Where to go for a driver license in Nashville
In Nashville, you get a driver license from the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, Driver License Section. The main office that serves Nashville is located at 1150 Foster Avenue, Nashville, TN 37210. You can also visit other regional Driver Service Centers around Middle Tennessee if that location is not convenient — there are offices in Murfreesboro, Clarksville, and other nearby cities.
You do not need an appointment at most locations, but you should arrive early because wait times can be long, especially on Fridays and at midday. Some Driver Service Centers now offer online appointment scheduling through the Tennessee Department of Safety website, which can save you time. Check the specific location's page before you go to see if appointments are available there.
Hours vary by location, but most Nashville offices are open Monday through Friday during standard business hours. A few locations have extended evening hours one or two days per week. The Foster Avenue office is typically open 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., but you should confirm current hours on the state website before making the trip.
Key Takeaways
- Visit the Tennessee Department of Safety Driver Service Center at 1150 Foster Avenue in Nashville, or use a regional office in Murfreesboro or Clarksville if more convenient.
- Bring your Social Security card, proof of Tennessee residency (utility bill, lease, or bank statement), and proof of identity (passport or birth certificate) — originals, not copies.
- You must pass a vision test and a written knowledge test covering Tennessee traffic laws; the written test has 30 questions and you need 24 correct to pass.
- A new driver license costs $27 and is valid for five years; you can renew by mail or online if you have not had violations or medical suspensions.
- If you are under 18, you must complete a driver education course and hold a learner permit for at least 30 days before taking the driving test.
Documents you need to bring
You must bring original documents — photocopies are not accepted. The state requires three types of documents: proof of Social Security number, proof of Tennessee residency, and proof of identity.
For proof of Social Security number, bring your Social Security card itself. If you do not have the card, you can bring a W-2 form, tax return, or a letter from the Social Security Administration. For proof of residency, bring a recent utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or bank statement with your name and current address. The document must be dated within the last 60 days. For proof of identity, bring your passport, birth certificate, or an out-of-state driver license.
If you are under 18, you also need a notarized parental consent form and proof that you completed a state-approved driver education course. The course can be taken online or in person through a private driving school or high school program.
The written test and what it covers
Before you can take a driving test, you must pass a written knowledge test at the Driver Service Center. The test has 30 questions about Tennessee traffic laws, road signs, and safe driving practices. You need to answer at least 24 questions correctly to pass — that is an 80 percent score.
The test covers topics like speed limits, right-of-way rules, parking laws, what different road signs mean, and how to handle emergency vehicles. You can study using the Tennessee Driver Handbook, which is free and available on the Department of Safety website. Many people also use practice tests online to prepare.
You get one attempt at the written test during your visit. If you do not pass, you can return and take it again, but you may have to pay another fee or wait a certain number of days before retesting — check with your local Driver Service Center about their specific policy.
The driving test and road requirements
After you pass the written test, you schedule a separate appointment for the driving test, which is conducted by a state examiner. The test takes about 20 to 30 minutes and covers basic vehicle control, following traffic laws, and safe decision-making on the road. The examiner will ask you to perform tasks like parallel parking, three-point turns, lane changes, and stops at traffic lights and stop signs.
You must bring a vehicle that is registered, insured, and in safe working condition. The vehicle's registration and insurance documents must be current. If you are under 18, a parent or guardian must be present during the test, though they sit in the back seat and do not speak during the exam.
If you do not pass the driving test, you can retake it after waiting a set period — usually a few days to a week. There is typically a fee each time you take the test.
Cost and how long the license lasts
A new driver license in Tennessee costs $27. This fee covers a license that is valid for five years. If you renew before it expires, the cost is the same. If your license expires and you wait to renew it, you may face a late fee or have to retake the written and driving tests.
You can renew your license by mail or online if you meet certain conditions: your license must not be expired for more than two years, you must not have had any medical suspensions, and you must not have had certain traffic violations. If you do not meet these conditions, you must renew in person at a Driver Service Center.
Special rules if you are under 18
Tennessee has a graduated licensing system for drivers under 18. You start with a learner permit, which allows you to drive only with a licensed adult age 21 or older in the front seat. You must hold the learner permit for at least 30 days before you can take the driving test.
Before you can get a learner permit, you must complete a state-approved driver education course. This course teaches classroom material about traffic laws and vehicle safety. You can take it through your high school, a private driving school, or online. After you pass the course and the written test, you receive your learner permit.
Once you have held the learner permit for 30 days and passed the driving test, you receive a restricted license. This license has restrictions — for example, you cannot drive between midnight and 5 a.m., and you cannot have more than one passenger under 21 in the car. These restrictions stay in place until you turn 18, at which point you can get an unrestricted license.
What to do if you lose your license or it is damaged
If your driver license is lost, stolen, or damaged, you can get a replacement at any Driver Service Center. Bring your proof of identity and proof of residency, just as you would for a new license. A replacement license costs $27 and takes the same amount of time to process as a new license.
If your license is suspended or revoked, you cannot drive legally in Tennessee or any other state. Suspensions happen for reasons like unpaid traffic tickets, DUI convictions, or accumulating too many points from traffic violations. If your license is suspended, you must contact the Driver License Section to find out why and what steps you need to take to restore it. Restoration may require paying fines, completing a safety course, or waiting out a suspension period.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get a driver license after I pass the tests?
Your license is usually issued the same day you pass both the written and driving tests. You receive a temporary paper license on the spot, and the plastic card arrives by mail within one to two weeks. You can drive legally using the temporary license until the plastic card arrives.
Can I renew my license online or by mail?
Yes, if your license is not expired more than two years, you have no medical suspensions, and you have no certain traffic violations. You can renew online through the Tennessee Department of Safety website or by mail. Online renewal is faster and costs the same $27. If you do not meet these conditions, you must renew in person.
What if I fail the driving test?
You can retake the driving test after waiting a few days to a week, depending on the Driver Service Center's policy. You pay the test fee again each time you retake it. There is no limit to how many times you can retake the test, so you can keep trying until you pass.
Do I need a learner permit before I take the driving test?
If you are 18 or older, you do not need a learner permit — you can go straight to the written test and then the driving test. If you are under 18, you must get a learner permit first and hold it for at least 30 days before taking the driving test. You also must complete a driver education course before you can get the learner permit.
What happens if I move to a different state?
Your Tennessee driver license remains valid in all other states. If you move to another state and want to get that state's license, you can usually transfer your Tennessee license without retaking the tests, though requirements vary by state. Contact the new state's Department of Motor Vehicles to find out what documents and fees you need.