Where to renew your Tennessee driver's license
You can renew your Tennessee driver's license at any Driver Services Center run by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security. These centers are located throughout the state — you do not have to go to the one in your county, though many people choose the closest location for convenience.
Tennessee also allows you to renew by mail if you meet certain conditions: your license must not be expired by more than one year, you must be a U.S. citizen, and you cannot have any medical restrictions on your current license. If you are may be able to access for mail renewal, you can request the process materials by calling the Driver Services Center or visiting the Tennessee Department of Safety website.
Online renewal is not currently available in Tennessee, so you will need to either visit a center in person or use the mail option if you may have access to.
Key Takeaways
- You can renew at any Driver Services Center in Tennessee, not just the one in your county.
- Mail renewal is an option if your license expired less than one year ago, you are a U.S. citizen, and you have no medical restrictions.
- You will need to bring your current license, proof of residency, and proof of Social Security number to renew in person.
- The renewal fee is $28.50 for an eight-year license or $19 for a four-year license, and you can pay by cash, check, or card at most centers.
- Processing times vary, but in-person renewals are usually completed the same day, while mail renewals take two to four weeks.
Documents you need to bring
For an in-person renewal, bring your current Tennessee driver's license, a document proving your current address (such as a utility bill, lease, or bank statement), and proof of your Social Security number (your Social Security card, W-2 form, or tax return all work). If your name has changed since your last license, bring a document showing the change, such as a marriage certificate or court order.
If you are renewing by mail, you will receive an process form that tells you exactly which documents to include. Generally, you mail back your current license along with proof of residency and the completed form. Do not send original documents — send copies instead, and keep a copy for your records.
Fees and payment methods
A standard eight-year driver's license costs $28.50. If you choose a four-year license instead, the fee is $19. These are the only two options for standard renewals in Tennessee.
At Driver Services Centers, you can pay with cash, check, or debit or credit card. If you are renewing by mail, include a check or money order with your process — do not send cash through the mail. Make the check payable to the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security.
What happens during an in-person renewal
When you arrive at a Driver Services Center, you will check in and wait to be called. A staff member will review your documents, take a new photograph for your license, and ask you to sign. You will also take a vision test — bring glasses or contacts if you use them. You do not have to take a written test or driving test unless your license has been expired for more than one year or you have certain violations on your record.
Most in-person renewals are completed the same day. You will receive a temporary paper license to use when ready, and your permanent license will arrive by mail within one to two weeks. Keep the paper license with you until the permanent one arrives.
Mail renewal timeline and process
If you are renewing by mail, request the process form from a Driver Services Center or read it from the Tennessee Department of Safety website. Fill out the form completely, gather your documents, include your payment, and mail everything to the address listed on the form.
Processing takes two to four weeks from the date the department receives your process. You can track your renewal status on the Tennessee Department of Safety website using your driver's license number. Your new license will arrive by mail — you will not receive a temporary paper license for mail renewals, so plan ahead if you need to drive before your new license arrives.
Renewing a license that has been expired for more than one year
If your license has been expired for more than one year, you cannot use mail renewal. You must visit a Driver Services Center in person. You will need to take a written test and a driving test in addition to the standard renewal process. Bring the same documents as you would for a standard renewal.
The fee remains $28.50 for an eight-year license or $19 for a four-year license, even though you are taking tests. Call ahead to schedule an appointment if possible, as testing appointments can have wait times during busy periods.
Special situations and restrictions
If your license has medical restrictions (such as corrective lenses required or automatic transmission only), you cannot renew by mail — you must renew in person. The staff member will review your restrictions and ask whether they still explore. If your vision or medical condition has changed, tell the staff member, as this may affect your restrictions or your ability to hold a license.
If you have changed your name, address, or other information on your license, you can update it during renewal. Bring the document that proves the change. If you want to change your address only without renewing your license, you can do that separately at any Driver Services Center.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my license before it expires?
Yes. Tennessee allows you to renew up to one year before your license expires. This is useful if you know you will be out of state or busy when your expiration date approaches. The new license will have a new expiration date based on when you renew, not when your old one was set to expire.
What if I lost my current license?
You cannot renew by mail if you do not have your current license to send back. You will need to visit a Driver Services Center in person. Bring your other documents as usual. The staff will note that your old license was lost, and you will receive a new one with a new number.
Do I need an appointment to renew in person?
Appointments are not required at most Driver Services Centers, but some locations accept them and recommend scheduling ahead during peak times. Call the center nearest you to ask whether appointments are available. Walk-ins are always accepted, though wait times vary by location and time of day.
How long is my temporary paper license good for?
Your temporary paper license is valid for one to two weeks, which is the time it typically takes for your permanent license to arrive by mail. If your permanent license does not arrive within two weeks, contact the Driver Services Center to check the status. Do not drive without a valid license once the temporary one expires.
Can I renew if I have unpaid traffic tickets or fines?
Tennessee does not automatically block renewal for unpaid tickets, but some courts can place a hold on your license if you have failed to pay or failed to appear in court. If you have a hold, you will need to resolve it before you can renew. Contact the court that issued the ticket to find out whether a hold exists.