Renew your Nashville driver's license at a local Driver Services office or through the mail

In Nashville, you can renew your driver's license in person at any Driver Services office run by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, or by mail if you meet certain conditions. The in-person route takes about 30 minutes and you leave with a temporary license the same day. The mail route takes 7 to 10 business days and costs less, but only works if your license is not suspended, you have no medical restrictions, and your address hasn't changed.

Your license is valid for eight years if you are under 65, or four years if you are 65 or older. Tennessee sends no renewal reminder, so you are responsible for tracking your expiration date. Renewing before your license expires keeps you from driving with an expired license, which can result in a traffic citation.

Key Takeaways

  • You can renew in person at any Nashville Driver Services office or by mail if your license is not suspended and your address has not changed.
  • In-person renewal takes about 30 minutes and you receive a temporary license when ready; mail renewal takes 7 to 10 business days.
  • Bring your current license, proof of residency (utility bill, lease, or bank statement), and your Social Security card or birth certificate.
  • The renewal fee is $28.50 for an eight-year license if you are under 65, or $14.25 for a four-year license if you are 65 or older.
  • You must pass a vision test at the Driver Services office; mail renewal does not include a vision test, so you cannot use it if your vision has changed significantly.

Where to go for in-person renewal in Nashville

Nashville has two Driver Services offices that handle renewals. The main office is located at 1150 Foster Avenue, Nashville, TN 37210, and the satellite office is at 2222 Dickerson Pike, Nashville, TN 37207. Both offices are open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Saturday 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. You do not need an appointment; service is first-come, first-served.

Wait times vary by time of day and day of week. Early morning and mid-week visits typically have shorter waits than late afternoon or Saturday. If you go on a Saturday, arrive early because the office closes at noon. Bring all required documents with you; if you are missing anything, you will have to return another day.

Documents you need to bring

For in-person renewal, bring your current Tennessee driver's license, one proof of residency, and one proof of identity. Your current license counts as your proof of identity, so you need a second document only if your license is lost, stolen, or expired more than one year ago.

Proof of residency must show your current address and be dated within 90 days. Acceptable documents include a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, bank statement, insurance policy, or government mail. A utility bill in your name is the easiest option. If you have moved and your current license shows an old address, bring the residency document to prove where you live now.

If your name has changed since your last license (through marriage, divorce, or court order), bring the document that proves the change: a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. If you do not have the original, a certified copy from the county clerk's office works.

Renewing by mail

You can renew by mail only if all of the following are true: your license is not suspended or revoked, you have no medical restrictions or corrective lens restrictions, your address has not changed, and your license is not expired. If any of these do not explore to you, you must renew in person.

To renew by mail, complete Form DL 43 (process for Renewal of Driver License), available on the Tennessee Department of Safety website. Include your current license, a check or money order for the renewal fee, and mail everything to Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, Driver License Section, 1150 Foster Avenue, Nashville, TN 37210. Do not send cash. Your new license will arrive in 7 to 10 business days.

Mail renewal does not include a vision test. If your vision has changed or you are unsure whether you can still pass the vision test, renew in person instead. Driving with a license that no longer matches your actual vision is a safety risk and can invalidate your insurance if you are in an accident.

Vision test and medical requirements

At the Driver Services office, you will take a vision test as part of renewal. You must be able to read the eye chart from 20 feet away. If you wear glasses or contacts, you can wear them during the test. If you fail the vision test, the office will not renew your license that day; you will have to see an eye doctor, get a vision form signed, and return to the office.

If you have a medical condition that affects your ability to drive safely—such as seizures, severe hearing loss, or certain heart conditions—you may be required to submit a medical form signed by your doctor. The office will tell you if this applies to you. If you are unsure whether your condition requires a form, call the Driver Services office before you go.

Renewal fees and what you receive

The renewal fee is $28.50 for an eight-year license if you are under 65. If you are 65 or older, the fee is $14.25 for a four-year license. You can pay by cash, check, or card at the office. If you renew by mail, send a check or money order only; do not send cash.

When you renew in person, you receive a temporary paper license when ready that is valid for 30 days. This lets you drive while your permanent license is being printed and mailed. Your permanent license arrives in 7 to 10 business days. If you renew by mail, you do not receive a temporary license, so plan ahead if your current license is close to expiring.

What to do if your license is suspended or expired more than one year

If your license is suspended, you cannot renew it. You must first resolve the suspension with the court or the Tennessee Department of Safety. Suspensions are usually tied to unpaid traffic fines, failure to appear in court, or failure to pay child support. Contact the office that suspended your license to find out what you need to do to lift the suspension.

If your license has been expired for more than one year, you cannot renew it by mail or in person as a straightforward renewal. You must explore for a new license, which requires a written test, a vision test, and a road test. This process takes longer and costs more than a renewal. You can schedule a road test appointment on the Tennessee Department of Safety website or by calling the Driver Services office.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my license online?

No. Tennessee does not offer online license renewal. You must renew in person at a Driver Services office or by mail. In-person renewal is faster if you need your license right away.

What if I have moved out of Nashville but my license still shows a Nashville address?

You can still renew at a Nashville Driver Services office, but you must bring proof of your new address. If you have moved to a different county in Tennessee, you can renew at any Driver Services office in the state. If you have moved out of Tennessee, you will need to get a license from your new state.

Do I need a Real ID to renew my driver's license in Nashville?

No. A standard Tennessee driver's license is still valid for driving. Real ID is required only if you want to use your license to board a domestic flight or enter a federal building. If you want to upgrade to Real ID during renewal, bring your birth certificate and Social Security card, and pay an extra $15. The process is the same otherwise.

What if I lost my license and need to renew at the same time?

You cannot renew a lost license by mail. You must go in person to the Driver Services office. Bring proof of identity (birth certificate or Social Security card) and proof of residency. The office will issue a replacement license and you will pay the renewal fee.

How long does it take to get my new license in the mail?

Mail renewal takes 7 to 10 business days from the date the Driver Services office receives your process. This does not include the time it takes for your envelope to arrive at the office. Mail your process at least two weeks before your license expires to avoid driving with an expired license.