The Three Places to Get a Driver's License in Memphis

In Memphis, you can get a driver's license at one of two Driver Services Centers run by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, or at certain County Clerk offices that offer limited services. The two dedicated Driver Services Centers are located on Poplar Avenue and on Getwell Road. County Clerk offices can handle renewals and some replacements but cannot issue new licenses or conduct road tests.

The Poplar Avenue location is the busier of the two centers and typically has longer wait times, especially mid-morning and mid-afternoon on weekdays. The Getwell Road location is generally less crowded. Neither location requires an appointment — you walk in, take a number, and wait your turn. Both are open Monday through Friday during standard business hours, though hours vary slightly between locations.

If you need a road test, you must go to one of the Driver Services Centers. County Clerk offices cannot administer tests. The road test is conducted at the same location where you submit your process, using a state-provided vehicle and an examiner employed by the Department of Safety.

Key Takeaways

  • The Poplar Avenue and Getwell Road Driver Services Centers are the only locations in Memphis that issue new driver's licenses and conduct road tests.
  • County Clerk offices can renew or replace a license but cannot issue a new one or administer a road test.
  • No appointment is needed at any location — arrive during business hours, take a number, and wait.
  • Bring your proof of identity, proof of residency, and Social Security number documentation before you go, because missing documents will send you home.

Driver Services Center on Poplar Avenue

The main Driver Services Center is located at 1414 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, TN 38104. This is the primary location for all driver's license services in Shelby County, including new licenses, renewals, replacements, and road tests. The center is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with a one-hour lunch closure at noon.

This location handles the highest volume of customers in the Memphis area. Typical wait times range from 30 minutes to two hours depending on the day and time of day. Tuesdays and Thursdays tend to be busier than Mondays, Wednesdays, or Fridays. If you arrive before 9:00 a.m. or after 3:00 p.m., you may experience shorter waits. The center does not hold your place if you leave — if you step out and return, you must take a new number and rejoin the queue.

Parking is available in a lot adjacent to the building. The facility has restrooms and a small waiting area with seating. You cannot reserve a specific time slot, and the center does not accept walk-ins for road tests after 3:30 p.m. because examiners need time to complete paperwork before closing.

Driver Services Center on Getwell Road

A second Driver Services Center is located at 5055 Getwell Road, Memphis, TN 38118. This location offers the same services as the Poplar Avenue center — new licenses, renewals, replacements, and road tests — but typically serves fewer customers daily. The center is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with the same one-hour lunch closure at noon.

Wait times at the Getwell Road location are generally 15 to 45 minutes shorter than at Poplar Avenue, making it a practical choice if you have flexibility in which center you visit. The facility has adequate parking and a comfortable waiting area. Like the Poplar Avenue center, no appointments are available, and road test walk-ins are not accepted after 3:30 p.m.

If you live on the east side of Memphis or work near this location, using Getwell Road can save you significant time. The services and fees are identical to those at Poplar Avenue.

County Clerk Offices for Renewals and Replacements

Shelby County Clerk offices can handle driver's license renewals and replacements but cannot issue new licenses or conduct road tests. The main County Clerk office is located in the Shelby County Courthouse at 160 North Main Street, Memphis, TN 38103. Several satellite clerk offices are also scattered throughout the county in different neighborhoods.

County Clerk offices are useful if your license has expired and you need to renew it without taking a new road test, or if you need a replacement card because yours was lost, stolen, or damaged. Processing times at clerk offices are often faster than at Driver Services Centers because they handle fewer transactions. However, if you need a new license for the first time, have a suspended or revoked license, or must take a road test, you must go to a Driver Services Center.

Hours vary by location. The main courthouse office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Satellite offices may have different hours. Call ahead to confirm hours at the specific location nearest you before making the trip.

What Documents You Must Bring

Tennessee requires specific documents for every license transaction. Bring originals or certified copies — photocopies are not accepted. You will need proof of identity (a passport, military ID, or certified birth certificate), proof of Social Security number (a Social Security card, W-2 form, or 1099 form), and proof of Tennessee residency (a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days showing your current address).

If you are explore for a new license, you must also bring your current out-of-state license if you have one, or a statement explaining why you do not. If you are renewing or replacing, bring your current Tennessee license or a statement of loss if it was stolen. For a road test, bring your learner's permit.

Missing even one required document will result in your process being rejected, and you will have to return another day. Check the Tennessee Department of Safety website or call the Driver Services Center before you go to confirm the current document list, because requirements occasionally change.

Road Test Scheduling and What to Expect

Road tests in Memphis are administered at both Driver Services Centers on a walk-in basis — you cannot schedule a test in advance. You must bring your learner's permit, proof of vehicle insurance, and a vehicle that is registered, insured, and in safe operating condition. The vehicle must have working brakes, lights, windshield wipers, and mirrors.

The test takes approximately 20 to 30 minutes and covers basic vehicle control, turning, stopping, parking, and awareness of traffic laws. The examiner will direct you through a predetermined route in the Memphis area. You must pass the written knowledge test before you can take the road test. If you fail the road test, you can retake it the same day or return on another day, but you must pay the road test fee each time.

Road test examiners stop accepting new test-takers at 3:30 p.m. to allow time for completion and paperwork before the center closes. If you arrive after 3:30 p.m., you will be turned away and must return the next business day.

Fees and Payment Methods

Tennessee driver's license fees vary by license type and transaction. A new driver's license costs $28.50 and is valid for eight years. A renewal costs $28.50. A replacement for a lost or damaged license costs $17.00. A road test costs $15.00 and must be paid each time you take the test, even if you fail and retake it the same day.

Both Driver Services Centers and County Clerk offices accept cash, debit cards, and credit cards. Some locations may accept checks, but cash or card is more reliable. Exact change is not required. Fees are subject to change, so confirm the current amount before you arrive if you want to bring exact cash.

If you are renewing by mail (available for certain renewal situations), the fee is the same, but you must include a check or money order — credit cards cannot be used for mail renewals.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my license at a County Clerk office instead of a Driver Services Center?

Yes. If your license is expired or expiring soon and you do not need a road test, a County Clerk office can process your renewal faster and with shorter wait times than a Driver Services Center. However, if you are explore for a new license for the first time or need a road test, you must go to a Driver Services Center.

What time should I arrive to avoid long waits?

Arriving before 9:00 a.m. or after 3:00 p.m. typically results in shorter waits at the Poplar Avenue location. The Getwell Road location generally has shorter waits throughout the day. Avoid mid-morning and mid-afternoon on Tuesdays and Thursdays if possible.

Can I schedule a road test appointment in advance?

No. Road tests are walk-in only in Memphis. You cannot reserve a time slot. However, you can call the Driver Services Center to ask about current wait times before you arrive, which may help you choose the best time to come in.

What happens if I fail my road test?

You can retake the test the same day if you pay the road test fee again, or you can return on another day. There is no waiting period between attempts in Tennessee. You must bring your learner's permit and a vehicle each time you test.

Do I need to bring my Social Security card, or can I bring a W-2 instead?

Either works. Tennessee accepts a Social Security card, W-2 form, or 1099 form as proof of your Social Security number. Bring whichever document you have available — you do not need the actual card.