Where to renew and what you'll need

You can renew your Kentucky driver's license in person at any Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Driver Licensing office, or online through the state's website if you meet certain conditions. The in-person route takes about 30 minutes and requires your current license, proof of residency (like a utility bill or lease), and your Social Security number. Online renewal is faster — usually when ready — but only works if your license is not expired, you have no medical restrictions, and your address hasn't changed.

Kentucky licenses expire on your birthday. You can renew up to one year before expiration, which means you don't have to wait until the last minute. If your license has already expired, you must renew in person; the online option closes once your birthday passes.

Key Takeaways

  • Online renewal through the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet website takes minutes and costs $20 if your license is current and your address hasn't changed.
  • In-person renewal at a Driver Licensing office requires your current license, proof of address, and your Social Security number, and takes about 30 minutes.
  • You can renew up to one year before your birthday, but once your license expires, you must go in person.
  • A standard five-year renewal costs $20 online or in person; an eight-year renewal costs $30 and requires an in-person visit.

Renewing online through the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet

To renew online, go to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet's official website and select the driver's license renewal option. You'll enter your license number, date of birth, and Social Security number to verify your identity. The system will confirm whether you're may be able to access — meaning your license is still valid, you have no medical conditions listed, and your address on file matches your current address.

If the system approves you, you'll pay the $20 renewal fee by credit or debit card. Your new license will be mailed to your address on file within 7 to 10 business days. You don't need to take a new photo or pass a vision test for online renewal, which is why it's only available if nothing has changed since your last license was issued.

Renewing in person at a Driver Licensing office

Walk into any Kentucky Driver Licensing office with your current license, proof of your current address, and your Social Security number. Bring an original or certified copy of your birth certificate if this is your first Kentucky license or if your name has changed. You'll take a new photo and pass a vision test, which takes about 30 minutes total.

The office will issue you a temporary paper license on the spot that you can use when ready while your permanent card is mailed. Your new license arrives in 7 to 10 business days. In-person renewal costs $20 for a five-year license or $30 for an eight-year license. You can choose which term you want when you renew.

What counts as proof of Kentucky residency

Kentucky accepts a current utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or bank statement showing your name and current address. The document must be dated within the last 60 days. If you've recently moved and don't have a utility bill yet, a lease signed within the last 60 days works. A bank statement from your current bank also works if it shows your address.

If you don't have any of these, you can bring two documents that together prove your identity and address — for example, a pay stub with your address plus a piece of mail from a government agency. Call your local Driver Licensing office before you go if you're unsure whether your documents will work.

Finding your nearest Driver Licensing office and wait times

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet website has a full list of Driver Licensing offices by county, along with their hours and phone numbers. Some offices are busier than others; offices in larger cities often have longer waits, especially on Fridays and at the end of the month. Calling ahead to ask about current wait times can save you a trip.

A few offices offer online appointment scheduling through the state website. If your local office has this option, booking a time slot guarantees you won't wait. If appointments aren't available in your area, arriving early in the morning or mid-week usually means a shorter wait.

If your license has been expired for more than a year

Kentucky requires you to renew in person if your license has been expired for more than a year. You'll still need your proof of address and Social Security number, but you may also need to retake the written knowledge test and the driving skills test, depending on how long it's been expired. Call your local Driver Licensing office to ask what tests you'll need before you go.

If you've moved out of state and your Kentucky license expired while you were gone, you can still renew it by mail in some cases. Contact the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet directly to ask whether mail renewal is an option for your situation.

Renewing a commercial driver's license (CDL)

Commercial driver's licenses follow different rules and cannot be renewed online. You must renew in person at a Driver Licensing office and bring your current CDL, proof of address, Social Security number, and medical certification form (MCSA-5875) signed by a licensed medical examiner. The medical certificate must be current or renewed at the same time you renew your CDL.

CDL renewal costs $30 for a five-year license or $45 for an eight-year license. You'll take a new photo and vision test but won't retake the written or driving tests unless your CDL has been expired for more than a year or you're upgrading your endorsements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my license if I've moved to another state?

If you've moved permanently to another state, you should get a license from that state instead of renewing your Kentucky license. However, if you still live in Kentucky and just haven't updated your address yet, you can renew online if you do it before your birthday, then update your address at the same time. If your license has already expired, you must renew in person and bring proof of your current address.

What if I lost my current license?

You'll need to replace it before you can renew. Go to a Driver Licensing office with your proof of address and Social Security number. The office will issue a replacement license for $10, and you can renew it at the same time if your birthday is within 60 days. If your birthday is further away, you can renew later through the normal process.

Do I have to take a new photo when I renew?

Only if you renew in person. Online renewal uses your photo from your current license. If you renew in person, you'll take a new photo as part of the process, even if you don't want to.

How long can I drive on an expired license while waiting for my new one?

If you renewed before your birthday and have your temporary paper license, you can drive legally while your permanent card is in the mail. If your license has already expired and you haven't renewed yet, you cannot legally drive. Renew as soon as possible to avoid a citation.

Can someone else pick up my new license for me?

No. Kentucky requires you to pick up your temporary license in person at the Driver Licensing office. Your permanent license is mailed to your address on file, so no one needs to pick that up — it arrives automatically.