Where to go for your driver's license in Murfreesboro

The Murfreesboro Driver Services Center is located at 2424 Memorial Boulevard, Murfreesboro, TN 37129. This is the only full-service location in Murfreesboro where you can take the written test, vision test, and road test, or renew an existing license. The center is operated by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security's Driver Services division.

You can visit without an appointment, but wait times vary by day and time of day. The center typically has shorter lines on weekday mornings before 10 a.m. and on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Friday afternoons and Saturday mornings tend to be busier. The center's hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Saturday, 8 a.m. to noon.

If you cannot visit in person, you can renew an existing Tennessee driver's license online through the Tennessee Driver Services website, but only if your license is not expired by more than one year and you have not changed your address or name. New licenses, replacements, and road tests must be done in person.

Key Takeaways

  • The Murfreesboro Driver Services Center at 2424 Memorial Boulevard handles all driver's license services, including new licenses, renewals, and road tests.
  • You will need a Social Security number, proof of residency (utility bill or lease dated within 90 days), and a valid form of ID to explore for a new license.
  • The written test covers Tennessee traffic laws and road signs, and you must score at least 80 percent to pass.
  • Road tests last about 15 to 20 minutes and test basic driving skills like parking, turning, and stopping; you must bring a vehicle that is registered and insured.
  • Renewal by mail or online is available only if your license is current or expired less than one year and you have not moved or changed your name.

Documents you need for a new license

Tennessee requires four pieces of information before you can receive a new driver's license: proof of identity, proof of Social Security number, proof of residency, and proof of legal presence in the United States.

For proof of identity, bring a valid passport, a state ID card, a military ID, or a certified birth certificate. A school ID or work ID does not count. For proof of Social Security number, bring your Social Security card, a W-2 form, a 1099 form, or a tax return. For proof of residency, bring a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 90 days that shows your current Murfreesboro address. A cell phone bill does not count. For proof of legal presence, bring your passport, a certificate of naturalization, a permanent resident card, or an employment authorization document.

If you are under 18, you will also need written consent from a parent or guardian, signed in front of a Driver Services employee. Bring the parent or guardian with you to the center.

How the written test works

The written test covers Tennessee traffic laws, road signs, and safe driving practices. You will answer 30 multiple-choice questions on a computer at the Driver Services Center. You must score at least 80 percent (24 out of 30 correct) to pass. If you fail, you can retake the test the same day, but you must wait at least one hour between attempts.

The test is offered in English and Spanish. You can study using the Tennessee Driver Handbook, which is free and available on the Tennessee Department of Safety website. The handbook covers everything on the test, including right-of-way rules, speed limits, parking, and what different road signs mean.

You do not need to study for weeks. Most people who read the handbook once or twice pass on their first try. The test is designed to check that you understand basic safety, not to trick you.

How the road test works

After you pass the written test and vision screening, you can schedule a road test. The road test lasts 15 to 20 minutes and takes place on public roads near the Driver Services Center. An examiner will sit in the passenger seat and watch you perform basic driving tasks: starting the vehicle, turning, stopping, parking, and backing up. The examiner will also ask you to demonstrate that you understand hand signals and can identify hazards.

You must bring a vehicle that is registered in Tennessee, insured, and in safe working condition. The vehicle must have working headlights, taillights, brake lights, windshield wipers, and turn signals. The examiner will check these before the test begins. You must also bring your learner's permit or a temporary license issued by the Driver Services Center.

You pass the road test if you do not make any critical errors (such as hitting another vehicle, running a red light, or failing to yield) and you demonstrate safe driving overall. If you fail, you can retake the test, but you must wait at least one week. There is a fee each time you take the test.

Renewing your existing license

If your Tennessee driver's license is still valid or expired less than one year ago, you can renew by mail or online without visiting the Driver Services Center. You cannot renew online if you have moved, changed your name, or want to change your address on your license.

To renew online, go to the Tennessee Driver Services website, enter your driver's license number and date of birth, and follow the prompts. You will pay the renewal fee by credit card or debit card. Your new license will arrive by mail in 7 to 10 business days. To renew by mail, call the Driver Services Center at (615) 744-4682 and ask for a renewal form, or read it from the website. Fill it out, include a check or money order for the renewal fee, and mail it to the address on the form.

If your license expired more than one year ago, you must visit the Driver Services Center in person and take the written test and road test again, as if you were a new driver.

Fees and what to bring on the day

A new driver's license costs $27 and is valid for eight years. A renewal costs $27 and extends your license for eight years from the expiration date. A replacement (if your license is lost or stolen) costs $27. A road test costs $7 each time you take it. Payment is accepted in cash, check, or debit card at the Murfreesboro center; credit cards are not accepted in person.

On the day you visit, bring all your documents (identity, Social Security proof, residency proof, and legal presence proof), your Social Security card, and payment. Bring your current license if you have one. Wear clothes that allow you to move freely for the road test, and bring a vehicle that meets the requirements listed above. Do not bring children or other passengers into the testing area unless they are also taking a test.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I take the road test in a borrowed vehicle?

Yes, as long as the vehicle is registered in Tennessee, has current insurance, and is in safe working condition. The vehicle does not have to be registered in your name. The examiner will check the registration and insurance before the test begins.

What happens if I fail the road test?

You can retake it after waiting at least one week. You will pay the road test fee again. There is no limit to how many times you can retake the test, but each attempt costs $7.

Do I need an appointment at the Murfreesboro Driver Services Center?

No. The center operates on a first-come, first-served basis. However, you can call ahead at (615) 744-4682 to ask about current wait times before you go.

Can I renew my license if I have moved out of state?

No. If you no longer live in Tennessee, you must get a driver's license from your new state. You can surrender your Tennessee license by mail or in person at the Murfreesboro center.

What if I lost my Social Security card?

You can bring a W-2, 1099, or tax return instead to prove your Social Security number. You do not need the card itself, just proof of the number.