What you need to do to get your license back in Memphis
To reinstate your driver license in Memphis, you must first contact the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security to find out why your license was suspended or revoked, then complete whatever requirement caused the suspension — usually paying fines, completing a defensive driving course, or resolving a child support issue. After that requirement is met, you submit a reinstatement request and fee to the state, and your license becomes valid again once the state processes your request.
The process takes different paths depending on why your license was suspended. A suspension for unpaid traffic fines works differently than a suspension for a DUI conviction or for failure to pay child support. You cannot move forward until you know which category applies to you.
Key Takeaways
- Contact the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security to learn the specific reason your license was suspended or revoked before taking any other step.
- Most suspensions require you to resolve the underlying issue — pay fines, complete a course, or clear a child support debt — before the state will process a reinstatement request.
- You can reach the state's driver services line by phone or visit a local Driver Services office in Memphis to submit your reinstatement request in person.
- Reinstatement fees vary by reason for suspension and typically range from $25 to $100, and you must pay this fee even after resolving the underlying issue.
How to find out why your license was suspended
Call the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security Driver Services line at 615-251-8590. Have your driver license number or Social Security number ready. The representative will tell you the exact reason for the suspension — whether it is unpaid fines, a failed drug test, child support arrears, a DUI, or another cause — and what you must do to clear it.
If you prefer to check in person, the Memphis Driver Services office is located at 1414 Union Avenue, Memphis, TN 38104. You can walk in during business hours and speak with a staff member who can pull your record and explain your suspension. This is often faster than calling if you have a complex situation or multiple suspensions on your record.
Resolving unpaid traffic fines and court costs
If your license was suspended for unpaid fines or court costs, you must pay the full amount owed before reinstatement. Contact the court that issued the ticket — usually the Memphis City Court or Shelby County General Sessions Court — to find out the exact balance. You can often pay by phone, online through the court's website, or in person at the courthouse.
Once you have paid, ask the court for written confirmation or a receipt showing the balance is zero. Keep this document. You will need to show it when you submit your reinstatement request to the state, or the state may reject your request because it cannot verify the fine was paid.
Completing a defensive driving course after a suspension
Some suspensions — particularly those related to traffic violations or minor drug offenses — require you to complete a defensive driving course before reinstatement. The state will tell you this when you call. You must take a course approved by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, not just any online driving course.
Search for approved providers on the state's website or ask the Driver Services office for a list of courses available in the Memphis area. Courses typically cost $20 to $50 and take four to eight hours to complete. Once you finish, the provider will send a certificate directly to the state, or you will receive a copy to submit with your reinstatement request.
Handling child support and other administrative suspensions
If your license was suspended because of unpaid child support, you must contact the Tennessee Department of Human Services or the Shelby County Child Support office to arrange a payment plan or bring your account current. The state will not reinstate your license until the child support office notifies the Department of Safety that the issue is resolved.
Similarly, suspensions for unpaid taxes, unpaid court-ordered restitution, or other administrative debts require you to resolve the underlying debt first. The agency that caused the suspension must clear it before the state will process reinstatement. This can take longer than other types of suspensions because multiple government offices must communicate.
Submitting your reinstatement request and paying the fee
Once you have resolved the reason for your suspension, submit a reinstatement request to the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security. You can do this by mail, in person at the Memphis Driver Services office, or online through the state's website if your suspension type allows it.
The reinstatement fee is typically $25 to $100 depending on the reason for suspension. You must pay this fee even after you have already paid fines or completed a course. Include the fee with your request, along with any documentation the state requires — such as a court receipt, course certificate, or letter from the child support office confirming the debt is resolved.
Mail requests to: Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, Driver Services Division, 1150 Foster Avenue, Nashville, TN 37249. Include a cover letter stating your name, driver license number, and the reason you are requesting reinstatement.
Timeline and what happens after you submit
Processing times vary. If you submit by mail, allow 10 to 15 business days for the state to receive and process your request. If you submit in person at the Memphis office, the state may process it the same day or within a few days. Online submissions, where available, are typically processed within 5 to 10 business days.
Once your request is approved, the state will mail you a new license or a reinstatement notice. Your driving privileges are restored on the date the state approves your request, not when you receive the physical license in the mail. If you need to drive before the license arrives, you can request a temporary driving permit at the Memphis Driver Services office.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive while my reinstatement request is being processed?
No. Your license remains suspended until the state approves your reinstatement request. Driving on a suspended license is a criminal offense in Tennessee. If you need to drive urgently, visit the Memphis Driver Services office and ask about a temporary driving permit, which some suspension types allow.
What if I have multiple reasons for suspension on my record?
You must resolve every reason before reinstatement. Call the state and ask for a complete list of all suspensions. If you have unpaid fines, a failed drug test, and child support arrears, you must address all three before the state will reinstate your license.
Do I need a lawyer to reinstate my license?
No. Reinstatement is an administrative process you can handle yourself by following the steps the state outlines. A lawyer is not necessary unless your suspension involves a criminal case or you are disputing the reason for the suspension.
What if I lost my reinstatement fee receipt or course certificate?
Contact the entity that issued it — the court, the driving school, or the state office — and request a duplicate. Keep copies of all documents you submit to the state in case you need to prove you completed a requirement.
How long does a reinstated license last?
A reinstated license is valid for the same period as a regular license — typically four or eight years depending on your age. You will renew it through the normal renewal process when it expires.