Renewing Your License
A Tennessee Driver License for persons over the age of 21 will expire every eight (8) years from the date of issuance. When your license expires, you are no longer entitled to drive a vehicle or motorcycle and will be subject to the same penalties as someone who has never been licensed.
The Department of Safety and Homeland Security mails every driver a courtesy renewal notice approximately eight to ten weeks before their license expires. READ YOUR RENEWAL NOTICE CAREFULLY. The ways to renew your driver license are explained on your renewal notice.
For your first Tennessee Driver License renewal, you are required to renew in-person at a Driver Service Center and provide Proof of Citizenship/Lawful Permanent Residency.
If you did not receive a renewal notice, you may simply take your current license to any Driver Services Center. The renewal notice itself is not necessary for you to be able to renew your license.
When you renew your license, you may wish to upgrade to a REAL ID. Beginning May 7, 2025, everyone must have a REAL ID license or passport to enter certain Federal buildings, military bases and nuclear power plants or board commercial flights within the United States.
If you have a current valid photo license, you may be eligible to renew online with e-Services. Once you are in e-Services click on Renew a License, Permit, or ID under Non-Commercial Driver License. If you choose to renew by online, you receive an updated license re-using your current photo.
NOTE: Under Tennessee law, a non-photo Driver License will no longer be accepted as identification for the purposes of voting effective Jan. 1, 2012.
NOTE: Effective Jan. 1, 2013, persons aged 60 or older having a non-photo driver license issued Dec. 31, 2012, or prior to that date, are permitted to retain the non-photo driver license. Applicants who are 60 years old on Jan. 1, 2013, or after, will not qualify for a non-photo driver license based on age only.
Renew a Commercial Driver License
If you have a Class A, B or C Commercial Driver License (CDL), you are required to renew your license in-person at a Driver Services Center. CDL holders must also provide their current valid Medical Certification at the time of renewal.
Renew a Temporary License
If you currently hold a Temporary Driver License or Identification License you must renew your license in person at a Driver Services Center. You must provide updated Acceptable Proof of Temporary Legal Presence and length of authorized stay in the USA at the time of your renewal. Two (2) Acceptable Proofs of Tennessee Residency will also be required at renewal.
Military Personnel
If a person holds a valid Tennessee license and is in the United States Armed Forces, that license shall remain valid regardless of the displayed expiration date as long as:
- the person remains on active duty; and
- is based outside the State of Tennessee, and
- the license is not surrendered, canceled or suspended.
Active-duty military personnel may have a "Code 30" placed on his or her license, which will indicate the license does not expire. Members of the National Guard and family members of military personnel are not eligible for this provision.
Once the active-duty military member has been discharged, separated or has been reassigned to a duty station within Tennessee he or she must renew his/her license within sixty (60) days following the date of separation on the DD214 form or reassignment to Tennessee.
NOTE: Assignment to Fort Campbell Army Base is considered reassignment back to Tennessee. Fort Campbell Army Base is in both Tennessee and Kentucky.
Apply for a “Code 30” In-Person
To add a "Code 30" to their license, military personnel can provide identification and required military documents at a Driver Services Center and pay the appropriate fees. Please use the Military Checklist form to assist you in making your request.
Military Orders verifying active-duty status and showing the member of the military will be based outside of Tennessee
A letter on military letterhead from the commanding officer or a leave and earnings statement (LES) if it identifies current deployment station may be accepted in lieu of orders.
Apply for a “Code 30” by Mail
To add a "Code 30" to your license by mail send a completed Military Checklist with the following:
- Military Orders verifying active-duty status and showing the member of the military will be based outside of Tennessee
- A letter on military letterhead from the commanding officer or a leave and earnings statement (LES) if it identifies current deployment station may be accepted in lieu of orders.
- A letter on military letterhead from the commanding officer or a leave and earnings statement (LES) if it identifies current deployment station may be accepted in lieu of orders.
- Address to mail the approved and processed license with the Code 30
- Fees based upon the number of duplicates issued to the applicant
- Contact e-mail address in the event additional information is needed
Mail the application to the Department of Safety and Homeland Security at:
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 (use zip code 37210 for overnight shipping)