Where to renew your Tennessee driver license
Tennessee lets you renew your driver license through the state's online system at www.tn.gov/driverlicense, or by mail if you prefer not to go in person. The online route is faster — you can complete it from home in about 15 minutes — but mail renewal takes longer because documents have to travel both ways.
You cannot renew at a Driver Services office location online; the website handles renewals only. If you need to change your address, correct your name, or add a Real ID endorsement, you will have to visit an office in person instead.
Both methods require you to have a valid Tennessee driver license already. If your license has been expired for more than two years, or if you never had one, you will need to explore in person at a Driver Services office.
Key Takeaways
- Online renewal through www.tn.gov/driverlicense takes about 15 minutes and you receive your new license by mail within two to three weeks.
- Mail renewal requires you to send in your current license, a completed form, and payment, and takes four to six weeks total.
- You must renew before your license expires, or you will have to visit a Driver Services office in person.
- Online renewal works only if you are renewing the same license type and do not need to change your address or name.
- Your new license will be mailed to the address on file with the state, so update your address at a Driver Services office before you renew if you have moved.
Steps to renew online at www.tn.gov/driverlicense
Go to www.tn.gov/driverlicense and look for the "Renew Your License" button on the homepage. You will be asked to enter your driver license number and date of birth to pull up your record. The system will confirm your current information and show you what will appear on your new license.
Review the information carefully. If anything is wrong — your address, your name, your height — stop and do not complete the renewal online. You will need to visit a Driver Services office in person to make corrections before you can renew.
If everything is correct, you will pay the renewal fee by credit card or debit card. Tennessee charges different amounts depending on how long your new license is valid for. A four-year renewal costs less than an eight-year renewal. After you pay, you will receive a confirmation number by email.
Your new license will be mailed to the address currently on file. It usually arrives within two to three weeks. You can continue to drive on your current license until the new one arrives.
Steps to renew by mail
Request the mail renewal form by calling the Driver Services customer line at 615-251-8590, or visit a Driver Services office and ask for form DL 43. You can also read the form from www.tn.gov/driverlicense if it is available there.
Fill out the form completely and include your current driver license. Write a check or money order for the renewal fee — do not send cash. Mail everything to the address listed on the form. Keep a copy of what you send for your records.
Mail renewal takes four to six weeks from the time the office receives your envelope. There is no way to track the status while it is in the mail, so send it early if your license will expire soon. Your new license will be mailed back to you at the address on file.
What happens if your license expires before you receive the new one
If you renewed online or by mail and your license expires before the new one arrives, you can still drive legally. Bring your confirmation number (from online renewal) or your receipt (from mail renewal) along with your expired license if you are stopped by police. This shows you have a renewal in progress.
If you did not renew before your license expired, you cannot drive legally. You will have to visit a Driver Services office in person to renew, and you may face a late fee.
Renewal fees and how long your new license lasts
Tennessee offers two renewal periods: four years or eight years. The four-year renewal costs less upfront but you will renew more often. The eight-year renewal costs more but you renew less frequently. Both are available through online and mail renewal.
The exact fee depends on which period you choose and whether you are adding a Real ID endorsement. Real ID is a federal security standard that lets you use your license to board domestic flights and enter federal buildings. You cannot add Real ID through online or mail renewal — you have to do that in person at a Driver Services office.
What to do if you have moved since your last license
If you have moved to a new address in Tennessee, you must update your address before you renew. You cannot change your address through the online renewal system. Visit a Driver Services office in person, bring proof of your new address (a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days), and update your record.
After your address is updated, you can renew online or by mail. Your new license will be mailed to your new address.
If you moved out of Tennessee, you cannot renew your Tennessee license by mail or online. You will need to visit a Driver Services office to discuss your options, or you may need to get a license from your new state.
What to do if your name has changed
If you have changed your name since your last license was issued — through marriage, divorce, or legal name change — you cannot renew online or by mail. You must visit a Driver Services office in person and bring proof of the name change. For marriage or divorce, bring your marriage certificate or divorce decree. For a legal name change, bring the court order.
Once your name is updated in the system, you can renew your license at the office, or you can renew online or by mail after that point.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my license if it has been expired for more than a year?
No. If your license has been expired for more than two years, you cannot renew online or by mail. You will have to visit a Driver Services office in person and may have to retake the written test and vision test. If it has been expired for one to two years, contact Driver Services at 615-251-8590 to ask whether you can renew by mail or online.
How do I know if my renewal was received by mail?
There is no tracking system for mail renewals. If you do not receive your new license within six weeks of mailing it, call Driver Services at 615-251-8590 with your receipt. They can check whether your envelope arrived and where your new license is in the process.
Can I renew online if I wear glasses or contacts?
Yes. Online renewal does not require a new vision test if you are renewing the same license type. The system uses your current vision information on file. If your vision has changed significantly, you should visit a Driver Services office in person so they can update your record.
What if I lost my current license before I could renew it?
You cannot renew online or by mail if you do not have your current license. You will have to visit a Driver Services office in person to report it lost and get a replacement, then you can renew at that time or later.
Do I need to take a new photo for online renewal?
No. Online renewal uses your photo from your current license. If you want a new photo, you will have to renew in person at a Driver Services office.