While driving a car in Tennessee you must have your driver’s license or Temporary Driver's License in your possession to show on request to any law enforcement officer. If you do not have your license with you, you may be required to pay a fine.

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• Valid Foreign Passport with Valid F-1 or J-1 Visa

• Printed I-94 Record

• I-20 (F Status) or DS-2019 (J Status). For the I-20 to be considered valid, you must print the electronic I-20 using a color printer. Then sign your name on the student attestation line in blue ink.

• Two proof of identity documents: (License from home country, Certified Birth Certificate, Valid Passport)

• Two documents, no older than three months, that prove you have a Tennessee residential address. Examples include: Current utility bill, bank statement, rental contract, paycheck, or pay statement with your address on the check.

• Proof of SSN (or sworn affidavit if no SSN has been issued)

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Once you have passed the Knowledge Test, you will be able to take the Road Skills Test. It takes approximately 10-15 minutes and you must bring a car to take it. You will also be required to pay a fee, and we recommend you bring the same documentation you gathered for the Knowledge Test.

After you pass both tests, they will give you a paper copy of your license. You will receive your official document in the mail in the following weeks.

Renewing your License

If you already have a Temporary Driver’s License (TDL) that is going to expire within the next months and you wish to renew it, you will have to go in person to one of the Driver Center Services locations listed above. You also must bring the same documents you provided the first time, which are also listed above. Some things to take into consideration:

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