Where to renew your Somerset driver's license
In Somerset, you renew your driver's license at the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Driver Licensing Office located in Pulaski County. The office is at 2640 West Highway 27, Somerset, KY 42501. You can walk in during business hours without an appointment, though wait times vary depending on the time of day and day of the week.
Before you go, check the office hours on the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet website or call ahead at the Somerset location. Hours change seasonally and occasionally for staff training, so a quick call saves a wasted trip. The office handles renewals, replacements, and address changes all in one visit.
If you cannot visit in person, Kentucky offers online renewal for certain situations — primarily if your license is not expired and you have not had a major change like a new address or name. The online option takes about 10 minutes and your new license arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days. You pay the renewal fee online and do not need to visit the office at all.
Key Takeaways
- The Somerset Driver Licensing Office is at 2640 West Highway 27 and accepts walk-ins during regular business hours without an appointment.
- You can renew online if your license is not expired and you have not changed your address or name, and your new license will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days.
- Bring your current license, proof of residency (utility bill, lease, or bank statement), and your Social Security number or card to renew in person.
- The renewal fee varies based on the type of license and how many years you are renewing for, so ask the office staff when you arrive or check the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet website beforehand.
- If your license is expired by more than a certain period, you may need to retake the written test and vision test, so renew before expiration if possible.
What documents to bring to the Somerset office
Bring your current driver's license — this is your primary form of identification for the renewal. If your license is lost or damaged, bring a different government-issued ID like a passport or state ID card instead.
You also need proof of residency. Kentucky accepts a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, bank statement, or insurance bill in your name with your current Somerset address. The document must be dated within the last 60 days. If you recently moved and do not have a bill yet, a lease signed within the last 60 days works.
Have your Social Security number ready. You can bring your Social Security card, but the office will accept the number alone if you know it. The staff will verify it against government records.
If you are renewing in person and your name has changed since your last license (through marriage, divorce, or legal change), bring the document that proves the change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. Without it, you cannot update your name on the new license.
How much the renewal costs and how long it takes
The renewal fee depends on the type of license and the number of years you are renewing for. Kentucky offers 4-year and 8-year renewal periods. A standard 4-year renewal costs less than an 8-year renewal. If you hold a commercial driver's license (CDL), the fee is higher. Ask the office staff for the exact amount when you arrive, or check the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet website before your visit.
If you renew in person at the Somerset office, you walk out with a temporary paper license the same day and your permanent license arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days. If you renew online, the timeline is the same — your new license arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days.
The actual time in the office depends on how busy the location is. Early mornings and mid-week visits tend to be faster. If you arrive during lunch or late afternoon on a Friday, expect a longer wait. Call ahead if you want a sense of current wait times.
When you must renew in person instead of online
Online renewal is not available if your license has been expired for more than a certain period — typically more than 3 years. Once it expires that long, Kentucky requires you to come in person, retake the written test, and pass a vision test before you receive a new license.
You also cannot renew online if you have changed your address or legal name since your last license. Address changes and name changes require in-person verification at the Somerset office. If you moved to Somerset from another state, you must renew in person because your previous license was issued by a different state.
If your license was suspended or revoked, you cannot renew it online. You must visit the office in person and resolve the suspension or revocation before a new license can be issued. The staff at the Somerset office can tell you what steps are needed.
What happens if your license is expired
Driving with an expired license is illegal in Kentucky, even if you are in the process of renewing. You cannot legally drive until your new license arrives. If you are stopped by police, you can show the temporary paper license you received at the office, which is valid while you wait for the permanent one by mail.
If your license expired more than 3 years ago, you will need to retake both the written knowledge test and the vision test at the Somerset office. You cannot renew online in this situation. The written test covers Kentucky traffic laws and road signs. The vision test checks that you can see well enough to drive safely. Both are administered at the office during your visit.
If your license expired less than 3 years ago, you can renew online or in person without retesting, as long as you have not had other changes like a new address or name.
Renewing a commercial driver's license (CDL) in Somerset
If you hold a commercial driver's license, the renewal process is more involved than a standard license renewal. CDL renewals require a medical examination by a certified medical examiner, and you must bring the results to the Somerset office. The medical certificate confirms you are physically able to operate a commercial vehicle safely.
You cannot renew a CDL online. You must visit the Somerset Driver Licensing Office in person. Bring your current CDL, proof of residency, Social Security number, and your medical certificate. The renewal fee for a CDL is higher than for a standard license and depends on how many years you are renewing for.
If your CDL has been expired for more than 3 years, you will need to retake the written test and pass a skills test (driving test) in addition to the medical examination. Contact the Somerset office to schedule the skills test, as it may require a separate appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my license if I have an outstanding traffic ticket or fine?
Kentucky does not automatically block license renewal for unpaid traffic tickets, but some courts can request a suspension if a fine goes unpaid long enough. If you have an outstanding ticket, contact the court that issued it before you renew. The Somerset office staff can also check your record when you arrive.
What if I moved out of Somerset but still have a Kentucky license?
You can renew your license at any Kentucky Driver Licensing Office, not just Somerset. If you moved to a different Kentucky city, find the office nearest you on the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet website. If you moved out of state, you will need to get a license from your new state instead.
Do I need an appointment to renew at the Somerset office?
No, the Somerset office accepts walk-ins. You do not need to schedule ahead. However, you can call the office to ask about current wait times before you go, so you can choose a less busy time if possible.
What if I lost my license and need to renew it at the same time?
Bring a different government-issued ID (passport, state ID, military ID) instead of your driver's license. The office will issue a replacement license and renew it for the full period you choose. You pay one fee that covers both the replacement and the renewal.
How long is my temporary paper license valid while I wait for the permanent one?
Your temporary paper license is valid for 30 days from the date you receive it at the Somerset office. Your permanent license should arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days, so the temporary usually covers you until the real one shows up. If it does not arrive within 10 business days, call the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet to check the status.