Tennessee replaces lost licenses through the Department of Safety and Homeland Security, and the process takes about two weeks by mail or same-day in person

When you lose your Tennessee driver's license, you have two paths: visit a Driver Services Center in person for same-day replacement, or mail your request to the state and wait roughly 10 to 14 business days. Both routes require the same documents and cost the same fee. The in-person route is faster but requires travel to an office; the mail route is slower but you can do it from home. Tennessee does not issue temporary licenses while you wait, so if you need to drive before your replacement arrives, you'll need to carry other forms of ID.

The state treats a lost license the same as a damaged one — you're not renewing, so you don't need a new photo unless you want one. If your address has changed since your original license was issued, you'll need to update it at the same time, which adds one document to your list.

Key Takeaways

  • In-person replacement at any Driver Services Center takes one visit and you leave with a temporary paper license the same day, though the plastic card arrives by mail in 10 to 14 days.
  • Mail replacement requires sending your documents to the Nashville processing center and costs the same as in-person, but takes longer and you have no temporary license while you wait.
  • You need either your Social Security number or a state ID number, proof of Tennessee residency (utility bill, lease, or bank statement), and payment by check or money order if you mail your request.
  • If your address has changed, bring or include a document showing your new address; if it hasn't, you can use your old license as proof of identity.
  • Tennessee does not issue temporary plastic licenses — the paper temporary from an in-person visit is your only legal proof of driving status until the replacement arrives.

What you need before you go or mail

Gather these documents before you visit a Driver Services Center or prepare your mail packet. You'll need proof of identity, proof of Tennessee residency, and your Social Security number or state ID number. If your address has changed since your license was issued, you'll also need a document showing your current address.

For proof of identity, your lost license itself counts — bring any document that shows your name and signature, such as a passport, military ID, or state ID card. If you have none of these, you can bring two documents that show your name, such as a birth certificate and a utility bill. For proof of residency, bring a document dated within the last 60 days showing your name and current Tennessee address: a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, bank statement, or insurance policy. A piece of mail from a government agency also works. If your address has changed, the residency document you bring must show the new address.

You'll also need to provide your Social Security number or, if you don't have one, your state ID number. Have this ready before you arrive or before you mail your packet.

Replacing your license in person at a Driver Services Center

Tennessee operates Driver Services Centers across the state, and you can visit any of them — you don't have to go to the one in your county. Find the nearest center and its hours on the Department of Safety and Homeland Security website. Most centers are open Monday through Friday during standard business hours, though some have extended evening or Saturday hours. Arrive early if you can; wait times vary by location and time of day, but morning visits are usually shorter.

Bring your documents, your Social Security number or state ID number, and payment. The replacement fee is the same whether you renew in person or by mail — as of 2024, a standard five-year license costs $27.50 and an eight-year license costs $35. Pay by cash, check, debit card, or credit card; most centers accept all four. When you complete your process, you'll receive a temporary paper license on the spot. This paper license is valid for driving until your plastic replacement arrives by mail, which usually takes 10 to 14 business days. Do not laminate the temporary license — it will be rejected by law enforcement if you do.

You will not take a new photo unless you request one. The state will use the photo from your lost license. If you want a new photo — because you've changed your appearance or straightforward prefer a different one — tell the clerk when you arrive, and they will take one for a small additional fee.

Replacing your license by mail

To replace your license by mail, read the process for Duplicate Driver License form from the Department of Safety and Homeland Security website, or call 615-251-8590 to request one by phone. Complete the form with your name, date of birth, Social Security number or state ID number, and current address. Include a copy of your proof of identity and proof of residency — do not send originals, as you won't get them back.

Mail your completed form, copies of your documents, and a check or money order for the replacement fee to the address listed on the form. As of 2024, that address is the Driver License Processing Center in Nashville, but verify the current mailing address on the department's website before you send anything, as processing locations can change. Include a note with your phone number if you want the department to contact you if there's a problem with your process.

Processing takes 10 to 14 business days from the date the department receives your packet. You have no temporary license during this time, so if you need to drive, you'll have to use another form of ID — a passport, military ID, or state ID card. If your packet gets lost in the mail, you have no way to know until you've waited two weeks and the license doesn't arrive. For this reason, many people choose in-person replacement even if it requires a trip, because you get proof of your process when ready.

What to do if your address has changed

If you've moved since your license was issued, you must update your address at the same time you replace the license. You cannot replace a lost license and keep an old address — the state requires current information. Bring or include a document showing your new address, such as a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days. The document must show both your name and your new Tennessee address.

If you're replacing in person, the clerk will update your address in the system when you complete your process. If you're replacing by mail, write your new address clearly on the process form and include your residency document. The replacement license will be mailed to your new address, so make sure it's correct before you submit.

How to track your replacement license

If you replaced in person, you received a temporary paper license and a receipt. Keep the receipt — it shows the date you applied and the expected arrival window. Your plastic license should arrive within 10 to 14 business days. If it doesn't arrive within three weeks, contact the Driver License Processing Center at 615-251-8590 to report it.

If you replaced by mail, you have no receipt and no way to track your process until it arrives. This is one reason in-person replacement is often preferable — you have documentation that you applied. If your replacement doesn't arrive within three weeks of when you mailed it, call the processing center. Have your Social Security number and date of birth ready. The department can tell you whether your process was received and processed, and can reissue your license if there was a problem.

What to do if you need to drive before your replacement arrives

Tennessee does not issue temporary plastic licenses. If you replaced in person, your temporary paper license is your only legal proof of driving status. If you replaced by mail, you have no temporary license at all. If you need to drive before your replacement arrives, you must carry another form of ID that shows your name and photo: a passport, military ID, or state ID card. A paper temporary from an in-person replacement is also acceptable, but only if you have it.

If you have no other photo ID and cannot wait for your replacement, your only option is to visit a Driver Services Center in person. You cannot get a temporary plastic license, but you can get the paper temporary on the same day, which is legal proof of driving status.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I replace my license online?

No. Tennessee does not offer online replacement for lost licenses. You must either visit a Driver Services Center in person or mail your documents to the processing center in Nashville. The state requires proof of identity and residency, which must be verified in person or by mail.

What if I lost my license out of state?

You can still replace it by mail or in person at any Tennessee Driver Services Center. You don't have to be in Tennessee to explore. If you're out of state and need to drive, bring your temporary paper license (if you got one in person) or another form of photo ID. If you're replacing by mail from out of state, your replacement will be mailed to the address you provide on your process.

Do I have to pay for a new photo?

No. The state uses your photo from your lost license at no extra charge. If you want a new photo, you can request one at a Driver Services Center for a small additional fee, usually $5 to $10. If you're replacing by mail, you cannot request a new photo — you'll have to visit in person if you want one.

What if my name has changed since I got my license?

You'll need to bring or include proof of your name change, such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. This counts as proof of identity. The replacement license will show your new name. If you're replacing in person, tell the clerk about the name change when you arrive. If you're replacing by mail, include the name-change document with your process.

How long is a replacement license valid?

A replacement license is valid for the same length as your original license. If your lost license was a five-year license, your replacement will be valid for five years from the date you replace it. If it was an eight-year license, your replacement will be valid for eight years. The expiration date will be printed on your new license.