Drivers in the Military in Tennessee

Packing up and leaving your home behind is hard enough―you shouldn't have the added worries of expiring driver's licenses and vehicle registrations, as well.

To help ease the stress, Tennessee makes a few exemptions for its military personnel. Not only do you not have to worry about your driver's license expiring, but you can also handle all of your registration and title transactions by mail.

Renewing Your License

If you have a Tennessee driver's license and are in the military, you don't have to worry about your license expiring while you're stationed out of state. Just request that a "Code 30" be placed on your license to show its exemption from expiration until you return to Tennessee.

Currently, the process can't be completed online. To obtain a Code 30, gather up:

• A copy of your orders or letter from your Commander.

• The $8 duplicate license fee (in check or money order form made payable to the DOS).

• A notarized copy of your military ID.

• A letter including your name, date of birth, Tennessee driver's license number, and the address to which your duplicate needs to be mailed.

and send it all to:

• Tennessee Department of Safety

• Cashier's Office

• P.O. Box 560

• Nashville, TN 37249-1000

Note that this exemption doesn't apply to family members of military personnel or members of the National Guard.

Once you're honorably discharged or return to Tennessee, you have 60 days to renew your license. If you wait until after 60 days, you'll be charged a late fee of $5 if you renew within six months and $10 if you renew after six months.

For more information, refer to Tennessee's Driver License Issuance FAQs or Chapter Two of Tennessee's driver handbook.

Vehicle Registration Renewal

The processes military personnel follow to register vehicles and renew registration depend on several factors. The Department of Revenue handles all vehicle registration and has provided all military personnel registration information online:

• New Vehicles

• Used Vehicles

• Registration Transfer

• Address Change

• Payment Information

• Renewal

• Contact Information

• Out-of-state Titles

• Noting of Lien

• Sales Tax

Military License Plates

If you're interested in ordering military or veteran license plates, you're in luck. Tennessee offers plates for all four military branches, as well as the National Guard, and even has special award plates such as the Purple Heart, Medal of Honor, Silver Star, and Bronze Star - Valor.

For more information regarding military license plates, ordering instructions, and fees, visit our License Plates and Placards section.

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