How to Renew Your Tennessee Driver's License

Where and how to renew your Tennessee license

You can renew your Tennessee driver's license in person at any Driver Services Center, by mail, or online through the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security website. The method you choose depends on whether your license is still valid, how much time you have, and whether you need to update your photo or address.

In-person renewal at a Driver Services Center takes about 30 minutes and requires you to bring your current license, proof of residency, and proof of Social Security number. Mail renewal takes 7 to 10 business days after you submit your process and is available only if your license is not expired and you have not renewed by mail in the past two consecutive times. Online renewal is the fastest option — you can complete it in minutes from home — but it is available only if your license is not expired and you meet specific requirements.

The online option through the TDOSHS website lets you renew without visiting a center, but you will still receive your new license by mail within 7 to 10 business days. This method works only if your current license is valid, you have not changed your name, and you do not need to update your photo.

Key Takeaways

Online renewal through the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security website is the fastest method if your license is not expired and you have not renewed by mail twice in a row.
In-person renewal at any Driver Services Center requires your current license, proof of residency, and proof of Social Security number and takes about 30 minutes.
Mail renewal takes 7 to 10 business days and is available only if your license is still valid and you have not used mail renewal for your last two renewals.
If your license is expired, you must renew in person or online; mail renewal is not an option for expired licenses.
Your new license arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days regardless of which renewal method you choose.

Online renewal through the TDOSHS website

The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security operates the online renewal system at the official TDOSHS website. You will need your current driver's license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and a valid payment method (debit or credit card). The renewal fee is $27.50 for a four-year license or $55 for an eight-year license.

Online renewal is available only if your license is not expired, your name has not changed since your last renewal, and you do not need to update your photo. If any of these conditions do not explore to you, you must renew in person or by mail. The system will tell you when ready whether you are able to renew online, so you can switch to another method if needed.

After you complete the online form and pay the fee, the TDOSHS will mail your new license to the address on file. You should receive it within 7 to 10 business days. Your current license remains valid until the new one arrives, so you can continue to use it for identification and driving.

In-person renewal at a Driver Services Center

Every county in Tennessee has at least one Driver Services Center where you can renew in person. You can find the center nearest you and check its hours on the TDOSHS website. Most centers are open Monday through Friday during standard business hours, though some offer limited Saturday hours.

Bring your current driver's license, proof of residency (such as a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the past 60 days), and proof of your Social Security number (such as a Social Security card, W-2, or tax return). If your name has changed since your last license, bring a certified copy of the document that shows the change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order.

The renewal process takes about 30 minutes from check-in to photo and signature. You will pay the renewal fee at the counter: $27.50 for a four-year license or $55 for an eight-year license. Your new license is printed on site, and you receive it before you leave the center. You can drive when ready with your new license.

Mail renewal and when it is available

The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security allows mail renewal only under specific conditions. Your current license must not be expired, and you cannot have renewed by mail for your previous two consecutive renewals. This means if you renewed by mail last time, you must renew in person or online this time.

To renew by mail, read the DL-43 process form from the TDOSHS website, complete it, and mail it along with your current license, proof of residency, and the renewal fee ($27.50 or $55) to the address listed on the form. Do not send cash — use a check or money order. The TDOSHS will process your process and mail your new license back to you within 7 to 10 business days.

Mail renewal takes longer than in-person or online renewal because of postal delivery time on both ends. If your license expires soon, in-person or online renewal is a safer choice. Your current license remains valid while your process is being processed, so you can continue to drive and use it for identification.

What to do if your license is expired

If your Tennessee driver's license has been expired for more than 30 days, you cannot renew by mail or online. You must renew in person at a Driver Services Center. Bring the same documents you would bring for any in-person renewal: your expired license, proof of residency, and proof of Social Security number.

If your license expired more than one year ago, you may be required to pass the written knowledge test and the vision test again, depending on how long it has been expired. The Driver Services Center staff will tell you what tests you need to take when you arrive. If you need to study for the written test, the TDOSHS website has a study guide and sample questions.

Do not drive with an expired license. Even if you are in the process of renewing, your expired license is not valid for driving. If you are pulled over, you can show proof that you have submitted a renewal process, but the officer may still issue a citation.

Renewal fees and license validity periods

Tennessee offers two renewal periods: four years and eight years. A four-year license costs $27.50 to renew. An eight-year license costs $55 to renew. You choose which period you want when you renew, so you can switch from four years to eight years or vice versa at any renewal.

Your new license is valid from the date it is issued until the expiration date printed on the front. If you renew online or by mail, your new license is issued on the date the TDOSHS processes your process, not the date you submit it. If you renew in person, your new license is issued when ready when you complete the transaction at the Driver Services Center.

If your license is lost or stolen before it arrives in the mail, contact the TDOSHS when ready. You can request a replacement at any Driver Services Center or by phone. There is a replacement fee, and you will receive a temporary license to use while your replacement is being printed.

Name changes and photo updates

If your name has changed since your last license was issued, you cannot renew online or by mail. You must renew in person at a Driver Services Center and bring a certified copy of the document that shows the change: a marriage certificate, divorce decree, court order, or other legal document. The Driver Services Center staff will verify the document and update your name in the system.

If you want to update your photo but your name has not changed, you still must renew in person. Online and mail renewal do not include a new photo. A new photo is taken at the Driver Services Center during in-person renewal, so your new license will show your current appearance.

If you have changed your address since your last license was issued, you can update it during any renewal method — online, by mail, or in person. Online and mail renewal allow you to enter your new address in the process. In-person renewal includes an address update as part of the process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my license if it expired more than a year ago?

Yes, but you must renew in person at a Driver Services Center. Depending on how long your license has been expired, you may need to retake the written knowledge test and vision test. The staff at the center will let you know which tests are required when you arrive.

How long does it take to get my license if I renew online?

Your new license arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days after you complete the online process. Your current license remains valid during this time, so you can continue to drive and use it for identification.

What if I do not have proof of residency?

Proof of residency must be a document dated within the past 60 days that shows your name and current address, such as a utility bill, lease, or bank statement. If you do not have one, contact the Driver Services Center before you go to ask what other documents they will accept.

Can I renew my license before it expires?

Yes. You can renew your license up to 30 days before it expires. This is useful if you are planning a trip or want to avoid the rush near your expiration date. Your new license will be valid from the date it is issued, and your old license will no longer be valid.

What if my name is different on my Social Security card than on my driver's license?

Bring both documents to the Driver Services Center. The staff will help you resolve the discrepancy. You may need to update your Social Security card first, or you may need to bring additional documentation to show that both names refer to you.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.