To complete a change of address on a Tennessee driver’s license, notify the Department of Safety and Homeland Security within 10 days of moving. You can do it free online in a few minutes if you only need the state’s records updated, or pay a small fee to get a replacement card that shows your new address in person at a Driver Services Center or self-service kiosk.
The 10-Day Deadline
Tennessee Code § 55-50-333 requires anyone holding a Tennessee driver’s license to notify the Department of Safety within 10 days of moving from the address on the license. The same rule applies to name changes.1Justia. Tennessee Code 55-50-333 – Change of Address The statute doesn’t set a specific fine, but an outdated address can complicate traffic stops and identity verification with state agencies.
Update Online or by Mail for Free
If you only need your driving record to reflect the new address, the update is free and no new card is issued. Submit it through the Department of Safety’s portal at dl.safety.tn.gov. You’ll need your full legal name, date of birth, driver’s license number, Social Security number, old address, new address, and the county of your new address.2Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security. Address Change
You can send the same information by mail using a letter or the Change-of-Address Form available at any Driver Services Center. The mailing address is:
TN Department of Safety and Homeland Security
Attn: Driver License Records
PO Box 945
Nashville, TN 372022Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security. Address Change
Either way, expect your record to be updated within about 15 business days.2Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security. Address Change Your card will still show the old address, because the free option does not produce a new one.
Get a New Card Showing the New Address
To have a physical license printed with your updated address, you’re asking for what Tennessee calls a duplicate license. The first duplicate during a renewal cycle costs $6 plus a $2 application fee, for a total of $8. A second or later duplicate in the same cycle runs $10 plus the $2 application fee, or $12 total.3Justia. Tennessee Code 55-50-323 – Fees Handle the transaction at a county clerk’s office instead of a state-run Driver Services Center and there’s an additional $4 surcharge.4Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security. Driver License Fees
Commercial license holders pay more: $12 for the first duplicate and $16 for later ones, before any county surcharge.4Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security. Driver License Fees
Proof of Residency to Bring in Person
Requesting a new card in person means showing two documents that prove you live at your new Tennessee address. Acceptable items include a current utility bill (electric, water, gas, landline phone, or cable), a current bank statement, a mortgage contract, or a signed rental lease paired with a dated letter from the landlord.5Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security. Proof of Tennessee Residency Each must show your name and physical residential address. P.O. boxes don’t qualify.
The two documents can’t come from the same source. A water bill and a gas bill from the same utility count as one document, not two, and a vehicle registration and title from the same source won’t work either.5Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security. Proof of Tennessee Residency Right after a move it can take a full billing cycle before documents show the new address, so give yourself time.
Driver Services Centers vs. Self-Service Kiosks
Driver Services Centers handle the full range of license transactions and can print a new duplicate license on the spot once your address change is verified and fees are paid.2Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security. Address Change They’re the only option if a staff member needs to review residency documents. Appointments can be scheduled through the Department’s website.
Self-service kiosks are placed at county clerk offices, public libraries, city halls, and college campuses. They can take your photo, accept card payments, and print a new license.6Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security. Driver Service Locations and Appointments Kiosks work for straightforward replacements, but they can’t help if your situation calls for manual document review. The Department’s locations page lists every active kiosk and flags any that are temporarily closed.
Vehicle Registration Is a Separate Step
Changing the address on your driver’s license does not update your vehicle registration. Registration records are held by the Tennessee Department of Revenue, not the Department of Safety, and you need to notify the county clerk’s office in your new county of residence for every vehicle in your name.7Tennessee Department of Revenue. How to Change Your Address on Title and Registration Records Registration renewal notices aren’t forwarded by the postal service, so a wrong address on file can quietly leave you driving on an expired registration.
Voter Registration Updates Automatically
Under the National Voter Registration Act, an address change submitted through Tennessee’s driver’s license system also updates your voter registration unless you opt out on the form. The state forwards the information to election officials within 10 days, or within five days if the update is accepted close to a voter registration deadline.8Department of Justice. The National Voter Registration Act Of 1993 (NVRA) If you moved between counties, your polling location may change, so check your precinct on the Tennessee Secretary of State’s website before the next election.