State unveils new ‘certificate of driving’ design
NASHVILLE — Beginning this week, people who pass Tennessee’s driving test but can’t prove U.S. citizenship will qualify only for a “certificate of driving,” instead of regular driver’s license.
State officials on Tuesday unveiled the purple card, which includes the traditional driver’s photo and the not-so-traditional label that reads, “Certificate of Driving — For Driving Purposes Only, Not Valid for Identification.”
In early 2001, Tennessee loosened regulations to allow illegal immigrants to qualify for driver’s licenses. After the Sept. 11 attacks, concerns were raised that foreign terrorists could be getting Tennessee licenses.
“Tennessee now has the toughest driver’s license law in the United States,” said Gen. Jerry Humble, the state’s homeland security director. “… In this environment of post 9-11 it is a real challenge that we remain safe and improve our security in this state.”
Humble says the new policy balances those homeland security issues by “closing the door on terrorists,” while at the same time making sure all drivers in Tennessee — whether here legally or not — know the rules of the road.
To receive a “certificate of driving,” applicants must show two proofs of identity and two proofs of Tennessee residency. They also must provide a Social Security number or sign a sworn affidavit saying they were never issued one.
“The driver’s license is known as a means of identity around the United States,” Humble said. “That’s why we’ve tightened the law so only legal residents of the state of Tennessee can get one.”
To receive a traditional driver’s license, people must show two proofs of U.S. citizenship or “lawful permanent residency,” and two proofs each of identity and Tennessee residency. Acceptable documents include an official birth certificate, valid or expired passport, certificate of citizenship and an unexpired U.S. military card.
The Social Security number provision required for a driving certificate also applies to the traditional license.
Those who got their first Tennessee driver’s license after Jan. 1, 2001, when the state no longer required a Social Security number, must prove their residency upon renewal, officials said. That also applies to people reinstating licenses that were suspended, revoked or canceled.
Officials were unable to estimate how many people will be affected, saying they likely wouldn’t have concrete numbers until sometime in 2006, when the last of those who received licenses on or after Jan. 1, 2001, must be renewed.
The new law took effect May 29, but the state will not begin issuing driver’s certificates until Thursday, the start of the Tennessee’s fiscal year. They will be available at all Tennessee driver testing centers across the state.
The state already has sent out more than 100 letters to law enforcement agencies, local governments and businesses across the state, as well as the federal government to inform them of the change, Safety Department spokeswoman Beth Denton said.