Kentucky driver's licenses renew every four or six years depending on your age
Kentucky sends you a renewal notice by mail about 60 days before your license expires. The notice tells you whether you can renew by mail, online, or in person. Most Kentucky drivers under 65 can renew online or by mail without visiting a driver's licensing office. If you are 65 or older, you must renew in person at a Regional Driver Licensing Office.
Your renewal method depends on your current license type, whether you need a Real ID, and how much time is left before expiration. Standard renewals (no address change, no name change, no Real ID upgrade) take the shortest path. If your circumstances have changed, you may need to visit an office in person.
Key Takeaways
- Kentucky mails renewal notices 60 days before expiration; check your mail or log into your account at drive.ky.gov to see your renewal status.
- Drivers under 65 with no address or name changes can renew online at drive.ky.gov or by mail using the notice you received.
- Drivers 65 and older must renew in person at a Regional Driver Licensing Office, even for routine renewals.
- Real ID upgrades require an in-person visit and documents proving your identity, Social Security number, and Kentucky residency.
- Processing times vary: online renewals are fastest, mail renewals take 7 to 10 business days after the office receives them, and in-person renewals are completed the same day.
Online renewal through drive.ky.gov
The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet operates drive.ky.gov, where you can renew your license if you meet the requirements. You must have a valid email address, a Social Security number on file with the state, and no changes to your address or name since your last renewal. You also cannot have any medical restrictions or vision problems that require testing.
Log in with your driver's license number and date of birth. The system will show your renewal status and whether you are may be able to access to renew online. If you are may be able to access, you pay the renewal fee by credit or debit card. Kentucky charges $20 for a four-year renewal and $30 for a six-year renewal. Your new license arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days.
If the system tells you that you cannot renew online, read the reason carefully. Common blocks include an address change, a name change, or an outstanding traffic violation. In those cases, you must renew by mail or in person.
Mail renewal using your renewal notice
If you received a renewal notice in the mail and you have no address or name changes, you can renew by mail. Fill out the form on the back of the notice, include a check or money order for the renewal fee, and mail it to the address printed on the notice. Do not send cash.
The renewal fee is $20 for a four-year license or $30 for a six-year license. Mail your completed form and payment to the address on your notice. Processing takes 7 to 10 business days after the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet receives your envelope. Your new license arrives by mail after processing is complete.
Keep a copy of your notice or take a photo of it before you mail it, in case the envelope is lost. If your renewal does not arrive within two weeks of mailing, contact the Regional Driver Licensing Office in your county to check the status.
In-person renewal at a Regional Driver Licensing Office
You must renew in person if you are 65 or older, if you need a Real ID, if you have an address or name change, or if the online system tells you that you are not may be able to access for mail or online renewal. Find your county's Regional Driver Licensing Office at drive.ky.gov or call 502-564-6800.
Bring your current driver's license, proof of your Social Security number (Social Security card, W-2, or tax return), and proof of your current Kentucky address (utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within 60 days). If you changed your name, bring a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. If you are upgrading to a Real ID, bring a birth certificate or passport as well.
Offices are open Monday through Friday during standard business hours. Wait times vary by location and time of day. You can check current wait times at drive.ky.gov before you go. Your new license is printed and issued the same day you visit.
Real ID requirements and when you need one
A Real ID is a federal standard that Kentucky began issuing in 2020. It has a gold star in the upper right corner and meets federal requirements for boarding domestic flights and entering federal buildings. If your current license does not have the gold star, you have a standard license.
You do not need a Real ID to drive in Kentucky or to renew your standard license. However, starting May 7, 2025, you will need a Real ID, a passport, or another federal ID to board a domestic flight or enter a federal building. If you want to upgrade to Real ID during your renewal, you must visit a Regional Driver Licensing Office in person and bring a birth certificate or passport.
The Real ID upgrade costs the same as a standard renewal: $20 for four years or $30 for six years. There is no additional fee for the upgrade itself.
What to do if your license expires before you renew
If your license expires before your renewal arrives, you can still drive legally in Kentucky for 30 days after the expiration date if you have proof that you sent in your renewal process. Keep your mailed renewal notice or a screenshot of your online renewal confirmation with you while you drive.
After 30 days past expiration, you cannot legally drive. If you are stopped by police, you may face a citation. If your renewal has not arrived after two weeks, contact the Regional Driver Licensing Office in your county to check the status and request a replacement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my Kentucky license if I moved out of state?
No. You must hold a Kentucky address to renew a Kentucky license. If you moved, you should obtain a driver's license from your new state. If you still own property in Kentucky or plan to return, contact the Regional Driver Licensing Office to discuss your options.
What if I lost my renewal notice?
Log into drive.ky.gov with your driver's license number and date of birth to check your renewal status and renew online if you are may be able to access. If you are not may be able to access for online renewal, visit a Regional Driver Licensing Office in person with your current license and proof of address.
How long does my new license take to arrive if I renew online?
Online renewals are mailed within 7 to 10 business days after you complete the transaction. Delivery by mail typically takes an additional 3 to 5 business days depending on your location. If your license does not arrive within two weeks, contact the Regional Driver Licensing Office in your county.
Do I need to take a vision test to renew my license?
Not for a routine renewal if you have no vision restrictions on your current license. If you are renewing in person, the office may conduct a quick vision screening. If you have had vision changes or your license has vision restrictions, you may need a vision test from an eye care provider.
What if my name changed since my last renewal?
You must renew in person at a Regional Driver Licensing Office and bring a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order showing the name change. You cannot renew by mail or online if your name has changed.