A new driver’s license requirement is coming for some moving to Tennessee

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Every day, Tennessee’s population grows. But if you’re moving here from one of nine different states, you may have to track down an extra document before they’ll give you your Tennessee driver’s license.

“He is very excited to learn to drive. I think he’s ready,” Shauna Seymore said.

For her child who will be behind the wheel alone, road safety is a priority for Shauna.

“We’re here to get a little more practice with the return,” she said.

“I feel good that it’s getting comfortable. I get it,” said her son, Shawn Seymore.

The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security has announced a change for driver’s licenses.

Starting January 10thdrivers moving from California, Connecticut, Illinois, Kentucky, Maine, Nevada, Oklahoma, Vermont or West Virginia must also bring a copy of the Motor Vehicle Record when applying for a Tennessee license.

“We’re trying to prevent fraud and also the safety of drivers,” said Melody Rampy of the Department of Homeland Security. “Their whole goal is to start being a driver, a license.”

Rampy says those nine states have yet to subscribe to a national database, the State-to-State Verification Service, or S2S.

It allows Tennessee to access your driving record electronically.

“There are a lot of drivers who are trying to transfer on a suspended license and we don’t want to trade them a valid license here if they should be driving,” Rampy said. “It’s just one of those things if it’s necessary, it feels like an inconvenience, but if you want your license, then that’s what it takes.”

Shauna said it’s a worthwhile change if it means safer drivers on the road, especially as her son will be joining them with his new licence.

Rampy says those states will eventually be added to S2S, it’s just a matter of when.

The Tennessee Department of Homeland Security says it’s also not a difficult document to secure.

They have more Links to state portals to secure a copy of the Vehicle Registration.