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Tennessee driver's license

Get your first license in Tennessee after moving to the US.

The short answer

Arriving in Tennessee with a valid license from another state, you take only the vision screening; if that license has been expired more than six months, the Tennessee knowledge test and the road skills test are added.1 A $2 application fee is charged each time you sit a test and fail it.2 A temporary driver license costs $28.00, whatever its class and however long it runs.3, 4 A licensed driver aged 21 or older has to come with you to the Driver Services Center for the road skills test.5 Free practice knowledge tests are online at www.tn.gov/dlpractice.6

How it goes

  1. 1
    You arriveYou have moved to Tennessee and you want to drive here.
  2. 2
    Your permitYou practice on the road with a learner permit.
  3. 3
    The written testYou take the written test.
  4. 4
    Behind the wheelYou take the drive test behind the wheel.
  5. 5
    Your licenseYou pass the tests, and the license is yours.

What it costs

A temporary driver license, whatever its type or how long it lasts3$28.00
Each time you sit a test and fail it2$2 each time

If you just arrived in the US

Your immigration status

Tennessee also offers an identification-only license; its page is tn.gov/safety/driver-services/idonly.html.7

  • Anyone who is not a US citizen or lawful permanent resident does not qualify for a standard driver license or standard identification-only license.8

  • Tennessee residents with temporary legal presence and authorized stay are issued a Temporary Driver License (Class XD or XM) once they meet the testing and examination requirements.9

  • The Class XD temporary driver license is valid for your duration of stay.4

  • Students in F-1, F-2, M-1, or M-2 status apply with their SEVIS I-20, and exchange visitors in J-1 or J-2 status apply with their DS-2019.10

  • If you do not drive and are not a US citizen or lawful permanent resident, but you have proof of temporary legal presence and authorized stay, you can get a Class XID Temporary Identification License.11

If your license from another state has expired

New or returning residents whose out-of-state driver license has been expired for more than six months must take the vision screening, Tennessee knowledge exam, and road skills test.1

Your Social Security Number

Giving your number, and who may see it

Tennessee law requires your Social Security number on the application if the U.S. Government has issued you one. The department keeps the number on your record, and it is not printed on your license.12

Tests you take

Eye test

You must have at least 20/40 vision in each eye individually and both eyes together, with or without glasses or contact lenses; if you cannot pass, an eye specialist must complete an eye statement for the department to evaluate.13

Drive test

New residents with a current, valid out-of-state license take only the vision screening; if the out-of-state license has been expired for more than six months, the Tennessee knowledge test and road skills test are also required.1

  • All original applicants for commercial, non-commercial, or temporary driver licenses must pass vision, knowledge, and skills tests before the license is issued.14

Practice questions for the written test

Knowledge test questions come from sections B and C of the driver license manual. Free online practice tests are available at www.tn.gov/dlpractice and in e-Services under Schedule a Test.6

Practising with your permit

Who can sit with you while you practise

With a Class PD learner permit, you may drive only when accompanied by a licensed driver who is at least 21 years old and sitting in the front seat beside you.15

What to bring to the drive test

Who comes with you

If you hold a learner permit and visit a Driver Services Center for a road test, a person 21 years of age or older with a valid driver license must come with you. If you arrive without a licensed driver, you cannot take the test.5

The car and its insurance

You must bring your own vehicle, and it must meet all Tennessee motor vehicle registration requirements with valid tags, comply with state safety laws, and have its equipment in proper working order.16

Where to go

Who gives the tests

The skills test is given at a Driver Services Center, and a permit holder taking it must come with a licensed driver who is 21 or older.5

Booking an appointment

Schedule an appointment at https://tndscappt.cxmflow.com/.17

Office locations

Tennessee lists where to go, and takes appointments, at https://www.tn.gov/safety/driver-services/locations.html.18

Other states

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Sources

Every numbered fact above is quoted from the page that publishes it, in the words it uses.

