Where to renew your license in Memphis

In Memphis, you renew your driver's license at a Driver Services office run by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security. The main office serving Memphis is located at 1150 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, TN 38105. This is the busiest location in Shelby County, so expect wait times during peak hours — typically mid-morning and early afternoon on weekdays.

You can also renew at satellite locations if you want to avoid the downtown office. The Germantown Driver Services office (7625 Poplar Avenue, Germantown, TN 38138) and the Collierville location handle renewals and often have shorter waits. Call ahead to confirm hours, as satellite offices sometimes close for training or staffing changes.

Online renewal is available for some renewals through the Tennessee DMV website, but only if your license is not expired and you meet specific requirements — mainly that you have no medical restrictions and your address hasn't changed. If you're unsure whether you may have access to, the website has a quick check tool, or you can call the Memphis office directly at (901) 465-6000.

Key Takeaways

  • The main Memphis Driver Services office is at 1150 Poplar Avenue downtown, with satellite offices in Germantown and Collierville that often have shorter waits.
  • You need your current license, proof of residency (utility bill or lease), and your Social Security number or ITIN to renew in person.
  • Online renewal works only if your license is not expired, you have no medical restrictions, and your address hasn't changed since your last renewal.
  • Renewal fees in Tennessee are $28 for an eight-year license, paid by cash, check, or card at the office.
  • Processing takes about 15 minutes once you're called, but total time at the office ranges from 30 minutes to two hours depending on how busy it is.

What documents you need to bring

Bring your current driver's license — this is your primary ID and proof that you're already licensed. If your license is lost or stolen, bring a different form of ID instead, such as a passport or state ID card.

You also need proof of your current address. Tennessee accepts a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days. A piece of mail from a government agency also works. If you've moved recently and your proof is in someone else's name, bring a second document showing your name and the address, such as a bank statement or insurance bill.

Bring your Social Security number or ITIN — you'll write it on the process form. If you don't have either, bring documentation showing your immigration status or work authorization. You do not need to bring your Social Security card itself.

If your name has changed since your last license (through marriage, divorce, or legal change), bring the document that proves it: a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. Without this, the office cannot update your name on the new license.

How to fill out the renewal form

When you arrive, you'll receive Form DL 43, the standard driver's license renewal process. The form asks for your name, address, date of birth, Social Security number, and whether you want to be an organ donor. Most of this information is already printed on the form from your current license — you only need to correct anything that has changed.

Pay close attention to the address field. If you've moved, cross out the old address and write the new one clearly. If your address is the same, you can leave it as printed. The office staff will review the form before you pay, so if something looks wrong, they'll catch it and ask you to correct it then.

You'll also choose whether to renew for four years or eight years. The eight-year renewal costs $28; the four-year renewal costs $18.50. Most people choose eight years because it's cheaper per year and means fewer trips to renew. Once you've filled out the form, take it to the window and they'll tell you where to go next — usually a photo station, then payment, then you're done.

What happens if your license is expired

If your license expired more than a year ago, you cannot renew online and you cannot use the standard renewal process. Instead, you must explore for a new license, which requires an in-person visit, a written test, and a driving skills test. This takes longer and costs more than renewal.

If your license expired less than a year ago, you can still renew in person at any Driver Services office using the standard renewal process. Bring the same documents listed above. The office will not charge you a late fee — Tennessee does not penalize expired licenses with extra charges.

If your license expired between one and two years ago, contact the Memphis office before you go. Some staff will renew it as a standard renewal; others will require you to retake the written test. A quick phone call to (901) 465-6000 will tell you which applies to your situation, so you don't waste a trip.

Payment and how long it takes

The renewal fee is $28 for an eight-year license or $18.50 for a four-year license. The Memphis office accepts cash, checks, and debit or credit cards. There are no additional fees — what you pay at the window is the total cost.

Your new license is printed on-site, so you receive it before you leave the office. The entire process from check-in to walking out usually takes 30 minutes to two hours, depending on how busy the office is. Weekday mornings before 10 a.m. and late afternoons after 4 p.m. tend to be less crowded than midday.

Your old license becomes invalid once you receive the new one. Do not throw it away when ready — keep it for a few weeks in case there's a question about your identity or address. After that, you can discard it or shred it.

Renewing online if you're may be able to access

To renew online through the Tennessee DMV website, your license must not be expired, your address must be the same as on your current license, and you must have no medical restrictions or vision corrections noted on your license. You'll also need a valid email address and a payment method.

The online process takes about 10 minutes. You'll enter your license number, date of birth, and last four digits of your Social Security number to verify your identity. You'll review your information, choose your renewal length (four or eight years), and pay the same fee as in-person renewal. Your new license will be mailed to your address within 7 to 10 business days.

If you're not sure whether you're may be able to access, the Tennessee DMV website has a tool that checks your license status. You can also call the Memphis office and they'll tell you over the phone whether online renewal is an option for you.

What to do if you need a duplicate or replacement

If your license was lost, stolen, or damaged, you need a duplicate, not a renewal. A duplicate costs $18.50 and requires an in-person visit to a Driver Services office. Bring your proof of residency and Social Security number, but you do not need your old license — in fact, if it was stolen, you won't have it.

If your license was damaged but still readable, you can renew it normally and the office will issue a new one. If it's so damaged that the photo or information is unclear, ask the staff whether they'll accept it or whether you need to explore for a duplicate instead.

Duplicates are processed the same way as renewals — you fill out a form, have your photo taken, and receive the new license before you leave. The turnaround is the same: 30 minutes to two hours depending on office traffic.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my license by mail?

No, Tennessee does not offer mail-in renewal. You must renew either in person at a Driver Services office or online if you meet the may be able to access requirements. Online renewal is the closest option to mail-in, since you don't have to visit an office.

What if I moved out of state but still have a Tennessee license?

You can renew your Tennessee license by mail if you're a Tennessee resident living temporarily out of state. Contact the Memphis Driver Services office at (901) 465-6000 to request a mail renewal form. You'll need to provide proof that you still live in Tennessee, such as a lease or utility bill with a Tennessee address.

Do I need an appointment to renew at the Memphis office?

No appointments are required. The Memphis office operates on a first-come, first-served basis. You can walk in during business hours. However, you can call ahead to ask how busy the office is, and some satellite locations may have shorter waits if you're flexible about which office you visit.

What if my name or address is wrong on my current license?

Bring the document that proves the correct information — a marriage certificate for a name change, or a utility bill for an address change. The office will update it during renewal. If your name changed, you must bring the legal document; the staff cannot update it based on your word alone.

How long is a renewed license valid?

A renewed license is valid for either four or eight years from the date you renew, depending on which option you choose. Your new license will show the expiration date on the front. Set a reminder about six months before it expires so you have time to renew before it becomes invalid.