Where to renew your license in Knoxville

The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security runs the driver's license system. In Knoxville, you can renew at the Knox County Driver Services office located at 2985 Regal Drive, Knoxville, TN 37938. This is the main office serving the Knoxville area, and it handles both standard renewals and replacements.

You can also renew by mail if you meet certain conditions: your license must not be expired by more than one year, you must be renewing for the first time by mail, and you cannot have any medical restrictions or changes to your information. The mail-in process takes longer — typically two to three weeks — but saves you a trip to the office.

Before you go to the Knox County office or mail in your renewal, check the current wait times on the Tennessee Department of Safety website. Walk-in times vary by day and season, and some days have significantly shorter waits than others.

Key Takeaways

  • The Knox County Driver Services office at 2985 Regal Drive is where most Knoxville residents renew in person, and you do not need an appointment.
  • You can renew by mail if your license expired less than one year ago and this is your first mail renewal, but the process takes two to three weeks.
  • Bring your current license, proof of Tennessee residency (utility bill, lease, or bank statement), and your Social Security card or a document showing your Social Security number.
  • A standard renewal costs $28.50 for a four-year license or $57 for an eight-year license in Tennessee.
  • If your address has changed, you must renew in person at the Knox County office rather than by mail.

What documents you need to bring

For an in-person renewal at the Knox County office, bring your current Tennessee driver's license. If your license is lost or damaged, bring a state ID card or passport instead. You also need proof of your current Tennessee address — a utility bill, lease agreement, bank statement, or government mail with your name and address will work. The document must show your name and address and be dated within the last 60 days.

You will also need to provide your Social Security number. Bring your Social Security card if you have it, or bring another document that displays your number, such as a tax return or W-2 form. If you do not have your Social Security card and cannot produce another document with the number, you can provide a signed affidavit stating you do not have access to it, and the office will contact the Social Security Administration to verify your number.

If your name has changed since your last license was issued — through marriage, divorce, or court order — bring the document that proves the change: a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. Photocopies are not accepted; bring the original or a certified copy.

In-person renewal at the Knox County office

Walk into the Knox County Driver Services office with your documents. You do not need an appointment. Take a number at the entrance, and wait for your turn. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon. It is closed on Sundays and state holidays.

When you reach the counter, tell the staff member you are renewing your license. They will review your documents, ask you to verify your address and other information, and take a new photo. You will also take a vision test at the office — bring your glasses or contacts if you use them. The entire process usually takes 15 to 30 minutes once you reach the counter, though wait times to reach the counter vary.

You will receive your new license on the spot. The new license is valid when ready, and you can drive with it right away. Your old license becomes invalid once the new one is issued.

Renewing by mail

To renew by mail, your current license must have expired less than one year ago, and you cannot have renewed by mail during your previous renewal cycle. read the DL 43 form from the Tennessee Department of Safety website, or call the Knox County office at (865) 594-6600 to request one by mail.

Fill out the form completely, sign it, and mail it along with your current license and a check or money order for the renewal fee ($28.50 for four years or $57 for eight years) to the address listed on the form. Do not send cash. Include a copy of your proof of residency — the same documents accepted in person work by mail.

Mail your packet to the Tennessee Department of Safety at the address on the DL 43 form. Processing takes two to three weeks from the date they receive your packet. Your new license will arrive by mail at the address you provided. During this time, your old license remains valid for driving.

What happens if your address changed

If you have moved since your last license was issued, you must renew in person at the Knox County office. You cannot renew by mail when your address has changed. Bring your new proof of residency along with your other documents, and the staff will update your address during the renewal process.

If you moved out of Knox County but still live in Tennessee, you can still renew at the Knox County office, but you may find it more convenient to visit the Driver Services office in your new county. The renewal process and fees are the same statewide.

Renewing early and license validity

You can renew your license up to one year before it expires. This is useful if you have an upcoming trip or know you will be busy when your expiration date arrives. Early renewal does not extend your license's total validity — your new license will still expire four or eight years from your current expiration date, not from the date you renew.

Your license is valid for driving until the expiration date printed on it. Once that date passes, you cannot legally drive, and you must renew before getting behind the wheel again. If your license has been expired for more than one year, you cannot renew by mail and must renew in person.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my license online?

Tennessee does not offer online driver's license renewal. You must renew either in person at the Knox County Driver Services office or by mail. In-person renewal is faster if you need your new license the same day.

What if I have a commercial driver's license?

Commercial driver's licenses (CDLs) cannot be renewed by mail and must be renewed in person at the Knox County office. You will need to pass a vision test and provide the same documents as a standard renewal, plus any medical certification documents if required by your CDL class.

Do I need to take a new photo for my renewal?

Yes, a new photo is taken during every in-person renewal. If you renew by mail, your photo from your previous license is used on your new license, so you do not get a new photo.

What if my license was suspended or revoked?

You cannot renew a suspended or revoked license. Contact the Knox County Driver Services office or the Tennessee Department of Safety to find out the status of your license and what steps you need to take to restore it before you can renew.

How much does renewal cost?

A standard renewal costs $28.50 for a four-year license or $57 for an eight-year license. Payment is by check or money order if you renew by mail, or by cash, check, card, or money order if you renew in person at the Knox County office.