Department of Safety Adding Seven New Driver License Stations

Nashville, Tennessee — The Tennessee Department of Safety has announced the locations of seven new driver license stations that will provide more convenient service to citizens across the state. Money for the new facilities was approved by the General Assembly in the 2006 legislative session.

“Driver license services affect almost every Tennessean, and we need to do all we can do to make the experience of getting or renewing a driver license as painless as possible,” said Governor Phil Bredesen. “Increasing the number of stations available will help us improve customer service and give people more access to the vital services they need.”

The counties receiving new stations were selected based on regional growth and/or distance from an existing station. The new facilities will be in:

• Fayette County : 7027 Highway 64 West, Oakland
• Fentress County : 641 South Main Street , Jamestown
• Hamilton County : Still negotiating lease
• Obion County : 1316 South First Street , Union City
• Robertson County : Still negotiating lease
• Rutherford County : 5227 Murfreesboro Road , LaVergne
• Shelby County : 2714 Union Avenue Extended, Memphis

The addresses above are temporary locations, and the department is working to get the stations open before the end of the year. “We have placed a priority on getting these stations up and running,” said Department of Safety Interim Commissioner Gerald Nicely. “At the same time, work is underway to find properties where permanent stations can be constructed in these counties. Our long-term goal is to see that every Tennessean is no more than 30 minutes or 30 miles from a driver license station.”

Tennessee currently has 43 full-service driver license stations statewide. The new stations will bring that number to 50. Full-service driver license stations provide written and road tests, as well as driver license renewals, reinstatements and duplicates for lost licenses. They also provide written tests for commercial drivers, and some also conduct road tests for commercial driver applicants. The system also includes three express locations in Nashville and Memphis that provide duplicate and renewal services only.

Thirty-two County Clerk partners also provide renewal and duplicate services for Tennessee drivers. For a complete list of current driver license station locations, hours of operation and services, and clerk partners, go to: http://state.tn.us/safety/driverlicense/dllocation.htm.

Duplicate and renewal services are also available online, and department officials encourage people with online access to try them. “People who utilize our online services save time for themselves and others,” said Driver License Issuance Director Wanda Moore. “Duplicates and renewals can usually be handled online or even by mail. That leaves the driver license stations for people who need to take the written or road test.”

The department’s Online Services page is at: http://state.tn.us/safety/onlineservices.htm. From there, new applicants can take a practice written test, schedule an appointment for a road test or apply for a renewal or duplicate license. “New applicants often fail the written test the first time,” Moore continued. “The online test allows them to see the types of questions they may encounter on the actual test, and help them to study more effectively. And scheduling a road test by appointment greatly reduces the wait time for new applicants.”

The Tennessee Department of Safety ( www.tennessee.gov/safety ) is responsible for ensuring the safety and general welfare of the traveling public. The department’s general areas of responsibility include law enforcement, safety education and motorist services including the issuance of driver licenses. The department and its highly trained staff of Troopers are responsible for safety on more than 15,000 miles of state and federal highways.