Tennessee driver license renewal: online, by mail, or in person

You can renew your Tennessee driver license online, by mail, or in person at a Driver Services office. The method you choose depends on whether your license is still valid, how much time you have, and whether you need a new photo. Online renewal is fastest if you're may be able to access — it takes about 10 minutes and your renewed license arrives in 7 to 10 business days. By mail takes 2 to 3 weeks. In-person renewal at a Driver Services office is same-day if you arrive early, but you'll wait in line.

Tennessee allows online renewal only if your license is not expired and you have not renewed online in the past two years. If your license is already expired, you must renew in person or by mail. If you need a new photo — because you want one, or because your current license photo is more than 8 years old — you must go in person.

Key Takeaways

  • Online renewal through the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security website costs $27 and takes 7 to 10 business days if your current license is not expired.
  • Mail renewal requires a completed Form DL 43, a check or money order for $27, and takes 2 to 3 weeks; send it to the address on the form.
  • In-person renewal at any Driver Services office costs $27, takes about 30 minutes to an hour depending on wait time, and you leave with a temporary license valid for 45 days.
  • Your Tennessee driver license is valid for 8 years from the date of issue, and you can renew it up to 6 months before it expires.
  • If your license has been expired for more than 2 years, you may need to pass a vision test and written exam in addition to paying the renewal fee.

Online renewal through the Tennessee Department of Safety website

Go to the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security website and select "Online Driver License Renewal." You'll need your current driver license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and a valid payment method (debit or credit card). The system will ask you to confirm your address and answer a few security questions to verify your identity.

You cannot renew online if your license is expired, if you have changed your name, if you have outstanding traffic violations or fines, or if you have renewed online within the past two years. If any of these explore, you must renew by mail or in person.

After you submit your process online, you'll receive a confirmation number. Your renewed license will be mailed to the address on file. If you need to update your address before renewal, you must do so in person or by mail.

Mail renewal with Form DL 43

read or request Form DL 43 (process for Driver License Renewal) from the Tennessee Department of Safety website or pick one up at any Driver Services office. Fill it out completely, including your current license number, address, and signature. Include a check or money order for $27 made payable to the Tennessee Department of Safety.

Mail the completed form and payment to the address listed on the form itself — this address changes depending on your county, so check the form before you mail it. Do not send cash. Include a copy of your current driver license if possible, though it is not required.

Your renewed license will arrive in 2 to 3 weeks. If you need your license sooner, in-person renewal is faster. If your mail renewal is taking longer than 3 weeks, contact the Driver Services office in your county to check the status.

In-person renewal at a Driver Services office

Visit any Driver Services office in Tennessee with your current driver license, proof of Social Security number (your Social Security card, W-2, or 1099 form), and proof of Tennessee residency (a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the past 60 days). Bring a check or credit/debit card to pay the $27 renewal fee. You do not need an appointment.

Arrive early in the day if possible — wait times are longest in the afternoon and on Fridays. You will be asked to pass a vision test. If you fail, you may be required to wear corrective lenses while driving, or your license may be suspended until you pass. You will also have a new photo taken unless you request to keep your current photo (though this is not recommended if your photo is very old).

When your renewal is complete, you'll receive a temporary license valid for 45 days while your permanent license is printed and mailed. Your permanent license will arrive in 7 to 10 business days. The temporary license is valid for driving in Tennessee and out of state.

What happens if your license has been expired for more than 2 years

If your Tennessee driver license has been expired for more than 2 years, you cannot renew it — you must reapply as if you were getting a license for the first time. This means you must pass a written exam on traffic laws, a vision test, and a driving skills test. You will also need to provide proof of identity, Social Security number, and Tennessee residency, just as a new applicant would.

Schedule a driving test appointment through the Tennessee Department of Safety website or by calling your local Driver Services office. Written and vision tests are given at Driver Services offices; driving tests are given at approved testing locations. You must pass all three tests before your license is issued.

Renewing before your license expires

Tennessee allows you to renew your driver license up to 6 months before it expires. This is useful if you travel or need a license with a longer validity period. Your new license will be valid for 8 years from the date you renew, not from the date your old license was set to expire.

If you renew early, your old license becomes invalid as soon as your new one is issued. You should destroy your old license or return it to a Driver Services office. Do not carry both licenses at the same time.

Real ID compliance and Tennessee driver licenses

Tennessee driver licenses are not Real ID-compliant. If you need a Real ID-compliant document for federal purposes — such as boarding a domestic flight or entering a federal building — you must obtain a Tennessee REAL ID driver license instead. This requires an in-person visit to a Driver Services office and costs $27, the same as a standard renewal.

To get a REAL ID driver license, bring your current driver license, proof of identity (passport, birth certificate, or naturalization papers), proof of Social Security number, and two proofs of Tennessee residency. You will have a new photo taken and pass a vision test. Your REAL ID license will arrive in 7 to 10 business days.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my Tennessee driver license if I have an outstanding traffic ticket or fine?

No. The Tennessee Department of Safety will not process your renewal if you have unpaid traffic violations or fines. You must pay the fine or resolve the violation before you can renew. Contact the court listed on your ticket to find out how to pay or dispute it.

What do I do if my address has changed since my last license?

If you renew online, you can update your address during the renewal process. If you renew by mail or in person, bring proof of your new address (utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within 60 days). You can also update your address at any Driver Services office without renewing your license.

How long is my temporary license valid after in-person renewal?

Your temporary license is valid for 45 days and can be used for driving in Tennessee and out of state. Your permanent license will arrive by mail in 7 to 10 business days. If it does not arrive within that time, contact your local Driver Services office.

What if I fail the vision test at a Driver Services office?

If you fail the vision test, the examiner will tell you whether you must wear corrective lenses while driving or whether your license will be suspended. You can retake the vision test at any time. If you wear glasses or contacts, bring them with you to your renewal appointment.

Can I renew my license by phone or email?

No. Tennessee does not offer phone or email renewal. Your only options are online, by mail, or in person at a Driver Services office. Online renewal is the fastest option if your license is not expired.