Change your address online, by mail, or in person at a Driver Services center
Tennessee lets you update your driver's license address without getting a new license — you do not need to retake the photo or pay a replacement fee. You have three routes: the fastest is online through the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security website if your license is current and you have not changed your name. If you cannot use the online system, you can mail in a form or walk into a Driver Services center with proof of your new address.
The address change itself takes effect when ready online or when the center processes your request. Your physical license card keeps the old address until it expires and you renew, but your record in the state system updates right away — this matters if police run your license or you need proof of address for banking or housing.
Key Takeaways
- The online address change at tn.gov/safety takes about five minutes and works only if your license is valid and you have not changed your name.
- You need one document proving your new address: a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days.
- If you cannot use the online system, mail Form DL-43 with proof of address to the address listed on the form, or visit a Driver Services center in person.
- Your address updates in the state system when ready, but your physical card keeps the old address until you renew your license.
- There is no fee to change your address, whether you do it online, by mail, or in person.
Changing your address online
Go to tn.gov/safety and look for the "Online Services" section. Click the link to change your address. You will need your driver's license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and your date of birth. The system will pull up your current record and ask you to enter your new address.
Before you start, have a document ready that shows your new address. Tennessee accepts utility bills, lease agreements, mortgage statements, bank statements, or insurance documents dated within the last 60 days. Take a photo of the document or have it open on your screen — you will upload it or describe it during the process.
The online system works only if your license is currently valid and you have not changed your name. If your license is expired, suspended, or revoked, or if you changed your name, you must use the mail or in-person route instead.
Mailing in your address change
read or request Form DL-43 (Address Change) from the Tennessee Department of Safety website. Fill in your current license number, your new address, and sign the form. Attach one document proving your new address — the same documents accepted online work by mail: utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, bank statement, or insurance document dated within 60 days.
Mail the form and proof of address to the address printed on the form itself. Processing by mail usually takes two to three weeks. You will not receive a new card, but your address will update in the state system, and you can check the status by calling the Driver Services customer line at 615-251-8590.
Keep a copy of what you mail for your records. If you are concerned the envelope did not arrive, you can call the customer line before sending to confirm the mailing address or ask whether they received your submission.
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 proving your new address (utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, bank statement, or insurance document from the last 60 days). You do not need an appointment at most centers, but some locations use a reservation system — check the website for your location.
Tell the staff member you are changing your address only. They will scan your proof of address, update your record, and hand you a receipt. The update takes effect when ready in the state system. Your physical license card will still show the old address, but your official record is current.
Wait times vary by location and time of day. Going early in the morning or mid-week usually means shorter lines. If your center has a reservation system, booking online saves you from waiting in line at all.
What counts as proof of your new address
Tennessee requires one document dated within the last 60 days that shows your name and new address. Acceptable documents include:
- Utility bill (electric, gas, water, internet, or phone)
- Lease agreement or rental agreement
- Mortgage statement or property tax bill
- Bank or credit card statement
- Insurance policy (auto, home, or renter's)
- Government mail (tax return, voter registration, court document)
The document must show your name and the address you are moving to. If you just moved and do not have a document yet, a lease or rental agreement signed by you and your landlord counts even if it is dated before you moved in. If you are staying with someone temporarily and do not have a document in your name, call the Driver Services customer line at 615-251-8590 to ask what alternatives they accept in your situation.
When your physical card will show the new address
Changing your address does not trigger a new card. Your physical license keeps the old address until your license expires and you renew it. At that time, you will receive a new card with the current address printed on it.
This does not cause problems in practice. Police, banks, and other organizations check the state database, not the card itself. Your record shows the new address when ready after you change it, so anyone who runs your license number will see the correct information. The old address on the card is straightforward outdated.
If you need a new card sooner — for example, if you are moving to a different state and need proof of your Tennessee address before your license expires — you can request a replacement card at a Driver Services center. There is a fee for a replacement card, but changing your address alone is free.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my address if my license is expired?
No, the online system requires a valid license. You must use the mail or in-person route instead. If your license is expired, you will need to renew it at the same time you change your address — this requires a visit to a Driver Services center and costs the renewal fee plus any late renewal penalty.
What if I changed my name and my address at the same time?
You cannot change your name online. You must visit a Driver Services center in person with your current license, proof of your new address, and a court order or certified copy of your marriage certificate, divorce decree, or name change document. The center will process both changes together.
How long does it take to see the address change in the system?
Online changes take effect when ready. In-person changes at a Driver Services center are when ready. Mail submissions take two to three weeks. You can call 615-251-8590 to check whether your mailed form was received and processed.
Do I need to notify my insurance company or the DMV about the address change?
Notify your auto insurance company directly — they do not automatically pull updates from your driver's license. Tennessee does not have a separate DMV; the Department of Safety handles all driver and vehicle records. Once you change your address with them, your state record is current.
What if my proof of address document is older than 60 days?
Tennessee requires documents dated within 60 days. If your document is older, get a newer one — a recent utility bill or bank statement is the fastest option. If you just moved and do not have anything dated yet, a signed lease agreement works even if it is older, as long as it shows your new address.