Tennessee driver's license and ID fees by document type
A Tennessee driver's license costs $27 for an eight-year renewal or $31 for a new license if you're getting one for the first time. A Tennessee ID card (non-driver) costs $19. These are the fees you pay at the Department of Safety and Homeland Security when you complete your transaction in person or renew online.
The cost depends on which document you need and whether you're renewing an existing license or obtaining a new one. If you're under 18, the fees are lower: a junior driver's license costs $20 for a four-year term. A duplicate license or ID card costs $11 if you've lost yours or need a replacement.
Tennessee does not charge separate fees for written tests, road tests, or vision screening — those are included in the license fee. However, if you fail a test and retake it, you do not pay an additional fee for the retest itself.
Key Takeaways
- A standard eight-year Tennessee driver's license renewal costs $27; a new license costs $31.
- A Tennessee ID card (non-driver identification) costs $19 and is valid for eight years.
- A duplicate license or ID card costs $11 if yours is lost, stolen, or damaged.
- Junior licenses for drivers under 18 cost $20 and are valid for four years.
- Written tests, road tests, and vision screening are included in the license fee and do not cost extra.
How to pay and where to go
You pay the license fee when you visit a Driver Services Center in person or when you renew online through the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security website. The department operates Driver Services Centers in every county; you can find the location nearest you on their website by entering your county name.
If you renew online, you pay by credit card or debit card at the time of renewal. If you renew in person, most Driver Services Centers accept cash, check, and card. Call ahead to confirm payment methods at your specific location, since some rural centers may have limited options.
Online renewal is available only if your license is not expired and you have not had certain violations or medical suspensions. If you do not meet the online renewal requirements, you must visit a Driver Services Center in person.
What affects the cost of your license
Your age at the time of renewal determines whether you pay the standard rate or the junior rate. If you turn 18 before your license expires, you will need to renew early to get a standard adult license; the fee for that early renewal is the same as a regular renewal ($27).
A commercial driver's license (CDL) costs more than a standard license. A CDL renewal costs $65 for eight years, and a new CDL costs $85. If you need a CDL, you also pay for the written and skills tests separately through a third-party testing facility, which charges its own fees.
Endorsements — such as a motorcycle endorsement or hazmat endorsement — add $10 to your license fee. If you add an endorsement during renewal, you pay the base license fee plus $10 per endorsement.
Renewal timing and expiration dates
Tennessee driver's licenses expire on your birthday eight years after issuance. You can renew your license up to one year before it expires. If you renew early, your new license will expire eight years from the date you renew, not eight years from your original expiration date.
If your license has already expired, you cannot renew online — you must visit a Driver Services Center in person. An expired license can still be used as identification for some purposes, but you cannot legally drive with an expired license.
The state does not charge a penalty fee for renewing late, but driving with an expired license can result in a traffic citation and fine from law enforcement.
Additional costs you may encounter
If you need a name change on your license — due to marriage, divorce, or court order — Tennessee does not charge a separate fee. You pay only the standard renewal or replacement fee. However, you must bring documentation of the name change, such as a marriage certificate or court order.
If you need to replace a lost, stolen, or damaged license, the duplicate fee is $11. This is cheaper than a full renewal and is the correct option if your license is still valid but you no longer have the physical card.
If you are a Tennessee resident who holds a license from another state, you do not need to pay to transfer it — you straightforward explore for a new Tennessee license at the standard new-license fee ($31) and surrender your out-of-state license.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my Tennessee license online, and does it cost less?
Online renewal costs the same as in-person renewal ($27 for a standard eight-year license). You can renew online only if your license is not expired, you have no medical suspensions, and you have not had certain violations. If you do not meet these requirements, you must renew in person at a Driver Services Center.
What if I need a duplicate license because mine was lost?
A duplicate costs $11 and is the correct option if your license is still valid but you no longer have the card. You can order a duplicate online or in person. A duplicate is not the same as a renewal — it does not extend your expiration date.
Do I have to pay extra to add a motorcycle endorsement?
Yes. A motorcycle endorsement costs $10 in addition to your license fee. If you add it during renewal, you pay the renewal fee ($27) plus the endorsement fee ($10) for a total of $37. You must pass a written test and skills test, which are included in the fee.
What happens if I let my license expire?
You cannot legally drive with an expired license, and you cannot renew online once it has expired. You must visit a Driver Services Center in person to renew. There is no penalty fee for renewing late, but driving with an expired license can result in a traffic citation from law enforcement.
Is there a fee to change my name on my license?
No. A name change costs only the standard renewal fee ($27). You must bring documentation of the name change, such as a marriage certificate or court order, but there is no separate charge for processing the name change itself.