  1. 1

    “New or returning residents whose out of state license has been expired for more than six months must take the vision screening, Tennessee knowledge test and road skills test.”

    tn.gov/safety/driver-services/classd/dlnew.html

    Checked August 1, 2026

  2. 2

    “You will be required to pay the $2 application fee each time ... you take a test and fail. This fee applies to PD, D and H ... tests.”

    tn.gov/content/dam/tn/safety/documents/DL_Manual.pdf

    Checked July 31, 2026

  3. 3

    “Identification License will be $28.00 regardless of the type of”

    tn.gov/content/dam/tn/safety/documents/DL_Manual.pdf

    Checked July 31, 2026

  4. 4

    “XD-Operator | $26.00 | Duration of Stay | $26.00 | $2.00 | $28.00”

    tn.gov/…/fees.html

    Checked July 28, 2026

  5. 5

    “Any applicant, holding a learner permit, visiting a Driver Services Center to take a skills/road test, must be accompanied by an individual, 21-years-or-older, with a valid driver license.”

    tn.gov/safety/driver-services/classd/new-drivers.html

    Checked July 31, 2026

  6. 6

    “Practice knowledge tests are available on-line at www.tn.gov/dlpractice”

    tn.gov/content/dam/tn/safety/documents/DL_Manual.pdf

    Checked July 31, 2026

  7. 7

    “Identification License -> https://www.tn.gov/safety/driver-services/idonly.html”

    tn.gov/safety/contact.html

    Checked August 1, 2026

  8. 8

    “Anyone who is not a U.S. Citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident will not qualify for the issuance of a driver license or identification only license.”

    tn.gov/safety/driver-services/classd/new-drivers.html

    Checked August 4, 2026

  9. 9

    “Temporary Driver Licenses (TDL) are issued to Tennessee residents who are not U.S. Citizens or Lawful Permanent Residents but have temporary legal presence status and authorized stay in the United States.”

    tn.gov/content/dam/tn/safety/documents/DL_Manual.pdf

    Checked August 1, 2026

  10. 10

    “this page, whose title and headings cover only CITIZENSHIP and LAWFUL PERMANENT RESIDENT status, has NO "Temporary Legal Presence" section. The dlnew.html capture DOES carry one, listing F1/F2/M1/M2 with a SEVIS I-20 and J1/J2 with a DS-2019. Two pages of the same authority, two different answers about whether a temporary-status applicant is covered. Recorded, not reconciled.”

    tn.gov/safety/driver-services/classd.html

    Checked August 4, 2026

  11. 11

    “Temporary Identification card will be shown as Class XID.”

    tn.gov/content/dam/tn/safety/documents/DL_Manual.pdf

    Checked July 31, 2026

  12. 12

    “Tennessee law requires the Social Security number for all applications where the U.S. Government has issued the applicant a Social Security number. The department maintains this information on each applicant’s record. Your social security number will not be printed on your license.”

    tn.gov/content/dam/tn/safety/documents/DL_Manual.pdf

    Checked August 1, 2026

  13. 13

    “To determine if a driver can see well enough to drive, a vision screening is required before any license or permit is issued. An applicant is required to have at least 20/40 vision in each eye individually and both eyes together. This may be with or without your glasses or contact lenses.”

    tn.gov/content/dam/tn/safety/documents/DL_Manual.pdf

    Checked August 2, 2026

  14. 14

    “All original applicants for commercial licenses, non-commercial licenses or temporary driver licenses shall pass vision, knowledge, and skills tests before the license is issued.”

    publications.tnsosfiles.com/…/1340-01-13.20210928.pdf

    Checked August 1, 2026

  15. 15

    “A driver with a Class PD license may operate an automobile only when accompanied by a licensed driver who is at least 21 years old and is sitting in the seat beside the driver.”

    tn.gov/content/dam/tn/safety/documents/DL_Manual.pdf

    Checked August 1, 2026

  16. 16

    “The motor vehicle you bring for the road test must meet all Tennessee motor vehicle registration (valid tags) and safety law requirements and have equipment in proper working order.”

    tn.gov/content/dam/tn/safety/documents/DL_Manual.pdf

    Checked July 31, 2026

  17. 17

    “"Schedule an appointment" -> https://tndscappt.cxmflow.com/”

    tn.gov/safety/driver-services/locations.html

    Checked August 4, 2026

  18. 18

    “Locations and Appointments -> https://www.tn.gov/safety/driver-services/locations.html”

    tn.gov/safety/contact.html

    Checked August 1, 2026

Applying for a driver's license in Tennessee?

Answer a few questions and see the steps that apply to you.

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