The Department of Safety and Homeland Security will mail you a courtesy renewal notice eight to 10 weeks before this date. It’s important to pay attention to this renewal—included are explanations of the three options you will have to complete the renewal process.

You do not need this renewal notice to renew your license, however. If for some reason you don’t receive your renewal notice—because you recently moved, for example—you can commence the renewal process in person without it.

Renew your driver’s license in Tennessee online, by mail, or in-person

In the state of Tennessee, you have the option to renew your driver’s license online, by mail, or in person depending on your situation. There are also separate renewal options if you are active-duty military.

Be aware that there are some circumstances in which you must renew in person:

If you hold a Class A, B, or C commercial driver license (CDL)

If you are trying to update your license to a REAL ID

Renew your license online

You can renew your TN driver’s license online under the following conditions:

You are a U.S. citizen.

You are renewing a standard Class D license without restrictions or endorsements.

You have a current valid driver license—usually you will need to update your photo every eight years.

You are NOT renewing your license for the first time—this is applicable to all licenses issued after January 1, 2001.

You do NOT wish to change your name.

It is recommended that you wait until you receive your renewal notice to confirm your eligibility before moving forward.

Once you have confirmed your eligibility, you will use Tennessee Driver Services’

online portal

to renew your driver’s license. It will prompt you to verify your identity with the following:

Your name

Date of birth

Tennessee driver’s license number

Social Security Number

You will then follow the directions and pay the $28 fee via credit or debit card at the end of the process. If your license has expired more than 30 days prior, there will be additional fees if you choose to renew online. There may also be a small administrative fee for online processing.

You will receive an email confirmation when the process is finished. This can be printed and used alongside your expired license as a 20-day license extension.

If you have not received a renewal notice in the mail, head to the

nearest driver service center

to complete the renewal process.

Renew your license by mail

To renew your license by mail in Tennessee, you will need to meet the same conditions as if you were renewing online.

Typically, if you are eligible, your renewal notice will contain directions on where to send your application and what it should include. Be sure to remit the $28 renewal fee per the renewal notice’s directions—and make sure your mailing address is correct.

Renew your license in person

Under Tennessee law, you must renew your license in person with a county clerk at a DMV office if you fall under one of these categories:

You were issued a license after January 1, 2001, and are renewing for the first time—Tennessee state law requires individuals to show proof of citizenship upon the first renewal.

You did not receive a renewal notice.

Your current license’s photo is invalid—this typically happens every eight years.

You are not a U.S. citizen.

You are making changes to your legal name.

You are upgrading to a

REAL ID card

—this will require proof of citizenship and residency.

You have a CDL.

Your license is restricted or has other special circumstances.

You hold a Temporary Driver License—this requires

proof of legal presence

and two documents

proving Tennessee residency

To begin the process of an in-person license renewal, simply take your current driver’s license to the nearest driver services center, along with a means of paying the $28 renewal fee.

If you are required to show proof of your citizenship or permanent residency, you will need to bring original copies of the

appropriate documentation

At the driver services center, you will have a new photo taken and will most likely receive your new license immediately.

Renew your license as an active military personnel

If you are an active member of the U.S. Armed Forces, your Tennessee driver’s license can receive what is called a Code 30. This essentially means it will remain valid regardless of the expiration date as long as you meet the following conditions:

You remain on active duty

You are based outside of Tennessee

Your license is not surrendered, canceled, or suspended

To add a Code 30 to your license, you will need to compile the necessary required documents:

A completed

Military Checklist

as a cover letter for your request

A copy of your driver’s license

A copy of military orders confirming active-duty status based outside of Tennessee—note Fort Campbell Army Base is considered a TN base

A note on military letterhead from the commanding officer or a leave and earnings statement if it states current deployment station is accepted in lieu of orders

These documents, along with payment for the fees listed in the checklist, may be sent to the following address:

Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security

Driver Services Division — Special Handling Unit

Attn: Military Coordinator

Browning Building, Room 253

1150 Foster Avenue

Nashville, TN 37243 (or 37210 for overnight shipping)

Note that members of the National Guard and dependents of military personnel are not eligible for Code 30 requests. Additionally, once you are reassigned within the state or no longer on active duty, you must renew your license within 60 days of the separation or reassignment date.

Key Takeaway In Tennessee, you can renew your license online or by mail under certain restrictions and renew your license in person anytime.

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It takes 20 days to renew a Tennessee driver’s license—but you’ll get a temporary one immediately if you renew online

You should allow 20 business days to receive your new license in the mail if you renew it online or by mail.

Online renewal will give you a confirmation page that can be used as a 20-day temporary license until your new license is mailed. If it has been more than 20 days and you still haven’t received your new license, contact the Driver License Issuance center at 1-866-849-3548.

MORE:

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FAQs

Is there a grace period for Tennessee driver’s license renewal?

No, Tennessee does not have a grace period for driver’s license renewal. If you are caught driving with an expired license, you will be ticketed the same way as someone driving without a license at all.

You will also need to pay a late fee between $5 and $10 on top of the standard $28 renewal fee. If it has been more than five years since your license expired, you will need to take the written and driving exam again.

Can I renew my Tennessee driver’s license online?

Yes, you can renew your Tennessee driver’s license online—as long as you are a U.S. citizen, have a valid photo and a standard license, and you’re not trying to update personal information or upgrade to a REAL ID.

If your license was issued after January 1, 2001, and it is your first renewal, you will not be eligible for online renewal as you will need to prove your citizenship in person.

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