Memphis Driver License Offices and Their Hours

The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security operates two full-service driver license offices in Memphis where you can renew, replace, or obtain a driver license. Both locations handle the same services, but they keep different hours and serve different parts of the city, so choosing the right one saves you a trip.

The Downtown Memphis Driver License Office is located at 1150 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, TN 38105. This office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and closed on weekends and state holidays. The East Memphis Driver License Office is located at 5055 Poplar Avenue, Suite 200, Memphis, TN 38119. This location also operates Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Both offices require you to bring the same documents and follow the same procedures. Neither location takes appointments, so you arrive during business hours and wait your turn. Wait times vary by time of day and day of week — mornings and early in the week are typically shorter than afternoons and Fridays.

Key Takeaways

  • Memphis has two full-service driver license offices: one downtown at 1150 Poplar Avenue and one on the east side at 5055 Poplar Avenue, Suite 200.
  • Both offices are open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with no weekend or holiday hours.
  • You do not need an appointment at either location — you arrive during business hours and wait to be called.
  • Mornings and weekdays earlier in the week typically have shorter wait times than afternoons and Fridays.
  • Both offices handle renewals, replacements, and new license issuance with the same document requirements.

What Documents to Bring to Either Memphis Office

Tennessee requires the same set of documents at both Memphis locations. You must bring proof of identity, proof of Tennessee residency, and your Social Security number. The specific documents that count as proof vary depending on whether you are renewing, replacing a lost or stolen license, or obtaining your first Tennessee license.

For proof of identity, bring one of these: a valid passport, a certified birth certificate, a military ID, a state ID from another state, or a tribal ID. If you are renewing and your current Tennessee license is not expired, you can use that as your identity document. For proof of residency, bring a recent utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or bank statement showing your current Memphis address. The document must be dated within the last 60 days.

You will also need to provide your Social Security number — you can bring your Social Security card, but the office can verify it without the physical card if you know the number. If you are replacing a lost or stolen license, you do not need to file a police report first, but you will pay a replacement fee in addition to the renewal or new license fee.

Fees and Payment Methods at Memphis Locations

Driver license fees in Tennessee depend on the type of license and how long it is valid. A standard Class D driver license (the most common type) costs $28.50 and is valid for eight years. If you are renewing an expired license, the fee is the same as a new license. A replacement for a lost, stolen, or damaged license costs $28.50.

Both Memphis offices accept cash, check, and debit or credit card. If you pay by check, make it payable to the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security. The office will not accept personal checks from out-of-state banks, so bring cash or a card if you do not have a Tennessee bank account.

If you are under 21, your license costs the same but expires on your 21st birthday rather than eight years from issue. If you want a REAL ID-compliant license (required for federal building access and domestic air travel), there is no additional fee — you straightforward bring the required documents and request it.

Renewing Your License at a Memphis Office

If your Tennessee driver license is expired or expiring within 30 days, you can renew it in person at either Memphis office. Bring your current license (or proof of identity if it is lost), proof of residency, and your Social Security number. The renewal process takes about 15 to 30 minutes once you reach the window, depending on how busy the office is.

You do not have to renew in person if your license is not expired — Tennessee allows online renewal for many drivers through the state's online portal. However, if your license is already expired or if you need to change information (such as your address or name), you must come to an office in person. The Memphis offices can process address changes on the spot without charging an extra fee.

Your new license will be mailed to you within 7 to 10 business days. You can continue driving on your old license until the new one arrives, as long as your old license is not expired. If your old license is already expired, you should not drive until the new one arrives.

Replacing a Lost, Stolen, or Damaged License

If your Tennessee driver license is lost, stolen, or damaged, go to either Memphis office with proof of identity, proof of residency, and your Social Security number. You do not need a police report, even if the license was stolen. The office will issue you a replacement license on the spot — you will receive a temporary paper license when ready and the plastic card will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days.

A replacement license costs $28.50, the same as a renewal. If your license was damaged (for example, the photo is worn or the card is cracked), the office may issue the replacement without charging a fee if the damage was not your fault — ask the staff when you arrive. If the damage was caused by normal wear, you will pay the full replacement fee.

If your license was stolen and you are concerned about identity theft, you can request a new license number at the same time. This costs an additional $5.00 and takes the same amount of time. The new number will appear on your replacement license.

Getting Your First Tennessee Driver License

If you are new to Tennessee or have never held a driver license, both Memphis offices can issue your first license. You must bring proof of identity (such as a passport or birth certificate), proof of residency (such as a utility bill or lease), and your Social Security number. You will also need to pass a written knowledge test and a driving skills test.

The written test covers Tennessee traffic laws, road signs, and safe driving practices. You can study using the Tennessee Driver Handbook, which is available free on the state's website or in print at either Memphis office. The driving test is conducted by a state examiner at the office — you bring your own vehicle (or use one provided by a testing service) and drive a short route while the examiner observes.

First-time licenses take longer to process than renewals — plan for 45 minutes to an hour at the office. If you fail the written or driving test, you can retake it the same day or return another day. There is no extra fee for retakes.

What to Expect When You Arrive at a Memphis Office

When you walk in, take a number from the dispenser near the entrance. The office displays a digital board showing which number is being served and how many people are ahead of you. Sit in the waiting area until your number is called. During busy times, the wait can be 30 minutes to an hour; during slow times, you may be called within 10 minutes.

Bring all your documents in one folder or envelope so you can hand them over quickly. Have your Social Security number memorized or written down. If you are taking a written test, bring a pen — the office provides the test form. Do not bring children unless absolutely necessary, as the office can be crowded and the process takes time.

If you need to use the restroom or step outside while waiting, tell the staff before you leave. If your number is called and you are not there, they will call the next number and you will have to take a new number and wait again. The office does not hold your place.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my license by mail or online instead of going to an office?

Tennessee allows online renewal for drivers whose licenses are not expired and who have not changed their address or name. You can renew online through the state's website. If your license is already expired or you need to make changes, you must visit a Memphis office in person.

What if I do not have a proof of residency document dated within the last 60 days?

You can bring two documents that together show your name and address — for example, a utility bill and a bank statement, or a lease and a piece of mail from a government agency. The documents do not both have to be dated within 60 days, but at least one should be recent.

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

The state mails new licenses within 7 to 10 business days of issue. You can continue driving on your old license (if it is not expired) or the temporary paper license (if your old one is expired) until the new one arrives. If you need your license sooner, you cannot expedite it — you must wait for the standard mail time.

Do I have to go to the office in my neighborhood, or can I go to either one?

You can go to either the Downtown or East Memphis office — there is no requirement to use the one closest to you. Choose based on which location is more convenient for your schedule and which has shorter wait times when you plan to visit.

What if the office is closed on the day I need to go?

Both Memphis offices are closed on weekends and state holidays. If you need a license on a weekend, you will have to wait until the next business day. Tennessee does not offer Saturday or holiday hours at any driver license office.