What a duplicate Tennessee driver's license is and how to request one
A duplicate Tennessee driver's license is an exact copy of your current license — same number, same expiration date, same restrictions. You request it when you need a second physical card but your original is still valid. Tennessee's Department of Safety and Homeland Security issues duplicates through the same offices that issue new licenses, and the process takes about two weeks by mail or is when ready if you go in person.
The key difference from a replacement license: you are not reporting a lost or stolen card. You already have one that works. You straightforward want another copy with the same information. This matters because the fee is lower, the paperwork is simpler, and you do not have to prove loss or theft.
Key Takeaways
- You can request a duplicate in person at any Driver Services office and receive it when ready, or by mail and receive it in about two weeks.
- You need your current valid Tennessee driver's license, a completed process form, and payment — the fee is lower for a duplicate than for a replacement.
- If you are renewing your license at the same time, you cannot order a duplicate; you must renew instead.
- A duplicate has the same license number and expiration date as your original, so both cards remain valid until that date.
In-person duplicate requests at Driver Services offices
The fastest way to get a duplicate is to visit a Driver Services office in person. Bring your current valid Tennessee driver's license, complete the DL 44 form (Request for Duplicate Driver License or Identification Card), pay the fee, and walk out with your duplicate the same day. No appointment is required at most locations, though wait times vary by office and time of day.
Driver Services offices are located in every county. You can find the office nearest you and its hours on the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security website. Bring your original license so staff can verify it and scan it into the system. The duplicate will look identical to your original and will have the same expiration date.
Requesting a duplicate by mail
If you cannot visit an office in person, you can request a duplicate by mail. Complete the DL 44 form, include a copy of your current valid Tennessee driver's license (front and back), and mail both along with payment to the address listed on the form. Processing takes about two weeks from the date the office receives your envelope.
Mail your request to the Driver Services office in Nashville. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope if you want the duplicate returned by regular mail. Some people include a prepaid return shipping label to speed delivery, though this is not required. Keep a copy of the form and your payment receipt for your records.
What you need to bring or include
For an in-person request, bring your current valid Tennessee driver's license and payment. You will fill out the DL 44 form at the office. For a mail request, you need the completed DL 44 form, a copy of both sides of your current license, and payment. The form itself lists the mailing address and current fee amount.
Do not send your original license by mail — only a copy. The office will not return your original, and you need it to drive while your duplicate is being processed. If your license has been damaged or altered, staff may ask you to renew instead of ordering a duplicate, because a duplicate must match your current card exactly.
The fee and payment methods
The duplicate fee is set by the state and is lower than the fee for a replacement license. The exact amount changes periodically, so check the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security website or call your local Driver Services office for the current fee. Payment methods vary by office — some accept cash, check, and card in person; mail requests typically require a check or money order.
If you are paying by mail, make the check or money order payable to the Tennessee Department of Safety. Do not send cash through the mail. If you pay in person at an office, ask which payment methods they accept before you arrive.
Timeline and what to expect after you request
In-person requests are processed when ready, and you leave with your duplicate the same day. Mail requests take about two weeks from receipt. If you do not receive your duplicate within three weeks of mailing, contact the Driver Services office to confirm they received your envelope. Provide your name, license number, and the date you mailed the request.
Your duplicate will arrive in a standard envelope with no tracking number unless you paid for return shipping with tracking. Once it arrives, both your original and duplicate remain valid until your license expiration date. You can use either card to drive or to prove your identity. If one is lost or damaged after you receive the duplicate, you can request another duplicate using the same process.
When you cannot order a duplicate
If your license is expiring within the next 30 days, you cannot order a duplicate — you must renew your license instead. A duplicate must have the same expiration date as your current card, so if your card is about to expire, the state requires you to renew rather than duplicate.
If your license has been suspended, revoked, or cancelled, you cannot order a duplicate. You must resolve the suspension or revocation first by contacting the Driver Services office. If your license has been damaged, altered, or defaced, staff may require you to renew instead of duplicate, because a duplicate must be an exact copy of your current card.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I order a duplicate if my license is suspended?
No. You must resolve the suspension first. Contact your local Driver Services office to find out what steps are required to lift the suspension, then you can request a duplicate.
What if I lose one of my duplicate cards after I receive it?
You can request another duplicate using the same process. Since you still have one valid card, you do not need to report a loss or pay a replacement fee — you straightforward order another duplicate at the lower duplicate rate.
Do both cards have the same license number?
Yes. A duplicate is an exact copy, so both cards have the same number, expiration date, and all other information. Both remain valid until the expiration date printed on them.
How long does a duplicate take if I go in person?
You receive it the same day. Processing is when ready at Driver Services offices. Bring your current valid license, the completed DL 44 form, and payment.
Can I renew my license and order a duplicate at the same time?
No. If your license is expiring soon, you must renew instead of ordering a duplicate. A duplicate must have the same expiration date as your current card.