Tennessee driver's license fees by type

A Tennessee driver's license costs $28.50 for an eight-year license if you are between 21 and 60 years old. If you are under 21, the cost is $20 for a four-year license. Drivers 60 and older pay $20 for an eight-year license. These are the standard fees charged by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security.

If you need a REAL ID-compliant license — one that meets federal requirements for air travel and federal building access — you pay an additional $10 on top of the base fee. So a standard REAL ID license for someone aged 21 to 60 costs $38.50. You cannot avoid this fee if you want a REAL ID; it is a separate charge, not an option.

Replacement licenses (if yours is lost, stolen, or damaged) cost the same as a new license. There is no discount for a replacement. If you need your license renewed early — before it expires — you still pay the full fee for a new eight-year or four-year term, depending on your age.

Key Takeaways

  • A standard Tennessee driver's license costs $28.50 for drivers aged 21 to 60, and $20 for drivers under 21 or 60 and older.
  • REAL ID licenses cost an additional $10, bringing the total to $38.50 for most adults.
  • Replacement licenses cost the same as a new license with no reduced fee.
  • You must bring specific documents to the Driver Services office; the fee covers the license itself, not document verification or processing.

What documents you need to bring

You cannot pay the fee online or by mail. You must visit a Driver Services office in person and bring documents that prove your identity, Social Security number, and Tennessee residency. The exact documents vary depending on whether you are getting your first license, renewing, or replacing one.

For a first-time license, bring a birth certificate or passport (proof of identity), your Social Security card or a tax return showing your SSN, and two documents showing your current Tennessee address — such as a utility bill, lease, or bank statement. If your name has changed, bring a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. The office staff will tell you when ready if your documents are incomplete; you cannot pay and come back later.

For a renewal, bring your current license plus one document proving your current address if you have moved. If you are renewing by mail (available in some cases), you still cannot pay online — you must include a check or money order with your process.

Where to pay and how payment works

You pay at a Driver Services office when you appear in person. Tennessee accepts cash, check, debit card, and credit card. Some offices may have limits on which payment methods they accept, so calling ahead is worth the time if you have a strong preference.

There is no online payment option for a new license or renewal. You cannot prepay or reserve a license. You pay when you complete your process and pass the vision and written tests (if required). If you fail the written test, you pay again if you return to retake it — there is no refund for a failed attempt.

When you might pay more

If you need a commercial driver's license (CDL), the cost is higher. A CDL costs $60 for an eight-year license for drivers aged 21 to 60. You also pay for any endorsements (such as hazmat or passenger) and for required medical exams, which are not included in the license fee.

If you are getting a license for the first time and need to take the written test and road test, there are no separate test fees in Tennessee — they are included in the license fee. However, if you fail the road test and need to retake it, you pay the full license fee again.

Duplicate licenses (a second copy of your current valid license) cost $7.50 and can be ordered by mail or in person. This is different from a replacement license, which is used when your original is lost or damaged.

How long the license lasts

A standard Tennessee driver's license is valid for eight years if you are between 21 and 60 years old. Licenses for drivers under 21 are valid for four years. Licenses for drivers 60 and older are valid for eight years. These terms do not change based on what you pay — the fee structure is the only thing that varies by age.

Your license expires on your birthday in the year it is set to expire. You can renew up to one year before expiration. If your license has been expired for more than one year, you must explore for a new license as if it were your first one, which means bringing all the original documents again.

Renewing before your license expires

You can renew your Tennessee driver's license up to one year before it expires. The renewal fee is the same as the fee for a new license — there is no discount for renewing early. Your new license will be valid for a full eight or four years from the date you renew, not from your original expiration date.

If you renew in person at a Driver Services office, the process is faster than a first-time license because you do not need to take tests. If you renew by mail (available if your license is not suspended or revoked and you meet other requirements), you send in your process, current license, and payment. Mail renewals take longer — typically two to three weeks — so plan ahead if you need your license by a specific date.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pay for a Tennessee driver's license online?

No. You must pay in person at a Driver Services office. There is no online payment or mail-in payment option for a new license or standard renewal. Some mail-in renewals are available, but you still send a check or money order — not a credit card payment.

What if I fail the written or road test?

You pay the full license fee again if you retake the test. There is no partial refund or reduced fee for a second attempt. You can retake the written test the same day at most offices, but road test appointments must be scheduled separately.

Do I have to get a REAL ID license?

No, but you will need one to board a domestic flight or enter a federal building after May 7, 2025. If you do not travel by air or visit federal offices, a standard license is sufficient. The choice is yours, but the REAL ID fee is $10 extra if you want it.

Is there a fee to replace a lost or stolen license?

Yes. A replacement license costs the same as a new license — $28.50 for most adults, or $38.50 if you want REAL ID. There is no reduced fee for a replacement. A duplicate (a second copy of your current valid license) costs $7.50 and is cheaper if you just need an extra copy.

How long does it take to get a Tennessee driver's license after I pay?

If you explore in person, you receive your license the same day or within a few days, depending on the office. If you renew by mail, allow two to three weeks. Check the Driver Services website for your local office's current processing times, as they vary by location.