Registration Renewal in Tennessee

Vehicle Registration Renewal in Tennessee

Before your Tennessee vehicle registration expires, you need to renew it with the TN Department of Revenue (DOR) Vehicle Services Division.

On this page you'll find information about renewing your registration online, by mail, and in person.

If you've already submitted your registration renewal, you can contact the TN DOR to check the status of your order.

TN Vehicle Registration Renewal Notice

Before your vehicle registration expires, the Tennessee DOR will mail you a registration renewal notice.

If your county requires a vehicle inspection and emissions test, you will need to get your vehicle checked before you renew your registration. Please see the “Vehicle Inspections & Emissions Testing" section below.

NOTE: If you've lost or never received a registration renewal notice, you can renew your registration with any document that shows your:

  • License plate number.
    OR
  • Vehicle identification number (VIN).

How to Renew Your TN Vehicle Registration

You can renew your vehicle registration with the TN DOR county clerk by mail or in person. In some counties, you can also renew online.

NOTE: Registration renewal fees vary by county. Please see the “Fees to Renew Your TN Registration" section below for more information.

DID YOU KNOW?: Proof of car insurance may be REQUIRED when renewing your registration!

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Online Car Registration Renewal

For a list of counties that offer online registration renewals, please see the complete list provided on the TN DOR website.

To renew your vehicle registration online, visit the Tennessee DOR county clerk website and:

  • Select your county from the menu.
  • Enter your Tennessee license plate number.
  • Pay the registration renewal fee (see “Fees to Renew Your TN Registration" below).

Renew Registration By Mail or In Person

To renew your TN vehicle registration by mail, you'll need:

  • Your renewal notice or your vehicle information.
  • Payment for the renewal fee. See the “Fees to Renew Your TN Registration" section below.

Mail or take your documents in person to your local Tennessee DMV county clerk office.

NOTE: If you are an active duty military member, you will need to bring additional documents. See the “Military Member Vehicle Registration Renewal" section below.

Fees to Renew Your TN Registration

Tennessee registration renewal fees vary depending on the type of vehicle you own.

  • Regular license plate: $26.50.
  • Personalized license plate: $56.50.
  • Regular motorcycle plate: $19.50.
  • Personalized motorcycle plate: $56.50.
  • Handling fees (varies by transaction).

NOTE: Additional vehicle registration fees and taxes vary by county. For more information, please contact your local county clerk or refer to the TN DOR website.

Accepted Forms of Payment

  • Online:
    • E-check.
    • Visa, MasterCard, and Discover credit/debit card.
  • By mail: Check made payable to your local county clerk.
  • In person: Contact your local TN county clerk to see what forms of payment are accepted.

Military Member Vehicle Registration Renewal

If you are an active duty military member stationed out of state, you will need to apply by mail (see the “Renew Your TN Vehicle Registration" section above) and include a copy of your:

  • LES and stationing orders.
  • Current vehicle registration.

If you have any questions about renewing your registration while out of state, contact the Tennessee DOR at (888) 871-3171.

TN Vehicle Inspections & Emissions Testing

The  Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation announced that, as of February 2022, Tennessee would no longer require vehicle emissions testing.

Duplicate TN Registration or License Plate

If your license plate, license plate sticker, or vehicle registration card is lost, stolen, or damaged, you can request a duplicate/replacement by mail or in person.

Vehicle Registration Card

To request a duplicate vehicle registration card you will need:

  • To write a letter that includes your:
    • License plate number.
    • Vehicle identification number (VIN).
  • Payment (see the “Fees to Renew Your TN Registration" section above for accepted payment methods):
    • Standard registration card: $3.
    • Certified registration card: $3.50.

Either mail or take the above in person to your local Tennessee county clerk office.

License Plate or Registration Sticker

To request a duplicate license plate or license plate sticker, you will need:

Either mail or take the above in person to your local Tennessee county clerk office.

Tennessee Registration Renewal: FAQs

What do I need to renew my tags in TN?

To renew your tags in Tennessee, you'll need your license plate number or renewal notice and payment for your registration fee.

Is there a grace period for expired tags in Tennessee?

There is a grace period of 90 days to renew your expired Tennessee tags.

How much is registration renewal in Tennessee?

Your Tennessee registration renewal costs at least $26.50, depending on your plate type.

Forms

RV-F1315301
Application for Duplicate/Replacement License Plate or Decal
Apply for a duplicate/replacement Tennessee license plate OR decal.
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