Amends TCA Title 55, Chapter 50.

This bill prohibits a person who is 18 or older from being charged a fee for issuance or renewal of a Class D driver license upon certifying on the application for issuance or renewal, and submitting supporting documentation as required in this bill, that the person's income falls below the federal poverty level as defined by the most recently revised poverty income guidelines published by the U.S. department of health and human services.<br /> <br /> In order to establish the person's income eligibility, this bill requires such an application to be accompanied by (i) a federal income tax return from the previous year, (ii) financial statements, or (iii) payroll receipts.<br /> <br /> This bill authorizes the department of safety ("department") to perform income verification or other related services to verify a person's income eligibility under this this bill. Tax returns and other financial records submitted for purposes of income verification are confidential and not subject to inspection under public records law, but must be made available to local or state officials who administer, enforce, or audit the requirements imposed under this bill. <br /> <br /> SPECIAL RESTRICTED LICENSE FOR MINORS<br /> <br /> Present law authorizes the department to issue to a minor who is 14 or older a special restricted license when facts presented to the department indicate there is good cause to issue the restricted license, known as a hardship license. The hardship license is restricted according to rules promulgated by the commissioner of safety. This bill adds to the present law by prohibiting a minor issued a hardship license from being charged a fee for the issuance.<br />