Heads Up, Memphis! Your Driver's License Renewal Window Is Closing!

Heads Up, Memphis! Your Driver's License Renewal Window Is Closing!

"Do you really want to spend your Saturday morning in line on Summer Avenue?"

If you live in Memphis, you know that the Driver Services Centers can be incredibly busy. But ignoring your expiration date is not an option. Tennessee law is strict: if you let your license expire for more than six months, you lose the ability to renew online and may have to retake your driving test.

This guide explains how to use the state's "e-Services" to renew from home, which Shelby County locations are the most efficient, and why you need your MLGW bill for the Real ID.

Table of Contents

  • 1. The "6-Month Rule": Don't Get Stuck Retesting
  • 2. Online Renewal: Skip the Trip to Summer Ave
  • 3. Memphis Driver Services Locations & Tips
  • 4. Real ID Checklist: The Gold Star Requirement

1. The "6-Month Rule": Don't Get Stuck Retesting

Tennessee driver's licenses expire every eight years. While there is a small window for late renewal, the penalties escalate quickly:

  • Late Fee: If you renew more than 30 days after your expiration date, you will be charged a late fee.
  • The 6-Month Cutoff: If your license has been expired for more than six months, you cannot renew online. You must visit a center in person.
  • Mandatory Retesting: If you let it lapse for too long, the Department of Safety may require you to retake the knowledge exam and the road skills test as if you were a new driver.

2. Online Renewal: Skip the Trip to Summer Ave

The Tennessee Department of Safety & Homeland Security (TDOSHS) encourages residents to use the e-Services portal. You are eligible if:

  • You are a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident.
  • Your current photo is valid (photos are generally good for 16 years).
  • You are not changing your name.
  • You are not upgrading to a Real ID for the first time.

If you renew online, print your temporary license immediately. Your hard copy will arrive by mail in about 20 business days.

3. Memphis Driver Services Locations & Tips

If you must visit in person (e.g., for a Real ID), appointments are highly recommended. Walk-ins are accepted but wait times can be long, especially at Summer Avenue.

Summer Avenue Driver Services Center

5344 Summer Ave, Memphis, TN 38122

*Central location, extremely high volume.

📞 Call Center
East Shelby Drive Driver Services Center

3200 East Shelby Dr, Memphis, TN 38118

*Located near the airport/FedEx hub.

📞 Call Center
Millington Driver Services Center

5019 West Union Rd, Millington, TN 38053

*Often has shorter wait times than city centers.

📞 Call Center

4. Real ID Checklist: The Gold Star Requirement

Starting May 7, 2025, you will need a Real ID (marked with a gold star) to board domestic flights out of MEM. A standard license will no longer be accepted by TSA.

To upgrade, you must visit a center in person with:

  • Proof of Citizenship: Birth Certificate or Passport.
  • Proof of SSN: Social Security Card or W-2.
  • Two Proofs of TN Residency: Your MLGW bill is the most common proof, along with a bank statement or lease agreement showing your Memphis address.

🚀 Essential Resources for Memphians

👉 Access TN e-Services (Online Renewal)

👉 Financial Aid: How to Apply for SNAP Benefits (Food Stamps)

👉 Health Alert: 2026 Free Vaccine Finder & Guide

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