Mail your suspended license to the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security

When your Tennessee driver's license is suspended, you must return it by mail to the state agency that issued it. The address is the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, Driver License Section, 1150 Foster Avenue, Nashville, TN 37249. This is the only mailing address the state accepts for suspended licenses.

Do not mail your license to a local DMV office, a courthouse, or any other address. The Driver License Section in Nashville is the central processing point for all suspended licenses in the state. Mail sent elsewhere will be delayed or returned to you.

You should send your license by certified mail with return receipt requested. This gives you proof that the state received it and the date they received it. Keep the receipt — you may need it if questions arise about whether you returned the license on time.

Key Takeaways

  • Mail your suspended Tennessee license to the Driver License Section at 1150 Foster Avenue, Nashville, TN 37249 — this is the only correct address.
  • Use certified mail with return receipt so you have proof the state received your license and when they received it.
  • Do not mail your license to a local office, courthouse, or any other address; it will not reach the right department.
  • Include a note with your name, driver's license number, and the reason for suspension so staff can match it to your file.
  • Mailing your license does not automatically lift the suspension; you must also meet all other requirements the state set for reinstatement.

What to include with your suspended license

When you mail your license, include a brief note with your full name, date of birth, and driver's license number. Write the reason for suspension on the note if you know it — for example, "suspended for unpaid traffic fines" or "suspended for failure to appear." This helps the Driver License Section match your package to your file quickly.

Do not include money, checks, or any other documents unless the suspension notice you received specifically told you to send them. If your suspension requires you to pay fines, court costs, or reinstatement fees, those payments go to the court or the agency that imposed the suspension, not to the Driver License Section. Sending money to Nashville will delay your case.

Keep a copy of everything you mail. If your package is lost, you will need to show what you sent and when. A photo of your license and the note before you mail them is enough.

How long it takes after you mail your license

The Driver License Section typically processes returned licenses within two to four weeks of receipt. However, mailing your license is only one step. Your suspension will not be lifted until you have also met every other requirement — paying fines, completing a defensive driving course, serving a suspension period, or whatever else the suspension order requires.

After the Driver License Section receives your license, they will check your file to see what else you still owe. If you have not completed those steps, they will hold your license and send you a letter explaining what remains. You will not get your license back until everything is done.

Once all requirements are met, the state will mail your reinstated license to the address on file. This usually takes another one to two weeks. If you have moved since your suspension, update your address with the Driver License Section before you mail your license so your reinstated license goes to the right place.

Updating your address before mailing your license

If you have moved since your license was suspended, you can update your address online through the Tennessee Department of Safety website before you mail your license. Go to the Driver License Section page and look for the address change option. You will need your driver's license number and the last four digits of your Social Security number.

If you cannot update your address online, call the Driver License Section at 615-251-8590 during business hours (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Central Time). Staff can update your address over the phone. Do this before you mail your license so your reinstated license is sent to your current home.

If you mail your license with an old address on file, your reinstated license will go to that old address. You will then have to contact the Driver License Section to request they mail it to your new address, which adds weeks to the process.

What happens if you do not mail your license

Tennessee law requires you to return a suspended license. If you do not mail it within the timeframe stated in your suspension notice, the state may issue a warrant for your arrest for failure to surrender your license. You can also face additional charges and fines.

If you have lost your suspended license and cannot mail it, contact the Driver License Section when ready at 615-251-8590. Explain that your license is lost and ask what to do. You may be able to submit a lost license report instead of mailing the physical card, but you must contact them first — do not ignore the requirement.

If your suspension notice does not say when you must mail your license, contact the Driver License Section or the court that suspended your license to find out. Do not assume you have unlimited time.

Tracking your mailed license

Because you are using certified mail with return receipt, you will get a postcard back from the post office showing the date your package was delivered. Write down that date and keep it with your receipt. This is your proof that the state received your license.

You can also call the Driver License Section at 615-251-8590 about two weeks after you mail your license to confirm they received it and to ask what other steps you need to complete. Have your driver's license number and the certified mail tracking number ready when you call.

Do not expect the Driver License Section to call you. You are responsible for following up and making sure your case is moving forward. Calling every two weeks is reasonable if you are waiting for reinstatement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hand-deliver my suspended license instead of mailing it?

No. Tennessee requires suspended licenses to be mailed to the Driver License Section in Nashville. You cannot hand-deliver it to a local office or courthouse. The only exception is if a court or law enforcement officer specifically ordered you to surrender your license in person, which would be stated in your suspension notice.

What if I mail my license but my suspension was already lifted?

Contact the Driver License Section when ready at 615-251-8590 and explain that you mailed your license but your suspension was lifted. Provide your certified mail tracking number. Staff can intercept the package or return it to you, depending on where it is in the mail system.

Do I need to include a return envelope so the state can mail my license back?

No. The state will mail your reinstated license to the address on file in your driver's license record. You do not need to include a return envelope or prepaid postage. The Driver License Section covers the cost of mailing your reinstated license to you.

What if the certified mail receipt shows my package was delivered but I never hear from the state?

Call the Driver License Section at 615-251-8590 and provide your certified mail tracking number and delivery date. Ask them to confirm they received your license and what your file shows as the next step. Sometimes packages are received but not when ready processed, especially during busy periods.

Can someone else mail my suspended license for me?

Yes. A family member or friend can mail your license on your behalf. They should include the same note with your name, date of birth, and license number. The license must still go to the Nashville address, and you should still use certified mail so you have proof of delivery.