Documents you must bring to the DMV
Tennessee requires you to bring five specific things when you renew in person: your current driver's license, proof of your Social Security number, proof of your Tennessee residency, proof of your legal name (if it has changed), and a completed process form. You do not need to bring all of these if you renew by mail, but the rules change depending on how long it has been since your last renewal.
Your current license counts as your identity document, so you do not need a passport or birth certificate just to prove who you are. The Social Security proof can be your Social Security card itself, a W-2 form, a tax return, or a 1099 form — anything with your number printed on it. If you have lost your Social Security card, you can request a replacement from the Social Security Administration before your DMV visit, but many people bring a tax document instead because it is faster.
For residency, Tennessee accepts a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, bank statement, or government mail with your current address. The document must be dated within the last 60 days. A cell phone bill does not count. If you have moved recently and your utility bill has not caught up, a lease or mortgage document works even if it is older.
Key Takeaways
- You must bring your current license, proof of Social Security number, proof of residency dated within 60 days, and a completed process form to renew in person.
- If your name has changed since your last license, bring a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order showing the legal change.
- Tennessee allows mail-in renewal only if your license is not expired and you have not renewed by mail in the past two years.
- The process form DL-43 is available at any DMV office or online at the Tennessee Department of Safety website, and you can fill it out before you arrive.
- Renewal fees are $27 for a four-year license or $54 for an eight-year license, and you pay at the DMV when you submit your documents.
How to fill out the DL-43 process form
The form is called DL-43 and is the same one you used when you first got your license. You can read it from the Tennessee Department of Safety website, pick one up at any DMV office, or fill it out on a computer at the office itself. Filling it out before you arrive cuts your wait time in half.
The form asks for your name, date of birth, Social Security number, current address, and whether you want to donate organs. It also asks about any medical conditions that might affect your driving — answer honestly, because the DMV may require a doctor's statement or a vision test if you report certain conditions. At the bottom, you sign and date the form. Do not sign it before you arrive at the DMV; the staff may ask you to sign again in front of them.
If you are renewing by mail, you still need to complete and sign the DL-43 before you send it in. Mail-in renewal is slower — it usually takes four to six weeks — so plan ahead if you need your new license by a specific date.
When you can renew by mail instead of going to the DMV
Tennessee allows mail-in renewal only if your current license is not expired and you have not renewed by mail in the past two years. If both of those conditions are true, you can send your completed DL-43, your current license, and a check or money order to the address listed on the form. You do not need to send copies of your residency or Social Security documents when you renew by mail.
Mail-in renewal takes four to six weeks from the time the DMV receives your envelope. The new license arrives by regular mail, not overnight. If you need your license sooner, you must go to a DMV office in person. If your license has already expired, you cannot use the mail-in route — you must renew in person at a DMV office.
Some people renew by mail because they live far from a DMV office or have a work schedule that makes a daytime visit difficult. If that is your situation, start the mail-in process as soon as your renewal notice arrives, because the four-to-six-week timeline does not include mail delivery time in either direction.
Proof of legal name change
If your name has changed since your last license was issued — through marriage, divorce, or court order — bring the document that shows the change. A marriage certificate works if you took your spouse's name. A divorce decree or court order works if you changed your name through either of those processes. The document must be an original or a certified copy, not a photocopy you made yourself.
If you do not bring proof of a name change and your process shows a different name than your current license, the DMV will ask you to explain the difference before they process your renewal. This can delay your renewal by several weeks, so bring the document even if you think the staff will remember you from your last visit.
Vision test requirements
Tennessee requires a vision test at renewal. The DMV office has a machine that tests your vision on the spot, and the test takes about two minutes. You do not need to schedule an appointment or bring results from an eye doctor — the DMV does the test themselves.
If you wear glasses or contacts, bring them with you. You will take the vision test while wearing them if that is how you normally drive. If you fail the vision test, the DMV will not issue your license until you pass. You can retake the test when ready, or you can go to an eye doctor, get a new prescription, and come back to the DMV another day.
Some people worry that failing a vision test will prevent them from renewing. That is not how it works — the test straightforward tells the DMV whether you can see well enough to drive safely. If you cannot pass even with corrective lenses, the DMV may restrict your license to daytime driving only, or they may require you to have a medical evaluation before renewal.
Fees and payment methods
A four-year license costs $27 and an eight-year license costs $54. You choose which one you want when you fill out your process. Most people choose the eight-year license because the cost per year is lower, but the four-year option is there if you expect your address or appearance to change soon.
The DMV accepts cash, check, debit card, and credit card. If you are renewing by mail, send a check or money order — do not send cash through the mail. Write your driver's license number on the check so the DMV knows which renewal it belongs to.
Some DMV offices have a fee waiver program for people with very low income, but the rules vary by county. Call your local DMV office to ask whether you may have access to before you visit.
What happens after you submit your documents
If you renew in person, the DMV staff will review your documents, take a new photo, and run a background check. The whole process usually takes 15 to 30 minutes, depending on how busy the office is. Your new license is printed on the spot, and you leave with it the same day.
If you renew by mail, the DMV will mail your new license to the address on your process. They do not send a photo renewal by mail — they use the photo from your previous license. This is why mail-in renewal is faster than getting a new photo taken, but it also means your new license will have an older photo on it.
Your old license is no longer valid once you receive your new one. You can throw it away or keep it as a souvenir — there is no requirement to return it to the DMV.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my license online?
Tennessee does not offer online renewal. You can renew in person at a DMV office or by mail. Some states have moved to online renewal, but Tennessee has not yet. Check the Tennessee Department of Safety website to see if this has changed since this article was written.
What if my license is already expired?
You cannot renew by mail if your license is expired. You must go to a DMV office in person. Bring all the same documents — your expired license still counts as proof of identity. Renewing an expired license takes the same amount of time as renewing a current one, and there is no extra fee for being late.
Do I need an appointment to renew at the DMV?
Most Tennessee DMV offices do not require appointments for renewal. You can walk in during business hours. However, some offices have started using an online appointment system to manage wait times. Call your local DMV office or check the Tennessee Department of Safety website to see if your office uses appointments.
What if I have moved since my last license?
Bring proof of your new address — a utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement dated within the last 60 days. The DMV will update your address on your new license. You do not need to notify the DMV of a move before you renew; you just bring the proof when you explore.
Can someone else renew my license for me?
No. You must appear in person at the DMV to renew your license. The DMV needs to take a new photo and verify your identity. Mail-in renewal is the closest option if you cannot visit an office yourself, but you must sign the process form yourself before mailing it in.