55-50-331 - Examination for, and issuance, renewal and contents of, licenses Conditional licenses. - Tennessee Statutes

55-50-331. Examination for, and issuance, renewal and contents of, licenses Conditional licenses.

(a)  Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter to the contrary, the department has oversight of the issuance, examination and renewal of all driver licenses provided for in this chapter. The department is authorized to contract for the provision of any service related to the issuance, examination and renewal of driver licenses subject to applicable contracting statutes and regulations. Over-the-counter issuance and renewal shall be permitted for all licenses. The commissioner has the discretion to solicit outside consulting services in order to accomplish on a competitive basis the design and application of the system and implementation of this  system. Any county clerk so contracting with the department is authorized to charge an additional fee of four dollars ($4.00), which shall be retained by the county clerk for administrative costs.

(b)  (1)  The department shall, upon payment of the required fee, issue to every applicant qualifying therefor a driver license indicating the type or general class of vehicles the licensee may drive, which license shall bear thereon a distinguishing number assigned to the licensee, the full legal name, date of birth, current residence address including the street address and number or route and box number (or post office box number if the applicant has no bona fide residential street address), a brief description, a color photograph of the licensee, and either a facsimile of the signature of the licensee or a space upon which the licensee shall write the licensee's usual signature with pen and ink. No license shall be valid until it has been so signed by the licensee.

     (2)  The plastic laminated driver license issued by the department shall not display an applicant's social security number unless the applicant specifically requests in writing that the number be displayed on the license.

     (3)  The font size of the date of birth information on the plastic laminated driver license issued by the department shall be the same size as that of the driver license number. The date of birth shall be in red.

(c)  The license shall also display the issuance and expiration dates during which time the license is valid, and shall note whether the license is a duplicate of an original license.

(d)  The department, upon issuing a license, shall have authority to impose restrictions suitable to the licensee's driving ability with respect to the type of, or special, mechanical control devices required on a motor vehicle that the licensee may operate or other restrictions applicable to the licensee as the department may determine to be appropriate to assure the safe operation of a motor vehicle by the licensee.

(e)  The department may either issue a special conditional license or may set forth the conditions upon the usual license form.

(f)  It is a Class A misdemeanor for any person to operate a motor vehicle in any manner in violation of the conditions imposed by a conditional license issued to the  person.

(g)  Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, the department may issue a temporary driver license, temporary intermediate driver license, temporary photo identification license or a temporary learner permit to persons whose presence in the United States has been authorized by the federal government for a specific purpose and for a specified period of authorized stay. The temporary driver license or photo identification license shall be valid only during the period of time of the applicant's authorized stay in the United States; provided, however, that no temporary license or photo identification license shall be issued for a period of longer than five (5) years.

(h)  Any applicant applying for a temporary driver license, temporary intermediate driver license, temporary photo identification license or temporary learner permit, upon initial issuance, renewal or reinstatement, shall meet the requirements of this chapter and any rules and regulations promulgated by the department.

(i)  Any non-photo bearing driver license issued under §§ 55-50-323 and 55-50-335, and any nonexpiring photo identification license issued under §§ 55-50-323 and 55-50-336, shall be issued in compliance with the federal regulations of 6 CFR part 37 for non-REAL ID compliant licenses.

[Acts 1937, ch. 90, § 6; 1943, ch. 56, § 1; mod. C. Supp. 1950, § 2715.14 (Williams, §§ 2715.19, 2715.19a); Acts 1955, ch. 114, § 4; 1967, ch. 97, § 1; 1967, ch. 370, § 1; 1969, ch. 176, §§ 1, 2; 1970, ch. 352, § 1; 1972, ch. 652, § 1; 1974, ch. 444, §§ 3, 4; 1974, ch. 748, § 31; modified; T.C.A. (orig. ed.), § 59-707; Acts 1980, ch. 817, § 1; 1982, ch. 767, § 1; 1984, ch. 942, § 1; 1987, ch. 446, § 9; 1988, ch. 584, § 7; T.C.A., §§ 55-7-107, 55-7-331; Acts 1989, ch. 341, § 3; 1989, ch. 591, § 6; 1992, ch. 791, § 5; 1999, ch. 44, § 1; 2004, ch. 778, § 6; 2004, ch. 943, §§ 1, 2; 2007, ch. 194, §§ 16-18; 2008, ch. 611, § 1; 2008, ch. 638, § 1; 2009, ch. 321, § 18.]