Nicholas County Residents Now Visiting Driver Licensing Regional Offices for Licensing Needs

Nicholas County Residents Now Visiting Driver Licensing Regional Offices for Licensing Needs

Regional offices offer next level licensing services

As of Monday, November 29, 2021, the Office of Circuit Court Clerk in Nicholas County stopped issuing operator licenses, learner permits, or state identification cards.  Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) operated Driver Licensing Regional Offices are now the home of driver licensing services for Nicholas County residents. 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 for boarding U.S. commercial flights, entering military bases or entering 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 will be served on a first-come, first served basis. KYTC Driver Licensing Regional Offices are open Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Payment can be made by debit/credit card, check, cash or money order. Driver Licensing Regional Offices are located in: Bowling Green, Burlington, Catlettsburg, Columbia, Elizabethtown, Frankfort, Jackson, Lexington, Louisville/Bowman Field (appointment only), Louisville/Dixie Highway (appointment only), Louisville/Hurstbourne, Louisville/Nia Center, Madisonville, Manchester, Morehead, Owensboro, Paducah, Prestonsburg, Richmond and Somerset. More offices are planned. A list of all counties that have 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.

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 with KSP online by visiting their website, selecting written or road testing and then locating the schedule associated with their county of residence.  No additional 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 better plan your day. 

- Introducing 3 ways to renew your driver's license: online, by mail, or in-person!  Learn whether you can skip a trip to an office based on the services you need by visiting drive.ky.gov.

- 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.

ARRIVE PREPARED

Applicants requesting a REAL ID must present documentation that meets specific guidelines. Click here for a list of acceptable documents required to prove your identity, social security and proof of residency. If your names on the proof documents do not match, additional documentation may be required (like a marriage certificate or divorce decree) to link the name change. If your legal name is not listed on the proof documents, you may need to update the document first before requesting a REAL ID (like reordering a social security card to list your legal name, not nickname). Applicants will receive a 30-day temporary document until their permanent card is mailed within 10-15 business days.

Avoid a repeat trip! Take the IDocument Guide quiz to create a personalized list of documents you need to bring.

Click here for pricing information.

Kentucky’s New Home for Driver Licensing