How to Get Your MVR in Tennessee
Tennessee driving records are issued by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security. Order yours directly from the state for $5.00 — no reseller markup — and use it for your driver qualification file or your truck insurance quote.
Tennessee Record Types and Fees
| Record | History | Certified | Fee | DQ file |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) | full-history | No | $5.00 | ✓ |
| Certified Motor Vehicle Record | full-history | Yes | $5.00 | ✓ |
Fees last verified 2026-08 against the official TN ordering page. States change fees — the official page always controls.
Order Online — Immediate — available for download on completion
- Go to https://dl.safety.tn.gov/ (Tennessee Driver Services e-Services portal)
- Select 'Order a Motor Vehicle Report' in the Driver Services section
- Enter your driver name, date of birth, TN license number, Social Security number, and last 5 digits of your DD number
- Pay $5.00 by Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover
- Download your MVR immediately
Order by Mail
- Write a request letter or complete a request form stating your name, date of birth, TN license number, and your mailing address
- Include a cashier's check or money order for $5.00 payable to the Tennessee Department of Safety
- Note: mail requests produce certified copies
- Mail to: Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, MVR Request, PO Box 945, Nashville, TN 37202
- Allow 2 weeks from the mailing date to receive your MVR
Mail to: Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, MVR Request, PO Box 945, Nashville, TN 37202
Turnaround: Allow 2 weeks from the mailing date
Good to Know — Tennessee Quirks
Online MVR ordering is limited to Tennessee residents. Mail-in requests produce certified copies; online records are non-certified. The standard $5.00 fee applies to both methods. Tennessee also offers a Comprehensive Motor Vehicle Record (full history including all entries) — contact the Department of Safety directly for availability and any additional fee. Truck drivers with a TN CDL should confirm their record reflects the CDL history if needed for a DQ file.
Why You Need This Record
If you drive a commercial vehicle, your MVR does two jobs. First, FMCSA rule 49 CFR 391.23 requires a driving record from every state where you held a license in the last 3 years in your driver qualification (DQ) file — within 30 days of hire and annually after that. Owner-operators under their own authority keep a DQ file on themselves. Second, insurance carriers pull an MVR on every listed driver before releasing a quote; bringing a Tennessee record dated within 30 days speeds up underwriting and avoids surprises at bind time.
Get a Truck Insurance Quote →Frequently Asked Questions
- How much does a Tennessee driving record (MVR) cost?
- $5.00 regardless of whether you order online or by mail.
- How do I order my Tennessee MVR online?
- Go to dl.safety.tn.gov, select 'Order a Motor Vehicle Report,' enter your name, date of birth, license number, SSN, and last 5 digits of your DD number, pay $5.00, and download your record immediately.
- Is the Tennessee online MVR certified?
- The online MVR is non-certified. For a certified copy, submit your request by mail with a cashier's check or money order to PO Box 945, Nashville, TN 37202.
- Can I use a Tennessee MVR for a FMCSA Driver Qualification File?
- Yes. The state-issued MVR from the Tennessee Department of Safety — whether online or certified mail copy — is acceptable under 49 CFR 391.23 for a driver qualification file.
- How long does it take to get a Tennessee MVR by mail?
- Allow 2 weeks from the date you mail your request. For faster turnaround, order online at dl.safety.tn.gov for immediate delivery.