TSA can't scan some Tennessee driver's licenses. Here's what travelers can use

Tennessee's REAL ID was long touted as a necessary form of identification for air travel. Now, however, the driver's license is causing problems for some travelers at airports. On Aug. 11, the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security said a small number of driver's licenses are not being

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What is the story about?

Tennessee's REAL ID was long touted as a necessary form of identification for air travel. Now, however, the driver's license is causing problems for some travelers at airports.

On Aug. 11, the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security said a small number of driver's licenses are not being read

by the TSA. In a social media post, the department said it is reviewing the affected licenses to identify the cause of the issue and implement a fix.

"Anyone who experiences this problem can visit a Driver Services Center and receive a replacement license at no cost," wrote the department.

Amid Tennessee's REAL ID scanning issues, here's what travelers should know about the other forms of identification accepted for air travel.

Why are Tennessee driver's licenses not scanning at some airports?

At this time, it's

unclear why some Tennessee REAL IDs are not being read by TSA scanners. When contacted by The Tennessean on Aug. 13, the Tennessee Department of Safety offered no further details.

When a Tennessee driver's license cannot be read at a TSA travel document checker podium, agents work to verify the passenger's identity for security screening, a TSA spokesperson told The Tennessean in an email.

What other documents can be used to travel?

Tennesseans and other travelers have several alternative forms of identification they can use if their driver's license causes issues at airport security. TSA accepts the following:

State-issued Enhanced Driver's License (EDL) or Enhanced Identification Card (EID)
U.S. passport or U.S. passport card
DHS trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST)
U.S. Department of Defense ID, including IDs issued to dependents
Permanent resident card
Border crossing card
An acceptable photo ID issued by a federally recognized Tribal Nation/Indian Tribe, including Enhanced Tribal Cards (ETCs)
HSPD-12 PIV card
Foreign government-issued passport
Canadian provincial driver's license or Indian and Northern Affairs Canada card
Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC)
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Card (I-766)
U.S. Merchant Mariner Credential
Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC)