Where to renew and what you'll need

You can renew your Tennessee driver license in person at any Driver Services office, or by mail if you meet certain conditions. The in-person route takes about 30 minutes and you'll leave with a temporary license the same day. The mail route takes two to three weeks but requires no office visit.

For either method, bring your current Tennessee driver license and proof of legal presence in the United States. Proof of legal presence means a U.S. passport, passport card, permanent resident card, employment authorization document, or visa paired with your I-94 arrival/departure record. If you don't have one of these documents, you must renew in person and bring additional documents — a birth certificate, naturalization certificate, or visa with I-94.

You'll also need to pay the renewal fee. A standard eight-year renewal costs $27.50. If you're 65 or older, an eight-year renewal costs $19. A four-year renewal costs $19 for any age. Bring a debit card, credit card, or check — Driver Services offices don't accept cash.

Key Takeaways

  • Tennessee driver licenses can be renewed by mail if your license is not suspended or revoked and you have no medical restrictions, or in person at any Driver Services office.
  • You need your current license and proof of legal presence — a U.S. passport, permanent resident card, or visa with I-94 arrival record.
  • An eight-year renewal costs $27.50; a four-year renewal costs $19; drivers 65 and older pay $19 for eight years.
  • In-person renewal takes about 30 minutes and you receive a temporary license when ready; mail renewal takes two to three weeks.
  • You can renew up to one year before your license expires or up to five years after it expires.

Renewing by mail

Mail renewal is available only if your current license is not suspended or revoked, you have no medical restrictions noted on your license, and your address hasn't changed since your last renewal. If any of these conditions don't explore, you must renew in person.

To renew by mail, contact Driver Services at 615-251-8590 or visit the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security website to request a renewal packet. They will mail you the packet, which includes a form to sign and return with your payment. Mail the completed form, your payment, and a copy of your proof of legal presence to the address provided in the packet. Processing takes two to three weeks from the date Driver Services receives your packet.

Your new license will arrive by mail. During the processing period, your current license remains valid, so you can continue to drive legally.

Renewing in person at a Driver Services office

Walk into any Driver Services office during business hours with your current license, proof of legal presence, and payment. You do not need an appointment. Offices are typically open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., though some locations have extended hours on certain days. Check the Driver Services website to find the office nearest you and confirm its hours before you go.

At the office, tell the clerk you're renewing. They will verify your documents, take a new photo, and process your payment. The entire visit usually takes 20 to 30 minutes. You'll receive a temporary paper license valid for 30 days while your permanent license is printed and mailed to you. Your permanent license arrives within two weeks.

If you need to update your address, change your name, or correct information on your license, you must renew in person — the mail route does not allow changes.

Timeline: when you can renew

You can renew your license up to one year before the expiration date printed on your current license. This means if your license expires on March 15, 2025, you can begin the renewal process on March 15, 2024. Renewing early does not shorten the validity of your new license — a new license issued early will still be valid for eight years (or four years, depending on which term you choose) from the date it is issued.

If your license has already expired, you can still renew it. Tennessee allows renewal up to five years after expiration. However, if your license has been expired for more than five years, you cannot renew — you must explore for a new license instead, which requires taking a written test and vision test in addition to the standard renewal steps.

What happens if your license is suspended or revoked

If your license is suspended or revoked, you cannot renew it by mail or in person through the standard renewal process. You must first contact the Driver Services office to resolve the suspension or revocation. Call 615-251-8590 to find out why your license was suspended or revoked and what steps you need to take.

Suspensions and revocations typically result from unpaid traffic fines, failure to appear in court, unpaid child support, or medical conditions reported to the state. Once you resolve the underlying issue — paying fines, appearing in court, or providing medical clearance — you can then proceed with renewal.

Renewing with a medical restriction or change

If your current license has a medical restriction (such as corrective lenses required or daylight driving only), you can renew by mail as long as the restriction remains the same. If your medical condition has changed and you need to add, remove, or modify a restriction, you must renew in person and bring documentation from your doctor or eye care provider supporting the change.

At the in-person appointment, bring the medical documentation along with your current license and proof of legal presence. The Driver Services office will review the documentation and update your license accordingly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my Tennessee license if I now live out of state?

No. Tennessee only renews licenses for people who live in Tennessee. If you have moved out of state, you must obtain a driver license from your new state of residence. You can keep your Tennessee license as a non-driver ID if you wish, but you cannot renew it as a driver license.

What if my name has changed since my last renewal?

You must renew in person and bring a document proving the name change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. The mail renewal process does not allow name changes. Bring this document along with your current license and proof of legal presence.

Do I need to take a new photo if I renew by mail?

No. Mail renewal uses your photo from your current license. If you renew in person, Driver Services will take a new photo as part of the process.

What if I lost my current license?

You cannot renew by mail without your current license. You must go to a Driver Services office in person. Bring your proof of legal presence and payment. The office will issue you a replacement license, which functions as a renewal.

How long is my temporary license valid?

The temporary paper license you receive at the office is valid for 30 days. Your permanent license should arrive within two weeks, but if it doesn't, the temporary license covers you until it does. If you need to travel before your permanent license arrives, the temporary license is acceptable for domestic air travel and other identification purposes.