Quick Answer
No — Tennessee requires proof of lawful U.S. presence for a driver's license. An ITIN alone is not sufficient — it establishes your tax identity, not your immigration status. If you need to drive, options include using a valid license from your home country, obtaining an International Driving Permit (IDP), or relocating to a neighboring state that does issue licenses to undocumented residents.
Can You Get a Driver's License in Tennessee Without an SSN?
No — you cannot get a Tennessee driver's license without lawful immigration status. Tennessee law requires every applicant to prove U.S. citizenship or lawful presence, and the state verifies that status directly with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security before issuing a license. Tennessee is not 1 of the 19 states that license undocumented residents, and an ITIN does not qualify.
The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security verifies your status directly with DHS before a license can be issued.
Tennessee has no equivalent of California's AB 60 law. There is no "undocumented license" category in Tennessee, and having an ITIN does not help — an ITIN is a tax processing number and does not establish immigration status.
Tennessee law
Tennessee law requires proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful presence to obtain a driver's license. The Tennessee Safety Department verifies your status with DHS, and a license cannot be issued until DHS confirms your period of lawful presence. If you do not have an approved immigration status, a standard driver's license or state ID will not be issued.
Who Can Get a Tennessee Driver's License?
You can get a Tennessee driver's license if you hold 1 of these statuses: U.S. citizenship or a green card, an active visa, refugee or asylee status, Temporary Protected Status, an Employment Authorization Document (which includes DACA recipients), or DHS-granted deferred action. Each one establishes the lawful presence Tennessee requires before issuing a license.
- U.S. citizenship or U.S. permanent resident status (green card)
- An active visa with authorized stay (F-1, H-1B, TN, etc.)
- Refugee or asylee status
- Temporary Protected Status (TPS)
- An Employment Authorization Document (EAD) — this includes DACA recipients
- Parole in place or other DHS-granted deferred action
DACA holders
If you have active DACA status, you have a valid EAD card and are eligible for a Tennessee driver's license. Bring your current EAD card to the Tennessee Safety Department office as proof of lawful presence. Learn more about DACA →
What Are My Options Without Legal Status?
Without legal status, you have 4 realistic options in Tennessee: apply for DACA if you qualify, get a license in Virginia and use it to drive in Tennessee, check Illinois, which also licenses undocumented residents, or drive temporarily on a valid foreign license. A valid Virginia license is recognized for driving in Tennessee.
- 1Apply for DACA if you qualify. DACA grants deferred action and an EAD, which Tennessee Safety Department accepts as lawful presence. If you came to the U.S. before age 16, have lived here continuously since June 2007, and meet the other criteria, you may be eligible. See the DACA eligibility guide →
- 2Get a license in Virginia. Virginia issues driver's licenses to residents regardless of immigration status. If you establish residency there, you may apply. A valid Virginia license is recognized for driving in Tennessee. Virginia requirements →
- 3Check Illinois. Illinois also allows undocumented residents to get a driver's license. Illinois requirements →
- 4Use a valid foreign driver's license. Tennessee law allows visitors to drive on a valid foreign driver's license for a limited period from their date of entry to the U.S. This is a temporary option, not a long-term solution.
Important
Driving without a valid license in Tennessee can result in fines, vehicle impoundment, and increased immigration risk. We strongly recommend pursuing a legal path rather than driving without a license.
Why Is an ITIN Not Enough for a Driver's License?
An ITIN is not enough for a driver's license because the IRS issues this 9-digit number solely for tax filing. It grants no immigration status, does not authorize work, and the Tennessee Safety Department does not accept it as proof of lawful presence. Your ITIN is still useful for filing taxes, opening bank accounts, and building credit today.
That said, having an ITIN is still useful — it allows you to file taxes, open bank accounts, and build a credit history in the U.S. Those are all things you can do today, regardless of driver's license eligibility.
What your ITIN can do
Even without a driver's license, your ITIN opens doors. Open a bank account → | Build credit → | Invest →
Frequently Asked Questions
Can undocumented immigrants get a driver's license in Tennessee?
No. Tennessee requires proof of lawful U.S. presence to obtain a driver's license or state ID. The Tennessee Safety Department verifies your immigration status directly with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Without an approved immigration status, a license cannot be issued.
Can I get a Tennessee driver's license with an ITIN?
No. An ITIN is a tax processing number and does not establish lawful U.S. presence. Tennessee Safety Department does not accept an ITIN as a substitute for proof of immigration status.
Can DACA recipients get a driver's license in Tennessee?
Yes. DACA recipients have deferred action status and are eligible to receive an Employment Authorization Document (EAD). Tennessee Safety Department accepts a valid EAD card as proof of lawful presence, so active DACA holders can apply for a Tennessee driver's license.
What is the nearest state where undocumented immigrants can get a driver's license?
Virginia is the nearest state to Tennessee that issues driver's licenses to undocumented immigrants. Illinois is another option to the northwest. See the full list at the driver's license guide.
Which States Allow Driver's Licenses Without Legal Status?
19 states plus Washington D.C. currently allow undocumented immigrants to get a driver's license regardless of immigration status. Tennessee is not among them. The nearest options are Virginia and Illinois, both of which license residents without checking immigration status. Browse the badges below for each state's dedicated requirements guide.
For the complete list with each state's law and requirements, see the full driver's license guide →