Some Tennessee REAL ID driver's licenses are failing to scan at TSA facial-recognition checkpoints, the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security has confirmed, leading to delays and repeated verification attempts for affected travelers. State officials describe it as affecting a "small number" of licenses, though some frequent flyers dispute that characterization.
What's causing it
The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security said in a statement: "We are aware that a small number of driver licenses are not being read by TSA... Anyone who experiences this problem can visit a Driver Services Center and receive a replacement license at no cost." A TSA agent cited by local outlets suggested the issue may stem from black-and-white portrait photos that are too light for scanners to read properly — though this explanation has not been formally confirmed by TSA.
