I'm a new resident in Tennessee: what do I do with my license?

Compare with the state you moved from

Choose the state you came from to see the main differences from Tennessee. Every value comes from that state's official manual (with the page number) or from its license guide. Where a manual does not state a rule, we say so instead of guessing.

Key rules in Tennessee

Each rule comes from the Tennessee driver manual or from the license guide, with its source.

Licensing and paperwork

• Deadline to switch your license

  30 days after establishing residency.

  What the manual says

  • New and returning residents have thirty days after they establish residency to get a Tennessee license.

  • The 30-day deadline

    New or returning residents who hold a driver license from another state must get a Tennessee driver license no later than 30 days after establishing residency. The manual says a person with a license from another state or country must apply for a Tennessee license if they live in Tennessee longer than 30 days, work in Tennessee, or would otherwise qualify as a registered Tennessee voter.

  Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 11

  Source: [1] [2]

• Tests when you transfer a license

  Valid, unexpired out-of-state license: vision screening only. From other countries: vision, knowledge and road skills tests.

  What the manual says

  • A new resident whose out-of-state license is valid and not expired takes only the vision screening.
  • New residents from other countries or with no prior license take all three: vision screening, knowledge and road skills.

  Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 21

• Liability insurance

  Drivers must show evidence of financial responsibility, such as an insurance card; collision insurance is not required.

  What the manual says

  • The manual says collision insurance is not required by Tennessee law, although drivers must show evidence of financial responsibility.
  • An insurance card from a company authorized to do business in Tennessee is one of the listed forms of evidence.

  Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 88, 89

• Change of address

  Within 10 days of the change; telling the post office does not notify the Department.

  What the manual says

  • State law requires you to notify the Department of Safety within ten days of an address change.
  • Telling the post office does not pass the information to the Department, so you could miss your renewal date or other mail.

  Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 13

• How long the license lasts

  Eight years from the date of issue, for people over 21.

  What the manual says

  • Licenses for people over 21 now expire eight years after they are issued.

  • How long your license lasts

    A Tennessee driver license or identification license issued to someone 21 or older is valid for eight years from the date it is issued. For these licenses, the eight years count from the date of issue, not from your birthday.

  Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 11

  Source: [3] [4]

Road rules

• Teen driving hours

  Learner permit: no driving 10 pm-6 am. Intermediate Restricted: 11 pm-6 am, unless a stated exception applies.

  What the manual says

  • Learner permit holders may not drive from 10 P.M. to 6 A.M.
  • The Intermediate Restricted holder is prohibited from driving between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m.

  • Intermediate Restricted License: night driving

    You may not drive between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. unless one of these applies:

    • you are accompanied by a parent or guardian;
    • you are accompanied by a licensed driver who is 21 or older and whom your parent or guardian designated in writing, and you have that written designation with you;
    • you are driving to or from a specifically identified school-sponsored activity or event, and you have written permission from a parent or guardian;
    • you are driving to or from work, and you have written permission from a parent or guardian that names your place of employment; or
    • you are driving to or from hunting or fishing between 4 a.m. and 6 a.m., and you have a valid hunting or fishing license with you.

  Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 14, 19

  Source: [1] [5]

• Passengers for teen drivers

  Intermediate Restricted: 1 passenger, unless one is 21+ with valid unrestricted license, or household siblings ride to/from school (parent's letter).

  What the manual says

  • Those with an intermediate license can only have 1 other passenger in the vehicle, unless an exception applies.
  • An exception applies if one or more passengers is 21 or older with a valid, unrestricted license.
  • Brothers, sisters, step-siblings, adopted or fostered children in the same house may ride when the driver carries a parent's letter, only for school trips.

  Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 19

• Alcohol limit under 21

  BAC .02% for drivers aged 16-20 can mean an underage impaired driving conviction; license lost one year.

  What the manual says

  • A driver aged 16 to 20 with a BAC of .02 percent can be convicted of underage driving while impaired.
  • A conviction for underage driving while impaired means losing your license for one year, plus a fine.

  Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 83

• Refusing a chemical test

  Driving in Tennessee means you consent to testing; refusing after arrest likely brings a 12-month court suspension.

  What the manual says

  • By driving in Tennessee you give your consent to be tested for the alcohol or drug content of your blood.
  • Refusing the test after arrest will likely lead to a court suspension of your driving privileges for twelve months.

  Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 81

• Seat belts

  All drivers and front-seat passengers must buckle up; police can stop and ticket for it alone.

  What the manual says

  • Safety belts are required for all drivers and all front seat passengers whenever the vehicle is moving.
  • The manual says officers can stop and ticket drivers solely for disobeying the safety belt and Child Restraint Device laws.

  Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 31

• Child safety seats

  Under 1 year or under 20 lb: rear-facing. Ages 1-3 over 20 lb: forward-facing. Ages 4-8 under 4'9": booster seat.

  What the manual says

  • A child under one year or under 20 pounds must be in a rear-facing child passenger restraint system.
  • Children one through three who weigh more than 20 pounds must be in a forward-facing child passenger restraint system.
  • A child four through eight and shorter than four feet, nine inches must be in a child booster seat at all times.

  Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 31

• Phone use while driving

  Hands Free Tennessee: no holding a phone with any part of the body; no reading or sending texts.

