Tennessee driver's license kiosks are located inside select Kroger and Food City grocery stores across the state
The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security operates Express Kiosks inside grocery stores rather than at standalone locations. These machines let you renew your driver's license, obtain a duplicate license, or update your address without visiting a full Driver Services office. The kiosks accept payment by card and print your new license on the spot.
Not every Kroger or Food City has a kiosk. The machines are concentrated in Middle Tennessee and East Tennessee, with some locations in West Tennessee. You can find the current list of kiosk locations on the Tennessee Department of Safety website under "Driver Services" — the list shows the store address and the kiosk's hours, which often differ from store hours.
The kiosks handle routine transactions only. They cannot issue your first license, process commercial driver's license (CDL) work, handle medical suspensions, or resolve certain violations. If your transaction requires a background check or manual review, the kiosk will direct you to a full office.
Key Takeaways
- Express Kiosks are located inside Kroger and Food City stores, not at separate DMV-style buildings.
- You can renew your license, get a duplicate, or update your address at a kiosk if your record has no holds or suspensions.
- The kiosk prints your new license when ready and accepts card payment only — no cash.
- Check the Tennessee Department of Safety website for the exact kiosk locations and hours near you, since not all stores have one.
- If the kiosk cannot process your transaction, it will tell you which Driver Services office to visit instead.
What transactions the kiosks can handle
The Express Kiosks are designed for straightforward renewals and updates. You can renew a license that is expired or about to expire, request a duplicate if yours is lost or damaged, or change your address on file. The kiosk checks your driving record in real time and prints a new license with your photo on the spot.
The kiosk cannot issue a license for the first time, add a CDL endorsement, process a name change, or handle any transaction flagged by a suspension, revocation, or medical hold. If you have unpaid traffic fines, an active suspension, or a medical review pending, the kiosk will refuse the transaction and direct you to a Driver Services office to resolve the issue first.
Payment is by debit or credit card only. The kiosk does not accept cash, checks, or money orders. The fee for renewal or duplicate is the same as at an office — currently $27 for a standard renewal — but the kiosk charges no additional convenience fee.
How to find kiosk locations near you
The Tennessee Department of Safety maintains a searchable list of Express Kiosk locations on its official website. Go to the Driver Services section, select "Kiosk Locations," and you will see the store name, address, and operating hours for each machine. Hours vary by location and may not match the grocery store's hours.
Some kiosks operate during limited hours — for example, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays only, or closed on Sundays. Before you drive to a store, check the website to confirm the kiosk is open. If a location is temporarily closed for maintenance, the website will note that as well.
If no kiosk is near you or the nearest one has hours that do not fit your schedule, you can visit a full Driver Services office instead. The department's website also lists all office locations and hours by county.
What to bring and how the process works
Bring your current driver's license or state ID card. The kiosk scans it to pull up your record. You will also need a payment card — debit or credit. The kiosk does not require additional documents for a renewal or address change if your record is clean.
At the kiosk, you will confirm your personal information on the screen, review your address, and approve the transaction. The kiosk takes a new photo of you on the spot. You then pay by card and the machine prints your new license when ready. The entire process usually takes 5 to 10 minutes.
Your new license is valid as soon as you receive it. You do not need to wait for anything in the mail. If you are renewing before your current license expires, you can keep using the old one until it expires, then switch to the new one.
When the kiosk cannot help you
If your license is suspended or revoked, the kiosk will reject your transaction. You must contact a Driver Services office or the department directly to understand why and what steps are needed to restore your driving privileges. Suspensions can result from unpaid fines, failure to appear in court, medical issues, or other violations.
If you have a medical hold on your record — for example, a vision or hearing concern flagged during a previous renewal — the kiosk cannot process your renewal. You will need to visit an office and may need to provide medical documentation or pass a vision or hearing test.
First-time license applicants must visit a Driver Services office. The kiosk cannot issue an original license. You will need to bring proof of identity, proof of residency, proof of Social Security number, and proof of Tennessee residency, and you will take a written test and vision test at the office.
Kiosk availability and maintenance
Kiosks occasionally go offline for maintenance or repairs. If you arrive at a location and the machine is not working, the website may not have updated yet. Call the Driver Services office for your county to confirm whether the kiosk is temporarily closed and when it is expected to reopen.
During peak times — lunch hours or late afternoon — kiosks can have a short wait. Because the machine prints your license on the spot, you cannot reserve a time slot. If the kiosk is busy, you may wait 10 to 15 minutes, but this is rare.
If a kiosk location closes permanently, the department updates its website. If you relied on a particular location and it is gone, check the website for the next nearest kiosk or find your county's Driver Services office.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my license at a kiosk if it is already expired?
Yes. The kiosk can renew an expired license as long as your record has no suspensions or holds. However, if your license has been expired for more than a certain period, you may need to retake the written or vision test at a Driver Services office instead. Check the website or call your county office to confirm.
What if the kiosk rejects my transaction?
The kiosk will display a message explaining why — usually a suspension, hold, or flag on your record. Write down the message and contact your county Driver Services office. They can tell you what the issue is and whether you need to resolve it before you can renew.
Do I need an appointment to use a kiosk?
No. Kiosks operate on a first-come, first-served basis. You do not need to book a time. straightforward go to a location during its posted hours and use the machine.
Can I get a REAL ID at a kiosk?
No. REAL ID licenses require additional identity verification and documentation. You must visit a Driver Services office to obtain one. The kiosk can only renew or duplicate a standard license or state ID.
What if I need to change my name on my license?
The kiosk cannot process name changes. You must visit a Driver Services office and bring a certified copy of the document that shows your name change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. The office will issue your new license with the updated name.