You can change your address online, by mail, or in person at a Tennessee driver license office

Tennessee offers three ways to update the address on your driver's license: through the online system, by mail with a form, or by visiting a driver license office in person. The online method is fastest if you have a current license and a valid email address. Mail takes about two weeks. In-person visits are when ready but require a trip to an office during business hours.

You do not need to renew your license to change your address — it is a separate transaction that costs nothing. Your license remains valid during and after the change. Tennessee keeps your old address on file for a period, so if mail arrives at your previous address, the post office can still forward it.

Key Takeaways

  • The Tennessee online system at tn.gov/safety lets you change your address in minutes if your license is current and you have an email address.
  • By mail, you send form DL 43 with proof of your new address to the address on the form; processing takes about two weeks.
  • At a driver license office, you bring your current license and proof of address; the change is recorded when ready.
  • Proof of address can be a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or government mail dated within the last 60 days.
  • Changing your address does not cost money and does not require you to renew your license early.

Changing your address online through the Tennessee system

Visit the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security website at tn.gov/safety and look for the driver license services section. You will need your current driver's license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and your date of birth. The system will verify your identity and let you enter your new address.

After you submit the change online, Tennessee mails you a corrected license with your new address printed on it. This takes about two weeks. Your old license remains valid until the new one arrives. You do not need to do anything else — no office visit, no mailing documents, no fee.

The online system works only if your license is not expired and you have an email address where Tennessee can send a confirmation. If your license expired more than two years ago, you will need to renew it in person instead of just changing the address.

Changing your address by mail

Request form DL 43 (Address Change) from the Tennessee Department of Safety, or read it from tn.gov/safety. Fill in your current license number, your new address, and sign the form. Attach a document that proves your new address — a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or government mail dated within the last 60 days all work.

Mail the completed form and proof of address to the address printed on the form itself. Do not send your physical license unless the form specifically asks you to. Tennessee will process the change and mail you a corrected license in about two weeks. Keep a copy of what you send for your records.

This method works whether your license is current or expired, as long as it expired less than two years ago. If your license expired more than two years ago, you must renew it in person at a driver license office rather than changing the address by mail.

Changing your address in person at a driver license office

Bring your current driver's license and one document that proves your new address. Acceptable proof includes a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, bank statement, or government mail — anything dated within the last 60 days with your name and new address on it. Some offices accept a notarized letter if you do not have a standard document.

Walk in during office hours or schedule an appointment online at tn.gov/safety if your local office offers appointments. Tell the clerk you want to change your address. They will update the system when ready, and your license will show the new address right away. There is no fee and no wait for a new license to arrive in the mail — your current license is valid with the updated address recorded in the state system.

If you also want a physical license card with the new address printed on it, you can request one at the same visit. Tennessee will mail it to you in about two weeks. Your current license remains valid until it arrives.

What counts as proof of your new address

Tennessee accepts documents dated within the last 60 days that show your name and new address. A utility bill (electric, gas, water, or internet) is the most common. Lease agreements, mortgage statements, property tax bills, and bank or credit card statements also work. Government mail — from the IRS, Social Security, or a state or local agency — counts as well.

The document must have your full name and your new street address. A PO box does not count as a residential address for driver's license purposes. If you are moving to a new place but do not yet have a document in your name at that address, ask your landlord or property manager for a notarized letter confirming your residency, or wait until you receive a utility bill or lease confirmation.

Timeline and what to expect after you change your address

Online changes take about two weeks to arrive by mail. Mail-in changes take about two weeks from the date Tennessee receives your form. In-person changes are recorded when ready in the state system, though a new physical card takes about two weeks if you request one.

Your old license remains valid during this time. You can use it to drive, and you can use it as identification. Once the new license arrives, the old one is no longer valid for driving, though you can keep it as a record. If you change your address in person and do not request a new card, your current license is still valid — the address change is recorded in Tennessee's system even though the card itself still shows your old address.

If you do not receive your new license within three weeks of submitting the change, contact the Tennessee Department of Safety at the phone number on their website. Provide your license number and the date you submitted the change.

Changing your address if your license is expired or will expire soon

If your license expired less than two years ago, you can change the address using any of the three methods — online, by mail, or in person. If your license expired more than two years ago, you must renew it in person at a driver license office. You cannot change the address alone; you must complete a full renewal.

If your license expires within the next 30 days, you have a choice: change the address now and renew later, or renew and change the address at the same time. Changing the address now takes a few weeks, and then you renew when your license expires. Renewing and changing the address together means one trip to the office and one new card, but you must do it before your license expires.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to change my address on my driver's license when I move?

Tennessee law requires you to notify the Department of Safety of a change of address within a reasonable time after you move. There is no specific important date, but it is best to do it within 30 days. Driving with an outdated address can complicate traffic stops and mail delivery, though it does not invalidate your license.

Can I change my address if I do not have proof of residency yet?

If you have just moved and do not yet have a utility bill or lease in your name, ask your landlord or property manager for a notarized letter confirming your residency. You can also wait until you receive a utility bill or other official mail at your new address, then submit the change. There is no penalty for a short delay.

What happens to my old address in Tennessee's system?

Tennessee keeps your old address on file for a period for record-keeping purposes. The post office can forward mail sent to your old address for up to 12 months if you file a change of address with them. Your driver's license will show only your new address once the change is processed.

Do I need to change my address if I move out of state?

If you move out of Tennessee, you should obtain a driver's license from your new state. You do not need to formally notify Tennessee, but you should not continue using a Tennessee license once you establish residency elsewhere. Check your new state's requirements for when you must obtain a license.

Is there a fee to change my address on my Tennessee driver's license?

No. Changing your address costs nothing whether you do it online, by mail, or in person. You only pay a fee if you renew your license or obtain a replacement card for a lost or damaged license.