How to Change Your Address on Your Tennessee Driver's License

You can change your address on your 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 and your current license number — you can update it without leaving home and receive confirmation the same day. If you prefer in-person service or need to handle other license business at the same time, walk-in appointments are available at any of Tennessee's regional Driver Services offices.

Tennessee does not charge a fee to change your address, and the change takes effect when ready once processed. You do not need to renew your license early or get a new card printed unless you want to. Your current license remains valid at your old address until it expires on its regular schedule.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your address online, by mail, or in person at a Driver Services office, and there is no fee for the change.
  • Online changes are the fastest option and take effect the same day if you submit before 5 p.m. Central Time.
  • By mail, send a completed Form DL 43 with proof of your new address to the Driver Services office; allow two to three weeks for processing.
  • In person, bring your current license and one document showing your new address, such as a utility bill or lease.
  • Your license card does not need to be reprinted unless you request it; the address change is recorded in the state system when ready.

Changing Your Address Online

The online method is available through the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security website. You will need your current driver's license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and a valid email address. Log into the system, enter your new address, review it for accuracy, and submit. The change is processed the same business day if you submit before 5 p.m. Central Time.

You will receive an email confirmation once the change is complete. Your address is updated in the state system right away, even though your physical license card still shows the old address. If you need the card reprinted with your new address, you can request that during the online process for a fee, but it is not required.

Changing Your Address by Mail

To change your address by mail, read and complete Form DL 43 (Change of Address) from the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security website, or call your local Driver Services office to request it. Include one document that shows your new address — a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, bank statement, or government mail all work. Do not send your original license; a photocopy is fine.

Mail the completed form and proof of address to the Driver Services office that issued your license, or to any regional office. Processing takes two to three weeks. Include a return address so you receive confirmation. Your address is updated in the state system once the office receives and processes your form, though you will not know the exact date until you receive the confirmation letter.

Changing Your Address in Person at a Driver Services Office

Walk into any Driver Services office during business hours with your current license and one document showing your new address. Bring a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, bank statement, or government mail — anything with your name and new address printed on it. The staff will update your address on the spot, and the change takes effect when ready.

Tennessee Driver Services offices are open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Central Time, with some locations open on Saturday mornings. You do not need an appointment for an address change, though wait times vary by location and time of day. If you are in a hurry, calling ahead to ask about current wait times can help you pick the best time to visit.

What Counts as Proof of Your New Address

Tennessee accepts several documents as proof of your new address. A utility bill (electric, gas, water, or internet) in your name is the most common choice. A lease or rental agreement, mortgage statement, property tax bill, bank or credit card statement, or government mail addressed to you at the new address all work as well. The document must show your full name and the complete new address.

Post office mail forwarding notices do not count as proof of address. If you have just moved and do not yet have a utility bill or lease in your name, a signed letter from your landlord or property manager on official letterhead, stating your name and move-in date, can work in some cases — call your local Driver Services office to confirm before you visit.

Timeline and What Happens Next

Online changes are the fastest: your address updates the same business day. By mail, allow two to three weeks from the date the office receives your form. In person, the change is when ready — you walk out with your address updated in the state system.

Once your address is changed, you will receive mail from the state at your new address if your license is expiring soon or if you have other pending business. Your old license card remains valid and does not need to be replaced unless you request a reprint. If you move again before your license expires, you can change your address as many times as needed at no cost.

If You Have Other License Changes at the Same Time

If you are also changing your name, correcting information on your license, or updating your organ donor status, you can handle some of these together and others separately. An address change alone can be done online or by mail. A name change requires in-person service and a certified copy of the document that shows the name change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order.

If you need both an address change and a name change, you can do the address change online or by mail first, then visit a Driver Services office for the name change. Or handle both in person at once. Call your local office if you are unsure whether you can combine your specific changes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to get a new license card if I change my address?

No. Your current license remains valid at your old address. The address change is recorded in the state system when ready, and that is what matters for law enforcement and government records. You can request a reprint of your card with the new address for a fee if you want it, but it is not required.

What if I move before my address change is processed?

You can change your address again at no cost. If you submitted by mail and then moved a second time before the first change was processed, contact the Driver Services office to update your form with the correct address. If you changed online or in person, straightforward submit a new change with your current address.

Can I change my address if my license is expired?

You can change your address online or by mail with an expired license. In person, you will need a valid license or another form of ID. If your license is expired and you want to renew it at the same time you change your address, you must do that in person at a Driver Services office.

How do I know if my address change went through?

Online submissions send you an email confirmation the same day. By mail, you will receive a confirmation letter at your new address within two to three weeks. In person, the staff will confirm the change before you leave. You can also call your local Driver Services office and provide your license number to verify the address in the system.

What if the Driver Services office lost my form?

If you mailed your form and do not receive confirmation after three weeks, call the office where you sent it. Provide your name, license number, and the date you mailed the form. They can check whether it was received and processed, or ask you to resubmit. Keep a copy of what you send by mail so you have proof of what you submitted.