Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) operated Driver Licensing Regional Offices will become the new home for driver licensing services for Carter County residents. Beginning Monday, Aug. 23. 2021, the Office of Circuit Court Clerk in Carter County will no longer serve as the application site to request operator licenses, learner permits, or state identification cards. The new regional model is to be phased statewide by June 30, 2022.
Across the Commonwealth, driver licensing services offered by circuit court clerks in the Judicial Branch will gradually transfer to KYTC’s new network of Driver Licensing Regional Offices. Instead of visiting the Office of Circuit Court Clerk, residents will visit ANY Driver Licensing Regional Office to apply for or renew driver licenses, permits, commercial driver licenses (CDLs), and ID cards. Regional offices offer all credentials in either a standard or REAL ID card version. REAL ID versions meet federal requirements to board U.S. commercial flights, enter military bases or enter federal buildings that require ID once REAL ID enforcement starts May 3, 2023. To schedule an appointment at a regional office, visit drive.ky.gov. Walk-in customers are also welcome.
KYTC Driver Licensing Regional Offices are open Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Only debit and credit cards are accepted (no cash or check) at this time (except for the Frankfort office that accepts cash and checks).
Driver Licensing Regional Offices are located in: Bowling Green, Burlington, Catlettsburg, Columbia, Elizabethtown, Frankfort, Jackson, Lexington, Louisville/Bowman Field (appointment only), Louisville/Dixie Highway, Louisville/Hurstbourne, Madisonville, Morehead, Owensboro, Paducah, Prestonsburg, Richmond and Somerset. More offices are planned to open.
A list of counties also scheduled to transfer licensing to regional offices in August, as well as counties that have already transferred services can be found here.
Kentuckians who require driver testing (primarily first-time cardholders) must successfully do so with the Kentucky State Police before applying at a licensing office.
Kentucky driver's license, motorcycle license or combination driver/motorcycle license can be renewed online up to six months before it expires. To learn more, visit DLrenewal.ky.gov.
A list of frequently asked questions can be found here.
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DRIVER TESTING
Kentucky State Police administers all permit, driver and commercial driver license testing for the commonwealth. Testing services are offered Monday through Friday by appointment only. Applicants who require testing by KSP for a permit, driver license or commercial driver license may make an appointment online by visiting KSP’s website, selecting written or road testing and then locating the schedule associated with their county of residence.
Kentucky State Police administers all permit, driver and commercial driver license testing for the commonwealth. Testing services are offered Monday through Friday by appointment only. Applicants who require testing by KSP for a permit, driver license or commercial driver license may make an appointment with KSP online by visiting their website, selecting written or road testing and then locating the schedule associated with their county of residence. No appointment at a KYTC Driver Licensing Regional Office is necessary.
NEXT LEVEL LICENSING
The shift is more than a change in locations. It represents a new licensing model that provides Kentuckians with modern services that offer more choices in how they want to be served.
- Book an appointment online to visit an office to better plan your day. Walk-in customers are always welcome.
- Renew your driver’s or motorcycle license online! If your name or address has not changed, you may be eligible to renew your standard or REAL ID card version online. The new card will maintain the same card version and lifespan as your current card.
- All Driver Licensing Regional Offices will offer applicants a choice between a REAL ID or a new standard card version.
- Applicants can choose their preferred card version to be valid for four or eight years! That doubles the current lifespan of four years.
- Licensing is our only business. Our focus is on providing an excellent, uniform experience across our network of offices.
- You can visit ANY regional office, regardless of where you live in Kentucky.
- Periodic “Popup Driver Licensing” visits will occur in counties without a regional office to offer on-site application and renewal services.
- New card versions and office buildings offer state-of-the-art security to protect your information better.
- No more waiting for your card to be printed after taking your photo. You’ll get a temporary document at the end of your transaction and the permanent card will be sent to you in the mail. This change improves security in the card issuance process.
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