Tennessee requires you to pay outstanding fines, fees, and court costs, then submit a reinstatement request to the Department of Safety and Homeland Security
A suspended or revoked Tennessee driver's license does not go away on its own. You must take specific steps to restore it, and the process depends on why your license was suspended in the first place. The most common reasons are unpaid traffic fines, failure to appear in court, unpaid child support, or accumulation of too many points on your driving record.
Before you can reinstate your license, you must resolve the underlying issue — whether that means paying what you owe, completing a required program, or waiting out a suspension period. Once that is done, you submit a reinstatement request to the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, pay a reinstatement fee, and provide proof that the suspension reason no longer applies.
Key Takeaways
- You must identify why your license was suspended by contacting the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security or checking your court records.
- Most suspensions require you to pay outstanding fines, fees, or court costs before reinstatement is possible.
- You submit a reinstatement request in person at a Driver Services Center, by mail, or online through the Tennessee Department of Safety website, depending on the suspension reason.
- A reinstatement fee of $100 to $150 applies in most cases, in addition to any fines or court costs you owe.
- Processing typically takes one to two weeks if you submit by mail or in person, or up to five business days if you use the online system.
Why your Tennessee license was suspended
Tennessee suspends licenses for different reasons, and the reason determines what you must do to get it back. The most common cause is accumulation of points — you get 12 points in a 12-month period, 18 points in a 24-month period, or 24 points in a 36-month period, and your license is automatically suspended. Traffic violations like speeding or reckless driving add points to your record.
Other suspension reasons include failure to pay a traffic fine or court cost, failure to appear in court for a traffic matter, suspension ordered by the court as part of a sentence, unpaid child support (enforced through the Department of Human Services), or medical suspension if a doctor reports a condition that makes you unsafe to drive. Some suspensions are also imposed if you do not maintain proof of insurance or if you are convicted of driving under the influence.
You can find out why your license was suspended by calling the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security at 615-251-5221 or visiting a Driver Services Center in person. Have your driver's license number ready. You can also check your driving record online through the Tennessee Department of Safety website, though some suspension reasons may not appear there when ready.
Resolving the reason for suspension before you reinstate
You cannot reinstate your license until the suspension reason is resolved. If you were suspended for unpaid fines or court costs, you must pay the full amount owed. Contact the court that issued the fine to confirm the exact amount and whether you can pay by phone, online, or in person. Some courts allow payment plans, though you will need to request one before your license can be reinstated.
If you were suspended for failure to appear in court, you must appear in court or have an attorney appear on your behalf. The court will either dismiss the case, find you guilty, or set a new court date. Your license remains suspended until the court resolves the matter. If you were suspended for accumulating points, you must wait out the suspension period — typically 30 days for a first suspension, 60 days for a second, and 12 months for a third or subsequent suspension within a 24-month period.
If your suspension is related to child support, contact the Department of Human Services or the court handling your case to bring your account current. If your suspension is medical, you will need a letter from your doctor stating that the condition has been treated or resolved, and you may need to pass a medical examination before reinstatement is approved.
How to submit a reinstatement request
Once you have resolved the suspension reason, you can request reinstatement through one of three methods: in person at a Driver Services Center, by mail, or online through the Tennessee Department of Safety website. The online method is fastest if your suspension was for points only — you can complete the request in minutes and receive confirmation within five business days.
To reinstate in person, visit any Driver Services Center with your driver's license, proof that the suspension reason has been resolved (such as a court receipt showing payment, a court order, or a doctor's letter), and payment for the reinstatement fee. Bring a second form of identification such as a passport or state ID. Processing takes about 15 minutes, and you will receive a temporary license to drive while your permanent license is mailed to you.
To reinstate by mail, send a letter to the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, Driver Services Division, 1150 Foster Avenue, Nashville, TN 37210. Include your driver's license number, date of birth, current address, proof that the suspension reason is resolved, and a check or money order for the reinstatement fee. Mail processing typically takes one to two weeks. Do not send cash.
Reinstatement fees and what they cover
Tennessee charges a reinstatement fee separate from any fines or court costs you owe. The fee is typically $100 for a first reinstatement, $150 for a second reinstatement within a 24-month period, and $200 for a third or subsequent reinstatement within a 24-month period. This fee goes to the Department of Safety and Homeland Security and covers the cost of processing your request and reissuing your license.
In addition to the reinstatement fee, you are responsible for paying any traffic fines, court costs, child support arrears, or other amounts that caused the suspension. These payments go to the court or agency that imposed the suspension, not to the Department of Safety. You must pay both the reinstatement fee and any outstanding amounts before your license will be restored.
If you cannot afford to pay the full amount at once, contact the court that issued the fine to ask about a payment plan. Some courts will allow you to pay in installments, though your license will remain suspended until you have paid in full or the court approves the plan and notifies the Department of Safety.
Timeline for reinstatement and what to expect
The time it takes to reinstate your license depends on how you submit your request. If you use the online system for a points-based suspension, you will receive confirmation within five business days, and your license will be restored when ready. If you reinstate in person at a Driver Services Center, your license is restored on the spot, and you receive a temporary license to drive while your permanent license is mailed within 7 to 10 business days.
If you submit by mail, allow one to two weeks for processing. The Department of Safety will review your request, confirm that the suspension reason has been resolved, and mail your reinstated license to the address on file. If there are any issues with your request — such as missing documentation or an incorrect fee amount — the Department will contact you by mail, which adds additional time.
During the suspension period, you cannot legally drive in Tennessee or any other state. Driving with a suspended license is a criminal offense that can result in additional fines, jail time, and a longer suspension. If you are stopped by law enforcement, your vehicle may be impounded.
What happens if your license is suspended again
If you accumulate points again after reinstatement, your license will be suspended again. The suspension period is longer for repeat offenders — 60 days for a second suspension within 24 months, and 12 months for a third or subsequent suspension. Each reinstatement also costs more: $150 for a second reinstatement and $200 for a third or subsequent reinstatement within 24 months.
To avoid another suspension, drive safely and obey traffic laws. Points remain on your record for three years from the date of the violation, so even if your license is not currently suspended, violations from the past three years count toward your point total. You can request a defensive driving course to remove up to three points from your record, though you must complete the course before the points are removed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive to work while my license is suspended if I get a work permit?
Tennessee does not issue work permits or hardship licenses that allow you to drive during a suspension. Your license remains suspended until it is officially reinstated. Driving during a suspension is illegal, even if you have a legitimate reason.
What if I do not know why my license was suspended?
Call the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security at 615-251-5221 with your driver's license number. They can tell you the suspension reason and what you need to do to resolve it. You can also visit a Driver Services Center in person to look up your record.
Do I have to pay the reinstatement fee if I was suspended by mistake?
If your suspension was issued in error, contact the Department of Safety to request a review. If the error is confirmed, the reinstatement fee may be waived. You will need to provide documentation showing the suspension was incorrect.
How long does a reinstatement take if I submit online?
Online reinstatement for a points-based suspension typically takes five business days. Your license is restored when ready once the Department of Safety processes your request, though your physical license card will be mailed within 7 to 10 business days.
What if I move out of Tennessee after my license is suspended?
Your Tennessee license suspension follows you to other states. You cannot reinstate your Tennessee license or obtain a license in another state until the suspension is resolved. Contact the Tennessee Department of Safety to complete reinstatement before moving.