New design, improved safety features announced for Tennessee driver’s license

August 19, 2024

WBBJ 7 Eyewitness News Staff,

JACKSON, Tenn. — When does your Tennessee driver’s license expire? When it does, you’ll need to go to the DMV and get a new one.

Well new licenses from now on will have a completely different design. That’s right, as of Monday, some Tennessee residents will get a newly designed driver’s license when they renew.

The new licenses will feature what the Tennessee Department Safety and Homeland Security is calling a fresh design and improved safety features.

“We actually incorporated the state flag, to represent the three regions within the state and then we also implemented the state capitol within the license itself,” said Amber White, safety program manager with TDSHS.

But why did the TDSHS decide to do this? They say it has everything to do with safety.

“Well periodically we need to change the license to upgrade for different features. These features help prevent fraud and we incorporate new technology,” said White.

They say the new technology comes in the form of a poly-carbonate composition, and overlapping of data and graphics and laser engraved elements that show if the document is altered or fraudulent. It will also feature a barcode on the back that is scannable, plus a mini ghost image that is repeated throughout the design.

Now, we know most of you are wondering, does this mean I need a new driver’s license even before my renewal date?

“Well it’s not necessary for them to come in and get the new license. The current one they have is valid until the expiration date. If they do come in to get their renewal or a replacement or a duplicate then they will get the new license,” said Marlo Manson, safety program manager with TDSHS.

However, you may still want a new license anyway because starting in May, the Transportation Security Administration will require all drivers licenses to feature a gold star on them to signify a real ID in order to fly onboard an airliner.