Tennessee driver's license requirements depend on your age and whether you already hold a license from another state

To get a Tennessee driver's license, you will need to visit a Driver Services Center in person, bring specific documents that prove your identity and Tennessee residency, pass a written test and a driving test, and pay a fee. The exact documents you need and the tests you take depend on whether you are a first-time driver, renewing an expired license, or moving to Tennessee from another state. Tennessee does not issue licenses by mail or online.

The process takes longer if you are under 18, because Tennessee has a graduated licensing system that starts with a learner's permit and requires you to hold it for a set period before you can test for a full license. If you are 18 or older and have never held a license, you can move directly to a full license without the permit stage, though you still take both the written and driving tests.

Key Takeaways

  • You must visit a Driver Services Center in person with original documents proving your identity, Social Security number, and Tennessee residency — a utility bill or lease counts as proof of residency.
  • First-time drivers under 18 must hold a learner's permit for at least 30 days and 50 hours of supervised driving (10 of those at night) before they can test for a full license.
  • You will take a written test covering road signs and traffic laws, and a practical driving test with an examiner in your own vehicle or a test vehicle provided by the Driver Services Center.
  • Tennessee driver's licenses cost $27 for an eight-year license if you are 21 or older, and $20 for a four-year license if you are under 21.
  • If you hold a valid license from another state, you may not need to take the written and driving tests again, but you must still visit in person and provide proof of residency in Tennessee.

Documents you must bring to the Driver Services Center

Bring an original document that proves your identity. The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security accepts a U.S. passport, a certified birth certificate, a military ID, a tribal ID, or a foreign passport with a valid U.S. visa. A photocopy or a digital image on your phone will not work — the document must be the original.

You also need proof of your Social Security number. Bring your Social Security card, a W-2 form, a 1099 form, or a tax return. Again, these must be originals or certified copies.

Finally, bring two documents that prove you live in Tennessee. A utility bill, a lease agreement, a mortgage statement, a bank statement, or a government check addressed to you at your Tennessee address all count. The documents must show your current address and be dated within the last 60 days. If you are homeless or do not have a permanent address, ask the Driver Services Center staff what documents they will accept instead.

The learner's permit stage if you are under 18

If you are under 18 and have never held a driver's license, you must first get a learner's permit. You will take a written test on road signs, traffic laws, and safe driving practices. You do not take a driving test to get the permit. Once you pass the written test, you can drive only when a licensed adult 21 or older is sitting next to you in the front seat.

You must hold the learner's permit for at least 30 days. During that time, you need to complete 50 hours of supervised driving, with at least 10 of those hours happening between sunset and sunrise. Keep a log of your driving hours — the Driver Services Center will ask to see it when you come back to test for your full license. After you have met the 30-day requirement and the 50-hour requirement, you can schedule your driving test.

The driving test takes about 30 minutes. An examiner will sit in the car with you and watch you perform tasks like parking, turning, stopping, and driving on different types of roads. You must use your own vehicle or a test vehicle provided by the Driver Services Center. The vehicle must be in safe working condition, with working brakes, lights, wipers, and seat belts.

The written and driving tests for first-time drivers 18 and older

If you are 18 or older and have never held a driver's license, you take both the written test and the driving test on the same visit or on separate visits — the Driver Services Center will tell you which option is available at your location. You do not need to hold a learner's permit first.

The written test covers Tennessee traffic laws, road signs, and safe driving practices. You can study using the Tennessee Driver's Manual, which is free and available on the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security website. The test has 30 questions, and you must answer at least 24 correctly to pass. You get one chance to pass; if you fail, you can retake it after one day has passed.

The driving test works the same way as it does for drivers under 18. You drive for about 30 minutes while an examiner watches and scores your performance. You must pass the written test before you can take the driving test.

Moving to Tennessee with a valid out-of-state license

If you already hold a valid driver's license from another state, you do not have to take the written test or the driving test. You can exchange it for a Tennessee license by visiting a Driver Services Center with your out-of-state license, your original identity document, your Social Security proof, and two documents showing Tennessee residency. The process is faster than getting a license for the first time.

Your out-of-state license must not be suspended or revoked. If it is, you will have to take the written and driving tests even though you have held a license before. Tennessee will also check your driving record in other states you have lived in during the past five years.

Renewing or replacing an expired Tennessee license

If your Tennessee license has expired, you can renew it by mail, online, or in person at a Driver Services Center — the method depends on how long ago it expired and whether you have had any changes to your name or address. If your license expired fewer than five years ago and you have not changed your name, you can renew by mail or online without visiting in person. If it expired more than five years ago, you must visit a Driver Services Center and take the written test again.

If your license was lost, stolen, or damaged, you must visit a Driver Services Center in person to get a replacement. Bring your identity document, Social Security proof, and residency proof, just as you would for a new license. You do not take the tests again.

Driver Services Center locations and fees

Tennessee has Driver Services Centers in most counties. You can find the location nearest you and check its hours on the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security website. Some centers are open Monday through Friday only; others have Saturday hours. Call ahead or check online before you go, because wait times vary and some centers may be closed for training or maintenance.

A Tennessee driver's license costs $27 for an eight-year license if you are 21 or older. If you are under 21, the license costs $20 and is valid for four years. If you are renewing by mail or online, the fee may be slightly different. You can pay by cash, check, or debit card at the Driver Services Center.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I take the written test online or by mail?

No. You must visit a Driver Services Center in person to take the written test. You cannot take it online or by mail, and no third-party testing site is authorized by Tennessee. The only exception is if you are renewing a license that expired fewer than five years ago and your name and address have not changed — then you can renew by mail or online without taking any test.

What happens if I fail the driving test?

You can retake the driving test after one day has passed. There is no limit to how many times you can retake it, but you will have to pay the test fee each time. Some Driver Services Centers let you schedule your next test right away; others have a waiting list. Ask the staff when you fail what the process is at your location.

Do I need to bring my Social Security card, or can I bring a different document?

You do not have to bring your Social Security card specifically. You can bring a W-2, a 1099, a tax return, or any other document that shows your Social Security number. The document must be an original or certified copy, not a photocopy or image.

Can I get a Tennessee license if I do not have a permanent address?

Yes. If you are homeless or do not have a permanent address, visit a Driver Services Center and explain your situation to the staff. They can tell you what documents they will accept as proof of residency. Some centers accept a letter from a shelter, a social services agency, or another organization that can verify where you are staying.

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

The visit to the Driver Services Center usually takes 30 minutes to two hours, depending on how busy the center is. If you pass both the written and driving tests on the same day, you can get your license the same day or within a few days. If you take the tests on different days, the process takes longer. Mail processing can add one to two weeks if you renew by mail.