As part of the slate of new laws that took effect January 1, 2026, Tennessee has several new driver’s license laws. One interesting one is Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-50-356. This law declares invalid any driver’s license issued by another state that is issued exclusively to “illegal aliens.” In other words, another state may issue a driver’s license that allows a person to drive legally in that state which may not be honored here in Tennessee. This law makes it a criminal offense punishable by up to six months for such a person to drive in Tennessee.
What the Law Does (In Plain Terms)
While the legislature did not create a definition for the term “illegal alien” within the context of this chapter, it does note that this does NOT apply to lawful permanent residents of the United States, or those who have temporary legal presence AND a specified period of authorized stay in the United States.
Interstate License Recognition and the Driver License Compact
It will be interesting to see how other states handle this general disregard for the interstate driver’s license compact. The Interstate Driver License Compact is a congressionally approved interstate agreement, of which Tennessee is a signatory member, which essentially says that the member states will recognize one another’s licenses and license restrictions. Or, to quote the compact:
Make the reciprocal recognition of licenses to drive and eligibility therefor more just and equitable by considering the overall compliance with motor vehicle laws, ordinances and administrative rules and regulations as a condition precedent to the continuance or issuance of any license by reason of which the licensee is authorized or permitted to operate a motor vehicle in any of the party states.
Tennessee has no other law on the books which refuses to acknowledge the legitimacy of a license issued by another state. However, generalized disagreement among the states about issues which may invoke interstate commerce is one of the factors among cases traditionally addressed by the Supreme Court.
Full Text of the Statute
For the full text of the statute, see below (and in the enrolled bill text):
§ 55-50-356. Licenses issued to illegal aliens by another state
(a) If a driver license is of a class of driver licenses issued by another state exclusively to illegal aliens, then the driver license is invalid in this state and does not authorize the holder to operate a motor vehicle in this state. For purposes of this section, “driver license” includes a permit purporting to authorize the holder to operate a motor vehicle on public roadways. The class of driver licenses described in this subsection (a) includes driver licenses that are:
(1) Issued exclusively to illegal aliens; and
(2) Contain a marking or are designed in such a manner as to be easily distinguishable from driver licenses issued to residents of that state who:
(A) Are United States citizens or lawful permanent residents of the United States; or
(B) Have temporary legal presence and a specified period of authorized stay in the United States.
(b) It is an offense for a person to operate a motor vehicle in this state with an invalid driver license described in subsection (a). A violation of this subsection (b) is a Class B misdemeanor.
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