Where to renew your Tennessee driver's license
You can renew your Tennessee driver's license in person at any Driver Services Center run by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, or online through the state's website if you meet certain conditions. In-person renewal takes about 30 minutes. Online renewal, when available to you, takes a few minutes from home and costs less.
To find the Driver Services Center nearest you, visit the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security website and use their location finder. Centers are in most counties, but hours vary. Some are open evenings or Saturdays, so check before you go.
You do not need an appointment at most centers, but some locations now use an online reservation system. Check your local center's page before you arrive to see whether walk-ins are accepted or whether you should book a time slot.
Key Takeaways
- Tennessee lets you renew online if your license is not expired, you have no medical restrictions, and your address has not changed since your last renewal.
- In-person renewal at a Driver Services Center costs $27.50 for a four-year license or $55 for an eight-year license; online renewal costs $19.50.
- You will need your current Tennessee driver's license, proof of residency (utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within 90 days), and your Social Security number.
- Your new license arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days after in-person renewal, or within 10 business days after online renewal.
- If your license is already expired, you must renew in person and may need to pass a vision test.
Online renewal: who can use it and what it costs
Tennessee's online renewal system is open to drivers whose current license is still valid, who have no medical restrictions or special conditions on their license, and whose address has not changed. You cannot renew online if your license shows a restriction code (such as corrective lenses required, or a medical alert), if you need to update your address, or if your license has already expired.
Online renewal costs $19.50 and covers a four-year renewal. You pay by debit or credit card. The process takes about five minutes. Your new license is mailed to the address on file and arrives within 10 business days.
To start online renewal, go to the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security website, select "Online Services," and follow the prompts. You will need your current license number, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number.
In-person renewal: documents you need and what to bring
For in-person renewal at a Driver Services Center, bring your current Tennessee driver's license, proof of your current address, and your Social Security number. Proof of address must be an original document dated within 90 days—a utility bill, lease agreement, bank statement, or government mail with your name and address will work. A cell phone bill or credit card statement will not.
If you do not have your current license with you, bring a state ID card or passport instead. If your address has changed since your last renewal, bring two pieces of proof of your new address (two utility bills, or one utility bill plus a lease, for example).
Bring your Social Security card or a document that shows your Social Security number, such as a tax return or W-2. If you do not have one, you can provide a signed statement under oath at the center, but this takes longer.
Cost and license validity period in Tennessee
In-person renewal costs $27.50 for a four-year license or $55 for an eight-year license. You choose which length you want when you renew. The eight-year license is more expensive but means you will not need to renew again for eight years. Pay by cash, check, or card at the center.
Online renewal is $19.50 and covers four years only. You cannot buy an eight-year license online.
Your new license is valid starting on the day you renew. If you renew in person, the center gives you a temporary paper license to use when ready while your plastic card is mailed. If you renew online, you can use your current license until the new one arrives.
Vision test requirements and medical restrictions
If your current license has no restrictions and you are renewing in person for the first time in eight years or more, you may be asked to pass a vision screening at the Driver Services Center. The test is straightforward—you read letters on a chart from a set distance. If you wear glasses or contacts, bring them.
If your license already shows a medical restriction (such as "corrective lenses required"), you cannot renew online. You must go in person, and the center will check whether the restriction still applies. If your vision has improved and you no longer need the restriction, you can ask to have it removed.
If you have a medical condition that affects your ability to drive—such as a seizure disorder, severe hearing loss, or a condition that causes sudden loss of consciousness—you must report it to the Driver Services Center when you renew. Tennessee may add a restriction to your license or, in rare cases, suspend your driving privileges until the condition is managed.
What happens if your license is already expired
If your Tennessee driver's license has already expired, you cannot renew online. You must go to a Driver Services Center in person. Bring the same documents as for a regular in-person renewal: your expired license, proof of address, and your Social Security number.
You will likely be asked to pass a vision test. If your expired license is more than one year old, you may also be required to pass a written knowledge test about traffic laws. The center will tell you whether this applies when you arrive.
The cost is the same as a regular in-person renewal: $27.50 for four years or $55 for eight years. Your temporary paper license is issued on the spot, and your new plastic license arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days.
Renewing by mail or through a third party
Tennessee does not offer renewal by mail. You must renew either online or in person at a Driver Services Center.
Some third-party vendors, such as certain tag agencies or notary services, advertise that they can renew your license for you. These services charge a fee on top of the state renewal fee and do not speed up the process. The state still mails your license to you, and it still takes 7 to 10 business days. Going directly to a Driver Services Center is faster and costs less.
If you are unable to visit a center in person due to a disability or medical condition, contact your local Driver Services Center to ask about accommodations or alternative options. Some centers can arrange for you to renew with information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my Tennessee driver's license before it expires?
Yes. You can renew up to one year before your license expires. Renewing early does not extend your expiration date—your new license will expire one year (or eight years, if you buy an eight-year license) from the date you renew, not from the date your old license was set to expire.
What if I changed my name since my last renewal?
You cannot renew online if your name has changed. Go to a Driver Services Center in person and bring your current license, proof of your name change (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order), proof of your current address, and your Social Security number. The renewal cost is the same.
Do I need a Real ID to renew my Tennessee driver's license?
No. A standard driver's license and a Real ID are two different products. You can renew your standard license without getting Real ID. However, starting in May 2025, you will need a Real ID or a passport to fly domestically or enter a federal building. If you want Real ID when you renew, bring an original birth certificate or passport, proof of address, and proof of Social Security number.
How long does it take to get my new license after I renew?
After in-person renewal, your new license arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days. After online renewal, it arrives within 10 business days. You receive a temporary paper license at the center (in-person only) that you can use to drive when ready.
What if I lost my license and need to renew at the same time?
You cannot renew online if you do not have your current license. Go to a Driver Services Center and bring a state ID card, passport, or other government-issued ID instead of your driver's license. Bring proof of address and your Social Security number. You will pay the renewal fee, not a replacement fee, since you are renewing rather than replacing a lost license.