How to Replace a Lost Tennessee Driver's License

You can replace a lost Tennessee driver's license in person at any Driver Services office, by mail if your license is not expired, or online through the REAL ID portal if you meet certain conditions

Tennessee issues replacement licenses through the Department of Safety and Homeland Security, Driver Services division. The fastest route is an in-person visit to a Driver Services office, which takes about 30 minutes and costs $27 for a standard license. If your license expired more than two years ago, you must renew it rather than replace it, and that process requires an in-person appointment. Mail and online options exist but have restrictions based on your license status and how long it has been since you last renewed.

You will need to bring proof of identity and proof of residency. Acceptable identity documents include a passport, military ID, or birth certificate paired with a Social Security card. For residency, bring a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days and showing your current Tennessee address. If you do not have these documents, you can use an affidavit of residency, which you sign in front of a Driver Services employee.

Key Takeaways

In-person replacement at any Driver Services office costs $27 and takes about 30 minutes, and your temporary license is valid when ready.
Mail replacement is available only if your license is current (not expired) and costs $27 plus postage, taking two to three weeks.
Online replacement through the REAL ID portal works only if your license is current and you have a REAL ID-compliant license or passport on file.
You must bring proof of identity (passport, military ID, or birth certificate with Social Security card) and proof of residency (utility bill or lease dated within 60 days).
If your license expired more than two years ago, you must complete a full renewal, not a replacement, and that requires an in-person visit and a vision test.

In-Person Replacement at a Driver Services Office

Walk-in service is available at all 73 Driver Services locations across Tennessee. You do not need an appointment, though wait times vary by location and time of day. Offices are typically open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with some locations offering Saturday hours. You can find the office nearest you and check current wait times on the Tennessee Department of Safety website.

Bring your proof of identity and residency documents, along with your Social Security number (you can write it on a form if you do not have a card). The fee is $27, paid by cash, check, or card. You will receive a temporary paper license valid for 30 days while your permanent card is printed and mailed to your address on file. The permanent license arrives within 7 to 10 business days.

If your address has changed since your last license was issued, tell the employee before they process your replacement. They will update your address in the system, and your new license will be mailed to the new address. If you need the license mailed somewhere other than your current address, you must request that in writing after you receive your temporary license.

Mail Replacement for Current Licenses

You can request a replacement by mail only if your license is current (not expired). Complete Form DL 43, the process for Duplicate Driver's License, and mail it to the address listed on the form along with a check or money order for $27. Include a copy of your proof of identity and proof of residency. The form is available on the Tennessee Department of Safety website.

Processing takes two to three weeks from the date Driver Services receives your envelope. Your temporary license is not issued by mail, so you will be without a valid license during this time. If you need to drive before the replacement arrives, you must visit a Driver Services office in person instead. Mail replacement is useful only if you do not need the license urgently and your current license is still valid.

Send your envelope to: Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, Driver Services Division, 1150 Foster Avenue, Nashville, TN 37210. Include your name, date of birth, and driver's license number on the outside of the envelope so staff can match it to your file quickly.

Online Replacement Through the REAL ID Portal

Tennessee offers online replacement through its REAL ID portal if your license is current and you have a REAL ID-compliant document on file. This means your license must not be expired, and you must have previously submitted a passport, military ID, or other REAL ID-approved identity document to the state. You cannot use online replacement if your identity was verified only by birth certificate and Social Security card.

Visit the Tennessee Department of Safety REAL ID portal and log in with your driver's license number and date of birth. Follow the prompts to request a replacement. The fee is $27, paid by card. You will receive a temporary digital license on your phone when ready, valid for 30 days. Your permanent card is mailed within 7 to 10 business days.

If you are unsure whether your identity is REAL ID-verified in the system, call the Driver Services customer line at 615-251-8590 before attempting online replacement. Submitting a request when you do not meet the requirements will delay processing and may require you to visit an office in person anyway.

What to Do If Your License Expired More Than Two Years Ago

Replacement is not available if your license expired more than two years ago. You must complete a full renewal instead, which requires an in-person visit, a vision test, and a new photo. The renewal fee is $27 for a standard license, the same as replacement, but the process takes longer because the vision test must be performed by a Driver Services employee.

Schedule an appointment online through the Tennessee Department of Safety website or call 615-251-8590. Appointments are typically available within one to two weeks. Bring your proof of identity, proof of residency, and your Social Security number. The vision test takes about 5 minutes, and the entire appointment usually takes 30 to 45 minutes. You will receive a temporary license valid for 30 days, and your permanent card arrives within 7 to 10 business days.

Documents You Need and How to Verify Them

Proof of identity must be an original document or a certified copy. A passport, military ID, or birth certificate all work. If you use a birth certificate, you must also bring your Social Security card or a document showing your Social Security number. A driver's license from another state counts as proof of identity only if it is current.

Proof of residency must show your current Tennessee address and be dated within the last 60 days. Utility bills, lease agreements, mortgage statements, and bank statements all work. A piece of mail from a government agency, such as a tax notice or voter registration card, also works. If you do not have any of these, you can sign an affidavit of residency in front of a Driver Services employee, and they will accept that instead.

If you have changed your name since your last license was issued, bring a certified copy of the document that changed your name, such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. Driver Services will not issue a replacement under a different name without this document.

Fees and Payment Methods

Replacement of a lost or stolen license costs $27 in Tennessee, regardless of the method you choose. This fee covers the card itself and the processing. If you request expedited mail delivery (available only at some offices), there is an additional charge, typically $10 to $15, but expedited mail still takes 5 to 7 business days.

In-person visits accept cash, check, and card. Mail-in requests require a check or money order. Online replacement accepts card only. If you cannot pay at the time of your visit, you cannot receive your license that day, and you will need to return with payment.

What Happens If Your License Was Stolen

If your license was stolen rather than lost, you should report the theft to local police and obtain a police report number. Bring the report number with you when you replace the license. This creates a record in case someone attempts to use your stolen license fraudulently. You do not need the police report to replace the license, but having it protects you if the stolen license is later used for identity theft or other crimes.

If you suspect your license has been used fraudulently, contact the Tennessee Department of Safety at 615-251-8590 and ask to speak with someone in the fraud unit. They can flag your file and monitor for suspicious activity. You can also place a fraud alert with the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) by contacting any one of them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive with my temporary license while I wait for the permanent one?

Yes. Your temporary license is valid for 30 days and is recognized by law enforcement. It is a legal driving document, though some businesses may not accept it as proof of identity because it is paper. Keep it with you while driving until your permanent card arrives.

What if I move before my replacement license arrives?

Contact Driver Services and provide your new address. They can redirect your license to the new address if it has not already been mailed. Call 615-251-8590 or visit a Driver Services office in person. If the license has already been mailed to your old address, you may be able to have it forwarded by the postal service, or you can request a new replacement sent to your current address.

How long does it take to get a replacement license in the mail?

Permanent licenses are mailed within 7 to 10 business days of your visit or process. Mail-in replacement requests take two to three weeks from the date Driver Services receives your envelope. If you need the license faster, visit an office in person and use the temporary license while you wait for the permanent card.

Do I need to bring my old license to replace it?

No. Since your license is lost, you cannot bring it. Driver Services will look up your file using your name, date of birth, and Social Security number. If you have any document with your driver's license number on it, bring that too, as it speeds up the lookup process.

Can someone else pick up my replacement license for me?

No. You must pick up your temporary license in person at the Driver Services office. Your permanent license is mailed to your address on file, so you do not need to pick that up. If you need someone else to receive your permanent license, you must change your mailing address before your replacement is processed.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.