Where to Renew Your License in Nashville
In Nashville, you renew your driver's license at a Driver Services Center run by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security. The main Nashville location is at 1150 Foster Avenue, Nashville, TN 37210. You can also renew at satellite offices in surrounding counties, but the Foster Avenue center handles the highest volume and typically has the shortest wait times during off-peak hours.
You do not need an appointment to renew in person, but Tennessee offers an online renewal option for certain drivers. If you are renewing a standard passenger license (Class D) and your license is not expired by more than one year, you may renew online through the Tennessee Driver Services website without visiting a center. Online renewal costs less and takes about 10 minutes, but you will still receive your physical card by mail.
If your license has been expired for more than one year, you have a vision problem, or you are renewing a commercial or motorcycle license, you must renew in person at a Driver Services Center.
Key Takeaways
- Standard passenger licenses (Class D) that are not expired by more than one year can be renewed online for $27, with your new card arriving by mail in 7 to 10 business days.
- In-person renewal at the Foster Avenue center or a satellite location costs $27 and takes about 30 minutes, including the vision test.
- You must bring your current license, proof of Tennessee residency (utility bill, lease, or bank statement), and your Social Security number or ITIN.
- Commercial and motorcycle licenses, licenses expired more than one year, and renewals after a vision problem must be done in person.
- The Foster Avenue center is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with the longest waits typically between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Documents You Need to Bring
Bring your current Tennessee driver's license. If you have lost it, bring a state ID card or passport instead. You also need one document proving your current Nashville address. Acceptable documents include a utility bill (electric, gas, water, or internet), a lease or rental agreement, a mortgage statement, a bank or credit card statement, or a government check. The document must show your name and address and be dated within the last 60 days.
Have your Social Security number or ITIN ready. You will enter it at the kiosk or give it to the clerk. If you have changed your name since your last license was issued, bring the document that proves the change—a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. If you are a non-citizen, bring your unexpired passport and any visa or work authorization document.
Do not bring originals of sensitive documents like your Social Security card or passport unless you are required to (non-citizens must show the passport). Bring a copy or the document itself only if you are comfortable with it being handled by staff.
Online Renewal: Step-by-Step
Go to the Tennessee Driver Services website and select "Renew Your License Online." You will need your current license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and your date of birth. Answer a series of questions about your address, medical history, and whether your vision has changed. The system will ask if you want to register to vote or donate organs—these are optional.
Review your information for accuracy. Any error on your new license will require a return trip to correct it. Pay the $27 renewal fee using a credit or debit card. You will receive a confirmation number by email. Your new license will be mailed to the address on file within 7 to 10 business days. Your current license remains valid until the new one arrives.
If the system rejects your renewal (usually because your license is expired by more than one year or your vision test result is flagged), you will be directed to schedule an in-person appointment or visit a center without one.
In-Person Renewal at a Nashville Driver Services Center
Arrive at the Foster Avenue center or a satellite location with your documents. Check in at the front desk or use the self-service kiosk if available. You will be assigned a number and wait for your turn. When called, you will sit at a clerk's station where they will verify your documents, take a new photo, and administer a vision test.
The vision test checks whether you can read a chart at a specific distance and whether your peripheral vision is adequate. If you wear glasses or contacts, wear them during the test. If you fail the vision test, the clerk will tell you that you must see an eye doctor and return with a vision correction form (DL 218) signed by an optometrist or ophthalmologist. You cannot drive legally until you pass the test or obtain the form.
After the vision test passes, you will pay the $27 fee and receive a receipt. Your new license will be mailed to your address within 7 to 10 business days. You can drive on your receipt until the new card arrives. Keep the receipt in your vehicle.
Fees and Payment Methods
A standard driver's license renewal in Tennessee costs $27. This fee is the same whether you renew online or in person. Tennessee accepts cash, debit cards, and credit cards at Driver Services Centers. Online renewal accepts credit and debit cards only.
If you are renewing a commercial driver's license (CDL), the fee is higher—$67 for a four-year renewal. Motorcycle endorsements add $10 to the base renewal fee. If you are renewing and adding a new endorsement (such as a motorcycle endorsement), you will pay the base renewal fee plus the endorsement fee.
There are no additional fees for vision tests, photo updates, or address changes made during renewal. If you need to replace a lost or damaged license before your renewal date, that is a separate transaction with its own fee.
How Long Your Renewed License Is Valid
A standard Class D driver's license renewed in Tennessee is valid for eight years from the date of issue. If you are 65 or older, your license is valid for four years. Commercial driver's licenses are valid for four years. Motorcycle endorsements follow the same validity period as your primary license class.
Your new license will show the expiration date on the front. Mark your calendar three months before that date if you want to renew online, since online renewal requires that your license not be expired. If you wait until after expiration, you must renew in person.
What to Do If You Fail the Vision Test
If you fail the vision test during in-person renewal, the clerk will not issue a new license. You must see an eye doctor—an optometrist or ophthalmologist—and obtain a vision correction form (DL 218). This form certifies that you have been examined and that your vision meets the legal standard for driving.
Return to the Driver Services Center with the completed DL 218 form and your documents. You will not need to pay the renewal fee again if you return within 30 days of your first visit. If more than 30 days pass, you will need to pay the full $27 fee again and repeat the entire renewal process.
If you wear glasses or contacts and forgot them during your first visit, you can return the same day or the next business day with them and retake the vision test at no additional cost. Ask the clerk before you leave whether you can return the same day or if you need to schedule another visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my license by mail in Tennessee?
No. Tennessee does not offer mail-in renewal. You can renew online if your license is not expired by more than one year, or you can renew in person at a Driver Services Center. Online renewal is the fastest option if you are may be able to access.
How long does it take to get my new license after I renew?
Both online and in-person renewals result in your new license being mailed to you. Delivery typically takes 7 to 10 business days from the date you renew. Your current license or receipt remains valid during this time. If you do not receive your license within two weeks, contact the Driver Services Center at 615-251-5221.
Do I have to take a new photo when I renew?
Yes. A new photo is taken during in-person renewal. If you renew online, the system uses your current photo from your existing license. If you want a new photo, you must renew in person.
What if I moved to Nashville from another state?
You must obtain a Tennessee license within 30 days of establishing residency. This is not a renewal—it is a new license. You will need to pass a vision test and written knowledge test. Bring your out-of-state license, proof of Tennessee residency, and your Social Security number. Visit a Driver Services Center in person to begin the process.
Can I renew my license if it was suspended or revoked?
No. You cannot renew a suspended or revoked license. You must first resolve the suspension or revocation with the Tennessee Department of Safety. Contact them at 615-251-5221 to find out what steps are required before you can renew.