What you need to do to renew in Tennessee

Tennessee renews driver licenses by mail, online, or in person at a Driver Services Center. Which route you take depends on how much time you have and whether your license has any restrictions that require an in-person visit. Most people can renew online or by mail without going to an office, but you will need to know your current license number and have a valid payment method ready.

Your license is valid for five or eight years depending on your age. Tennessee sends renewal notices about 60 days before your license expires, but you do not have to wait for the notice to start the process. You can renew up to one year before your expiration date.

Key Takeaways

  • Online renewal through the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security website is the fastest option if your license has no restrictions and you have not changed your address recently.
  • By-mail renewal takes about two to three weeks and requires you to send in your current license along with a completed form and payment.
  • In-person renewal at a Driver Services Center is required if your license has medical restrictions, if you need a new photo, or if you are renewing a commercial license.
  • You will need your current license number, Social Security number, and a valid payment method (credit card, debit card, or electronic check for online; check or money order for mail).
  • The renewal fee is $27.50 for a five-year license and $55 for an eight-year license, with an additional $20 fee if you renew by mail.

Renewing online through the state website

Online renewal is the fastest way to renew your Tennessee license. You go to the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security website, enter your driver license number and date of birth, and complete the renewal form. The entire process takes about 10 minutes. You pay with a credit card or debit card, and your new license arrives by mail in about one to two weeks.

Online renewal is only available if your license does not have medical restrictions (such as corrective lenses required or hearing aid required), if you have not changed your address in the last two years, and if you are not renewing a commercial license. If any of these explore to you, you will need to renew by mail or in person instead.

After you complete the online form and payment, you will receive a confirmation number. Keep this number in case you need to check the status of your renewal or contact the department. Your new license will come to the address on file with the state.

Renewing by mail

To renew by mail, you request a renewal form from the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security or read it from their website. You fill out the form, sign it, and mail it along with your current driver license and payment to the address listed on the form. The renewal fee is $27.50 for a five-year license or $55 for an eight-year license, plus an additional $20 fee for processing by mail. You can pay by check or money order.

Mail renewal takes about two to three weeks from the time the department receives your materials. Your new license will be mailed to the address you provide on the form. If you need your new license faster, in-person renewal is a better choice.

Keep a copy of the form and your confirmation details in case your materials get lost in the mail. If you do not receive your new license within four weeks, contact the Driver Services Center to check the status.

Renewing in person at a Driver Services Center

You can renew your license in person at any Driver Services Center across Tennessee. Bring your current driver license, proof of Social Security number (such as a Social Security card or tax return), and proof of your current address (such as a utility bill or lease). You will have a new photo taken and pay the renewal fee on the spot. In-person renewal takes about 30 minutes to an hour depending on how busy the center is.

In-person renewal is required if your license has medical restrictions, if you need a new photo for any reason, if you are renewing a commercial license, or if you are renewing a motorcycle endorsement. It is also the fastest way to get your new license if you need it right away — you can sometimes get a temporary license to use while your permanent one is being printed.

You do not need an appointment at most Driver Services Centers, but some locations allow you to schedule one online to reduce wait time. Check the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security website to find the center nearest you and see if appointments are available.

What happens if your license has expired

If your license has been expired for less than one year, you can still renew it using any of the three methods above — online, by mail, or in person. The process is the same, and you do not face any penalty for renewing a license that is slightly past its expiration date.

If your license has been expired for more than one year, you will need to renew in person at a Driver Services Center. You will also need to pass a vision test and a written knowledge test. Bring your current (expired) license, proof of Social Security number, and proof of your address.

Changing your address or name during renewal

If you have moved since your last license was issued, you can update your address during renewal. For online renewal, you enter your new address on the renewal form. For mail renewal, you write your new address on the form. For in-person renewal, you provide your new address and proof of it (such as a utility bill or lease dated within the last 60 days).

If you have changed your name since your last license, you must renew in person. Bring your current license, proof of your new name (such as a marriage certificate or court order), proof of your Social Security number, and proof of your current address. The process is the same as a regular in-person renewal, but you will have a new photo taken with your updated name.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my license before it expires?

Yes. You can renew your Tennessee driver license up to one year before it expires. This is useful if you are planning a trip or want to avoid the rush closer to your expiration date. The new license will have a new expiration date five or eight years from the date you renew.

What if I lost my current license?

If you have lost your license, you cannot renew by mail or online because both methods require you to send in or reference your current license. You will need to go to a Driver Services Center in person to renew. Bring proof of your Social Security number and proof of your address, and let the staff know your license is lost. They will issue you a replacement.

How long does it take to get my new license after I renew?

Online renewal takes one to two weeks. Mail renewal takes two to three weeks. In-person renewal is fastest — you may receive a temporary license to use when ready, and your permanent license arrives by mail within one to two weeks. If you need your license urgently, renew in person.

Do I have to renew in person if I wear glasses or contacts?

No. Wearing glasses or contacts is not a medical restriction that requires in-person renewal. Medical restrictions are things like "corrective lenses required" or "hearing aid required" printed on your license. If you wear glasses but do not have a restriction code, you can renew online or by mail.

What if my renewal is rejected online?

If your online renewal does not go through, the system will tell you why — usually because of a medical restriction, an address change, or a commercial license. In that case, renew by mail or in person instead. If you are unsure why your renewal was rejected, contact the Driver Services Center for help.