The basic path to get your license back
To reinstate a suspended Tennessee driver's license, you need to contact the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security (TDSH), pay any required reinstatement fee, and resolve whatever caused the suspension in the first place. The specific steps depend on why your license was suspended — whether it was for unpaid traffic fines, failure to pay child support, a DUI conviction, or another reason. TDSH will not reinstate your license until the underlying issue is handled.
You can start the reinstatement process by calling the TDSH Driver Services office at 615-251-8590 or visiting their website at tn.gov/safety. When you contact them, have your driver's license number ready. They will tell you exactly why your license is suspended and what you must do to clear it. This conversation is the fastest way to learn your next steps, because suspension reasons vary widely and the requirements are different for each one.
Key Takeaways
- Contact TDSH Driver Services at 615-251-8590 to find out the specific reason your license is suspended and what must be done to clear it.
- Most suspensions require you to resolve the underlying issue — such as paying traffic fines, settling child support arrears, or completing a DUI program — before TDSH will reinstate your license.
- Reinstatement fees in Tennessee range from $50 to $100 depending on the suspension reason, and you must pay this fee in addition to resolving the cause.
- After you have resolved the suspension cause and paid the reinstatement fee, you can request reinstatement by mail, phone, or in person at a TDSH office.
- You cannot legally drive until your license is officially reinstated, even if you have paid all fines and fees.
Common reasons for suspension and what each requires
Tennessee suspends licenses for many reasons, and each one has a different path to reinstatement. The most common are unpaid traffic fines or court costs, failure to appear in court for a traffic violation, failure to pay child support, DUI or DWI convictions, and accumulation of too many points on your driving record. Some suspensions are automatic — for example, a DUI conviction triggers a mandatory suspension — while others happen only after you miss a payment or court date.
If your suspension is for unpaid fines or court costs, you must pay the full amount owed to the court that issued the ticket. You cannot pay TDSH directly for this; you must contact the court clerk's office in the county where you received the citation. Once the court confirms payment, they notify TDSH electronically, and your suspension is lifted. If you cannot pay the full amount, some courts allow payment plans — call the court clerk to ask.
If your suspension is for failure to appear in court, you must go back to that court and resolve the case. This might mean paying a fine, pleading guilty or not guilty, or working out a new court date. The court will not notify TDSH until the case is closed. If your suspension is related to child support, the Tennessee Department of Human Services must confirm that your arrears are paid or that you have entered a payment agreement before TDSH will reinstate your license.
For DUI or DWI suspensions, you typically must complete a substance abuse treatment program or education course, pay any fines, and serve any required suspension period. The length of the suspension depends on whether it is your first offense and whether you refused a breath test. After you complete all requirements, contact TDSH to request reinstatement.
The reinstatement fee and how to pay it
Tennessee charges a reinstatement fee that ranges from $50 to $100, depending on the reason for your suspension. This fee is separate from any fines, court costs, or other money you owe related to the original violation. You must pay this fee to TDSH in order to reinstate your license, even if you have already paid everything else.
You can pay the reinstatement fee by phone, mail, or in person. If you pay by phone, call TDSH Driver Services at 615-251-8590 and have a credit or debit card ready. If you pay by mail, send a check or money order to the TDSH Driver Services office — the address is on the TDSH website. If you pay in person, visit any TDSH office with cash, check, or card. Ask TDSH which payment method is fastest for your situation.
How to request reinstatement after you have resolved the cause
Once you have resolved whatever caused the suspension — paid the fines, completed the program, settled the child support debt, or appeared in court — and paid the reinstatement fee, you can request that TDSH reinstate your license. You can do this by phone, mail, or in person.
By phone is usually fastest. Call TDSH Driver Services at 615-251-8590, tell them you have resolved the suspension cause and paid the reinstatement fee, and ask them to reinstate your license. They will verify that the underlying issue has been cleared and process your request. Some reinstatements happen the same day; others take a few business days.
If you prefer to request reinstatement by mail, send a letter to the TDSH Driver Services office with your name, driver's license number, and a statement that you have resolved the suspension cause. Include proof of payment of the reinstatement fee. Mail it to the address listed on the TDSH website. Allow two to three weeks for processing.
You can also visit a TDSH office in person with your identification and proof that you have resolved the suspension cause. Bring documentation such as a court receipt showing payment of fines, a letter from the child support office confirming arrears are paid, or a certificate of completion from a DUI program. The office staff will verify your information and process the reinstatement on the spot or within a few days.
What happens if you drive with a suspended license
Driving with a suspended license in Tennessee is illegal and carries serious consequences. If you are stopped by police, you can be cited for driving with a suspended license, which is a separate offense from the original violation that caused the suspension. A first offense is typically a misdemeanor, and you can face fines up to $500, jail time up to 30 days, or both.
A second or subsequent offense within five years is a Class B misdemeanor, with fines up to $500 and possible jail time up to 6 months. Additionally, driving on a suspended license can extend your suspension period or add points to your driving record, making it harder to reinstate your license. Your insurance company may also drop your coverage if they learn you drove illegally.
If you cannot find out why your license is suspended
Sometimes a driver does not know why their license is suspended, or they received notice in the mail but did not understand the reason. If this happens to you, call TDSH Driver Services at 615-251-8590 and provide your driver's license number. They will look up your record and explain the suspension reason. Write down what they tell you and ask what documents or payments you need to clear it.
If you believe your suspension was a mistake or if you have a dispute about the reason, ask TDSH about the appeal process. Some suspension reasons can be challenged, and TDSH can explain how to file a formal objection. Keep all documents related to your case — court notices, payment receipts, correspondence from TDSH — because you may need them if you appeal.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to reinstate my license after I pay the fee?
Reinstatement time varies. If you request it by phone and all requirements are met, it can happen the same day or within one to three business days. By mail, allow two to three weeks. In person at a TDSH office, you may get same-day reinstatement or a few days depending on office workload. Call TDSH at 615-251-8590 to ask about the timeline for your specific situation.
Can I get a temporary license while my reinstatement is being processed?
No. Tennessee does not issue temporary licenses during the reinstatement process. You cannot legally drive until your license is officially reinstated by TDSH. If you need to drive for work or medical reasons, ask TDSH whether your suspension can be expedited or whether a hardship exception is available in your case.
What if I moved out of Tennessee after my license was suspended?
You can still reinstate your Tennessee license from out of state. Call TDSH Driver Services at 615-251-8590 to resolve the suspension cause and pay the reinstatement fee by phone. You can also mail payment and documentation. However, if you now live in another state, you may want to get a driver's license from your new state instead. Check with that state's DMV about whether your Tennessee suspension will affect your ability to get a new license.
Do I have to take a new driving test to reinstate my license?
No. Reinstatement does not require you to retake the written or road test. You only need to resolve the suspension cause and pay the reinstatement fee. However, if your license has expired while it was suspended, you will need to renew it, which may require a new photo and possibly a vision test depending on how long it has been expired.