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

Tennessee allows you to update your address without renewing your license. The fastest route is the online system on the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security website, which takes about 10 minutes and costs nothing. If you prefer not to use the online system, you can mail a form or visit a Driver Services Center in person. The address change itself does not extend your license expiration date — your license stays valid until the date already printed on it.

You will need your current Tennessee driver license number and the last four digits of your Social Security number to start any address change. If you are changing your address because you moved, have your new address ready. The state does not require you to bring a proof-of-residency document for an address change alone, though some Driver Services Centers may ask to see one.

Key Takeaways

  • The online address change through the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security website is free and takes about 10 minutes.
  • You can also mail Form DL 43 to the address listed on the form, or visit any Driver Services Center in person with your current license.
  • An address change does not renew your license or change its expiration date.
  • You will need your driver license number and the last four digits of your Social Security number to complete the change.

Changing your address online

Go to the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security website and look for the driver license services section. You will find a link to update your address online. Enter your driver license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and your new address. The system will confirm the change when ready, and you should receive a confirmation email.

The online system works best if your information matches what the state has on file. If you have recently moved and the address change has not yet been processed through other state records, you may run into a mismatch. If the online system rejects your information, use the mail or in-person method instead.

Mailing in your address change

read or request Form DL 43 from the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security. Fill in your current driver license number, your new address, and sign the form. Mail it to the address printed on the form — this is typically the Driver Services headquarters in Nashville, though the form itself will show the correct mailing address.

Mail processing usually takes two to three weeks. Keep a copy of the form for your records. If you want to confirm receipt, you can call the Driver Services office after two weeks to verify that your address has been updated.

Changing your address in person at a Driver Services Center

Find the Driver Services Center nearest you on the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security website. Bring your current Tennessee driver license and be ready to provide your new address. The staff will update your record on the spot, and you will leave with no new document — your existing license remains valid with the old address printed on it, but the state's records will show your new address.

Wait times at Driver Services Centers vary by location and time of day. Visiting early in the morning or mid-week typically means shorter lines. You do not need an appointment for an address change at most locations, though some centers now offer online appointment scheduling.

What happens after you change your address

Once your address is updated in the state system, your new address will appear on any documents the state sends you going forward — renewal notices, vehicle registration documents, and correspondence from the Department of Safety. Your physical driver license card will still show your old address until you renew it, but law enforcement and state agencies will see your current address in their system.

If you need a new license card with your updated address printed on it before your renewal date, you would need to renew your license early, which costs the standard renewal fee. Most people wait until their regular renewal to get a card with the new address.

Changing your address if you also need to renew

If your license is expiring soon or has already expired, you can renew and update your address at the same time. You can renew online through the state website if you meet the requirements — typically, your license must not be more than one year expired, and you cannot have certain medical conditions that require in-person renewal. The online renewal process includes an address update field.

If you cannot renew online, you will renew in person at a Driver Services Center, and you can update your address during that same visit. A renewal costs more than an address change alone, so if your license is not expiring soon, change your address first and renew later when the expiration date arrives.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

If you have moved to another state, you should get a driver license from that state instead of keeping your Tennessee license. Most states require you to obtain a new license within 30 to 60 days of moving. Changing your Tennessee address when you no longer live in Tennessee can cause confusion with vehicle registration and other records.

What if I do not have my Social Security number memorized?

You will need at least the last four digits to use the online system. If you do not know them, use the mail or in-person method instead. At a Driver Services Center, staff can look up your information using your driver license number and date of birth.

Will changing my address affect my vehicle registration?

Your vehicle registration is separate from your driver license. Changing your license address does not automatically update your vehicle registration. If you need to update your vehicle registration address, you will need to contact the Tennessee Department of Revenue or update it through their online system separately.

Can I change my address if my license is suspended or revoked?

Yes, you can update your address even if your license is suspended or revoked. The address change is a record update and does not affect the status of your license. However, you cannot renew a suspended or revoked license until the suspension or revocation is lifted.