Tennessee is changing the requirements for new residents from nine states to get driver's licenses.

Residents of Tennessee who lived in California, Connecticut, Illinois, Kentucky, Maine, Nevada, Oklahoma, Vermont or West Virginia will be required to provide a Motor Vehicle Record from their state to get a Tennessee license.

The change takes place Jan. 10, 2025.

The reason for this new rule is that these nine states do not participate in the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrator's State to State Verification Service . The program allows participating states to electronically access a driver's complete history.

Here is what to know about the requirement for new residents.

What is a motor vehicle record?

A Motor Vehicle Record is an official copy of your driving record that shows the past three or 10 years of your driving history.

It includes things like traffic tickets, accidents, DUIs, license suspensions and other violations that would go on your driving record.

How to get a motor vehicle record?

There are three ways to request a motor vehicle record . All requests cost $5.

You can also request one in-person at a driver services center. To do this, you must provide your name, date of birth and driver's license number.

The last option is to request the record by mail. Send your name, your date of birth, driver's license number, and the address you would like it mailed back to the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security .

What do I need to get a Tennessee driver's license?

There are four main steps to attain a driver's license in Tennessee. Those seeking a license must complete an application, present required documents, surrender their out-of-state license and meet any testing requirements.

New residents can complete the drivers license application and have documents pre-approved online to make sure documents are correct before bringing them to a drivers service center.

After providing the required documents, it is required that applicants surrender their out-of-state licenses. State law does not allow for residents to hold licenses in multiple states. Only foreign country licenses and IDs may be retained.

Testing requirements to attain a Tennessee driver's license include a vision test. New or returning residents with an expired license must take the vision screening as well as a Tennessee knowledge and road skills test.