You can change your Tennessee driver's license address online, by mail, or in person at a Driver Services Center

Tennessee lets you update your address without renewing your license. The fastest method is online through the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security website — it takes about 10 minutes and costs nothing. If you prefer not to go online, you can mail in a form or visit a Driver Services Center in person. Your new address will appear on your license when ready if you do it online, or within 7 to 10 business days if you mail the form.

You do not need to take a new photo or pass a vision test unless your license is expiring soon. The address change is a separate transaction from renewal, so your license keeps its current expiration date.

Key Takeaways

  • The online method at the Tennessee Department of Safety website is free and takes about 10 minutes, with your new address showing up the same day.
  • By mail, you send form DL 43 with proof of your new address to the address listed on the form, and it takes 7 to 10 business days.
  • In person, you visit any Driver Services Center with your current license and proof of address, and the change happens on the spot.
  • Proof of address can be a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days.

Changing your address online

Go to the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security website and select the option to change your address. You will need your current driver's license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and your date of birth. Enter your new address exactly as you want it to appear on your license.

The system will confirm your change when ready. You do not need to print anything or visit an office. Your updated license will be mailed to your new address within 7 to 10 business days, though your address in the state system updates right away. If you need to prove your new address before the physical license arrives, you can print a confirmation page from the website.

Changing your address by mail

read or request form DL 43 from the Tennessee Department of Safety website. Fill in your current license number, your new address, and sign the form. Attach proof that you live at the new address — a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days will work.

Mail the completed form and proof of address to the address printed on the form itself. Do not send it to a Driver Services Center; the form tells you the correct mailing address. Processing takes 7 to 10 business days from the date they receive it. There is no fee for this change.

Changing your address in person at a Driver Services Center

Find your nearest Driver Services Center on the Tennessee Department of Safety website. Bring your current driver's license and one document that proves you live at your new address. The proof can be a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, bank statement, or government mail — it must be dated within the last 60 days.

The staff member will update your address on the spot. You will receive a temporary paper license that shows your new address, and your updated physical license will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days. There is no charge for the address change. Wait times vary by location; calling ahead can tell you how busy your local center is.

What counts as proof of your new address

Tennessee accepts several types of documents as proof that you live where you say you do. A utility bill (electric, gas, water, or internet) in your name works. So does a lease agreement, mortgage statement, property tax bill, or bank statement — all must show your name and new address and be dated within the last 60 days.

Government mail also works: a tax return, voter registration card, or official letter from a state or federal agency. If you are moving and do not yet have a document in your name at the new address, some Driver Services Centers will accept a notarized letter from your landlord or a utility company letter confirming your move. Call ahead to ask what your local center will accept in that situation.

Timeline and what happens next

If you change your address online, your new address is in the state system the same day. Your updated physical license arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days. If you go in person or mail the form, the timeline is also 7 to 10 business days for the new license to arrive.

Your license expiration date does not change when you update your address. If your license expires soon, you may want to renew it at the same time you change your address — you can do both online or in person in a single visit. Your old license remains valid until the expiration date printed on it, even after you have submitted an address change.

If you need to change your address before moving

You can update your address online or in person before you actually move, as long as you have proof of the new address. A lease agreement dated before your move-in date counts as proof. This is useful if you want your license to show the correct address when you arrive at your new place.

If you do not yet have any proof document in your name at the new address, wait until you do before changing it. Submitting an address change without proof can delay processing or cause the change to be rejected.

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 your new address within a reasonable time after moving. While there is no specific important date stated in days, updating it within 30 days of your move is the safest approach. Driving with an outdated address can complicate things if you are stopped by police.

Can I change my address if my license is expired?

No. You must renew your license first, then change the address. If your license is expired, visit a Driver Services Center or go online to renew it; you can update your address as part of the renewal process in a single transaction.

What if I do not have proof of my new address yet?

Wait until you have a document dated within the last 60 days that shows your name and new address. This is usually a utility bill, lease, or bank statement. If you are in a situation where you cannot get such a document, call your local Driver Services Center to ask what alternatives they may accept.

Will my old license still work after I submit an address change?

Yes. Your current license remains valid until its expiration date, even after you have submitted an address change. You can use it for identification and driving until the new license arrives or until it expires, whichever comes first.

How long does it take to get my new license in the mail?

Once your address change is processed, your updated license arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days. If you changed your address online, the new address shows up in the state system the same day, but the physical card takes the full 7 to 10 days.