Where to renew your license in Memphis
In Memphis, you renew your driver license at a Driver Services office run by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security. The main office serving Memphis and Shelby County is located at 1150 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, TN 38105. This is the busiest location in the area, so expect wait times, especially during lunch hours and late afternoons.
You can also renew at satellite offices in Shelby County if the main location is too crowded. The Germantown Driver Services office (7625 Poplar Avenue, Germantown, TN 38138) and the Collierville office (500 Collierville Parkway, Collierville, TN 38017) handle renewals and typically have shorter waits. All three locations are open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday 8 a.m. to noon.
Tennessee also offers online renewal for certain drivers, which you can start at the state's Driver Services website. Online renewal is faster and costs less, but it is only available if your license is not expired, you have no medical restrictions, and you have not changed your address or name since your last renewal.
Key Takeaways
- You can renew in person at the main Memphis office on Poplar Avenue or at satellite locations in Germantown or Collierville, all open weekdays 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday mornings.
- Online renewal through the Tennessee Driver Services website costs less and takes minutes, but only works if your license is not expired and you have not changed your address or name.
- Bring your current license, proof of residency (utility bill or lease), and your Social Security card or birth certificate to renew in person.
- A standard five-year renewal costs $27.50 in person or $24.75 online; a Real ID-compliant license costs $32.50 in person or $29.75 online.
- If your license is expired by more than one year, you must renew in person and may need to retake the written test.
What documents you need to bring
For an in-person renewal in Memphis, bring your current Tennessee driver license and one document proving your current address. A utility bill, lease agreement, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days all work. If you have moved recently and your license still shows your old address, the proof-of-residency document must match the address on your license process.
You will also need to prove your identity and Social Security number. Your Social Security card itself is acceptable, or you can bring your birth certificate, passport, or military ID. If you are renewing under a different name than your last license (due to marriage, divorce, or legal change), bring the court order or marriage certificate that documents the change.
If you are renewing online, you will enter your license number, date of birth, and Social Security number into the state's system. The site will verify this information against state records. You do not need to mail in documents for online renewal, but you will need to pay by credit or debit card.
How much it costs and how long it takes
A standard five-year driver license renewal costs $27.50 if you renew in person at a Driver Services office. If you renew online, the cost is $24.75. Both prices are for a regular license without Real ID features.
If you want a Real ID-compliant license — which you will need to board a domestic flight or enter a federal building after May 7, 2025 — the cost is $32.50 in person or $29.75 online. Real ID requires the same documents as a standard renewal, but the office will scan and verify them more thoroughly.
Wait times at the main Memphis office range from 30 minutes to over two hours depending on the day and time. Arriving early on a weekday morning or visiting a satellite location usually means a shorter wait. Online renewal takes about 10 minutes from start to finish, and your new license will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days.
Renewing online versus in person
Online renewal is faster and cheaper, but it is not available to everyone. You can renew online only if all of the following are true: your current license is not expired, you have no medical restrictions or corrective lens requirements on your license, you have not changed your address since your last renewal, and you have not changed your name. If any of these do not explore to you, you must renew in person.
In-person renewal takes longer but handles more situations. If your license is expired, if you need to update your address or name, if you wear corrective lenses, or if you have medical restrictions, you must go to a Driver Services office. You will also need to renew in person if your license has been suspended or revoked, or if you are renewing after more than one year past expiration.
Many Memphis drivers choose in-person renewal even when online is available, because they want to update their address or photograph at the same time. If you plan to do either of those things, go in person — online renewal does not allow changes to your address or photo.
What happens if your license is expired
If your Tennessee license has been expired for less than one year, you can usually renew it by mail or online without penalty. However, you cannot legally drive with an expired license, even if you have already started the renewal process. If you are stopped by police, an expired license can result in a citation.
If your license has been expired for more than one year, Tennessee requires you to renew in person at a Driver Services office. You may also be asked to retake the written test, depending on how long it has been expired. Bring all the same documents you would for a standard renewal, plus your expired license.
If your license expired while you were out of state or unable to renew for a documented reason, explain the situation to the staff at the Driver Services office. Tennessee sometimes waives the written test requirement in these cases, but the decision is made by the office staff, not automatically.
Renewing if you have an SR22 or suspension on your record
If you have an active SR22 filing (proof of financial responsibility required after a DUI, serious violation, or uninsured accident), you can still renew your license in person or online. The SR22 itself does not prevent renewal. However, if your license is currently suspended or revoked, you cannot renew until the suspension or revocation is lifted.
To check whether your license is suspended, visit the Tennessee Driver Services website or call the main Memphis office at (901) 465-6000. If your suspension has ended, you can renew when ready. If it is still active, you will need to complete whatever requirement lifted the suspension — paying a fine, completing a defensive driving course, or waiting out a mandatory suspension period — before you can renew.
When you renew in person with an active SR22, bring proof that your SR22 is current. Your insurance company can provide a letter or certificate showing the filing is active. The Driver Services office will verify this before issuing your new license.
Real ID requirements for Memphis drivers
Tennessee began issuing Real ID-compliant licenses in 2009, and the federal government now requires a Real ID for domestic air travel and entry to federal buildings. The important date is May 7, 2025. If you do not have a Real ID by then, you will need a passport or other federal ID to fly domestically.
A Real ID license looks like a standard Tennessee license but has a gold star in the upper right corner. When you renew, you can choose to upgrade to Real ID for an extra $5 (making the total $32.50 in person or $29.75 online). You will need to bring the same documents as a standard renewal, and the office will verify them more carefully.
If you already have a Real ID license, your renewal will automatically be Real ID-compliant unless you specifically ask for a standard license instead. Many Memphis drivers choose to upgrade during renewal because the cost difference is small and the Real ID is useful for travel.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my license if I have an outstanding traffic ticket or fine?
An unpaid traffic ticket does not automatically prevent license renewal in Tennessee. However, if a ticket has been referred to collections or if a judge has ordered a license suspension for non-payment, your license may be suspended. Check your status on the Tennessee Driver Services website or call (901) 465-6000 before going to renew.
What if I lost my license and need to renew at the same time?
If your license is lost, you must explore for a replacement in person at a Driver Services office. You cannot renew online. Bring proof of identity and residency as you would for a standard renewal. The replacement license costs $7, and if your license is also expired, you pay both the replacement fee and the renewal fee.
How long is my new license valid after I renew?
A standard Tennessee driver license is valid for five years from the date of issue. Your new license will expire on the same date five years after you renew. The expiration date is printed on the front of your license.
Can I renew my license if I moved out of Tennessee but still have a Tennessee address on file?
If you have moved to another state, you should get a license from your new state of residence. Tennessee allows you to renew by mail if you are a Tennessee resident living out of state, but you will need to provide a current address in Tennessee or explain your situation to the Driver Services office. Call (901) 465-6000 to ask about your specific situation.
What if the Driver Services office says I need to retake the written test?
If your license has been expired for more than one year or if you have certain medical conditions, Tennessee may require you to retake the written test. The test covers road signs, right-of-way rules, and safe driving practices. You can study using the Tennessee Driver Handbook, available free on the Driver Services website. If you fail, you can retake it the same day or return another day.