Where to renew your Lexington driver's license
In Lexington, you renew your driver's license at a Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Driver Licensing Office. The main office serving Fayette County is located at 200 Mero Street, Lexington, KY 40507. This is the office most Lexington residents use, though you can also renew at any other Kentucky Driver Licensing Office statewide if you prefer.
The Mero Street office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and closed on state holidays. You do not need an appointment — the office operates on a walk-in basis, though wait times vary by time of day and day of week. Arriving early in the morning or mid-week typically means shorter waits than Friday afternoons.
You can also renew by mail or online under certain conditions, which are covered in the sections below. Not all renewal types may have access to for mail or online renewal, so check your specific situation before deciding which method to use.
Key Takeaways
- Kentucky allows online renewal for standard licenses that are not expired by more than one year, have no address changes, and do not require a new photo.
- Mail renewal is available for the same categories and takes about two weeks from the time the office receives your materials.
- In-person renewal at the Mero Street office in Lexington requires your current license, proof of residency, and payment by cash, check, or card.
- A standard five-year license renewal costs $20 in Kentucky; a four-year renewal costs $16 if you are under 21 or over 65.
- If your license is expired by more than one year, you have a name change, or you need a new photo, you must renew in person.
Online renewal through the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet website
Kentucky allows online renewal through the official Transportation Cabinet website at drive.ky.gov. To use online renewal, your current license must not be expired by more than one year, you cannot have a name change since your last license was issued, and you cannot be requesting a new photo.
The online process takes about 10 minutes. You will need your current driver's license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and a valid payment method (debit or credit card). The system will verify your identity and process your renewal when ready. Your new license will be mailed to the address on file within 7 to 10 business days.
Online renewal is the fastest option if you meet the requirements. However, if you have moved since your last renewal, need to update your address, or want to change your photo, you cannot use this method and must renew in person or by mail.
Mail renewal and what documents to send
To renew by mail, you must meet the same conditions as online renewal: your license cannot be expired by more than one year, you cannot have a name change, and you cannot need a new photo. If you may have access to, you can mail your current license and a check or money order to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet.
Send your materials to: Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, Driver Licensing, 200 Mero Street, Lexington, KY 40507. Include your current license, a check or money order for the renewal fee ($20 for a standard five-year renewal), and a note with your name and date of birth. Do not send cash through the mail.
Processing takes about two weeks from the date the office receives your materials. Your new license will be mailed to the address on your current license. If you have moved, you must update your address in person or online before mailing in your renewal, or renew in person at the office.
In-person renewal at the Mero Street office
If you cannot renew online or by mail, or if you prefer to renew in person, visit the Driver Licensing Office at 200 Mero Street. Bring your current driver's license, proof of your current address, and payment. Proof of address can be a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days. A government-issued ID with your current address also works.
Payment must be cash, check, or card (Visa, Mastercard, Discover, or American Express). The renewal fee is $20 for a standard five-year license. If you are under 21 or over 65, the fee is $16 for a four-year license. You will receive your new license on the spot if you pass the vision screening and have no holds or suspensions on your driving record.
The vision screening is brief — you will read letters on a chart from a set distance. If you wear glasses or contacts, bring them. If you fail the vision test, you will be told what to do next, which may include getting a vision correction from an eye care provider and returning to the office.
What happens if your license is expired by more than one year
If your license has been expired for more than one year, you cannot use online or mail renewal. You must renew in person at the Mero Street office or another Kentucky Driver Licensing Office. Bring the same documents as a standard in-person renewal: your expired license, proof of current address, and payment.
The renewal fee is the same ($20 for five years, $16 for four years if you are under 21 or over 65). You will also be required to pass a vision screening and may be asked to retake the written knowledge test, depending on how long your license has been expired and your age. The office staff will tell you whether a test is required when you arrive.
If you have any suspensions, revocations, or holds on your driving record, these must be cleared before you can renew. The office can tell you whether any holds exist when you explore.
Address changes and name changes during renewal
If you have moved since your last license was issued, you must update your address. You can do this online through drive.ky.gov without renewing your license, or you can update it during renewal. If you update online, your new address will appear on your license when it arrives by mail.
If you have changed your name since your last license was issued — through marriage, divorce, or legal name change — you cannot renew by mail or online. You must renew in person at the Mero Street office. Bring your current license, proof of your name change (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order), proof of your current address, and payment. The office will issue a new license with your updated name on the spot.
A name change does not affect the renewal fee. You will pay the standard $20 for a five-year license or $16 for a four-year license if you are under 21 or over 65.
Vision screening and what to bring
All in-person renewals include a vision screening. You will be asked to read letters on a chart from about 20 feet away. The test checks whether you can see well enough to drive safely. If you wear glasses or contacts for driving, bring them with you — the test will be done with your correction in place.
If you fail the vision screening, you will not be able to renew on the spot. The office will give you information about what to do next, which usually means seeing an eye care provider (optometrist or ophthalmologist) and returning to the office with a vision correction form or updated prescription. Some people are issued a restricted license that requires them to wear corrective lenses while driving.
If you have had recent eye surgery or a significant change in your vision, let the staff know when you arrive. They can explain how this may affect your renewal and what documents you might need to bring back.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my license if it is suspended or revoked?
No. You must clear any suspension or revocation before you can renew. The Driver Licensing Office can tell you whether a hold exists on your record when you call or visit. If you have a suspension, you may need to pay a reinstatement fee, complete a defensive driving course, or meet other requirements depending on why the suspension was issued.
How long does it take to get my new license after I renew in person?
You receive your new license when ready after you pass the vision screening and complete the renewal process at the office. You can drive with your old license until your new one arrives if you renewed by mail or online.
What if I lost my current license and need to renew?
If your license is lost or stolen, you cannot renew — you must explore for a replacement. This is a different process that requires in-person process at the Driver Licensing Office. Bring proof of identity and proof of address. A replacement license costs $10.
Can I renew my license before it expires?
Yes. Kentucky allows you to renew up to one year before your license expires. This is useful if you are planning a trip or want to avoid the rush near your expiration date. The new license will have a new expiration date five years (or four years if you are under 21 or over 65) from the date you renew.
What if my address on file is wrong and I renewed online?
Your new license will be mailed to the address currently on file with the Transportation Cabinet. If that address is incorrect, contact the Driver Licensing Office at 200 Mero Street or call ahead to update your address before your new license is mailed. If your new license arrives at the wrong address, you can request a replacement at the office.