FRANKFORT — More than 150,000 Kentuckians have skipped a trip to a licensing office and renewed their driving credential online, thanks to the launch of online renewal in June 2021 by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet.
Kentuckians also have the option of renewing by mail, and more than 10,000 people have done so to date.
Online and mail renewal are new options that were not available under Kentucky’s traditional system of having credentials issued by offices of circuit court clerks.
“With licensing shifting from circuit court clerks to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, Kentuckians have more renewal options than ever before to take care of licensing needs,” said Gov. Andy Beshear. “Kentucky is modernizing the licensing process and more innovations are on the horizon as we take licensing to the next level.”
Last month, KYTC’s online renewal system – developed by the Kentucky Office of Information Technology – won a Kentucky Digital Government Summit award in the “Best Application Serving the Public” category.
“The number of Kentuckians who renewed online nearly equals the combined populations of Bowling Green, Covington and Elizabethtown,” said KYTC Secretary Jim Gray. “We only expect the service to grow in popularity as Kentuckians look to do business from the comfort of home.”
Mail renewal was temporarily offered at the onset of the COVID pandemic but became a permanent service last fall. Since then, more than 10,000 transactions have been completed. Aside from renewing a credential, Kentuckians can also replace a lost card or update an address through the mail-in option. To learn more about how to renew your license in-person, online or by mail, visit drive.ky.gov.
“The remote renewal options, plus new license versions valid for 8 years, are examples of conveniences we’ve introduced as part of the shift of licensing responsibilities from circuit court clerks to KYTC staff at regional offices,” said Secretary Gray.
There are 23 Driver Licensing Regional Offices and eight more locations planned to open this summer across the state to serve residents from any Kentucky county — regardless of where they live. Kentuckians can make an appointment with KYTC or walk in on a first-come, first served basis to request, replace or renew a driving credential if they do not require driver testing.
KYTC staff will make periodic “Pop-up Driver Licensing” visits to counties without a regional office to offer on-site application and renewal services.
Currently, the Office of Circuit Court Clerk in 106 of Kentucky’s 120 counties have transferred services to regional offices.
License applicants receive a temporary identification document at the end of the transaction for use until the permanent card arrives by mail at their home address. This reduces the wait time for printing credentials during visits and improves security by eliminating in-office card production machinery.
REAL ID
Kentucky will continue offering the option of a standard driver’s license, but a REAL ID or other form of federally approved identification, such as a passport or Department of Defense-issued military ID, eventually will be needed by people 18 and older for boarding commercial flights and accessing military bases and federal buildings that currently require identification once federal enforcement begins May 3, 2023.
First-time application for a REAL ID must be made in person at a Driver Licensing Regional Office.
The nearest location for Martin County residents is 3140 South Lake Drive, Suite 5, Prestonsburg.
Specific documentation is required:
•Proof of identity document:
One (1) is required for both standard credential and REAL ID. If you wish to obtain a certified copy of your birth certificate, contact the vital statistics agency in the state of your birth. Those born in Kentucky may contact the Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics. A current driver’s license does not qualify as a valid proof of identity.
•Proof of Social Security number:
One (1) is required for both standard credential and REAL ID. To request a replacement Social Security card, visit the Social Security Administration’s website.
•Proof of residency
One (1) required for standard credential; two required for the REAL ID
Forwarded mail can not be used as proof of residency.
•Proof of all legal identity changes:
If your current legal name, date of birth, or gender is different than what is displayed on your identity or lawful status document, you must show legal proof of the changes (such as marriage licenses, court orders, divorce papers, etc.).
Driver testing
Kentucky State Police will continue to administer all permit and license testing. Testing services are offered Monday through Friday by appointment. Kentuckians who need written, driving or vision testing for a permit driver’s license or CDL must schedule an appointment online at kentuckystatepolice.org/driver-testing. Some KSP testing sites are within Driver Licensing Regional Offices and residents are assigned to conduct testing in specific locations based on where they live.