  What the manual says

  • The law makes it illegal to hold a cellphone or mobile device with any part of your body.
  • The law makes it illegal to write, send or read any text-based communication while driving.

  Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 30

• School buses

  Stop for flashing red lights and stop arm; opposite traffic across median or barrier need not stop, but goes cautiously.

  What the manual says

  • Red flashing lights with the stop arm out mean the bus HAS stopped and children are now boarding or leaving, so motorists must stop.
  • Where a median or barrier separates the roadways, the driver need not stop but should proceed with caution.
  • A middle turn lane is a fifth lane suitable for vehicles, not a barrier, so traffic in both directions must stop.

  Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 51

• Headlights

  30 min after sunset to 30 min before sunrise, constant-wiper weather, or under 200 feet visibility.

  What the manual says

  • The night-use rule runs from 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise.
  • Headlights are required whenever daylight is too poor to see people or vehicles clearly at 200 feet, and when rain, mist, snow or other precipitation requires constant wiper use.

  Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 45

• Speed limits

  55 mph on primary and secondary state and federal highways unless posted; interstates up to 70 mph.

  What the manual says

  • Unless a different speed is posted, the limit on primary and secondary state and federal highways is 55 m.p.h.
  • The maximum for interstate highways is 70 m.p.h., though not every section allows it.

  Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 47

• Left lane and keeping right

  Slower traffic stays in the right lane; on interstates the left lane is for passing only.

  What the manual says

  • Slower traffic stays in the right-hand lane, and the left lane is for passing and turning.
  • The manual says the left lane is for passing only; slower traffic uses the right lane.

  Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 112, 69

• Points and suspension

  Adults: 6-11 points in 12 months bring an advisory letter; 12+ proposed suspension. Under 18: 6+ points.

  What the manual says

  • Adults with 6 to 11 points in 12 months get an advisory letter warning them of possible loss of driving privileges.
  • Adults with 12 or more points within 12 months receive a notice of proposed suspension.
  • Juvenile drivers with 6 or more points within 12 months receive a notice of proposed suspension.

  Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 86

Official steps for moving to Tennessee

• The 30-day deadline

  New or returning residents who hold a driver license from another state must get a Tennessee driver license no later than 30 days after establishing residency. The manual says a person with a license from another state or country must apply for a Tennessee license if they live in Tennessee longer than 30 days, work in Tennessee, or would otherwise qualify as a registered Tennessee voter.

  Source: [1] [2]

• The steps

  New residents go to a full-service Driver Services Center. The steps are: complete the application and upload documents, present the required documents, surrender your out-of-state license, and complete the testing requirements. You can complete the Regular Driver License application and have your documents pre-approved online; allow up to five business days.

  Source: [2]

• Surrender your out-of-state license

  All new or returning residents must surrender their out-of-state license at the time of application, or present a driver record (Motor Vehicle Report) for any Tennessee license. If you are transferring a license from California, Connecticut, Illinois, Nevada or West Virginia, you must get a Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) from your former state. Tennessee law does not allow a resident to hold more than one valid license or ID. Only foreign-country licenses and IDs may be retained.

  Source: [2]

• The tests for new residents

  All new or returning residents must take a vision screening at a full-service Driver Services Center. If your out-of-state license is valid and not expired, the manual (Table 4.1) lists the vision screening as the only test. New residents from other countries must take the vision screening, the Tennessee knowledge test and the road skills test, and may keep the license issued by their country.

  Source: [1] [2]

• New residents under 18

  If you are under 18 and hold a valid learner permit from another state, you must meet separate requirements to get a Tennessee Teen/Graduated Driver License. If you are 15 and have a valid permit from another state, you qualify only for a Tennessee Learner Permit. The Learner Permit must be held for 180 days in total (see Step 3 in the Under 18 section). If you are 16 and have held a valid license from a previous state that was issued at least 90 days before you apply, your application is for an Intermediate Restricted License. If you held the out-of-state license for less than 90 days, you can get an Intermediate Restricted License only if you provide a clear driving record from the previous state that shows a valid learner permit and/or license class held for a combined period of at least 180 days. However long you held the previous license, a Tennessee Intermediate Restricted License must be held for one year before you qualify for the Intermediate Unrestricted License.

  Source: [1] [6] [2]

• Military personnel

  If you hold a valid Tennessee license and serve in the U.S. Armed Forces, the license stays valid regardless of the expiration date shown, as long as you remain on active duty, are based outside Tennessee, and the license is not surrendered, canceled or suspended. After discharge, separation or reassignment to Tennessee, you must renew it within 60 days. Active-duty military personnel may have a "Code 30" placed on their license, which indicates that the license does not expire; members of the National Guard and family members of military personnel are not eligible.

  Source: [2] [3]

Sources

1. Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (printed March 2025) (tn.gov) — Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, Driver Services Division
2. New Residents (tn.gov) — Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, Driver Services Division
3. Renewing Your License or Identification (tn.gov) — Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, Driver Services Division
4. Driver License Fees (tn.gov) — Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, Driver Services Division
5. Types of Issued Licenses (tn.gov) — Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, Driver Services Division
6. Teen/Graduated Driver License (tn.gov) — Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, Driver Services Division