TRAVEL NEWS
Air Travel
Some driver’s licenses from this state are ‘not being read’ by TSA
Travelers with certain Tennessee driver’s licenses may face delays at airport security while the state investigates the issue
Nathan DillerUSA TODAY
Aug. 14, 2026, 12:14 p.m. ET
Travelers with a Tennessee driver’s license could run into issues at airport security
The Tennessee Department of Safety & Homeland Security said in a Facebook post that “a small number of driver licenses are not being read by TSA.”
“Anyone who experiences this problem can visit a Driver Services Center and receive a replacement license at no cost,” the Aug. 11 post said. “We are reviewing the affected licenses to determine the cause and correct the issue.”
A list of Driver Services Centers is available on the state’s website
“When a Tennessee driver’s license encounters an issue at the TSA travel document checker podium, officers work as expeditiously as possible to verify each passenger for security screening,” the Transportation Security Administration told USA TODAY in an emailed statement, referring further inquiries to state officials
The Department of Safety & Homeland Security did not immediately respond to a request for additional information
In addition to REAL ID-compliant driver’s licenses, TSA checkpoints accept passports, DHS trusted traveler cards, permanent resident cards and other forms of ID. Travelers can find a full list online
Those without an accepted form of ID “have the option to pay a $45 fee to use TSA ConfirmID,” TSA said on its website.
“TSA will then attempt to verify your identity so you can begin the airport security screening process,” TSA said. Travelers can also pay that fee prior to arriving at the airport
Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at ndiller@usatoday.com
