TN Driving Laws will be in effect July 1, 2026

 

ONE of these Types of Status Must be validated with documentation  before a driver’s license will be granted.

  • You have a Real ID. . . . or
  • You are a lawful US Resident. . . . or
  • You are a lawful permanent resident of the US . . .or
  • You have a document showing you are a Temporary lawful permanent resident

THE FOLLOWING APPLIES TO THOSE THAT passed the written driving test in the past and now want to renew or reinstate their driver’s license:

If you are given a license the new law states that you can drive on that license for 18 months, but when you go in to renew it you will be expected to pass the test in English.   If your license is expired you may be granted a non-renewable restricted license.  This is the type of license that will limit you.

HOW will you be limited? 

WHERE is it legal to drive during the Restriction Phase?

With the THE INTERMEDIATE (RESTRICTED) DRIVER’S LICENSE– what times and places can I drive?

An applicant who is issued a restricted license pursuant to this subsection (k) is authorized to operate a motor vehicle from six o’clock a.m. (6:00 a.m.) to eleven o’clock p.m. (11:00 p.m.) and is prohibited from operating a motor vehicle outside of those times unlesstravelling to and from:

(1) An educational institution, if the driver or the driver’s child is enrolled at an educational institution and the driver has in their possession documentation of the driver or driver’s child enrollment in the institution on institutional letterhead;

(2) The driver’s regular place of employment, including working at the applicant’s regular place of employment, if the driver has in their possession documentation of employment and the hours of employment on the employer’s letterhead;

(3) A place for religious worship;

(4) A child care provider or child care agency, as those terms are defined in § 71-3-501, if the driver has in their possession documentationon the provider’s or agency’s letterhead that the driver’s child is enrolled; and

(5) Medical treatment of the applicant or an immediate family member.

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During that 18 months of driving on a restricted license they expect you to learn English well enough to pass the test.  If you do this the restriction is taken off

 Note: the only way to get the restriction taken off is if you pass the test in English without translation assistance.  At the Department of Motor Vehicles they are required to post several places that you can take English classes. Look on the web or take notes on your phone of the places to learn English in your area.
  1.  If you have a child enrolled in school keep a letter from the school on the school’s letterhead stating that your child is enrolled there.  This is the same if you are attending a community college or college.
  2.  Collect a letter from your current employer. If you have a pay stub  showing the hours you work on the employer’s letterhead this is sufficient.
  3. In the glove box of the car you are driving keep an document from the child care agency you use showing that your child receives child care at this location.
  4. *Take classes to learn English.
  • At the Department of Motor Vehicles they are required to post several places that you can take English classes.