Check your Tennessee driver license status through the Department of Safety and Homeland Security website or by phone
Tennessee's Department of Safety and Homeland Security (DSHS) lets you look up your driver license status without visiting an office. You can check online through their website or call their customer service line. The online method is fastest — you'll get an answer in seconds — but you need your license number or Social Security number and date of birth to start.
Your status will show whether your license is valid, suspended, revoked, or expired. It will also tell you if there are holds on your license, such as an unpaid traffic fine or a failure to appear in court. Knowing your actual status matters because driving on a suspended license in Tennessee carries criminal penalties, including jail time and fines up to $500 for a first offense.
Key Takeaways
- Visit the Tennessee DSHS online portal and enter your license number, Social Security number, or date of birth to see your status when ready.
- Call the DSHS customer service line at 615-251-8590 during business hours if you prefer to speak with someone or don't have internet access.
- A suspended license means you cannot legally drive; a revoked license is a more serious status that requires you to reapply for a new license.
- Common reasons for suspension include unpaid traffic fines, failure to appear in court, unpaid child support, or an unpaid insurance claim.
- If your license is suspended, you may be able to get a restricted license for work or medical reasons, depending on the reason for suspension.
How to check your status online
Go to the Tennessee DSHS website and look for the "License Status" or "Check License Status" tool. You'll be asked to enter either your driver license number or your Social Security number and date of birth. The system will pull up your record and display your current status within seconds.
Write down what the system shows you, including any holds or reasons listed. If your license is suspended or revoked, the page should explain why — for example, "Suspended for Unpaid Fine" or "Suspended for Failure to Appear." This information tells you what you need to do to fix the problem.
The online tool is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You don't need to create an account or log in; the lookup is anonymous and when ready.
How to check your status by phone
Call the Tennessee DSHS customer service line at 615-251-8590. Have your driver license number, Social Security number, or date of birth ready. A representative will look up your status and read it to you over the phone.
Phone lines are open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Central Time. Wait times vary depending on call volume, especially early in the week and in the morning. If you reach a busy signal, try calling back later or use the online tool instead.
What different license statuses mean
Valid means your license is current and you can legally drive. Your license is valid until the expiration date shown on the front.
Expired means your license passed its expiration date. You cannot legally drive with an expired license in Tennessee. You'll need to renew it at a Driver Service Center or online if you're renewing for the first time and meet certain requirements.
Suspended means your driving privileges are temporarily taken away. The suspension has a reason — unpaid fines, failure to appear in court, unpaid child support, or an insurance-related issue — and it has an end date. Once you resolve the reason for suspension, you can request reinstatement. Driving while suspended is a criminal offense.
Revoked means your license has been permanently cancelled by the state. You cannot drive legally, and you must reapply for a new license through the full process process. Revocation is more serious than suspension and usually results from serious violations like multiple DUIs or reckless driving convictions.
Denied means you were not issued a license because you did not meet the requirements or failed the test. You can reapply after a waiting period or after meeting specific conditions.
Common reasons for suspension in Tennessee
Unpaid traffic fines are the most common reason for suspension. If you received a ticket and did not pay the fine by the due date, the court reports it to DSHS and your license is suspended automatically.
Failure to appear in court is another frequent cause. If you were ordered to appear for a traffic or criminal court date and did not show up, the judge can request a license suspension.
Unpaid child support suspends your license under Tennessee law. If you owe child support and fall behind on payments, the child support enforcement agency can request a suspension.
Insurance-related suspensions happen when you were involved in an accident and did not have insurance, or when you failed to maintain insurance after being required to carry it (often due to a prior violation). You may also face suspension if you were at fault in an accident and did not pay a judgment against you.
Failure to pay a traffic-related judgment or settlement can trigger suspension. This is different from a fine — it's money owed as a result of a court case.
What to do if your license is suspended
First, find out the exact reason for suspension by checking your status online or calling DSHS. The reason determines what steps you need to take.
If the suspension is due to an unpaid fine, contact the court that issued the ticket. Pay the fine in full or set up a payment plan. Once the court confirms payment, they will notify DSHS, and your suspension will be lifted within a few business days.
If the suspension is due to failure to appear, contact the court when ready. You may need to appear before the judge, pay a failure-to-appear fee, and resolve the original charge. The court will then request reinstatement of your license.
If the suspension is due to unpaid child support, contact your local child support enforcement office or the Tennessee Department of Human Services. Make a payment or arrange a payment plan. Once the agency confirms the arrangement, they will request reinstatement.
If the suspension is insurance-related, you'll need to show proof of current insurance coverage. Contact DSHS or visit a Driver Service Center with proof of insurance (an insurance card or letter from your insurer). You may also need to pay a reinstatement fee, which varies by reason.
After you've resolved the reason for suspension, you can request reinstatement. Some reasons allow online reinstatement through the DSHS website; others require you to visit a Driver Service Center in person or mail in documents. Check the DSHS website for the specific reinstatement process for your reason.
Restricted licenses and hardship permits
If your license is suspended, you may be able to get a restricted license that allows you to drive for specific purposes only, such as driving to and from work, school, or medical appointments. Restricted licenses are not available for all suspension reasons — they're typically granted for suspensions related to unpaid fines or insurance issues, not for serious violations.
To request a restricted license, visit a Driver Service Center with proof of the hardship (such as a letter from your employer or a medical appointment notice) and proof of insurance. You'll pay a fee, which varies. A restricted license has conditions printed on it, and violating those conditions can result in additional penalties.
A hardship permit is similar but is usually a temporary document issued while your suspension is being resolved. may be able to access and the process process vary by the reason for suspension.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive if my license is suspended?
No. Driving with a suspended license is illegal in Tennessee and is a criminal offense. A first offense carries a fine up to $500 and possible jail time. You can only drive if you have a valid, unrestricted license or a restricted license for the specific purpose you're driving.
How long does a suspension last?
The length of suspension depends on the reason. Some suspensions last 30 days; others last six months or longer. Your status check will show the end date of your suspension, or it will tell you what you need to do to have it lifted. Once you resolve the underlying issue, you can request reinstatement when ready.
What's the difference between suspension and revocation?
Suspension is temporary — your license is taken away for a set period or until you fix the problem. Revocation is permanent — your license is cancelled and you must reapply for a new one through the full process process. Revocation is used for serious violations and is harder to reverse.
Do I have to pay a fee to reinstate my license?
Yes, in most cases. Tennessee charges a reinstatement fee that varies depending on the reason for suspension. The fee is typically between $50 and $100. You'll pay it when you request reinstatement, either online or at a Driver Service Center. Some suspensions may have additional fees related to the original violation.
What if I check my status and it says suspended, but I don't know why?
Call the DSHS customer service line at 615-251-8590 and ask for details. The representative can explain the reason and tell you what you need to do to resolve it. You can also visit a Driver Service Center in person and ask for a written explanation of your suspension.