The main place to get a driver license in Nashville is the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security Driver Services office on Stewarts Ferry Pike
Nashville has one full-service driver license office where you can take your written test, road test, and get your license issued on the same day if you pass. The office is located at 1150 Stewarts Ferry Pike, Nashville, TN 37214. This is the only location in Davidson County that handles all three steps of the licensing process.
The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and closed on state holidays. You do not need an appointment — you walk in and take a number. Wait times vary by time of day and day of week; mornings and early in the week tend to be less crowded than afternoons and Fridays.
If you cannot reach the Nashville office or need to confirm hours before you go, you can call the Tennessee Driver Services customer line at 615-741-3054. They can also tell you whether the office is experiencing delays that day.
Key Takeaways
- The Nashville driver license office is at 1150 Stewarts Ferry Pike and is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with no appointment needed.
- You can take your written test, road test, and receive your license at this single location if you pass both tests.
- Bring your documents in person — you cannot complete any part of the licensing process online or by mail in Tennessee.
- Wait times are shortest in the morning and earlier in the week; plan for one to three hours depending on how busy the office is that day.
- If you fail your road test, you must wait at least one day before you can retake it at the same office.
What documents to bring to the Nashville office
Before you go to Stewarts Ferry Pike, gather your documents. You will need proof of identity, proof of Tennessee residency, and your Social Security number. A valid passport, military ID, or state ID counts as proof of identity. For residency, bring a utility bill, lease agreement, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days that shows your current Nashville address.
You will also need your Social Security card or a document that shows your full Social Security number — a tax return, W-2, or 1099 form works. If you are under 18, bring a parent or legal guardian with you; they must sign your process in person.
If you are renewing a license or upgrading from a learner permit, bring your current permit or expired license. If you have changed your name, bring a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order showing the legal change.
The written test at the Nashville office
When you arrive, tell the staff you are there to take your written test. They will give you a form to fill out with your personal information and driving history. You will then be called to a testing station where you take the written exam on a computer. The test has 30 questions about Tennessee traffic laws, road signs, and safe driving practices.
You must answer at least 24 questions correctly to pass. The test takes about 15 to 20 minutes. If you pass, you move on to scheduling your road test. If you fail, you can retake the written test the same day at no extra cost, though you will wait in line again.
You are allowed to take the written test up to three times in a single visit if needed. Many people pass on the first try, but if you do not, the office staff will let you know your score and which topics to study before you retake it.
Scheduling and taking your road test in Nashville
After you pass the written test, the office will schedule your road test. In most cases, you can take the road test the same day you pass the written test, though this depends on how many people are ahead of you and how many examiners are working that day. If the office is very busy, they may schedule you for a later date.
The road test lasts about 20 to 30 minutes. You will drive in and around Nashville with an examiner in your vehicle. The examiner watches how you handle turns, stops, parking, lane changes, and how you respond to traffic and pedestrians. You must bring a vehicle that is registered, insured, and in safe working condition. The vehicle must have working headlights, brake lights, turn signals, wipers, and mirrors.
If you pass the road test, you will receive your license the same day. The examiner will take your photo at the office, and your physical license will be mailed to you within one to two weeks. You will receive a temporary paper license to use until the card arrives.
What to do if you fail your road test
If you do not pass the road test, you must wait at least one day before you can retake it. You cannot retake it the same day. You will need to return to the Nashville office on a different day, and you do not need to retake the written test — only the road test.
When you return, bring the same documents you brought the first time, plus your temporary paper license or learner permit. There is no extra fee to retake the road test. You can retake it as many times as you need, but you must wait one day between each attempt.
Parking and directions to the Nashville office
The office at 1150 Stewarts Ferry Pike has a parking lot. The address is in the Stewarts Ferry area, northeast of downtown Nashville. If you are using GPS or a map app, enter the full address: 1150 Stewarts Ferry Pike, Nashville, TN 37214. The office is not on a main highway, so allow extra time if you are unfamiliar with the area.
Public transit to this location is limited. Most people drive or get a ride. If you are taking your road test, you will need a vehicle anyway, so plan to drive yourself or have someone drive you to the office.
Other driver license services in the Nashville area
The Stewarts Ferry Pike office is the only full-service location in Nashville where you can take tests and get a license. However, Tennessee also has a network of driver license service centers in other counties if you live outside Davidson County or prefer a different location. These satellite offices handle renewals and some services but do not offer road tests.
If you need to renew a license or get a duplicate, you can also use the online renewal system through the Tennessee Department of Safety website if you meet certain requirements — your license must not be expired by more than two years, and you must have a valid email address. However, new driver licenses and road tests must be done in person at a full-service office like the one in Nashville.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I take my road test in a borrowed vehicle?
Yes, as long as the vehicle is registered and insured. The vehicle does not have to be registered in your name. Make sure the registration and proof of insurance are in the vehicle, and that all lights, wipers, mirrors, and brakes are working. The examiner will check these before you start driving.
How long does it take to get through the whole process at the Nashville office?
Plan for two to four hours total, depending on how busy the office is that day. The written test takes about 20 minutes, the road test takes 20 to 30 minutes, but the wait time between services can be one to three hours. Arriving early in the morning or mid-week usually means shorter waits.
What if I fail the written test multiple times?
You can retake the written test up to three times in one visit at no extra cost. If you fail all three times, you will need to come back on a different day. There is no limit to how many days you can return and retake the test, but you must pass before you can take the road test.
Do I need to call ahead or make an appointment?
No. The Nashville office operates on a walk-in basis. You arrive, take a number, and wait to be called. However, you can call 615-741-3054 to ask about current wait times before you go, which helps you plan when to arrive.
What happens if I pass my road test but the office is about to close?
If you pass your road test late in the day, the office will still issue your temporary paper license before closing. Your permanent license will be mailed to you within one to two weeks. You can use the temporary license to drive legally until the card arrives.