Yes, you can renew online if you meet Tennessee's requirements
Tennessee allows online renewal for driver's licenses, but only if your license is not expired and you meet specific conditions. You cannot renew online if your license has been suspended, revoked, or expired for more than one year. You also cannot use online renewal if you need to change your address, add a Real ID endorsement, or update your photo. If any of those explore to you, you must visit a Driver Services Center in person.
The online renewal process takes about 10 minutes and costs $27 for a four-year renewal or $54 for an eight-year renewal. You pay by credit or debit card. Your new license arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days.
Key Takeaways
- Online renewal works only if your current license is valid (not expired, suspended, or revoked) and you do not need to change your photo or address.
- You renew through the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security website at tn.gov/safety, not through a third-party site.
- The fee is $27 for a four-year license or $54 for an eight-year license, paid by credit or debit card at the time of renewal.
- Your renewed license arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days; you cannot pick it up in person from an online renewal.
- If your license is expired by more than one year, you must renew in person at a Driver Services Center.
Who can renew online and who cannot
You can renew online if your Tennessee driver's license is currently valid and you have not changed your legal name or address since it was issued. Your license must not be suspended, revoked, or expired. If your license expired within the last year, you may still be able to renew online, but if it has been expired for more than one year, you must go to a Driver Services Center in person.
You cannot use online renewal if you need to add a Real ID star to your license, change your address, update your photo, change your name, or add or remove a commercial driver's license (CDL) endorsement. You also cannot renew online if you have an active suspension or revocation on your record. In any of these cases, you must visit a Driver Services Center with the required documents.
Steps to renew your Tennessee license online
Go to the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security website at tn.gov/safety and look for the Driver License Renewal section. You will need your current Tennessee driver's license number, Social Security number, and date of birth. Have a credit or debit card ready to pay the renewal fee.
Enter your information into the online form and review it carefully before submitting. Once you submit, you cannot change the information, so double-check your name, address, and date of birth. After you pay the fee, you will receive a confirmation number. Save or print this number in case you need to check the status of your renewal later.
Your new license will be mailed to the address on file with the state. If you have moved recently and updated your address with the Tennessee Department of Motor Vehicles, your license will go to your new address. If you have not updated your address, it will go to your old one, which is why you cannot change your address during online renewal.
What happens if your license is expired or suspended
If your license expired more than one year ago, online renewal is not available. You must visit a Driver Services Center in person and bring your expired license, proof of residency (such as a utility bill or lease), and proof of Social Security number (such as a Social Security card or W-2). The in-person renewal fee is the same as online: $27 for four years or $54 for eight years.
If your license is currently suspended or revoked, you cannot renew it at all until the suspension or revocation is lifted. You must contact the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security to find out why your license was suspended and what you need to do to restore it. Suspensions often result from unpaid traffic fines, failure to pay child support, or DUI convictions. Once the suspension is cleared, you can renew online if you meet the other requirements, or in person if you do not.
Real ID and why you cannot add it online
Tennessee's Real ID is a driver's license with a gold star in the upper right corner. It meets federal requirements for boarding domestic flights and entering federal buildings. If your current license does not have the Real ID star and you want to add it, you cannot do so through online renewal. You must visit a Driver Services Center in person.
To get a Real ID in person, bring your current driver's license, proof of citizenship (passport, birth certificate, or naturalization papers), proof of Social Security number, and two forms of proof of residency. The fee is the same as a standard renewal. Real ID processing takes longer than standard renewal because the state verifies your citizenship documents, so allow extra time if you need it for travel.
How to check the status of your online renewal
After you complete your online renewal, you can check the status on the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security website. You will need your confirmation number from the renewal, your driver's license number, and your date of birth. The status page will tell you whether your renewal is being processed, has been approved, or has encountered a problem.
Most renewals are approved within one business day. Your license will then be printed and mailed. Standard mail delivery takes 7 to 10 business days from the time it leaves the printing facility. If your renewal has been pending for more than two weeks, contact the Department of Safety and Homeland Security to ask about a delay.
What to do if online renewal is not an option for you
If you cannot renew online because your license is expired, suspended, or you need to make changes, you must visit a Driver Services Center. Tennessee has Driver Services Centers in Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville, Chattanooga, Jackson, and Clarksville, as well as several smaller locations. You can find the full list and hours on the Department of Safety and Homeland Security website.
Bring your current or expired driver's license, proof of residency, and proof of Social Security number. If you are renewing after a suspension or revocation, bring documentation showing that the suspension has been lifted. If you are adding a Real ID, bring proof of citizenship as well. In-person renewals are usually completed the same day, and you can drive home with a temporary paper license while you wait for your permanent license to arrive by mail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my Tennessee license online if it expired two years ago?
No. If your license has been expired for more than one year, you must renew in person at a Driver Services Center. Bring your expired license, proof of residency, and proof of Social Security number. The fee is the same as online renewal.
What if I moved and need to change my address on my license?
You cannot change your address through online renewal. You must visit a Driver Services Center in person. Bring your current license, proof of your new address (utility bill, lease, or bank statement), and proof of Social Security number. Address changes are usually completed the same day.
How long does it take to get my renewed license after I renew online?
Your license is mailed within one business day of approval and arrives in 7 to 10 business days. You can check the status of your renewal on the Department of Safety and Homeland Security website using your confirmation number.
Can I renew online if my license is suspended?
No. You cannot renew a suspended license online or in person until the suspension is lifted. Contact the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security to find out why your license was suspended and what steps you need to take to restore it.
Do I need a Real ID to renew online?
No. You can renew online with a standard driver's license. If you want to add a Real ID star to your license, you must renew in person at a Driver Services Center and bring proof of citizenship, such as a passport or birth certificate.