Knox County Tennessee

Driver's License

We reserve the right to stop accepting applications for any service before closing time if the demand exceeds our ability to process all applications before our required daily submission.

Four of the Knox County Clerk’s Office locations offer the renewal and replacement of Driver Licenses, State IDs, Real ID/Driver Licenses, and Handgun Carry Permits through our partnership with the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security.  We also offer replacement Commercial Driver Licenses (CDLs).

First Time applicants for a Tennessee Driver License or State ID, including new residents, and those wishing to add an endorsement or to upgrade the classification of their Driver License must visit one of theDepartment of Safety & Homeland Security Driver Service Center Locationsfor processing.

Please note:

- For providing these services, the Knox County Clerk's Office collects $4.00 in addition to all state fees (T.C.A. § 55-50-331 (a))

- A new picture will be required when you come in.

- If you do not receive the hard copy of your driver’s license within 20 business days of issuance, you must email Online.driverlicense@tn.gov. The Knox County Clerk offices cannot reissue the license without charging a duplicate fee.

Knox County Clerk’s Office Issues Real ID/Driver Licenses

Effective May 7, 2025, Tennesseans along with all Americans 18 and older must have a Real ID to board domestic flights and have access to certain federal facilities. You can obtain a Real ID at our Halls, Cedar Bluff, East and Old Court House offices with proper documentation.


Replacement Driver License or Photo Identification Card

Driver's LicenseYou may replace your Class 'D' Driver License or Photo ID Card at any of the four Knox County Clerk's Offices listed above. You will need to bring two (2) acceptable forms of ID.The fee for the first duplicate/replacement is $12.00. The fee is $16.00 for a duplicate license if you have received a duplicate/replacement Driver License or Photo ID Card since your last renewal. If an eye exam is needed to remove a restriction, you will need to visit a state office as our offices only process driver’s license renewals and duplicates.


Driver License or Photo Identification Card Renewal

Driver's License The Department of Safety mails every driver a courtesy renewal notice four to six weeks before their license expire date. If you have a change of address and fail to notify the Tennessee Department of Safety, your Driver License Renewal Notice will not be forwarded. You can go to any of the four  Knox County Clerk's Office locations listed above, complete the Standard Driver License Application and have your renewal processed at the service counter.


First Time Applicants and New or Returning Tennessee Residents

Driver's LicenseFirst time Drivers’ License applicants must apply and test at a Tennessee State Facility. New or returning residents holding a valid out-of-state driver license must obtain a Tennessee driver license from a Tennessee State Facility no later than thirty (30) days after establishing residency. All out-of-state driver licenses must be surrendered. Tennessee law does not allow a resident of this state to hold more than one valid driver license.

New residents must provide two (2) proofs of their current valid Tennessee residence address as well as proof of citizenship or legal presence and Social Security Number. If a new resident brings a valid, out-of-state driver license (or a certified driving record from that state showing the license has not expired), only the vision test is required. However, if the license has expired over six months, all tests are required.


Manuals, Forms and Publications

https://www.tn.gov/content/tn/safety/driver-services.html#documents
Here you will find Driver License Manuals as well as other forms and publications


Testing, Permits, Commercial Driver License, Graduated Driver Licenses and Handgun Carry Permits

https://www.tn.gov/safety/driver-services/locations.html
Here you will find detailed information containing phone numbers, addresses and hours of operation for each service center.


Payment Information

Visa, MasterCard, American Express and TeleCheck The Knox County Clerk's Office accepts cash, checks, and credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, and American Express). We cannot accept credit cards for Passport services. A fee of 2.5% is assessed by the electronic processing company on all credit and debit card transactions. This fee does not go to the Knox County Clerk's Office. When you submit a check, you are authorizing electronic movement of funds from your account to the Knox County Clerk's account for payment of your transaction. There is a $30.00 NSF fee on all returned checks that are processed electronically. For those checks that are not processed electronically, the following statutory penalties will apply: the amount of the check on any amount owing less than or equal to twenty dollars, $20.00 on any amount owing greater than twenty dollars but less than two thousand dollars, and 1% on any amount owing greater than two thousand dollars. (T.C.A. § 9-1-109)