How to change your address on a Tennessee driver's license

You can change your address on a Tennessee driver's license in person at any Driver Services office, by mail, or online through the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security website. The fastest route is online if you have a valid email address — the change takes effect when ready. By mail, allow 7 to 10 business days. In person, you walk out with an updated license the same day.

You do not need to pay a fee to change your address. You will not receive a new physical card in the mail unless you request one, though your record updates right away no matter which method you choose.

Key Takeaways

  • Online address changes through the Tennessee Department of Safety website are free and take effect when ready, with no new card mailed unless you request one.
  • By mail, send a completed Form DL 43 with proof of your new address to the address listed on the form; processing takes 7 to 10 business days.
  • In-person changes at any Driver Services office are processed on the spot and cost nothing, though you can pay extra for a replacement card if you want it updated physically.
  • Proof of address can be a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or government mail dated within the last 60 days showing your new address.
  • Your old license remains valid for identification purposes even after your address changes in the system.

Changing your address online

The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security allows you to update your address through their website without visiting an office. Go to the TDOSHS Driver Services portal, log in with your driver's license number and date of birth, and follow the prompts to enter your new address. You will need a valid email address to complete the process.

Once you submit the change online, it is recorded in the state system when ready. You do not receive a new physical license card unless you specifically request one during the process — if you do request a replacement card, there is a fee and it arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days. If you do not request a replacement, your old card remains valid for identification, and your address is updated in the state database.

Changing your address by mail

To change your address by mail, read or request Form DL 43 from the Tennessee Department of Safety website. Fill in your current license number, your new address, and sign the form. Attach proof that you live at the new address — a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or government mail dated within the last 60 days all work.

Mail the completed form and proof of address to the address listed on the form itself. Processing takes 7 to 10 business days. Like the online method, your address updates in the state system but you do not receive a new physical card unless you request one and pay the replacement fee. If you want a replacement card, note that on the form when you mail it.

Changing your address in person at a Driver Services office

Walk into any Driver Services office in Tennessee with your current license and proof of your new address. Bring a document dated within the last 60 days showing your name and new address — a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or government mail all count. You do not need an appointment.

The staff will update your address on the spot. Your old license remains valid, and the change takes effect when ready in the state system. If you want a replacement card with your new address printed on it, you can request one and pay the replacement fee; you walk out with it the same day. If you do not request a replacement, you leave with your old card and your address is already changed in the system.

What counts as proof of address

Tennessee accepts several documents as proof of your new address. The document must show your name and new address and be dated within the last 60 days. Acceptable documents include a utility bill (electric, gas, water, or internet), a lease agreement or rental contract, a mortgage statement, property tax bill, homeowner's or renter's insurance policy, or government mail such as a tax return or voter registration card.

Bank statements and credit card statements are not accepted as proof of address. If you are moving and do not yet have a document in your name at the new address, contact your local Driver Services office to ask about alternatives — some offices can work with you on a case-by-case basis.

When you need a replacement card with your new address

Your old license remains valid for identification even after you change your address in the system. You do not have to get a replacement card. However, if you want your physical license to show your current address, you can request a replacement card when you make the address change — online, by mail, or in person.

There is a fee for a replacement card. If you request one online or by mail, it arrives in 7 to 10 business days. If you request one in person at a Driver Services office, you receive it the same day. The fee is the same whether you change your address at the same time or request a replacement card separately.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to change my address on my license when I move?

Tennessee law requires you to notify the Department of Safety of your new address within a reasonable time after moving. While there is no specific important date listed in statute, it is best to update it within 30 days to avoid problems if you are stopped by law enforcement or need to use your license for identification.

Can I change my address if my license is expired?

Yes. You can change your address on an expired license through any of the three methods — online, by mail, or in person. If your license is expired and you want to renew it at the same time, you will need to visit a Driver Services office in person or renew online if you are within a certain time frame of expiration.

What if I do not have proof of address yet?

Contact your local Driver Services office and explain your situation. Some offices can work with you if you are in transition — for example, if you have a lease signed but have not yet received a utility bill. They may accept a signed lease or a letter from your landlord as temporary proof while you wait for other documents to arrive.

How long does it take to change my address online?

The change takes effect when ready when you submit it through the Tennessee Department of Safety website. Your address updates in the state system right away, and you can use your updated information for identification purposes the same day, even though your physical license card still shows your old address.

Will I get a new license card in the mail automatically?

No. When you change your address, the state updates your record but does not send you a new card unless you specifically request one. If you want a replacement card with your new address printed on it, you must request it and pay the replacement fee during the address change process.