Key Takeaways
- Tennessee driver's licenses display hair color on the front of the card using two-letter abbreviations like BLK, BRN, or BLD.
- Hair color is recorded at the time you explore for or renew your license based on your appearance that day.
- If your hair color changes significantly, you can request a replacement card, though it is not required.
- The hair color on your license is used for identification purposes and to help verify your identity when presenting the card.
Where Hair Color Appears on Your Tennessee License
Hair color sits on the front of your Tennessee driver's license card, positioned among other physical identifiers. You will see it listed near your eye color and height — all three are grouped together as distinguishing features. The abbreviation is always two letters, printed in the same section as your date of birth and address.
The placement makes sense for identification: if you hand your license to a police officer, a bank teller, or a bouncer, they can quickly cross-check the physical description on the card against the person standing in front of them. Hair color is one of the fastest visual markers to confirm, which is why it has been a standard field on Tennessee licenses for decades.
How Tennessee Records Your Hair Color
When you explore for a Tennessee driver's license or renew an existing one, a staff member at the Driver Services office observes your hair color and records it. They are not measuring or testing anything — they are straightforward noting what they see on the day you visit. If you have dyed your hair since your last license, the new card will reflect your current hair color.
The state does not require you to bring proof of your hair color or declare it yourself. The observation happens in person at the time of process. This means if you change your hair color between license renewals, your card will show the color from whenever you last renewed, not your current color.
What Happens If Your Hair Color Changes
You are not required to get a new license just because you dyed your hair. Many people keep the same license through its entire validity period even if their hair color changes multiple times. The license remains valid and acceptable for identification purposes.
However, if your hair color has changed dramatically — from black to blonde, for example — and you are concerned about the mismatch when presenting your license, you can request a replacement card. Tennessee allows you to get a new license before your renewal date. You would visit a Driver Services office, pay the replacement fee (which varies), and have your new hair color recorded. This is optional, not something the state requires.
Why States Include Hair Color on Licenses
Hair color serves as a quick visual reference for law enforcement and other officials who need to verify your identity. It is one of several physical descriptors — along with height, eye color, and sometimes distinguishing marks — that help confirm you are who your license says you are. The combination of these details makes it harder for someone else to use your license fraudulently.
Hair color is also relatively stable for most people over the course of a license's validity, even if it changes occasionally. Unlike height or eye color, which rarely change in adulthood, hair color can shift, but the state assumes most people keep roughly the same shade for several years at a time.
How to Check Your Hair Color on Your License
Look at the front of your Tennessee driver's license. Find the section with your physical descriptors — this is usually on the right side of the card or in a dedicated area below your photo. You will see fields labeled with abbreviations: HGT for height, EYE for eye color, and HAI for hair color. The hair color field will show a two-letter code.
If you are not sure what the abbreviation means, the most common ones are BLK (black), BRN (brown), BLD (blonde), RED (red), GRY (gray), and WHI (white). Some licenses may show other abbreviations for less common hair colors, though these six cover the vast majority of cases.
Renewing Your License and Hair Color Updates
When you renew your Tennessee driver's license, the renewal process includes a new observation of your hair color. If you have changed your hair color since your last license, the new card will show the updated color. You do not need to do anything special — the staff member at the Driver Services office will straightforward record what they see.
Tennessee driver's licenses are valid for eight years for most adults, so if you plan to change your hair color significantly before your renewal date, keep in mind that your license will show the old color until you renew. If this concerns you, you can always request an early replacement, though there is a fee involved.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I request a different hair color on my license if I do not like what is listed?
You can request a replacement license with an updated hair color, but only if your actual hair color has changed. You cannot ask the state to list a hair color that does not match your current appearance. The license must accurately reflect how you look when you present it for identification.
What if my hair color is not listed correctly on my current license?
If you believe the hair color recorded on your license is wrong — for example, if the staff member misidentified your hair color when you applied — you can visit a Driver Services office and request a correction. Bring your current license and be prepared to show your hair. The correction should be quick and may not require a fee, though you should call ahead to confirm.
Do I need to update my license if I go gray or my hair color fades?
No, you do not need to update your license. Many people keep the same license through color changes that happen naturally over time. Your license remains valid and acceptable for identification. You only need to update it if you want the card to reflect your current appearance, which is optional.
Will a different hair color on my license cause problems at the airport or with police?
Minor differences between your hair color and your license are generally not a problem. Police officers and TSA agents understand that hair color can change between renewals. As long as other identifying information matches — your face, name, date of birth — a slightly outdated hair color will not cause issues.