Court Extends Order Requiring Tennessee to Issue Driver’s Licenses to Immigrants with Work Permits

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 10, 2026

CONTACT
Rocio Ortega, NILC, [email protected]
Elizabeth Madeira, TIRRC, [email protected]

Court Extends Order Requiring Tennessee to Issue Driver’s Licenses to Immigrants with Work Permits

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Today, a judge signed an order extending a temporary restraining order (TRO) requiring the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security (TDOS) to continue issuing temporary driver’s licenses to non-U.S. citizens with valid work permits and otherwise meet driver’s license eligibility requirements until December 8.

The extension builds on an initial TRO granted in a lawsuit filed by the National Immigration Law Center and the Tennessee Immigrant & Refugee Rights Coalition (“TIRRC”). The initial order temporarily prevented TDOS from applying new rules to applicants for driver’s licenses with federally authorized presence. Today, the court extended that TRO allowing non-citizens with work authorization to receive their driver’s licenses while the case moves forward.

“Today’s court order is a win for all Tennesseans as it restores access to driver’s licenses and the ability to drive,” said Peter McGraw, legal deputy director of the National Immigration Law Center. “By arbitrarily denying access to driver’s licenses, TDOS has caused significant harm to immigrants across Tennessee. Without a license, Tennesseans face greater barriers getting to work, taking their kids to school, and managing their everyday lives. Driving is a necessity in Tennessee, and we will continue to fight for immigrants’ rights and ensure their eligibility to drive under state law.”

The lawsuit asks the court to block the new rule and require TDOS to return to its previous process for issuing temporary driver’s licenses.

“Regardless of where they were born, Tennesseans rely on the ability to drive in order to work, care for their families, and access the basic needs of life – groceries, medical appointments, their children’s education,” stated Spring Miller, senior legal strategy director at TIRRC. “All Tennesseans expect to be treated fairly before the law, and expect their own government to follow it too. We are grateful for the court’s prompt action in this case.”

Read the order (PDF) and more about the case here.

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