Getting your Memphis driver's license through the Tennessee DMV

In Memphis, you get your driver's license through the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, which runs the driver's license program for the entire state. You cannot get a Tennessee license through Memphis city government — you have to go to a DMV office, and the closest one to central Memphis is the Memphis Driver Services Center on Germantown Parkway. The office handles both new licenses and renewals, and you can walk in without an appointment, though wait times vary by time of day and day of week.

The process is the same whether you are getting your first license or renewing an expired one, with one difference: if your license has been expired for more than a year, you may need to retake the written test. If it expired less than a year ago, you usually skip the test and go straight to the vision check and photo.

Key Takeaways

  • The Memphis Driver Services Center on Germantown Parkway is where you go in person — there is no online option for getting or renewing a Tennessee driver's license.
  • You need a Social Security number, proof of residency (like a utility bill or lease), and a document proving your identity (like a passport or birth certificate) before you arrive.
  • The written test covers road signs, right-of-way rules, and safe driving practices; if your license expired less than a year ago, you skip the test and go straight to vision and photo.
  • A new license costs around $28 for an eight-year license, and a renewal costs less; bring cash or a debit card because not all payment methods are accepted.
  • Processing takes about 15 to 30 minutes once you are called, but arrival time to being called can be much longer depending on how busy the office is that day.

What documents to bring to the Memphis Driver Services Center

You need three categories of documents: proof of your Social Security number, proof of your identity, and proof that you live in Tennessee. For your Social Security number, bring your actual Social Security card or a document that shows it — a W-2, tax return, or bank statement with your number on it all work. If you do not have your card and cannot find a document with the number, you can bring a letter from the Social Security Administration, which you can request online at ssa.gov.

For identity, bring a document issued by a government agency that has your photo and signature. A U.S. passport, passport card, or military ID all work. If you do not have a passport, a certified copy of your birth certificate works, though it does not have a photo. A school ID or work ID does not count — it has to be government-issued.

For Tennessee residency, bring a document dated within the last 60 days that shows your name and current address. A utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or bank statement all work. A piece of mail from a government agency also counts. If you just moved and do not have a document yet, call the Memphis Driver Services Center to ask what they will accept — sometimes a signed lease is enough even if the utility bill is not in your name yet.

Taking the written test if you are a new driver or your license expired over a year ago

The written test has 30 questions and you need to get at least 24 correct to pass. The test covers Tennessee traffic laws, road signs, right-of-way rules, and safe driving practices. You take it on a computer at the DMV office, and you get your score right away — if you pass, you move on to the vision test and photo. If you fail, you can retake it the same day, though you may have to wait and pay the test fee again.

The best way to study is to use the official Tennessee Driver Handbook, which is free and covers everything on the test. You can read it online at the Tennessee DMV website or pick up a printed copy at the Memphis Driver Services Center. Many people also study using the practice tests on the DMV website, which show you the kinds of questions you will see. Studying for a few hours the night before usually gives you a good shot at passing on your first try.

If you are renewing a license that expired less than a year ago, you do not take the written test at all — the DMV assumes you already know the rules. You go straight to the vision screening and photo.

Vision test and photo at the Memphis office

After you pass the written test (or skip it if you are renewing), you go to the vision station. An employee will ask you to read letters or numbers on a chart from a certain distance. If you wear glasses or contacts, wear them to the test — your license will note whether you need corrective lenses to drive. If you fail the vision test, the DMV will tell you to see an eye doctor and come back with a form signed by the doctor saying you can drive safely.

Next, you sit for your photo. Wear something you feel comfortable in — the photo stays on your license for eight years. You cannot wear a hat, sunglasses, or anything that covers your face, and you cannot smile with your teeth showing (a closed-mouth expression is standard). The photo is taken right there, and you see it before you leave so you know what your license will look like.

How long it takes and what it costs

The actual process at the window — test, vision, photo, and paperwork — takes about 15 to 30 minutes. The wait before you are called can be anywhere from a few minutes to over an hour, depending on how busy the office is. Early morning on a weekday is usually faster than afternoon or weekend. You can check wait times on the Tennessee DMV website before you go.

A new eight-year driver's license costs around $28. A renewal costs less — usually around $20 — because you are not getting a new photo and test. Bring cash or a debit card; the Memphis office does not always take credit cards, so debit is safer. Ask at the window what they accept when you arrive.

Your new license is printed on the spot and you walk out with it the same day. If something goes wrong with the printer or the system, they will mail it to you, but that is rare.

Renewing by mail if your license is not expired yet

If your license is still valid and you want to renew it before it expires, you can do it by mail instead of going to the office in person. You fill out the renewal form, include a check or money order for the renewal fee, and mail it to the address on the form. The DMV will send you a new license in the mail — it takes about two to three weeks.

You can only renew by mail if your license is not expired and you have not had any address changes since your last license was issued. If either of those is not true, you have to go to the office in person. You can get the renewal form from the Tennessee DMV website or by calling the Memphis Driver Services Center.

The Memphis Driver Services Center location and hours

The Memphis Driver Services Center is located at 1177 Germantown Parkway, Memphis, TN 38117. It is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. It is closed on Sundays and state holidays. If you cannot make it during those hours, there is no evening or online option — you have to go in person during regular business hours.

Parking is available at the building. If you have questions before you go, you can call the office at 901-465-8500, though wait times on the phone can be long. The website at tn.gov/safety has information about documents, fees, and current wait times.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I lost my Social Security card and do not have any documents with my number?

You can request a replacement card from the Social Security Administration at ssa.gov or by calling 1-800-772-1213. It takes about two weeks. In the meantime, you can also bring a letter from the SSA stating your number, which you can request at the same time. The DMV will accept either one.

Can I renew my license if it expired more than a year ago?

Yes, but you have to retake the written test. Bring all the same documents you would bring for a new license. The test covers the same material as a new driver test, so studying the Tennessee Driver Handbook beforehand helps.

What if I fail the vision test?

You cannot get your license that day. You need to see an eye doctor and bring back a form signed by the doctor saying you can drive safely. Then you can go back to the DMV and finish the process. Some people get glasses or contacts and pass on their next visit.

Do I have to take the written test if I am renewing my license?

Only if your license has been expired for more than a year. If it expired less than a year ago, you skip the test and go straight to vision and photo. If it is still valid and you are renewing early, you do not take a test at all.

Can I get a temporary license while I wait for my permanent one?

No. Your license is printed on the spot at the Memphis office, so you leave with it the same day. If there is a technical problem, the DMV will mail it to you, but that is uncommon.