SF-0263 at a glance
What it is: SF-0263 (Rev. 5/18) is the Application for Hardship/Temporary Hardship Driver License of the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security.
Notary: Application must be notarized by a Notary Public.
The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security may issue a minor who is fourteen (14) or fifteen (15) years of age a special restricted license when facts presented to the Department indicate there is a good reason to issue such restricted license.
Only those applicants who can provide verifiable documentation of a true hardship, which would cause extreme privation and/or suffering, should apply.
For a first-time license, an applicant must be in compliance with the Compulsory School Attendance Law.
Applicants who are fourteen (14) years of age, or those who have not held a Learner Permit for at least three (3) months must show proof of successful completion of a State approved Driver Education/Training Course.
A filled-in SF-0263 example: a 15-year-old applies to drive to work
How to fill out SF-0263, box by box
Reason for applying
Code Ann. § 55-50-602 Check box for reason you are applying for a Hardship License/Temporary Hardship License: To drive to/from work (Applicant must be working to help financially support the family) Complete Sections A, B, C (if applicable), D, E-1 and F To drive to/from school Complete Sections A, B, C (if applicable), D, E-2 and F To drive to/from school and extracurricular school activities Complete Sections A, B, C (if applicable), D, E-2 and F To drive to/from school and work Complete Sections A, B, C (if applicable), D, E-1, E-2 and F Other (Grocery, Doctor) Complete Sections A, B, C (if applicable), D, E-3, and F SECTION A-APPLICANT INFORMATION (required) Home Address (Required) Must include Street Number, Street Name and any Apartment number if Applicable City State Zip Code Mailing Address, if different from home address
Section A: Applicant
Provide your full legal name-first, middle, last and any suffix. Nicknames and/or initials will not be accepted.
Provide your physical street address. A Post Office Box or Rural Route Number will not be accepted.
Tennessee Identification License or Learner Permit Number, if applicable
A social security number is required for the Department's records if one has been issued.
Section B: Primary household
Fill out this section to describe the primary household.
If someone other than a parent has legal custody, a copy of the legal documents(s) supporting this fact must be submitted with the application.
If self-employed, provide the name and nature of the business.
Section C: Secondary household
Use this section for information regarding biological parent(s) not in the household.
Section D: Other members of household
Are there any other members in either household, (primary or secondary) that can provide transportation? This includes stepparents, brothers, sisters, grandparents, and any other person living in household(s) with the applicant.
(if you marked NO, skip to Section E) If you marked YES provide their information in Section D: 1.
Section E-1: Work
WORK: Applicant must be working to help financially support the family. Only one (1) work location will be considered.
Volunteer work, delivery work or any work driving from one location to another (i.e. parts delivery, pizza delivery, mowing, farm to farm, towing) will NOT be approved.
Applicant must submit a letter from applicant's employer verifying employment including hours and days of employment. Paycheck stubs will not be accepted.
Explain in detail why the applicant must work. How is s/he helping financially support the family? Routes: FROM: (NAME, ADDRESS, CITY, STATE, ZIP CODE) TO: (NAME, ADDRESS, CITY, STATE, ZIP CODE) Most direct route (Provide name of Roadways and streets, and total mileage. Do not include alternate routes).
Section E-2: School and extracurricular school activities
SCHOOL/EXTRA CURRICULAR SCHOOL ACTIVITIES: To request this destination, applicant must submit a letter from the school principal, on school letterhead verifying there is no bus transportation available from home to school and/or school to home and that applicant is actively participating in a school activity that requires applicant to arrive before school, or to stay after school.
The letter should name the activity and the month, days, and time of participation.
If applicant must travel to a location other than school for practice, the letter from the school principal must verify the name of the location and verify that no transportation is available to that location.
Section E-3: Other (grocery, drug store, doctor's office)
OTHER (Grocery, Drug Store, Doctor's Office) To apply for this destination a medical reason must be involved and applicant will need to submit a statement from a medical physician indicating the frequency of required visits.
Section F: Required signatures
Please review your application before submission to ensure all information is accurately filled out and complete.
By signing this application and having it notarized, I swear and affirm that the information submitted in this application is true and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief.
More rules for SF-0263
When completing the application, please type or print with black ink.
If application is not complete or not legible, it will be disapproved.
Destinations that will be considered for approval with appropriate justification include: School-only if no bus transportation is provided. Extracurricular School Activities-only if no bus transportation is provided and these activities are school sponsored, or accredited courses and extreme privation exists. Work-only if income is required to help financially support the family. Medical-only for serious illnesses of immediate family members.
No destination outside the State of Tennessee will be approved.
All Hardship Licenses expire on the 16th birthday.
Include all the names of roadways and streets for routes requested in order of travel.
Only the most direct route will be considered.
If you need more space to describe the hardship or the route, attach additional sheet(s) using the same format.
If your application is denied, or if any individual routes are denied, you may appeal the decision.
To make an appeal, the applicant must submit a letter requesting appeal of the denial.
The applicant must include the denial letter and the original hardship application.
The applicant shall mail the appeal to: Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security Driver Services Division-Hardship License PO Box 945 Nashville, TN 37202-0945
If your situation is different
Limits of a Hardship License
Valid only for daylight hours; no earlier than 5:00 a.m. and no later than 7:00 p.m. No exceptions.
A Hardship license will be approved for the most direct route only, with a mileage limitation of 25 miles, one-way.
Passengers are limited to immediate family members only.
If driver is found to be driving before or after hours, on unapproved routes, or with non-approved passengers, license can be suspended.
Before you go
Acceptable proof of hardship must be submitted with the application.
Common questions about SF-0263
How old do you have to be to get a hardship in Tennessee?
Applicant must be a Tennessee resident and be between fourteen (14) and sixteen (16) years of age.
Does it need a notary?
Application must be notarized by a Notary Public.
Where do I file it?
Mail completed application to: Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security Driver Services Division-Hardship License PO Box 945 Nashville, TN 37202-0945
Is there a penalty?
There are penalties for submitting a fraudulent application.
Sources
[1] SF-0263 (Rev. 5/18), Application for Hardship/Temporary Hardship Driver License, Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security (the Official source link on this page).