You can change your Tennessee driver's license address online, by mail, or in person at a Driver Services office

Tennessee lets you update your address without renewing your license or paying a fee. The fastest route is the online system if you have a valid email and your current license number. If you cannot go online, you can mail a form to the address on the back of your license, or walk into any Driver Services office with proof of your new address. The whole process takes a few minutes online or a few weeks by mail.

Your address on your license matters for more than just mail. Police use it during traffic stops, insurance companies check it against your policy, and some employers verify it during background checks. An outdated address can also delay important documents like vehicle registration renewals or court notices.

Key Takeaways

  • The online address change at tn.gov/safety/driverlicense is the fastest option and takes about five minutes if you have your license number and a valid email.
  • By mail, you send Form DL 43 with a utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement showing your new address to the address printed on the back of your license.
  • In-person changes at any Driver Services office require the same proof of address and take about 15 to 30 minutes depending on wait times.
  • Your address change is free and does not require you to renew your license early or pay any additional fees.
  • If you move out of state or your license expires soon, you may need to renew instead of just changing your address.

Changing your address online through the Tennessee portal

Go to tn.gov/safety/driverlicense and look for the "Address Change" option under the Driver License Services menu. You will need your Tennessee driver's license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and your date of birth. The system will ask you to enter your new address and confirm it. You must have a valid email address on file or create one during the process.

After you submit, Tennessee sends a confirmation email within a few minutes. Your address updates in the system right away, but you will not receive a new physical license card in the mail. Your current card remains valid with the old address printed on it until it expires or you renew for other reasons. If you need the address to match what is printed on your card, you will have to renew your license, which costs money and takes longer.

The online system works best if your address change is recent and you have not moved out of state. If Tennessee's system cannot verify your information, it will tell you to use the mail or in-person option instead.

Mailing in your address change with Form DL 43

Request Form DL 43 (Address Change) from any Driver Services office, or read it from the Tennessee Department of Safety website. Fill in your current license number, your new address, and sign the form. You must include one document that shows your new address: a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, bank statement, or government mail with your name and address.

Mail the completed form and your proof of address to the address printed on the back of your driver's license. Do not send your actual license card. Include a copy of both sides of your license if you want, though it is not required. Tennessee processes mail requests in about two to three weeks, though delays can happen during busy periods.

Keep a copy of what you mail for your records. If you do not hear back within a month, contact your local Driver Services office to check the status. The mailed address change is free, but you pay for postage.

Changing your address in person at a Driver Services office

Walk into any Driver Services office in Tennessee with your current license and proof of your new address. Bring the same documents accepted by mail: a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, bank statement, or government mail showing your name and new address. The staff will update your address in the system when ready, and you will receive a confirmation receipt.

Like the online change, your physical license card will still show your old address until you renew. If you want a new card printed with your current address, you can renew your license at the same visit, but that costs money and takes longer. Most people just update the address in the system and keep their current card.

Wait times at Driver Services offices vary by location and time of day. Weekday mornings are usually faster than afternoons or weekends. You do not need an appointment for an address change, but some offices accept them. Check your local office's website to see if they offer online scheduling.

What counts as proof of your new address

Tennessee accepts several documents to prove you live at your new address. A utility bill (electric, gas, water, or internet) in your name is the most common. A lease agreement or mortgage statement works if it shows your name and address. Bank statements, credit card statements, and government mail (tax documents, voter registration, Social Security) are also accepted.

The document must show your full name and complete address. It should be dated within the last 60 days, though some offices accept older documents if they are the only proof you have. If you just moved and do not have a bill or lease yet, ask the office what temporary proof they will take—some accept a signed lease or a letter from your landlord on letterhead.

Do not bring your original documents if you are mailing your change. Make a copy and mail that instead. If you are going in person, bring the original so the staff can see it, but they will not keep it.

When you need to renew instead of just changing your address

If your license expires within the next 30 days, Tennessee may require you to renew instead of just changing your address. If you have moved out of state, you must renew your Tennessee license or get a license in your new state—an address change alone will not work. If your name has changed since your license was issued, you need to renew and bring a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order showing the name change.

Renewal costs money and takes longer than an address change, but it gives you a new card with your current address printed on it. You can renew online, by mail, or in person. If you are unsure whether you need to renew or can just change your address, call your local Driver Services office or check the Tennessee Department of Safety website.

What happens after you change your address

Your address updates in Tennessee's system within minutes if you go online or in person, or within two to three weeks if you mail your change. Insurance companies, the DMV, and law enforcement can see your new address once it is in the state system. Your vehicle registration will still show your old address until you renew it, which happens on a separate schedule.

If you have a commercial driver's license (CDL), address changes follow the same process. If you have a learner's permit, you can change your address the same way. Your old physical license card remains valid even though it shows the wrong address—you do not need to carry a new one unless you renew for another reason.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I get a new license card when I change my address?

No. An address change updates your information in Tennessee's system but does not print a new card. Your current card stays valid with the old address on it. If you want a new card with your current address printed on it, you must renew your license, which costs money and takes longer.

How long does an address change take?

Online and in-person changes update when ready in the system. By mail, it takes two to three weeks. Your physical card does not change in any case, so the timing only matters if you need your address updated in Tennessee's records for insurance, registration, or police records.

Can I change my address if my license is expired?

No. You must renew an expired license before you can change the address. Renewal and address change are separate transactions. If your license expired more than a few months ago, you may need to take a new written test or vision test as part of the renewal process.

What if I do not have a utility bill or lease to prove my new address?

Bank statements, credit card statements, and government mail (tax forms, voter registration) all count as proof. If you just moved and have none of these yet, call your local Driver Services office and ask what temporary proof they will take. Some accept a signed lease or a letter from your landlord.

Do I have to change my address on my license, or can I leave it as is?

You are not required to change it, but it is a good idea. Police use your address during traffic stops, insurance companies check it against your policy, and some employers verify it during background checks. An outdated address can also delay vehicle registration renewals or court notices.