Getting a duplicate Tennessee driver's license is faster than getting your first one

A duplicate driver's license in Tennessee is a replacement for a license you already have — one that's lost, stolen, damaged, or worn out. You don't retake the written test or road test. You don't prove your identity all over again. The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security already has your record, so the process is mainly paperwork and a new photo.

You can get a duplicate in person at any Driver Services office across Tennessee. The whole visit usually takes 30 to 45 minutes. You'll pay a fee, show ID, and leave with a temporary paper license the same day while your plastic card is mailed to you.

The one thing that changes the process: if your license was suspended or revoked, you cannot get a duplicate until that suspension or revocation is lifted. A duplicate is a straight replacement, not a way around a suspension.

Key Takeaways

  • You can get a duplicate at any Driver Services office without retaking any tests — the state already has your information on file.
  • Bring a valid photo ID (passport, military ID, or state ID) and pay the duplicate fee, which varies depending on how many years remain on your current license.
  • You'll receive a temporary paper license when ready and your plastic replacement card by mail within 7 to 10 business days.
  • If your license is suspended or revoked, you must resolve that status before the state will issue a duplicate.
  • You can also request a duplicate by mail if you cannot visit an office in person, though it takes longer.

What you need to bring to a Driver Services office

Bring one valid photo ID. This can be a U.S. passport, military ID, passport card, or another state's driver's license or ID card. The ID must not be expired. If you don't have a photo ID, you can bring two non-photo documents instead — a Social Security card and a birth certificate, for example — but a photo ID is simpler and faster.

Bring your current license if you still have it, even if it's damaged. If it's lost or stolen, you don't need it — just tell the clerk. You'll also need to know your Social Security number and your Tennessee driver's license number if you remember it, though the clerk can look up your number if you provide your name and date of birth.

Bring payment. The fee for a duplicate depends on how long your current license is valid for. A license with more years remaining costs more to replace than one expiring soon. The fee ranges from roughly $17 to $27, but call your local Driver Services office or check the TDOSHS website to confirm the exact amount for your situation.

How to find your nearest Driver Services office

Tennessee has Driver Services offices in most counties. The easiest way to find the one nearest you is to visit the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security website and use their office locator tool. You can search by county or city. Each office listing shows the address, phone number, and hours.

Some offices are busier than others. If you call ahead, the staff can tell you how long the wait is that day. Early morning and mid-week visits are usually faster than late afternoon or Friday. You don't need an appointment for a duplicate — it's first-come, first-served — but calling ahead helps you plan your trip.

What happens when you arrive at the office

Check in at the front desk and tell the clerk you need a duplicate license. They'll ask you to fill out a short form — usually just a few lines confirming your name, address, and the reason for the duplicate (lost, stolen, damaged, or worn). Hand over your photo ID and your fee.

The clerk will take a new photo of you for the plastic card. Wear something you're comfortable being photographed in. The photo rules are the same as for a regular license: no sunglasses, no hats (unless for religious reasons), and a neutral background. You can't smile, but you can look natural.

Before you leave, you'll receive a temporary paper license printed on the spot. This temporary is valid for 45 days and works anywhere a regular license does — for driving, ID, or proof of licensure. Your permanent plastic card will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days. If it doesn't arrive within two weeks, call your local Driver Services office.

Getting a duplicate by mail instead of in person

If you can't visit a Driver Services office, you can request a duplicate by mail. read the process form from the TDOSHS website (form DL-43 or the duplicate request form, depending on your situation). Fill it out completely and mail it to the address listed on the form along with a copy of your photo ID and your fee payment.

Mail requests take longer — usually 2 to 3 weeks from the time the office receives your envelope. You won't get a temporary paper license this way, so you'll be without a valid license until the plastic card arrives. For that reason, the in-person route is faster if you need to drive before your replacement arrives.

Make a copy of everything you send, including the check or money order. Keep that copy for your records. Mail your request to the address on the form using a method that lets you track delivery, like certified mail, so you know it arrived.

If your license was suspended or revoked

The state will not issue a duplicate if your license is currently suspended or revoked. Before you can get a replacement, you must clear the suspension or revocation. This might mean paying a fine, completing a required course, or waiting out a suspension period — it depends on why your license was suspended.

Call your local Driver Services office or the TDOSHS main line to find out the reason for the suspension or revocation and what you need to do to clear it. Once that's resolved and your driving privilege is restored, you can then request your duplicate. The clerk at the office will confirm your status is clear before processing your duplicate request.

What to do if your license was stolen

If your license was stolen rather than lost, you may want to report it to local police. This creates a record in case someone tries to use your license fraudulently. You don't have to file a police report to get a duplicate, but it's a good precaution if you're concerned about identity theft.

When you go to get your duplicate, straightforward tell the clerk that your license was stolen. They'll note that in the system. Your new license will have a different number than the old one, so the stolen license becomes invalid once your replacement is issued. If you later find the old license, destroy it or turn it in to a Driver Services office.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a duplicate license cost?

The fee ranges from about $17 to $27 depending on how long your current license is valid. A license with more years remaining costs more to replace. Call your local Driver Services office or check the TDOSHS website for the exact fee in your situation.

Can I get a duplicate on the same day?

Yes. You'll receive a temporary paper license when ready when you visit a Driver Services office in person. Your permanent plastic card arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days. The temporary is valid for 45 days and works for driving and ID.

Do I need to retake the written or road test for a duplicate?

No. A duplicate is a straight replacement of a license you already have. The state has your record on file, so you only need to show ID, pay the fee, and have a new photo taken.

What if I moved since I got my current license?

You can update your address at the same time you get your duplicate. Bring proof of your new address — a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days. The clerk will update your record and print your new address on the duplicate.

Can someone else pick up my duplicate for me?

No. You must be present in person to have your photo taken for the duplicate. If you're requesting by mail, you don't need to be present, but the card will be mailed to the address on file for your license.