Motor Vehicles

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REGISTRATION RENEWAL

All vehicles must be tested every year except:
– 1974 model or older vehicle
– Motorcycles
– Vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating greater than 10,500 lbs.

Download an Inspection Exemption Form

Emissions testing is performed by SysTech International, a for profit corporation not affiliated with the County Clerk’s office. Click here for locations.

Take your vehicle along with the renewal notice you may have received in the mail from the Tennessee Department of Revenue, to one of the vehicle emissions testing stations.  If you did not receive a renewal notice in the mail, you may still continue on to the Emissions testing center.   You do not need a renewal slip to have your vehicle tested.

If your vehicle fails the emissions test, you may choose to have it repaired or adjusted. You may return to an inspection station for one free retest within a specific period of time.

After you have satisfied the emissions test requirement you may renew online, through the mail, or in person.  Renewing online is safe, secure, and a real time saver. Decals are often mailed the next business day.

If you have additional questions about license plate renewal that are not answered on this website, please call the County Clerk’s office at (615) 862-6251.

The Tennessee Department of Revenue sends out renewal notices as a courtesy, you are still obligated to renew your registration by your vehicle’s expiration date. You may renew up to 90 days of your expiration date.

RENEWAL AMOUNTS

RENEWAL IN PERSON

Please take the passed emissions test slip, and either the renewal notice or a copy of your current registration to one of our locations. If you have misplaced your renewal notice or your emissions testing slip you may still renew in person. You do not need your renewal notice or testing slip to renew. Renewals are processed at all locations, however if you wish to purchase a Specialty/Personalized License Plates, it must be picked up at our main office, 700 2nd Ave South, Suite 101, Nashville, TN 37210.

Please note: A few of the Specialty/Personalized and/or Military license plates are being re-issued this year and must be picked up at  our main office, 700 2nd Avenue South. It is not possible to keep every (type of) Specialty, Personalized and/or Military license plate at our satellite offices. If you have a Specialty, Personalized and/or Military license plate, or wish to purchase one, please call 615-862-6251 to confirm that your requested license plate is available at the location you plan to renew.

RENEWAL BY MAIL

To register by mail, send us your inspection certificate or a signed Inspection Exemption Form, your renewal notice, (if you did not receive a renewal notice in the mail, you may send a copy of your title or a copy of your previous registration), and your payment for the correct registration amount (Renewal Amount). You may pay by credit card or check (please do not send cash). To renew by credit card please include a signed and completed credit card authorization form with your renewal application. When paying by check, your check should be made payable to Davidson County Clerk. Your current TN Driver License number and daytime phone number must be printed or written on the check. Checks are accepted on Tennessee banks only.

If you are renewing a specialty license plate you will need to visit the State website here, to determine if you are required to submit a copy of your membership credentials to our office for eligibility verification.

You should mail in your renewal at least three (3) mailing days prior to your vehicle’s  registration expiration date.

Send to:
Davidson County Clerk
P.O. Box 196333
Nashville, TN 37219-6333