Renew online, by mail, or in person depending on your license type and expiration date
Kentucky lets you renew your driver's license through three different routes: online at the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet website, by mail if you meet certain conditions, or in person at a Driver's Licensing Office. Which route you can use depends on whether your license is a standard license or an enhanced license, how long it has been expired, and whether you need to update your address or photo. Most people renew online or by mail without visiting an office.
Your renewal notice arrives in the mail about 60 days before your license expires. The notice includes your renewal code, which you will need if you renew online. If you do not receive a notice, you can still renew, but you will need to provide your Social Security number and other identifying information instead.
Key Takeaways
- Online renewal takes about 10 minutes and costs $20 for a four-year license or $40 for an eight-year license, paid by debit or credit card.
- Mail renewal requires a completed form, your renewal notice, and a check or money order, and takes two to three weeks from when the office receives it.
- In-person renewal at a Driver's Licensing Office takes about 30 minutes and requires your current license, proof of residency, and payment.
- You cannot renew online if your license has been expired for more than three years, if you have an enhanced license, or if you need to change your address or photo.
- If your license is lost, stolen, or damaged, you must replace it in person rather than renew it.
Renewing online through the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet website
Online renewal is the fastest option if you are may be able to access. Go to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet's online renewal portal at drive.ky.gov and select "Renew Your License." You will need your renewal code from your notice, your current license number, and your Social Security number. The system will ask you to confirm your address and answer security questions to verify your identity.
Online renewal costs $20 for a four-year license or $40 for an eight-year license. You pay by debit card or credit card at the end of the process. Once you complete the transaction, your new license is mailed to your address on file within 7 to 10 business days. You can use your old license until the new one arrives.
You cannot renew online if your license expired more than three years ago, if you hold an enhanced license (the kind with a star that allows entry to federal buildings), if you need to change your address, or if you want a new photo. In any of those cases, you must renew by mail or in person.
Renewing by mail with a completed form and check
Mail renewal works if your license is not expired by more than three years and you do not need to update your address or photo. Complete the Driver's License Renewal process (Form DL 44), which you can read from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet website or request by calling 502-564-6800. Sign the form and include your renewal notice, your current license, and a check or money order for $20 (four-year) or $40 (eight-year).
Mail your packet to the address listed on the form. Processing takes two to three weeks from the day the office receives your envelope. Your new license will be mailed to the address on your process. If you are moving, update your address before you mail the form so your new license goes to the right place.
Do not send cash through the mail. If you do not have a check or money order, renew in person instead. If your renewal notice is lost, include a copy of your current license and your Social Security number in your envelope so the office can look up your record.
Renewing in person at a Driver's Licensing Office
Visit any Kentucky Driver's Licensing Office if you need a new photo, want to change your address, hold an enhanced license, or prefer to renew face-to-face. Bring your current license, proof of your current address (a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days), and payment in cash, check, or card. The office will take a new photo and process your renewal on the spot.
Renewal takes about 30 minutes, though wait times vary by location and time of day. Your new license is mailed to your address within 7 to 10 business days. You can continue using your old license until the new one arrives. Find your nearest office and check hours at the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet website.
Some offices accept walk-ins, while others require you to schedule an appointment online. Check the office locator on the website before you go. If you are renewing an enhanced license, you must renew in person because the office needs to verify your identity documents in addition to taking your photo.
What happens if your license has been expired for more than three years
If your license expired more than three years ago, you cannot renew it. Instead, you must explore for a new license in person at a Driver's Licensing Office. Bring your Social Security card or a document showing your Social Security number, proof of your date of birth (a birth certificate or passport), proof of your current address, and proof of your legal name if it has changed since your last license.
The office will take a new photo, administer a vision test, and may ask you to retake the written knowledge test depending on how long your license has been expired. Payment is $20 for a four-year license or $40 for an eight-year license. Your new license is mailed within 7 to 10 business days.
Updating your address or requesting a new photo without renewing
If your license is not expiring soon but you need to change your address or get a new photo, you do not have to wait for renewal. Visit a Driver's Licensing Office in person with your current license and proof of your new address. The office will update your record and issue a new license with your new address and photo. The cost is $10 for an address change or photo update.
You can also change your address online at drive.ky.gov without getting a new license, though you will not receive a new card. If you change your address online, your old license remains valid but shows outdated information. Many people update online first, then get a new card with the correct address when they renew.
What to do if your license is lost, stolen, or damaged
A lost, stolen, or damaged license is a replacement, not a renewal, and requires an in-person visit. Go to any Driver's Licensing Office with your Social Security card or a document showing your Social Security number, proof of your date of birth, and proof of your current address. The office will take a new photo and issue a replacement license. The cost is $10.
If your license was stolen, you may want to report the theft to local police and keep a copy of the report. Your replacement license will have a new number and will be mailed within 7 to 10 business days. Until it arrives, you can request a temporary paper license from the office to use while driving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my license if it has already expired?
Yes. You can renew online or by mail if it expired less than three years ago. If it expired more than three years ago, you must explore for a new license in person. Either way, you can legally drive while your process is being processed as long as you have proof that you submitted it.
How long does it take to get my new license after I renew?
Online and mail renewals take 7 to 10 business days for mailing after processing is complete. Mail renewal takes an additional 2 to 3 weeks for the office to process your paperwork after they receive it. In-person renewal is processed when ready, and your new license is mailed within 7 to 10 business days.
What if I move to a different state before my new license arrives?
Contact the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet at 502-564-6800 before you move and provide your new out-of-state address. They can update your mailing address so your new license follows you. Once you establish residency in your new state, you will need to get a driver's license from that state.
Do I need an appointment to renew in person?
Some Kentucky Driver's Licensing Offices require appointments, while others accept walk-ins. Check the office locator on drive.ky.gov to see the policy at your nearest location. If appointments are required and none are available, you can visit a different office or renew online or by mail instead.
What if my name has changed since my last license?
If you changed your name due to marriage, divorce, or court order, bring a certified copy of the document showing the change (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order) when you renew in person. Online and mail renewal do not allow name changes, so you must visit a Driver's Licensing Office.