State?
Not if it's a class issued only to undocumented immigrants. Public Chapter 288 of 2025 made those licenses invalid in Tennessee from January 1, 2026, and driving on one is a Class B misdemeanor punishable by up to 6 months in jail and a $500 fine. The Department of Safety's list names Connecticut and Delaware; other states' non-REAL ID classes may also be invalid.
The law covers license classes another state issues exclusively to people without lawful presence and marks so they look different. Read the bill history for HB 749 / SB 1086 and the Department of Safety’s license page.
Can I Drive in Tennessee With a License From My Country?
Yes, as a visitor with a valid license from your country. Once you live in Tennessee, a foreign license isn't enough: as a resident you need a Tennessee license, which requires lawful presence plus vision, knowledge and road tests.
An International Driving Permit only translates your license; carry it with the original.
What Are Your Options in Tennessee Without a License?
Tennessee licenses only people with lawful presence. Driving without a license is a misdemeanor under T.C.A. §55-50-301, and since January 1, 2026 driving on an out-of-state license issued only to undocumented immigrants is a Class B misdemeanor. Without a work permit, that leaves relocating to neighboring Virginia or not driving.
- Know the penalty. A Class B misdemeanor in Tennessee carries up to 6 months in jail and a $500 fine.
- Virginia is the only licensing neighbor. Of the 8 states bordering Tennessee, only Virginia licenses residents regardless of status, and you would have to live there; Tennessee may treat its card as invalid.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can undocumented immigrants get a driver's license in Tennessee?
No. Tennessee requires proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful presence for every driver license, and it has no license for residents without status.
Can I use an ITIN for a Tennessee driver's license?
No. An ITIN is an IRS tax number, not proof of lawful presence.
Is a Connecticut or Delaware license valid in Tennessee?
Not if it's a class those states issue only to undocumented immigrants. Since January 1, 2026, driving on one in Tennessee is a Class B misdemeanor.
Can DACA recipients get a Tennessee driver's license?
Yes. DACA recipients with a valid Employment Authorization Document can apply with their immigration documents.