How to renew your Kentucky license
You can renew your Kentucky driver's license online, by mail, or in person at a driver's licensing office. Online renewal is the fastest option if you're may be able to access — it takes about 10 minutes and your new license arrives in 7 to 10 business days. Mail renewal takes longer but requires no office visit. In-person renewal is necessary if your license has been expired for more than three years, if you need to update your photo, or if you have certain medical conditions that require a vision test.
Your renewal window opens 6 months before your license expires and closes on your expiration date. You can renew during this window without penalty. If your license has been expired for fewer than three years, you can still renew it using the same methods, though you may face a late fee.
Key Takeaways
- Online renewal works only if your license expired fewer than three years ago and you don't need a new photo or medical clearance.
- Mail renewal takes 2 to 3 weeks total and costs the same as online renewal, but you must include your current license and a completed form.
- In-person renewal at a driver's licensing office is required if your license has been expired for more than three years or if you need a new photo.
- Kentucky charges different fees depending on how long your new license is valid — typically $20 for a 4-year license or $40 for an 8-year license.
- You will need proof of residency, such as a utility bill or lease, if you have changed your address since your last renewal.
Renewing online through the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet
Online renewal through the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet website is the quickest path if you meet the requirements. You must have a license that expired fewer than three years ago, you cannot need a new photo, and you must not have any medical restrictions that require a vision test. The process takes about 10 minutes and costs $20 for a 4-year renewal or $40 for an 8-year renewal.
Go to the Transportation Cabinet's online renewal portal, enter your driver's license number and date of birth, review your information for accuracy, and pay by debit or credit card. Your new license will be mailed to the address on file. If your address has changed, you must update it before you pay — online renewal does not allow address changes during the transaction.
If the system tells you that you are not may be able to access for online renewal, it means one of the restrictions applies: your license is too old, you need a new photo, or your record shows a medical flag. In that case, use mail or in-person renewal instead.
Renewing by mail with a paper form
Mail renewal requires you to complete a form, include your current license, and send both to the address provided by the Transportation Cabinet. The entire process takes 2 to 3 weeks from the time the office receives your envelope. This method works for any license that expired fewer than three years ago, and you do not need to visit an office.
read or request the renewal form from the Transportation Cabinet website or by calling 502-564-6800. Fill it out completely, sign it, and include a copy of your current license (front and back). If your address has changed, write the new address clearly on the form. Mail everything to the address listed on the form along with your payment — $20 for a 4-year license or $40 for an 8-year license. Pay by check or money order only; the office does not accept credit cards by mail.
Keep a record of when you mailed the envelope. If you do not receive your new license within 3 weeks, contact the Transportation Cabinet to confirm they received your packet. Mail can be delayed, and the office may need you to resubmit if your envelope was lost.
Renewing in person at a driver's licensing office
In-person renewal is required if your license expired more than three years ago, if you need a new photo, or if your record includes medical restrictions that require a vision test. You will also need to renew in person if you are changing your address and want to update it during the transaction. Bring your current license, proof of residency (such as a utility bill, lease, or bank statement), and payment.
Find your nearest driver's licensing office on the Transportation Cabinet website and check its hours before you go — many offices have limited hours and some close for lunch. Bring the documents listed above and arrive early if possible, as wait times vary by location and time of day. The office will take a new photo, verify your information, process your payment, and issue your new license on the spot or mail it within 7 to 10 business days, depending on the office's procedures.
The fee for in-person renewal is the same as online or mail renewal: $20 for a 4-year license or $40 for an 8-year license. Some offices accept cash, check, or card; call ahead to confirm what your local office takes.
What happens if your license has been expired for more than three years
If your license expired more than three years ago, you cannot use online or mail renewal. You must visit a driver's licensing office in person. The office will treat this as a renewal rather than a new process, so you will not need to retake the written test, but you will need to pass a vision screening and provide proof of residency.
Bring your expired license, proof of your current address, and payment. The vision test is brief — the examiner will check that you can read a standard eye chart. If you wear glasses or contacts, bring them. If you fail the vision test, the office will tell you to see an eye doctor and return with a medical form completed by the doctor confirming that your vision is correctable to legal standards.
Updating your address or information during renewal
If you have moved since your last renewal, you must update your address. Online renewal does not allow address changes — you must complete the change before you start the renewal process, or use mail or in-person renewal instead. To change your address online before renewing, log into your Transportation Cabinet account or call 502-564-6800.
Mail renewal allows you to write your new address on the form. In-person renewal lets you update your address at the office while you renew. If you need to change your name, you must renew in person and bring a certified copy of the document that shows the name change (such as a marriage certificate or court order).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my license if it expired while I was out of state?
Yes. Kentucky does not penalize licenses that expired while you were living elsewhere. You can renew by mail or online if your license expired fewer than three years ago. If it expired more than three years ago, renew in person at a driver's licensing office.
What if I lost my current license and need to renew?
You cannot renew online or by mail without your current license. Visit a driver's licensing office in person and bring proof of residency and payment. The office will issue a replacement license and treat it as a renewal if your license has not been expired for more than three years.
How long does it take to get my new license after I renew?
Online and mail renewal take 7 to 10 business days for delivery. In-person renewal may issue your license on the spot at some offices, or mail it within 7 to 10 business days — call your local office to ask. Do not plan to drive on your old license after you renew; stop using it once your new one arrives.
Do I have to renew for 8 years or can I choose 4 years?
You can choose either a 4-year renewal ($20) or an 8-year renewal ($40). The choice is yours during the renewal process. Some people renew for 4 years if they expect their address or appearance to change soon.
What if the online system says I am not may be able to access to renew?
The system will reject you if your license expired more than three years ago, if you need a new photo, or if your record shows a medical condition requiring a vision test. Use mail or in-person renewal instead. Call 502-564-6800 if you are unsure why you were rejected.