Where to get a Kentucky driver's license
Kentucky driver's licenses are issued by the Department of Transportation, Division of Driver Licensing. You cannot get one online or by mail — you must visit a driver's licensing office in person. Kentucky has regional offices throughout the state, and you can find the one nearest you on the Transportation Cabinet website by entering your county.
Walk-in service is available at all offices, though wait times vary by location and time of day. Some offices accept appointments through their online system, which can reduce your wait. If you are renewing and your license is not expired, you may be able to renew by mail or online — see the renewal section below for details.
Bring all required documents with you on your first visit. If you are missing anything, the office will turn you away and you will have to return. The checklist below covers what you need for each type of transaction.
Key Takeaways
- New Kentucky driver's licenses require an in-person visit to a regional licensing office with proof of identity, residency, and Social Security number.
- You must pass a written knowledge test and a driving skills test before receiving your license; the written test covers road signs, traffic laws, and safe driving practices.
- Kentucky offers a graduated licensing system for drivers under 18, which restricts nighttime driving and passenger limits during the first two years.
- Renewals are valid for four or eight years depending on your age, and you can renew online or by mail if your license is not expired.
- Bring your Social Security card, proof of residency (utility bill or lease), and a valid ID such as a passport or birth certificate to your appointment.
Documents you need for a new license
Kentucky requires three categories of documents: proof of identity, proof of Social Security number, and proof of residency. You cannot substitute one for another, and expired documents are generally not accepted.
Proof of identity can be a U.S. passport, a certified birth certificate, a military ID, or a state ID from another state. A school ID or work ID does not count. If you are using a birth certificate, it must be a certified copy from the vital records office in the state where you were born — a photocopy or hospital copy will not work.
Proof of Social Security number is your actual Social Security card, a W-2 form, or a tax return showing your full SSN. A letter from Social Security is also accepted. You cannot use a document that shows only the last four digits.
Proof of residency must show your current Kentucky address and be dated within the last 60 days. A utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or bank statement all work. A piece of mail from a government agency also counts. If you have just moved and do not have a document in your name yet, bring a lease or utility bill in your name plus a letter from your landlord or utility company confirming your address.
The written test and driving test
After you submit your documents, you will take a written knowledge test on a computer at the licensing office. The test covers Kentucky traffic laws, road signs, right-of-way rules, and safe driving practices. You must answer at least 80 percent of the questions correctly to pass. If you fail, you can retake it the same day at no extra charge, though you may have to wait.
Once you pass the written test, you schedule a driving skills test. This test is not given at the licensing office — you must go to a separate testing facility, usually within two to four weeks. During the test, an examiner rides with you in your own vehicle (or a vehicle you borrow) and watches you perform basic driving tasks: starting, stopping, turning, parking, and backing up. The examiner also checks that your vehicle has working brakes, lights, and wipers.
If you fail the driving test, you can retake it, but you must wait at least one day and pay the retest fee again. Many people pass on the second or third attempt, so a failure does not mean you cannot get your license.
Graduated licensing for drivers under 18
Kentucky's Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) system applies to anyone under 18. It creates two intermediate stages before you get an unrestricted license, with different rules at each stage.
The first stage is a learner's permit, which you get after passing the written test. With a learner's permit, you can drive only when a licensed driver age 21 or older is in the front passenger seat. You cannot drive between midnight and 5 a.m. You keep this permit for at least 180 days (about six months) before you can take the driving test.
After you pass the driving test, you receive a restricted license. With a restricted license, you can drive alone during the day, but you cannot drive between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. You also cannot carry more than one passenger under age 18 (family members are an exception). You must keep a restricted license for at least one year before it converts to an unrestricted license on your 18th birthday.
If you are 18 or older when you get your first license, you skip both stages and receive an unrestricted license after passing the driving test.
Renewing your Kentucky license
Kentucky driver's licenses expire every four years if you are under 65, or every eight years if you are 65 or older. You can renew before your license expires, usually up to one year in advance.
If your license is not expired and you have not had any violations or suspensions, you can renew online through the Transportation Cabinet website or by mail. Online renewal takes a few minutes and costs less than in-person renewal. By mail, you send in your current license, a completed renewal form, and the fee; your new license arrives in about two weeks.
You must renew in person if your license is expired, if you need to change your address, if you want to change your name, or if you have had a suspension or revocation. Bring the same documents you brought for your original license — proof of identity, Social Security number, and residency — plus your current license.
Fees and what to expect
A new four-year driver's license costs $48. A new eight-year license (available to drivers 65 and older) costs $72. Renewal fees are lower: $24 for four years or $36 for eight years. Online and mail renewals cost $20. The driving test itself has a separate fee of around $15 to $20, paid at the testing facility, not the licensing office.
Bring a valid payment method — cash, debit card, or credit card. Not all offices accept checks. If you are paying by card, bring the card itself; you cannot pay over the phone.
Processing times vary. If you pass both tests on the same day, your temporary license is printed before you leave the office, and your permanent license arrives by mail within two weeks. If you fail the driving test and retake it later, your permanent license is mailed after you pass.
What to do if you lose or damage your license
If your license is lost, stolen, or damaged, you can get a replacement at any licensing office. Bring your proof of identity, Social Security number, and residency, just as you would for a new license. A replacement costs $20 and is mailed to you within two weeks. You receive a temporary license to use when ready.
If your license is suspended or revoked due to traffic violations, unpaid fines, or other reasons, you cannot straightforward renew it. You must contact the licensing office to find out why it was suspended and what steps you need to take to restore it. Restoration may require paying fines, completing a defensive driving course, or waiting out a suspension period. Only after the suspension is lifted can you renew.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a passport card instead of a full passport for proof of identity?
Yes. A passport card is a valid form of ID for getting a Kentucky driver's license. It counts the same as a full passport. Bring it along with your other required documents.
What if I do not have a Social Security card?
You can use a W-2 form, a tax return, or a letter from Social Security instead. The document must show your full nine-digit Social Security number. If you do not have any of these, contact Social Security to request a replacement card or a verification letter before you visit the licensing office.
How long does it take to get my license after I pass the driving test?
Your temporary license is printed at the testing facility before you leave. Your permanent license is mailed to your address within two weeks. You can drive with the temporary license during that time.
Can I renew my license if it expired more than a year ago?
No. If your license has been expired for more than one year, you must explore for a new license, not a renewal. This means taking the written test and driving test again. Bring all your original documents to the licensing office.
Do I need to take the driving test again if I move to Kentucky from another state?
Yes. You must pass Kentucky's written test and driving test to get a Kentucky license, even if you held a valid license in another state. Your out-of-state license counts as proof of identity, which simplifies the document requirement, but you still must test.