Renewing your Tennessee driver's license online or in person
Tennessee lets you renew your driver's license without visiting a location if you meet certain conditions — mainly that your license is not expired by more than a year and you have no medical suspensions. If you are may be able to access, you can renew online through the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security website, pay the fee by credit or debit card, and receive your new license by mail within 7 to 10 business days. If you cannot renew online, you will need to visit a Driver Services Center in person.
Your renewal method depends on your license type, how long it has been expired, and whether you have any holds on your record. A standard Class D license (for regular driving) renews differently than a commercial license. Understanding which path applies to you saves time and prevents a wasted trip.
Key Takeaways
- Tennessee allows online renewal for standard driver's licenses that are not expired by more than one year and have no medical or legal holds.
- Online renewal costs the same as in-person renewal and takes 7 to 10 business days for your new license to arrive by mail.
- If your license is expired by more than one year, you have a commercial license, or you have a suspension, you must renew in person at a Driver Services Center.
- You will need your current license number, Social Security number, and a valid payment method to renew online.
- Tennessee Driver Services Centers are located throughout the state; you can find the one nearest you on the TDOSHS website.
Online renewal: who can use it and what you need
To renew online, your license must still be valid or expired no more than one year ago. You also cannot have any medical suspensions, administrative holds, or outstanding violations on your driving record. If you meet these conditions, you can start the renewal on the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security (TDOSHS) website without leaving home.
Gather your current driver's license and a credit or debit card before you begin. You will enter your license number, date of birth, and Social Security number to verify your identity. The system will confirm your may be able to access in real time. If you pass the check, you will pay the renewal fee (which varies depending on how many years you are renewing for) and submit. Your new license will be mailed to the address on file.
Online renewal is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You do not need to schedule an appointment or wait in line. The entire process takes about 10 minutes.
In-person renewal at a Driver Services Center
If your license is expired by more than one year, you hold a commercial driver's license (CDL), or you have a suspension or hold on your record, you must renew in person. You will also need to visit a center if you want to change your address, add or remove endorsements, or update your photo.
Find your nearest Driver Services Center on the TDOSHS website by entering your county or city. Most centers are open Monday through Friday during business hours, though some have limited Saturday hours. You do not need an appointment at most locations, but some centers now offer appointment scheduling to reduce wait times. Bringing an appointment confirmation can speed up your visit.
Bring your current driver's license, proof of Social Security number (such as a Social Security card or tax return), and proof of Tennessee residency (such as a utility bill or lease). If you are renewing after an expiration of more than one year, you may also need to pass a vision test and answer questions about your medical history. The renewal fee is the same whether you renew online or in person.
What happens if your license is expired by more than one year
If your license has been expired for more than one year, Tennessee treats it as a new license rather than a renewal. You will need to visit a Driver Services Center, bring the documents listed above, and pass a vision screening. You will also answer medical history questions to may support you are safe to drive.
The fee for renewing after a long expiration is the same as a standard renewal, but the process takes longer because of the additional screening. Plan for 30 minutes to an hour at the center. If you have any doubt about your medical fitness to drive, bring documentation from your doctor showing you are cleared.
Fees and how long renewal takes
Tennessee driver's license renewal fees depend on how many years you are renewing for. A four-year renewal costs less than an eight-year renewal. The exact amount changes periodically, so check the TDOSHS website for current pricing before you pay.
Online renewal takes 7 to 10 business days from the time you submit your payment. Your new license will arrive by mail at the address on file. In-person renewal is faster — you receive a temporary paper license at the center and your permanent license arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days as well.
If you need to drive before your new license arrives, the temporary paper license issued at the center is valid for 45 days. If you renewed online, you do not receive a temporary license, so plan accordingly.
Changing your address or information during renewal
If you need to change your address, you can do so during online renewal. The system will ask if your address on file is still correct and let you update it before you pay. Your new license will be mailed to the updated address.
If you want to change other information — such as your name, add a Real ID endorsement, or update your photo — you must renew in person. The same applies if you want to add or remove motorcycle or commercial endorsements. In-person renewal gives you the chance to make these changes at the same time you renew your license.
What to do if you cannot renew online
If the online system tells you that you are not may be able to access to renew online, it means one of the following: your license is expired by more than one year, you have a suspension or hold, you hold a commercial license, or your record has a flag that requires in-person verification. The system will not tell you which one applies, but you can call the TDOSHS Customer Service line to ask before you visit a center.
Having a suspension does not mean you cannot renew — it means you must handle the suspension first or renew in person while the suspension is being resolved. If you have an outstanding ticket or fine, paying it before you renew can sometimes clear the hold and make you may be able to access for online renewal. Call ahead to confirm.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my Tennessee driver's license if I live out of state?
No. Tennessee requires you to be a resident to hold a Tennessee driver's license. If you have moved out of state, you should obtain a driver's license from your new state. If you still live in Tennessee but are temporarily out of state, you can renew online if you are otherwise may be able to access.
What if I lost my driver's license and need to renew it?
You cannot renew a lost license online. You must visit a Driver Services Center and report the license lost. You will receive a replacement license at the center and pay a replacement fee in addition to the renewal fee. Bring your proof of identity and residency as you would for any in-person renewal.
How do I know if I have a medical suspension on my record?
If you have a medical suspension, the online renewal system will reject your attempt and tell you that you are not may be able to access. You can also call the TDOSHS Customer Service line with your license number to ask. Medical suspensions are usually placed after a report from a doctor or law enforcement about your fitness to drive.
Can I renew my license early?
Yes. Tennessee allows you to renew your license up to one year before it expires. Renewing early does not cost extra — you pay the same fee and receive the same number of years of validity. Your new expiration date will be calculated from your current expiration date, not from the day you renew.
What if my name has changed since my last license?
If your name has changed due to marriage, divorce, or court order, you must renew in person and bring a certified copy of the document that shows the name change (such as a marriage certificate or divorce decree). Online renewal cannot process name changes.