Documents and information you'll bring to the DMV

To get a Tennessee driver's license, you need to bring proof of your identity, proof of your Social Security number, and proof of your Tennessee residency. The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security runs the licensing process, and they have a specific list of documents they will accept for each category. You cannot use the same document to satisfy more than one requirement — for example, a utility bill counts as residency proof but not as identity proof.

Bring the originals, not copies. The DMV staff will look at them in person and may make copies for your file. If a document is in a language other than English, bring an official English translation along with the original.

Key Takeaways

  • You need one document proving who you are, one proving your Social Security number, and one proving you live in Tennessee — these must be three separate documents.
  • A passport or birth certificate works for identity; a Social Security card or tax return works for your SSN; a utility bill or lease works for residency.
  • You must pass a vision test and a written knowledge test about Tennessee traffic laws at the DMV office.
  • The fee for a Tennessee driver's license is $27.50 for an eight-year license, and you pay at the time you visit.

Acceptable identity documents

For proof of identity, Tennessee accepts a U.S. passport, a certified birth certificate, a passport card, a military ID, or a state ID from another state. If you have a passport, that is the simplest choice because it covers both identity and citizenship in one document. A birth certificate must be certified (not a photocopy from a hospital) and must show your full name and date of birth.

If you are a non-citizen, you can use a valid foreign passport along with proof of legal presence in the United States. Proof of legal presence can be a visa, an employment authorization document (EAD), a green card, or a document from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services showing your status.

Proof of your Social Security number

Bring your actual Social Security card if you have it. If you do not have the card, you can bring a W-2 form, a 1099 form, a tax return, a Social Security statement, or a document from the Social Security Administration. A paystub with your full Social Security number printed on it also works.

If you have never had a Social Security number and need one before you can get a license, you will need to explore through the Social Security Administration first. That process takes place at a Social Security office, not at the DMV, and you will need your identity and residency documents for that process too.

Proof that you live in Tennessee

Tennessee residency documents must show your current name and current address. A utility bill (electric, gas, water, or internet), a lease or rental agreement, a mortgage statement, a property tax bill, or a bank or credit card statement all work. The document must be dated within the last 60 days. If you are homeless or do not have a permanent address, you can use a letter from a shelter, a social services agency, or another organization that serves you, and that letter must state your situation and be dated within the last 30 days.

If you recently moved to Tennessee and do not yet have a utility bill or lease in your name, you can bring a notarized statement from your landlord or property manager confirming your address and move-in date. Some people use a letter from a family member who lets them stay there, but it must be notarized and must include the family member's name, address, phone number, and relationship to you.

The vision and knowledge tests at the DMV

When you arrive at the DMV office, you will take a vision screening. You must be able to see at least 20/40 in each eye with or without corrective lenses. If you wear glasses or contacts, bring them with you. If you fail the vision test, you will not be able to continue that day, and you will need to see an eye doctor and return with proof that your vision meets the standard.

After the vision test, you will take a written test on Tennessee traffic laws and road signs. The test has 30 questions, and you must answer at least 24 correctly to pass. The DMV provides a free study guide called the Tennessee Driver's Manual, which you can read online or pick up at any DMV office. The test covers right-of-way rules, speed limits, parking, seat belt laws, and what different road signs mean. You can take the test in English or in Spanish.

Age requirements and restrictions for new drivers

You must be at least 16 years old to get a Tennessee driver's license. If you are 16 or 17, you will receive a restricted license that has different rules than a full license. A restricted license requires you to have a licensed adult in the car with you when you drive, and you cannot drive between midnight and 4 a.m. You must hold a restricted license for at least six months before you can move to an unrestricted license.

If you are 18 or older, you can get an unrestricted license on your first visit, as long as you pass the vision and knowledge tests. You do not need to hold a learner's permit first, though some people choose to get one for practice.

What happens at your DMV appointment

Call ahead or check the Tennessee DMV website to find the office nearest you and to see current wait times. Some offices take walk-ins, and some require you to schedule an appointment. Bring all your documents, your fee ($27.50 for an eight-year license), and a completed process form DL-44, which you can fill out online before you go or at the office.

The staff will check your documents, you will take the vision test, you will take the written test, and if you pass both, they will take your photo and issue your license the same day. Your new license will be valid for eight years from the date of issue. If you fail the written test, you can retake it the same day or come back another time at no extra charge.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a Tennessee license if I have an out-of-state license?

Yes. You can surrender your old license and get a Tennessee license using the same process. Bring your out-of-state license along with your proof of identity, Social Security number, and residency. You do not need to take the written test if your out-of-state license is still valid, but you will still take the vision test.

What if I don't have a birth certificate or passport?

You can order a certified birth certificate from the Tennessee Department of Vital Records or from the state where you were born. That process takes one to two weeks by mail. In the meantime, a valid passport or military ID will work if you have either of those.

Do I need to take a driving test to get my license?

No. Tennessee does not require a behind-the-wheel driving test for a standard driver's license. You only take the vision test and the written knowledge test. Some driving schools offer optional road tests for practice, but they are not required by the state.

What if I fail the written test?

You can retake it when ready at no extra charge, or you can come back another day. Most people study the Tennessee Driver's Manual between attempts. You can take the test as many times as you need until you pass.