A new self-service kiosk for renewing driver’s licenses was recently placed at the DeKalb County Complex. It’s part of a statewide effort that Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security officials hope will reduce wait times at driver’s license testing centers.
The kiosk is only for renewal of expired Tennessee driver’s licenses or replacement of lost licenses. “It will not do CDL’s (Commercial Driver’s Licenses) and it will not do a license where the owner has a handgun carry permit,” said County Clerk Mike Clayborn.
(PLAY VIDEO BELOW TO SEE COUNTY CLERK MIKE CLAYBORN DEMONSTRATE HOW TO USE THE KIOSK)
The license-holder pays at the kiosk by credit or debit card and poses for a photo. A receipt is printed out which serves as a temporary driver’s license until the real license arrives in the mail a few days later.
The kiosks are networked with state driver’s license records and have facial-recognition software which compares the person posing for the new photo with the previous license photo to avoid fraud.
The new kiosk is now available for use whenever the county complex is open. Its located in the hallway near the County Clerk, Trustee, Assessor of Property, and Register of Deeds offices.
People getting Tennessee licenses for the first time must still go to a driver’s license testing station and renewals and replacements will still be available there as well.