Where to renew your driver's license in Knoxville
In Knoxville, you renew your driver's license at a Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security (TDOSHS) Driver Services office. The main office serving Knoxville is located at 1150 Foster Street, Knoxville, TN 37915. This is the busiest location in Knox County and handles most routine renewals.
You can also renew at the West Knox County Driver Services office at 6641 Deane Hill Drive, Knoxville, TN 37919, which typically has shorter wait times. Both offices are open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with extended hours on select days. Neither office is open on weekends or state holidays.
Before you go, check the TDOSHS website or call ahead to confirm current hours, as staffing changes can affect when offices close for lunch or end service for the day. You cannot renew at a county clerk's office or any other location in Knox County — only TDOSHS Driver Services handles renewals.
Key Takeaways
- Renew at the Foster Street or Deane Hill Drive TDOSHS Driver Services offices in Knoxville during business hours Monday through Friday.
- Bring your current driver's license, proof of Tennessee residency (utility bill, lease, or bank statement), and your Social Security number or ITIN.
- Standard renewals cost $28.50 for an eight-year license and take about 15 to 30 minutes at the office, though wait times vary by location and time of day.
- You can renew online through the TDOSHS website if you meet certain conditions: your license is not expired, you have no medical restrictions, and you have not changed your address or name.
- If your license is expired by more than one year, you must renew in person and may need to retake the written test.
Documents you need to bring
Bring your current Tennessee driver's license to the office. TDOSHS will not renew without it, even if it is expired. If your license was lost or stolen, you will need to report it and follow a different process — contact TDOSHS directly before going to the office.
You also need one document that proves you live in Tennessee. A utility bill (electric, gas, water, or internet), a lease agreement, a mortgage statement, or a recent bank statement all work. The document must show your name and current Knoxville address and be dated within the last 60 days. A post office change-of-address form does not count.
Have your Social Security number or ITIN ready. You will provide it verbally or on a form at the office. Bring a second form of ID if you have one — a passport, military ID, or state ID card — though it is not required for renewal.
Online renewal: when you can use it
TDOSHS offers online renewal through its website if your license meets all of these conditions: it is not yet expired, you have no medical restrictions or endorsements that require a vision test, your address and name have not changed, and you are renewing a standard Class D license (not a commercial license). Online renewal costs $28.50 and takes a few minutes.
If any of those conditions do not explore — your license is expired, you moved, you changed your name, or you have medical restrictions — you must renew in person at a Driver Services office. Online renewal will not let you proceed if you do not meet the requirements.
Online renewal is faster than going to the office, but your new license will be mailed to your address on file, which takes about 7 to 10 business days. If you need a license when ready, you must renew in person.
What happens if your license is expired
If your license expired less than one year ago, you can renew it at the Knoxville office using the standard process. Bring the same documents as above, and the renewal will proceed normally. The fee is still $28.50.
If your license has been expired for more than one year, TDOSHS treats it as a new license process rather than a renewal. You will need to retake the written test and the vision test at the office. You may also need to provide additional documents, such as proof of your Social Security number. Call the Foster Street office at (865) 594-6050 to confirm what you need before you go.
Driving with an expired license is illegal in Tennessee, even if you are in the process of renewing. Renew before your license expires to avoid fines or other penalties.
Cost and how long it takes
A standard eight-year driver's license renewal costs $28.50. TDOSHS accepts cash, debit cards, and credit cards at both Knoxville offices. If you need a duplicate license (because yours was lost or stolen), the cost is $7.50 in addition to the renewal fee.
If you renew in person, you will receive a temporary paper license at the office that is valid when ready. Your permanent plastic license will be mailed to your address on file within 7 to 10 business days. The temporary license is valid for driving until the permanent one arrives.
Wait times at the Foster Street office typically range from 15 to 45 minutes, depending on the time of day and day of the week. Early mornings and mid-week visits usually have shorter waits. The Deane Hill Drive office is often less crowded. If you renew online, there is no wait — you complete it from home in a few minutes.
Address changes and name changes
If you moved to a new address in Knoxville or elsewhere in Tennessee, you must renew in person. You cannot change your address online. Bring your new proof of residency (a utility bill or lease dated within the last 60 days) along with your current license and Social Security number.
If you changed your name — through marriage, divorce, or court order — you must renew in person and bring a certified copy of the document that shows the name change. A marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order all work. TDOSHS will not process a name change without the certified document.
Both address and name changes are processed at the same time as your renewal. There is no additional fee, and the process takes the same amount of time as a standard renewal.
What to expect when you arrive
When you arrive at the Foster Street or Deane Hill Drive office, take a number from the dispenser near the entrance. Wait for your number to be called on the digital display. You will then go to a window where a TDOSHS employee will check your documents, take a new photo, and process your renewal.
The employee will verify your identity, confirm your address, and ask you to sign the renewal form. They will also ask if you have any medical conditions that affect your driving. Answer honestly — this determines whether you need a vision test or have restrictions on your license.
The entire process usually takes 15 to 30 minutes from the time your number is called. You will receive your temporary paper license before you leave. Keep it with you while you wait for your permanent license to arrive in the mail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my license by mail?
No. Tennessee does not offer mail-in renewal for driver's licenses. You must either renew online through the TDOSHS website (if you meet the requirements) or renew in person at a Driver Services office in Knoxville. There is no third option.
What if I have a commercial driver's license?
Commercial driver's licenses (CDLs) cannot be renewed online. You must renew in person at the Foster Street or Deane Hill Drive office. Bring your current CDL, proof of residency, and your Social Security number. You may need to retake the written test depending on your endorsements and medical status.
How long is my temporary paper license valid?
Your temporary paper license is valid for driving until your permanent plastic license arrives in the mail, which usually takes 7 to 10 business days. If your permanent license does not arrive within two weeks, contact TDOSHS at (865) 594-6050 to check the status.
Can I renew early before my license expires?
Yes. You can renew your license up to one year before it expires. This is useful if you are planning a trip or want to avoid a long wait closer to your expiration date. The renewal process is the same, and your new license will be valid for eight years from the date you renew.
What if I lost my Social Security card?
You do not need to bring your Social Security card to renew your license. You only need to know your Social Security number or ITIN. If you do not know it, contact the Social Security Administration before you go to the Driver Services office, because TDOSHS will not renew without it.