New forms of technology launched this year by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security have resulted in improved customer service and reduced wait times inside the state’s driver services centers. But the new technology is also increasing the safety of citizens, said officials.
A new feature available through online driver services is designed to assist citizens in emergency situations. Driver license and state identification card holders may submit emergency contact information online that will be added to the driver license data base. That information may be obtained by law enforcement if the license or card holder is involved in an accident or emergency and is unable to communicate with first responders.
"I urge citizens to visit our online driver services page and add this important information," said Commissioner Bill Gibbons. "It is simple to do and could help emergency personnel easier locate your family or friends in an emergency situation.”
License or card holders may submit the name of an emergency contact person, the contact’s phone number and email address. More than one emergency contact may be submitted.
At the request of Rep. Joe Pitts (D-Clarksville), the department recently added the capability to define the relationship of the emergency contact to the license or card holder, which could be necessary in some emergency situations.
“The genesis of this idea came from Margaret Davis, a constituent and dear friend,” Rep. Pitts said. “Margaret expressed a desire to create a way for families of adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities to provide critical information to law enforcement in case of traffic stops or if the family member gets lost. I am grateful for the enthusiastic and prompt response by the Department to address this need. This is how government is supposed to work.”
The Driver Services Division last February updated its driver license system used by examiners and other employees to issue, suspend, and revoke driver licenses, and issue identification cards and handgun carry permits. This new, internal system replaced a 30-year-old antiquated system.
The new “A-List” system, as it is called, streamlined procedures for employees, but it also improved and increased the state’s online driver license services available to customers over the internet, said officials.
In addition to adding emergency contact information, and renewing or replacing driver licenses, citizens may now visit www.tn.gov/safety to:
Pay reinstatement fees and obtain reissued driver licenses after reinstatement, if eligible;
Schedule road skills tests (while prohibiting duplicate appointments scheduled by the same person, which has increased wait times in the past);
Receive electronic communications from the department via e-mail; and
Start the driver license application online before visiting a driver services center (for citizens who have relocated to Tennessee).
“We are leveraging technology to better serve customers from virtually anywhere,” Commissioner Gibbons said.
The state’s online driver services may be accessed by visiting www.tn.gov/safety and clicking on the “Online Driver Services” link. From there, the citizen must enter his or her last name, date of birth, Tennessee driver license or ID number, and last four digits of his or her social security number. Once that information is entered, the citizen may click on “Emergency Contact Information” or any of the other available online driver services.