New to Knoxville? Start power, water and gas with KUB, pick an internet provider, title your car with the Knox County Clerk and get a Tennessee license within 30 days.
Last checked Oct. 17, 2026. Facts come from the Knoxville Utilities Board, the Knox County Clerk and its driver’s license page, the providers’ own pages linked below, and our other guides. We do not list prices; providers set and change them.
Moving to Knoxville takes five main calls: start utilities with KUB, choose an internet provider, sign up for recycling, title and register your car with the Knox County Clerk, and get a Tennessee driver’s license within 30 days. This page covers what our other guides do not, and links to them for the rest.
New-resident checklist
- Power, water, sewer and gas: KUB, start service online or 865-524-2911
- Trash and recycling: automatic for city addresses; sign up for recycling through 311, 865-215-4311
- Car title and tags: Knox County Clerk, any clerk office
- Driver’s license: a Tennessee Driver Services Center, within 30 days
- Voter registration: Knox County Election Commission, 865-215-2480
- Schools: your zoned Knox County school; Office of Enrollment and Transfers, 865-594-1502
Utilities: KUB does it all
Inside the city, the Knoxville Utilities Board supplies electricity, water, wastewater and natural gas on one account. To start service online, KUB asks for:
- Your new address
- A valid email address
- A start date, with at least one business day’s notice
- Your Social Security number
If you do not have a Social Security number, KUB says you must start service in person at a KUB customer service center. KUB may run a credit check to decide whether a deposit is needed; the terms are on KUB’s start or stop services terms page. Customer service is 865-524-2911. For outages after you move in, see our power outages guide.
Internet
These providers publish home internet service in Knoxville. Check your exact address on each provider’s own page before you sign up:
| Provider | Type | Where to check and sign up |
|---|---|---|
| KUB Fiber | Fiber, from the city’s utility | kub.org/fiber (availability by address) |
| Xfinity (Comcast) | Home internet | xfinity.com/local/tn/knoxville |
| AT&T | Home internet | att.com Knoxville page |
| WOW! | Home internet | wowway.com (Knoxville market) |
KUB has been building its fiber network across its service area in stages, so check availability for your address. KUB’s support line for fiber is 865-524-2911, option 1.
Your car
- Title and register every vehicle in your name at any Knox County Clerk office; the clerk collects the fees and issues the registration. Allow 10 to 15 business days for the title.
- Renew the registration every year. Change your address with the clerk; renewal notices are not forwarded.
- No emissions test. Knox County does not require emissions inspections for passenger vehicles.
- Insurance: Tennessee checks coverage through its Drive Insured Tennessee program.
Your driver’s license
New or returning residents with a valid out-of-state license must get a Tennessee license no later than 30 days after establishing residency, at a Tennessee Driver Services Center, not at the county clerk. Bring two proofs of your Tennessee address, proof of citizenship or legal presence and your Social Security number. With a valid out-of-state license, only the vision test is required, the clerk says. Your old license is surrendered. Renewals and Real ID replacements later can be done at the Knox County Clerk’s Halls, Cedar Bluff, East and Old Courthouse offices.
Property tax relief
Tennessee and Knox County offer tax relief and tax freeze programs for qualifying older, disabled and veteran homeowners; the assessor’s office lists the application deadline as April 5. Details are in our property taxes guide.
Pets
Animal control for the city and the county is run by Young-Williams Animal Services, 865-407-2229. Its Young-Williams Animal Center, the shelter, is at 865-433-9922.
Guides for the rest of the move
- Trash and recycling pickup: pickup day lookup, glass drop-off, bulk pickup
- Property taxes: two bills, due dates, the 2026 reappraisal
- Building permits and zoning: before you remodel
- Schools guide: zoned schools and enrollment
- Voting: registering at your new address
- Power outages: KUB’s outage map
- Who to call at City Hall: 311 and the council
- Getting around Knoxville: roads, KAT buses, the airport and parking
What this means for you
- Start KUB service a few days before move-in; the online form needs one business day’s notice.
- Put the 30-day license deadline on your calendar the day you arrive.
Frequently asked questions
How do I set up utilities in Knoxville?
The Knoxville Utilities Board (KUB) supplies electricity, water, wastewater and natural gas in the city. Start service online at kub.org with one business day’s notice, or call 865-524-2911.
How long do I have to get a Tennessee driver’s license after moving to Knoxville?
New residents with a valid out-of-state license must get a Tennessee license at a state Driver Services Center no later than 30 days after establishing residency, and surrender the old license.
Does Knox County require emissions testing?
No. The Knox County Clerk says Knox County does not require emissions inspections for passenger vehicles.
What internet providers serve Knoxville?
KUB Fiber, Xfinity, AT&T and WOW! all publish service in Knoxville. Check your exact address on each provider’s site; KUB Fiber lists availability by address.
Do I need to sign up for trash pickup in Knoxville?
No. City garbage pickup comes with your address and is paid for through city taxes. Curbside recycling is free but you must sign up, online or through 311 at 865-215-4311.
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