Check your Tennessee license status online or by phone in minutes
The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security runs an online lookup tool where you can see whether your license is suspended, revoked, or valid. You enter your driver's license number and date of birth, and the system tells you your current status when ready. If you prefer not to go online, you can call the Driver Services office at 615-251-8590 during business hours (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Central Time) and speak to someone who will look it up for you.
A suspension means your license is temporarily invalid — you cannot legally drive. It is different from a revocation, which is permanent until you go through a formal reinstatement process. Knowing which one applies to you matters because the steps to get back on the road are different for each.
Key Takeaways
- The Tennessee Department of Safety online tool at tn.gov/safety shows your license status in real time using your license number and birth date.
- You can also call Driver Services at 615-251-8590 during business hours to have someone check your status over the phone.
- A suspension is temporary; a revocation is permanent until you complete reinstatement requirements set by the state.
- Common reasons for suspension in Tennessee include unpaid traffic fines, failure to appear in court, unpaid child support, and medical suspension.
- Once you resolve the underlying reason for suspension, you must request reinstatement through the Driver Services office.
Using the Tennessee online license lookup tool
Go to the Tennessee Department of Safety website and find the Driver License Status Check tool. Enter your full driver's license number (the one on the front of your card) and your date of birth in the format the system requests. The tool will return your status within seconds.
The results page will show one of three statuses: Valid (your license is current and you can drive), Suspended (your license is temporarily invalid), or Revoked (your license has been permanently cancelled). If your license is suspended or revoked, the page may also display the reason — for example, "Failure to Pay Fine" or "Medical Suspension" — though not all reasons appear in the online tool.
If the tool does not return a result, double-check that you entered your license number and birth date correctly. If you still get no result after a second attempt, call Driver Services to confirm your information is in the system.
Calling Driver Services for your status
The Tennessee Driver Services office handles license status questions by phone. Call 615-251-8590 and tell the representative you want to check your license status. Have your driver's license number and date of birth ready. The representative will look up your record and tell you whether your license is valid, suspended, or revoked.
If your license is suspended, ask the representative three things: the reason for the suspension, the date it took effect, and what you must do to have it lifted. Write down the answers. Some suspensions are lifted automatically once a condition is met (like paying a fine), while others require you to file paperwork with Driver Services.
Call during business hours Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Central Time. Wait times are usually shorter early in the morning or late in the afternoon.
Common reasons for license suspension in Tennessee
Tennessee suspends licenses for several reasons. The most common are unpaid traffic fines or court costs, failure to appear for a court date, unpaid child support, and medical suspension (when a doctor reports that you are unsafe to drive). Other reasons include accumulating too many points on your driving record, driving without insurance, and being convicted of certain drug offenses.
Some suspensions are automatic — the court or the state triggers them without you having to be notified first. Others come with a letter from Driver Services explaining the reason and what you need to do. If you received a letter, keep it; it contains information you will need when you contact Driver Services to resolve the suspension.
If you do not know why your license was suspended, the online tool or a phone call to Driver Services will tell you. Do not assume the reason — it affects what steps you take next.
What to do if your license is suspended
Once you know the reason for suspension, you must address that reason before your license can be reinstated. If the suspension is due to an unpaid fine, you pay the fine to the court or the collection agency listed in your suspension notice. If it is due to unpaid child support, you contact the child support enforcement office. If it is medical, you must see a doctor and have them clear you to drive, then submit their clearance to Driver Services.
After you resolve the underlying issue, you do not automatically get your license back. You must request reinstatement from the Driver Services office. Some reinstatements are free; others require a reinstatement fee (typically $50 to $100, depending on the reason for suspension). You can request reinstatement online, by mail, or in person at a Driver Services office.
The reinstatement process usually takes one to two weeks. During that time, you still cannot drive legally. Once Driver Services approves your reinstatement, your license becomes valid again, and you can drive when ready.
Where to find Driver Services offices in Tennessee
Tennessee has Driver Services offices in Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville, Chattanooga, and several other cities. If you need to request reinstatement in person or have questions that require face-to-face help, you can visit any office. Hours vary by location, but most are open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
You can find the full list of office locations and hours on the Tennessee Department of Safety website. Some offices are busier than others; calling ahead to ask about wait times can save you a trip.
Reinstating your license after suspension
To request reinstatement, you have three options: online through the Tennessee Department of Safety website, by mail to the Driver Services office, or in person at any Driver Services location. The online method is fastest — you can submit your request and pay any reinstatement fee when ready, and Driver Services will process it within one to two weeks.
If you choose to mail your request, include a letter stating that you are requesting reinstatement, your driver's license number, your date of birth, and proof that you have resolved the reason for suspension (such as a receipt showing the fine was paid). Mail it to the Driver Services office address listed on the Tennessee Department of Safety website.
In person, bring your driver's license, proof that the underlying issue is resolved, and payment for any reinstatement fee if one applies. The representative will process your request on the spot and give you a receipt. Your license will be valid within one to two weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive if my license is suspended?
No. Driving with a suspended license is illegal in Tennessee and can result in additional fines, criminal charges, and a longer suspension. If you are stopped by police, your vehicle can be impounded and your license suspension extended.
How long does a suspension last?
The length of suspension depends on the reason. Some suspensions last a set number of days or months; others remain in place until you resolve the underlying issue and request reinstatement. The online tool or a call to Driver Services will tell you the specific duration for your suspension.
What is the difference between suspension and revocation?
A suspension is temporary — once you meet the conditions, your license can be reinstated. A revocation is permanent until you complete a formal reinstatement process that may include a new written test, a driving test, or both. Revocations are typically issued for serious violations like multiple DUIs.
Do I have to pay a fee to get my license reinstated?
Some reinstatements are free, but many require a fee ranging from $50 to $100 depending on the reason for suspension. The Driver Services office will tell you whether a fee applies when you request reinstatement.
What if I disagree with the suspension?
You have the right to request a hearing before the Driver Services office. Contact Driver Services to learn the important date for requesting a hearing — it is usually 10 days from the date you received notice of suspension. A hearing officer will review your case and decide whether the suspension should stand.