You can renew an expired Tennessee license by mail, online, or in person at a Driver Services center

Tennessee allows you to renew an expired driver's license through three routes: mail, the online portal, or a walk-in visit to a Driver Services office. The method you choose depends on how long your license has been expired and whether you need to update your photo or address. Mail and online renewals are faster and require no appointment, but they have restrictions — you cannot use them if your license expired more than three years ago, if you need a new photo, or if you have certain medical conditions on file.

If your license expired within the last three years and you do not need a photo update, you can renew by mail or online in about 10 business days. If your license expired more than three years ago, or if you need a new photo or address change, you must visit a Driver Services center in person. Walk-in hours vary by location, and some centers fill to capacity by mid-morning, so arriving early improves your chances of being seen the same day.

Key Takeaways

  • Mail and online renewal work only if your license expired within three years and you do not need a photo update.
  • If your license expired more than three years ago, you must renew in person at a Tennessee Driver Services center.
  • Online renewal through the Tennessee DMV website is the fastest option when you are may be able to access, taking about 10 business days from submission.
  • In-person renewal requires a valid ID, proof of residency, and your Social Security number, and no appointment is needed at most locations.
  • Renewal fees are $27 for a four-year license or $54 for an eight-year license, payable by cash, check, or card depending on your renewal method.

Renewing by mail if your license expired within three years

To renew by mail, request a renewal process from the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security by calling 615-251-8590 or visiting their website. You can also pick up an process in person at any Driver Services center. The process is form DL-44, and you will need to complete it, sign it, and include a check or money order for the renewal fee — $27 for a four-year license or $54 for an eight-year license.

Mail your completed process, payment, and a copy of your current license to the address provided on the form. Processing takes 10 to 15 business days after the department receives your envelope. Your new license will arrive by mail at the address on file. Do not send cash through the mail; use a check or money order only. If you are renewing before your license expires, mail renewal is the simplest path and carries no risk of driving with an expired license while you wait.

Renewing online through the Tennessee DMV portal

The Tennessee DMV website offers online renewal at tn.gov/safety under the Driver Services section. You will need your current driver's license number, Social Security number, and a valid payment method — debit card, credit card, or electronic check. The online system will ask you to confirm your address and other information on file; if any detail is wrong, you cannot correct it online and must visit a Driver Services center instead.

Online renewal takes about 10 business days from the time you submit. Your new license will be mailed to your address on file. This method works only if your license expired within three years and you do not need a photo update. If you are unsure whether you are may be able to access, start the online process — the system will tell you if your license is too old or if you need to renew in person.

Renewing in person at a Driver Services center

If your license expired more than three years ago, or if you need a new photo or address change, you must visit a Tennessee Driver Services center. Bring your expired license, a valid ID (passport, military ID, or state ID), proof of your current address (utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within 60 days), and your Social Security number. You do not need an appointment; centers operate on a first-come, first-served basis.

Arrive early, especially on weekdays, because some centers reach capacity by mid-morning and stop accepting walk-ins. Hours vary by location — most open at 8 a.m. and close between 4 and 5 p.m., but some close for lunch. Check the Tennessee DMV website to find the center nearest you and confirm its hours before you go. Processing at the counter usually takes 15 to 30 minutes, and you will receive your new license on the spot if you pass the vision and written tests (if required).

Pay the renewal fee at the counter by cash, check, or card. A four-year license costs $27; an eight-year license costs $54. If you need a new photo because your current one is damaged or you have changed significantly, the center will take a new photo at no extra charge.

What to do if your license expired more than three years ago

Tennessee treats licenses expired more than three years as not currently valid, which means you cannot legally drive on it. You must renew in person at a Driver Services center. Bring all the documents listed above, plus be prepared to pass a vision screening and possibly a written test on traffic laws — the center will tell you whether a test is required based on how long your license has been expired.

If your license expired more than five years ago, you will likely need to take the written test and may need to retake the driving test as well. Call the Driver Services center before you go to confirm what tests you will face, so you can prepare. Bring your Social Security number and a valid ID; without these, the center cannot process your renewal.

Updating your address or photo during renewal

If you need to change your address, you can do so during mail or online renewal only if the address change is the only update needed. If you also need a new photo, you must renew in person. At a Driver Services center, tell the staff member that you need an address change, and they will update your file while you are there — no extra fee applies.

If you are renewing by mail or online and your address has changed, update it through the online portal first, or call 615-251-8590 to update it before you submit your renewal. If you submit a renewal with an old address, your new license will be mailed to that old address, and you will need to contact the department to have it reissued to your current address.

Renewal fees and payment methods

A four-year driver's license renewal costs $27. An eight-year renewal costs $54. These are the standard fees as of 2024 and do not vary based on your age or driving record. If you renew by mail, pay by check or money order. If you renew online, pay by debit card, credit card, or electronic check. If you renew in person, you can pay by cash, check, or card.

Some Driver Services centers may charge a small additional fee if you pay by card, so ask before you pay. If you are renewing before your current license expires, you do not pay a penalty — the renewal fee is the same whether you renew early or on time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive on an expired Tennessee license while I wait for my renewal?

No. Once your license expires, you cannot legally drive on it, even if you have submitted a renewal process. If you are stopped by police, you can show proof of your renewal submission (a receipt or confirmation number), but this does not give you permission to drive. If you need to drive before your renewal arrives, visit a Driver Services center to get a temporary license on the spot.

How long does it take to get a license if I renew in person?

You receive your new license when ready after you complete the renewal process at the center, assuming you pass any required vision or written test. You can drive on it the same day. If you fail a test, the center will tell you what you need to do to retake it.

What if I moved out of state — can I still renew my Tennessee license?

You can renew by mail or online if your license expired within three years and you do not need a photo update. If you need a photo update or your license expired more than three years ago, you must renew in person at a Tennessee Driver Services center, which means you would need to travel back to Tennessee or contact the department about other options.

Do I need to take a written test to renew an expired license?

It depends on how long your license has been expired. If it expired within three years, you do not take a test for mail or online renewal. If it expired more than three years ago and you renew in person, you may need to take a written test — the center will tell you when you arrive. Call ahead to confirm what to expect.

What if I lost my expired license and do not have it to show?

You can still renew without the physical license. Bring a valid ID (passport or military ID), proof of residency, and your Social Security number. The Driver Services center can look up your license information in their system. If you are renewing by mail or online, you will need your license number — call 615-251-8590 and they can provide it.