Renewing Your Tennessee License Online, by Mail, or In Person
Tennessee lets you renew your driver's license online, by mail, or in person at a Driver Services Center. Which method you can use depends on your license type, how long it has been expired, and whether you need to update your photo. Most people renew online through the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security website — it takes about 10 minutes, costs $27.50, and your new license arrives in 7 to 10 business days.
If your license expired more than three years ago, you cannot renew by mail or online; you must go to a Driver Services Center in person. If you need a new photo (required every 16 years, or sooner if you request it), you also must renew in person. Commercial Driver's License (CDL) holders cannot renew online and must visit a center or use the mail.
Your current Tennessee license must not be suspended, revoked, or cancelled. If it is, you will need to resolve that issue before you can renew. You also cannot renew online if you have changed your name, address, or other personal information since your last license was issued — those changes require an in-person visit or a mail process with supporting documents.
Key Takeaways
- Online renewal through the Tennessee Department of Safety website costs $27.50 and takes 7 to 10 business days if your license expired less than three years ago and you do not need a new photo.
- Mail renewal requires a completed DL-43 form, your current license, and a check or money order; processing takes 2 to 3 weeks.
- In-person renewal at a Driver Services Center takes about 30 minutes and is required if your license expired more than three years ago or if you need a new photo.
- Your license must not be suspended, revoked, or cancelled, and you cannot have changed your name or address since your last license was issued in order to renew by mail or online.
- Tennessee charges $27.50 for a standard five-year renewal; a REAL ID-compliant license costs $32.50.
Online Renewal Through the Tennessee Department of Safety Website
Go to the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security online renewal portal at sos.tn.gov and select "Renew Your Driver License." You will need your current Tennessee driver's license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and your date of birth. The system will verify your identity and pull up your record.
Review your personal information on screen — name, address, date of birth, and any restrictions or endorsements on your license. If everything is correct, you can proceed to payment. Tennessee accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. The fee is $27.50 for a standard five-year license or $32.50 for a REAL ID-compliant license (which you will need to board a domestic flight or enter a federal building after May 7, 2025).
After payment, you will receive a confirmation number. Your new license will be mailed to the address on file within 7 to 10 business days. You can continue to drive on your current license until the new one arrives. If you do not receive your license within 14 days, contact the Tennessee Driver Services Center at 615-251-8590.
Mail Renewal Using the DL-43 Form
read or request the DL-43 form (process for Renewal of Driver License) from the Tennessee Department of Safety website or pick one up at any Driver Services Center. Fill it out completely — print clearly in blue or black ink. You will need to include your current Tennessee driver's license and a check or money order for $27.50 (standard) or $32.50 (REAL ID).
Mail the completed form, your license, and payment to:
Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security Driver Services P.O. Box 945 Nashville, TN 37202
Processing takes 2 to 3 weeks from the date the department receives your envelope. Do not mail cash. Write your driver's license number on the back of your check or money order. Keep a copy of the DL-43 form for your records. If you need your new license sooner, you cannot use the mail route — you must renew in person or online.
In-Person Renewal at a Driver Services Center
Visit any Tennessee Driver Services Center with your current driver's license, proof of Social Security number (Social Security card, W-2, or 1099 form), and proof of residency (utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement dated within 60 days). Bring payment in cash, check, or card — $27.50 for standard or $32.50 for REAL ID.
You must renew in person if your license expired more than three years ago, if you need a new photo, if you have changed your name or address, or if you hold a Commercial Driver's License. The process takes about 30 minutes. A staff member will take your photo, verify your documents, process your payment, and issue you a temporary paper license valid for 45 days while your permanent license is printed and mailed.
Your new license will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days. The temporary paper license is valid for driving during that time. Find the Driver Services Center nearest you on the Tennessee Department of Safety website by entering your county or zip code.
Documents and Fees You Will Need
| Renewal Method | Documents Required | Fee | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online | Current license number, last 4 SSN digits, date of birth | $27.50 or $32.50 | 7–10 business days |
| DL-43 form, current license, check or money order | $27.50 or $32.50 | 2–3 weeks | |
| In Person | Current license, SSN proof, residency proof, payment | $27.50 or $32.50 | 30 minutes; license mailed in 7–10 days |
Proof of Social Security number can be your Social Security card, a W-2 form, a 1099 form, or a tax return. Proof of residency must be dated within 60 days and can be a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, bank statement, or government-issued mail with your name and address.
If you are renewing a REAL ID-compliant license, the fee is $5 higher ($32.50 instead of $27.50). A REAL ID license has a gold star in the upper right corner and is required for domestic air travel and entry to federal buildings. Tennessee began issuing REAL ID licenses in 2017, and the federal important date for all domestic flights is May 7, 2025.
When You Cannot Renew and Must explore for a New License
If your license has been suspended, revoked, or cancelled, you cannot renew it. You must contact the Tennessee Department of Safety to resolve the suspension or revocation before you can drive legally. Call 615-251-8590 or visit a Driver Services Center to find out why your license was suspended and what steps are required to restore it.
If you have changed your name since your last license was issued, you cannot renew online or by mail. You must visit a Driver Services Center in person with your current license, a court order or certified copy of your marriage certificate (or other legal name-change document), and proof of Social Security number and residency. The fee is the same as renewal.
If you have moved and your address on your license is no longer current, you can update it during online or mail renewal. However, if you are renewing in person, bring proof of your new address. If your license was issued in another state, you cannot renew it in Tennessee — you must explore for a new Tennessee license.
REAL ID Compliance and What You Need to Know
Tennessee REAL ID licenses are compliant with federal standards set by the Department of Homeland Security. Starting May 7, 2025, you will need a REAL ID-compliant license or passport to board a domestic flight or enter a federal building. A REAL ID license costs $5 more than a standard license ($32.50 versus $27.50) and is valid for five years, the same as a standard license.
When you renew online, you will be asked whether you want a standard or REAL ID license. If you choose REAL ID, you do not need to bring any additional documents — Tennessee has already verified your identity and residency through your current license. If you are renewing in person and want a REAL ID license, bring the same documents as for a standard renewal.
Your current Tennessee license is valid for driving until it expires, regardless of whether it is REAL ID-compliant. You do not have to upgrade to REAL ID unless you plan to fly domestically or enter a federal building after May 7, 2025. If you hold a passport, you can use that instead of a REAL ID license for those purposes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my license if it expired more than a year ago?
Yes, as long as it expired less than three years ago. You can renew online or by mail. If it expired three years ago or longer, you must renew in person at a Driver Services Center. Bring your expired license, proof of Social Security number, and proof of residency.
What happens if I drive on an expired license while waiting for my new one?
If you renewed online or by mail, you can legally drive on your expired license until your new one arrives. If you renewed in person, you receive a temporary paper license valid for 45 days while your permanent license is mailed. Driving on an expired license after that period is illegal.
How long does it take to get my license if I renew in person?
You will receive a temporary paper license when ready after your in-person visit, valid for 45 days. Your permanent license will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days. You can drive on the temporary license during that time.
Can I renew my Commercial Driver's License online?
No. CDL holders must renew in person at a Driver Services Center or by mail using the DL-43 form. You cannot renew a CDL online. Bring your current CDL, proof of Social Security number, and proof of residency if renewing in person.
What if my address changed since my last license was issued?
You can update your address during online or mail renewal without visiting a center. When you renew online, you will be asked to confirm or update your address. If renewing by mail, write your new address on the DL-43 form and include proof of residency dated within 60 days.