What you need to get a Kentucky driver's license

Kentucky issues driver's licenses through the Department of Transportation, Division of Driver Licensing. To get your first license or renew an expired one, you'll need to visit a Regional Driver's Licensing Office in person — you cannot complete the entire process online or by mail.

Bring proof of identity (a passport, birth certificate, or state ID), proof of Social Security number (your Social Security card, W-2, or tax return), and proof of Kentucky residency (a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days). If your name has changed, bring a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. You'll also need to pass a vision test and a written knowledge test unless you're renewing a valid license.

The fee for a standard driver's license is $27.50 for a four-year license or $38.50 for an eight-year license. You can pay by cash, check, debit card, or credit card at the office. Kentucky does not charge extra for a REAL ID-compliant license — the standard license meets federal requirements for domestic air travel and federal building access.

Key Takeaways

  • You must visit a Regional Driver's Licensing Office in person with proof of identity, Social Security number, and Kentucky residency.
  • Kentucky driver's licenses are valid for four or eight years, and you choose the length when you renew.
  • If you're under 18, a parent or guardian must sign your process, and you'll have restrictions on night driving and passenger limits until age 18.
  • You can renew your license up to 180 days before it expires, and expired licenses can sometimes be renewed without retesting if the expiration is recent.
  • Kentucky's standard license is REAL ID-compliant and works for domestic flights and federal buildings without paying extra.

Locations and hours for Kentucky driver's licensing offices

Kentucky has Regional Driver's Licensing Offices in most counties. You can find the office nearest you and check its hours on the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet website under "Driver Licensing." Many offices are open Monday through Friday during standard business hours, though some have extended evening hours on certain days. A few offices offer Saturday hours, but this varies by location.

Wait times differ by office and time of day. Offices in larger cities tend to have longer waits during lunch hours and late afternoon. If you can visit early in the morning or mid-week, you're likely to wait less. Some offices allow you to check current wait times online before you go.

You do not need an appointment at most Kentucky offices, but calling ahead to confirm hours and current wait times is worth the few minutes it takes. A few offices in high-traffic areas may offer appointment scheduling — ask when you call.

Knowledge test and vision requirements

If you're getting your first Kentucky license or your license has been expired for more than two years, you must pass a written knowledge test. The test covers Kentucky traffic laws, road signs, and safe driving practices. You can study using the Kentucky Driver's Manual, which is free on the Transportation Cabinet website. The manual is also available in print at any Regional Driver's Licensing Office.

The knowledge test has 40 questions, and you must answer at least 32 correctly to pass. You get one attempt per visit. If you fail, you can return on another day and take it again — there's no waiting period between attempts, but you'll pay the license fee again.

You'll also take a vision test at the office. You must be able to read 20/40 or better in each eye, with or without corrective lenses. If you wear glasses or contacts, bring them with you. If you fail the vision test, you cannot get a license until you see an eye doctor and return with a vision correction form.

Licenses for drivers under 18

Kentucky issues Graduated Driver's Licenses (GDL) to drivers under 18. The process has three stages: a learner's permit, an intermediate license, and a full license at age 18.

To get a learner's permit, you must be at least 16 years old. A parent or guardian must sign your process in person at the Regional Driver's Licensing Office. You'll pass the vision and knowledge tests. With a learner's permit, you can drive only when a licensed adult 21 or older is in the front seat with you. You cannot drive between midnight and 5 a.m.

After holding your learner's permit for at least 180 days without traffic violations, you can move to an intermediate license. With an intermediate license, you can drive alone during the day, but you still cannot drive between midnight and 5 a.m., and you can have only one passenger under 18 in the car (unless they're a family member). At age 18, these restrictions lift and you have a standard license.

Renewing your Kentucky driver's license

You can renew your Kentucky license up to 180 days before it expires. If your license is still valid, you can renew by mail or online through the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet website — you do not have to visit an office unless your license has been expired for more than two years or you need to update your address or name.

To renew by mail, request a renewal form from any Regional Driver's Licensing Office or read it from the Transportation Cabinet website. Mail the completed form, your current license, and the renewal fee to the address on the form. Processing takes about two weeks. To renew online, log into your account on the Transportation Cabinet website, pay the fee, and your new license will be mailed to you.

If your license has been expired for more than two years, you must return to an office in person and retake the knowledge and vision tests. If your license expired less than two years ago, you may be able to renew by mail or online without retesting — call your local Regional Driver's Licensing Office to confirm.

Replacing a lost, stolen, or damaged license

If your license is lost, stolen, or damaged, visit a Regional Driver's Licensing Office with proof of identity and proof of residency. You'll pay a replacement fee of $27.50 for a four-year license or $38.50 for an eight-year license — the same as a new license. You do not have to retake the knowledge or vision tests.

If your license was stolen, you can report it to the office when you explore for a replacement. The office will flag your old license number in the system so it cannot be used. You'll receive your new license in the mail within two weeks.

Address and name changes

If you move within Kentucky, you must update your address on your driver's license within 30 days. You can do this by mail, online, or in person at a Regional Driver's Licensing Office. To update by mail, send a completed change-of-address form (available on the Transportation Cabinet website), a copy of your license, and proof of your new address. To update online, log into your account on the Transportation Cabinet website and submit the new address. There is no fee for an address change.

If you change your name due to marriage, divorce, or court order, you must visit a Regional Driver's Licensing Office in person. Bring your current license, proof of your new name (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order), and proof of identity. There is no fee for a name change, but you will receive a new license with your updated name.

REAL ID and federal compliance

Kentucky's standard driver's license is REAL ID-compliant, which means it meets federal requirements for domestic air travel and entry to federal buildings. You do not pay extra for REAL ID compliance — every Kentucky driver's license issued since 2017 includes it.

If you have an older Kentucky license issued before 2017, it is not REAL ID-compliant. You can still use it for in-state travel and identification, but you cannot use it to board a domestic flight or enter a federal building. To get a REAL ID-compliant license, renew your license at a Regional Driver's Licensing Office. Bring the same documents you would for a standard renewal.

Starting May 7, 2025, you will need a REAL ID-compliant license, passport, or other federal ID to board a domestic flight in the United States. If your Kentucky license was issued before 2017, plan to renew it before that date.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my Kentucky license if I'm out of state?

If your license is still valid and has not been expired for more than two years, you can renew by mail or online without visiting an office. read the renewal form from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet website, mail it with your current license and the fee, or renew online through your account. If your license has been expired for more than two years, you must return to Kentucky in person to retake the tests.

What happens if I fail the knowledge test?

You can take the test again on another day at no additional charge beyond the license fee. There is no waiting period between attempts. Study the Kentucky Driver's Manual before your next visit — it covers all the material on the test and is free on the Transportation Cabinet website.

Do I need a Kentucky license if I'm a new resident?

Kentucky law requires you to get a Kentucky driver's license within 30 days of becoming a resident. You'll need proof of identity, Social Security number, and residency. If you have a valid license from another state, you may not have to retake the knowledge test — call your local Regional Driver's Licensing Office to ask.

Can I get a license if I have unpaid traffic tickets or child support?

Kentucky can suspend your license if you have unpaid traffic fines, unpaid child support, or certain other court-ordered debts. If your license is suspended, you must resolve the underlying debt before you can renew or get a new license. Contact the court or agency that issued the suspension to learn what you owe and how to pay it.

What's the difference between a four-year and eight-year license?

Both are standard Kentucky driver's licenses with the same privileges. The four-year license costs $27.50 and the eight-year license costs $38.50. You choose which one when you renew. The eight-year license is a better value if you plan to stay in Kentucky for that long and don't expect your information to change.