Tennessee driver services reports Real ID rollout progress, mails notices to 8,800 CDL holders

Graham Tudor, legislative director at the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, told the Senate Transportation and Safety Committee on the record that the department has issued about 870,000 Real IDs since the program launched and that TSA completed a recertification review with no findings. "We were recertified to to issue real IDs and that with no findings," he said.

Assistant Commissioner Russell (identified in the transcript as both "Shoop" and "Schute") told senators the state has about 5.8 million licensed drivers and that roughly 60% now hold Real ID credentials. He said the department has replaced two driver service centers, is opening three more before the end of June, and has renovated three facilities in 2025 with two more soon to open.

The department also conducted a review of commercial driver license (CDL) files, focusing on pre‑2001 records. "We noted that there's about 8,800 CDL drivers," Russell said, adding the review showed missing proof of citizenship or lawful permanent residence in department files rather than proof these drivers were not citizens. The department mailed letters around Jan. 9 asking those individuals to return with documentation by an April 6 deadline and offered to expedite their service when they come in; Russell said "over 1,000" recipients had already complied.

Committee members pressed the department on several customer service items. Senators asked about average wait times at driver service centers; Russell said the most recent statewide average was about 26 minutes but that times are higher in urban areas and fluctuate with demand. He said the department is expanding self‑service kiosks and encouraging online renewals to reduce in‑office volume.

On a question about the status of a digital driver's license, Russell said the department is "currently in negotiations with the vendors" for wallet integration and that he is "hopeful" it will be available this year. He acknowledged printing and mailing delays late last year but said the problems had been resolved and mailings were back within the department's service‑level agreement.

A chairwoman suggestion about posting holiday signage at service centers prompted Russell to say offices have been instructed to post closure notices so residents who do not check online will know when offices are closed.

The committee did not take any formal votes on driver services matters during the briefing. The department said it will continue outreach to CDL file recipients and follow up as the April deadline approaches.