What you need to do to get your first Tennessee license

To get your first Tennessee driver's license, you will go through three main steps: pass the written knowledge test, pass the road test, and pay the fee at a Driver Services Center. Tennessee issues a Class D license to most first-time drivers — this is the standard license for driving a passenger vehicle. You must be at least 16 years old, and if you are under 18, you will need a parent or guardian to sign your process in person.

The whole process typically takes a few weeks from start to finish, though the road test appointment wait time varies by location. You cannot skip steps or test out of order: you must pass the written test before you can schedule the road test, and you must pass the road test before you receive your license.

Key Takeaways

  • You must pass the written knowledge test first, then the road test, then pay your fee at a Driver Services Center to receive your license card.
  • If you are under 18, a parent or guardian must sign your process in person at the Driver Services Center.
  • You will need your Social Security number, proof of residency (like a utility bill or lease), and proof of legal presence (like a birth certificate or passport) before you start.
  • Tennessee charges a fee for your license that varies based on how long you want it to last — typically $27 for a four-year license or $54 for an eight-year license.
  • You can take the written test at any Driver Services Center, but road tests fill up quickly in busy areas, so schedule yours as soon as you pass the written test.

Documents you need before you explore

Bring these documents with you when you go to the Driver Services Center to take the written test. You will need them again when you take the road test and when you pick up your license, so do not leave them at home.

Proof of identity: A birth certificate, passport, or state ID card. If your birth certificate is a photocopy, it must be certified by the vital records office that issued it.

Proof of Social Security number: Your Social Security card, a W-2 form, a 1099 form, or a pay stub with your full Social Security number on it.

Proof of residency: A utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or bank statement with your current Tennessee address on it. The document must be dated within the last 60 days. A piece of mail from a government agency also works.

Proof of legal presence: A U.S. birth certificate, U.S. passport, permanent resident card, employment authorization document, or visa. If you were born outside the United States, bring your passport and visa or employment authorization.

If you are under 18, your parent or guardian must also bring a photo ID when they come with you to sign your process.

The written knowledge test

The written test covers Tennessee traffic laws, road signs, and safe driving practices. You will answer 30 multiple-choice questions on a computer at the Driver Services Center. You must get at least 24 questions correct (80 percent) to pass. The test takes about 30 minutes.

You can take the test as many times as you need to pass it, but you must wait one day between attempts if you fail. There is no extra fee to retake the test. Most people pass on their first or second try if they study the Tennessee Driver Handbook, which is free and available online at the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security website.

The test covers these main topics: right-of-way rules, speed limits, parking, traffic signals, lane changes, following distance, and what to do at an accident scene. It also includes questions about distracted driving, impaired driving, and sharing the road with pedestrians and cyclists.

The road test

After you pass the written test, you can schedule your road test at the same Driver Services Center or at a different one. The road test takes about 25 to 30 minutes. A state examiner will sit in the passenger seat while you drive a set route through your local area. They will watch how you handle turns, lane changes, parking, and how you respond to traffic and pedestrians.

You must bring your own vehicle for the road test, and it must be in safe working condition. The examiner will check that your brakes, lights, windshield wipers, and mirrors all work before you start driving. You must also bring your written test passing receipt and all the same documents you brought to the written test.

Road test appointments fill up weeks in advance in some areas, especially in Nashville, Memphis, and Knoxville. Schedule your appointment the same day you pass the written test. If the wait is long, you can travel to a less busy Driver Services Center in a nearby county — the test is the same everywhere in Tennessee.

What happens after you pass the road test

Once you pass the road test, the examiner will tell you that you have passed. You will then go to the payment window at the Driver Services Center to pay your license fee and have your photo taken. Your license card will be mailed to the address on your process within 7 to 10 business days.

While you wait for your card to arrive, you will receive a temporary paper license that you can use to drive right away. Keep this paper license with you until your plastic card arrives. Once your card comes in the mail, the paper license is no longer valid.

Your Tennessee Class D license is valid for four or eight years, depending on which option you chose when you paid your fee. When your license expires, you will need to renew it at a Driver Services Center.

Where to find a Driver Services Center

Tennessee has Driver Services Centers in every county. You can find the one nearest you on the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security website. Most centers are open Monday through Friday during business hours, though some have limited hours on certain days. A few locations offer Saturday hours.

You do not have to go to the center in your home county — you can test at any center in the state. If your local center has a long wait for road test appointments, you can drive to a less busy location in a neighboring county. Call ahead to ask about wait times before you make the trip.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I take the written test online or at home?

No. You must take the written test in person at a Driver Services Center. You cannot take it online or by mail. You can study at home using the Tennessee Driver Handbook, but the actual test must be taken at a center.

What if I fail the road test?

You can retake the road test as many times as you need. There is no extra fee. You must wait at least one day before you schedule your next attempt. Most people pass on their second or third try. The examiner will tell you what you did wrong so you can practice those skills before you test again.

Do I need a learner's permit before I get my license?

No. Tennessee does not require a learner's permit to get your first license. You can go straight from no license to a full Class D license by passing the written and road tests. However, some people get a learner's permit first to practice driving with a licensed adult before taking the road test.

What if I am 16 or 17 — do I need my parent there?

Yes. If you are under 18, your parent or guardian must be present in person when you explore at the Driver Services Center. They must sign your process. They do not need to be there for the written test or road test, only for the process and payment step.

How much does a Tennessee driver's license cost?

A four-year license costs $27. An eight-year license costs $54. You choose which length you want when you pay your fee after passing the road test. There is no fee for the written test or road test itself.