State of mDLs in Tennessee

Status: Mobile ID in progress

The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security confirmed in February 2024 that a mobile ID program is currently being established. The department has not announced a timeline or launch date. Tennessee already has a fairly robust DMV application – TN Driver Services, which allows for remote renewal of a drivers license; it is possible that mobile IDs will be launched within the existing application.

Tennessee Bill HB 2792/SB 2661

HB 2792/SB 2661 proposes the establishment and implementation of a secure digital license system. The Tennessee mobile ID, as outlined in this bill, would be accepted in lieu of a physical driver’s license by law enforcement officials but could not be used for voting purposes. The bill also stipulates that the use of a mobile ID would not constitute consent for law enforcement to access any other content on the device.

The bill was put forward January 31, 2024 by Rep. Mary Littleton and Sen. Dawn White. If passed, procurement and development of the technology would begin as soon as it becomes law and would begin issuance January 1, 2025.

This bill was proposed after the Tennessee Department of Safety began working on a mobile ID, so there may be a Tennessee mobile ID rollout regardless of this bill’s status.

Other Tennessee mDL resources

Tennessee General Assembly Could Examine Switching to Digital Licenses (WZTV)

Digital Driver’s License – Your ID In Your Smartphone (Thales)

New Bill Introduced to Create Digital License for TN Residents (Local3News)

Tennessee Aims to Join Growing Number of States Implementing Digital Driver’s License (NTD News)