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HB 11

Driver Licenses - As introduced, requires the department of safety to redesign driver licenses, instruction permits, intermediate driver licenses, and photo identification cards issued to lawful permanent residents of the United States, and temporary driver licenses and permits and temporary photo identification licenses issued to qualified noncitizens, so that the licenses and permits may be easily distinguished from driver and photo identification licenses issued to residents of this state who are United States citizens. - Amends TCA Title 55, Chapter 50.

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by Scott Cepicky

Withdrawn bill would have required Tennessee to redesign ID documents to visually distinguish citizen from non-citizen holders, raising discrimination and implementation concerns.

Withdrawn.
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Bill Summary · HB 11

Legislative bill overview

HB 11 would have required Tennessee's Department of Safety to redesign driver licenses and identification cards to visually distinguish between documents issued to U.S. citizens versus lawful permanent residents and qualified noncitizens. The bill specified that non-citizen documents should be easily distinguishable from citizen licenses through design changes.

Why is this important

Driver license design affects law enforcement interactions, age verification, and identity validation across numerous transactions. How states visually differentiate citizenship status on IDs touches on issues of immigration policy, discrimination concerns, and practical identification procedures that businesses and officials rely upon daily.

Potential points of contention

  • Discrimination concerns: Visual differentiation could enable discrimination by private businesses, employers, or individuals during routine transactions like purchasing alcohol or opening bank accounts
  • Implementation costs: Redesigning the entire state license system and reprinting millions of cards represents significant taxpayer expense with unclear operational benefits
  • Constitutional questions: Potential legal challenges regarding whether visible citizenship markings violate equal protection or create de facto separate-but-equal identification systems
  • Practical complications: Staff training, database systems, and public education would be required; the stated purpose of "easy distinction" may be difficult to achieve without obvious stigmatizing markers

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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