What you need to do to get your license back
To reinstate a suspended Kentucky driver's license, you must first find out why it was suspended, then complete the specific steps that reason requires. The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet maintains your suspension record and is the only body that can lift it. You cannot straightforward pay a fee and get your license back — the process depends entirely on what caused the suspension.
The most common reasons for suspension in Kentucky are unpaid traffic fines, failure to appear in court, unpaid child support, medical suspension (usually after a seizure or serious medical event), and suspension for accumulating too many points on your driving record. Each has a different path to reinstatement, and some require you to contact agencies outside the Transportation Cabinet.
Key Takeaways
- Call the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet's Driver Licensing branch at 502-564-6800 to learn the exact reason your license was suspended and what you must do to lift it.
- If your suspension is for unpaid fines or failure to appear, you must resolve the court case first — usually by paying the fine, appearing in court, or working out a payment plan with the court.
- If your suspension is for unpaid child support, you must contact the Cabinet for Health and Family Services or your local child support enforcement office to arrange payment or a modification.
- After you resolve the underlying reason, you must request reinstatement from the Transportation Cabinet, which may require a reinstatement fee and a new written test depending on how long your license was suspended.
- Medical suspensions require clearance from your doctor or the Cabinet's medical review officer before reinstatement is possible.
Finding out why your license is suspended
Your first step is to contact the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet directly. Call the Driver Licensing branch at 502-564-6800 during business hours (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Eastern time). Have your driver's license number or Social Security number ready. The staff member will tell you the exact reason for the suspension and what you must do to resolve it.
You can also check your suspension status online through the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet website, though the online system may not give you as much detail about next steps. If you prefer to visit in person, the Cabinet has a Driver Licensing office in Frankfort and regional offices in Louisville, Lexington, Covington, and Bowling Green. Bring a photo ID and your Social Security number.
Suspensions for unpaid fines or failure to appear
If your license was suspended because you did not pay a traffic fine or did not show up for a court date, you must resolve the court case before the Transportation Cabinet will reinstate your license. Contact the district court in the county where the ticket was issued. You can find the court's phone number on your ticket or through the Kentucky Court of Justice website.
You have three options: pay the fine in full, appear in court on the original date or request a new court date, or ask the court about a payment plan. Many Kentucky courts allow you to set up a payment arrangement if you cannot pay all at once. Once the court marks your case as resolved (either paid or dismissed), the court sends that information to the Transportation Cabinet, and your suspension is lifted automatically within a few business days.
If you have lost your ticket or do not remember which court handled your case, the Transportation Cabinet can tell you which county issued the suspension. Call them back with that information, and they can direct you to the right court.
Suspensions for unpaid child support
If your license was suspended for unpaid child support, you must contact either the Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS) or your local child support enforcement office. The Cabinet for Health and Family Services handles most child support cases in Kentucky. Call their child support hotline at 1-800-248-1163 to discuss your case and arrange a payment plan or modification.
You do not have to pay the entire amount owed to get your license back. If you set up a payment plan and make your first payment, CHFS will request that the Transportation Cabinet lift the suspension. Like fines suspensions, this usually happens within a few business days once CHFS notifies the Cabinet.
If you believe the child support order is incorrect or you cannot afford the payments, ask CHFS about a modification hearing. A judge can lower your monthly obligation if your income has changed or if you have other dependents. This takes longer than setting up a payment plan, but it may be your best option if your financial situation has changed significantly.
Suspensions for medical reasons
Medical suspensions happen when the Transportation Cabinet learns you have a condition that may affect your ability to drive safely — usually a seizure disorder, loss of consciousness, or a serious accident related to a medical event. To reinstate your license, you must provide medical clearance from your doctor or, in some cases, from the Cabinet's medical review officer.
Contact the Transportation Cabinet's Medical Review Unit at 502-564-6800 and ask what documentation your doctor needs to provide. Your doctor will need to complete a form confirming that your condition is controlled and that you are safe to drive. Once the Cabinet receives this form, they will review it and either reinstate your license or request additional information from your doctor.
If your doctor will not clear you to drive, or if the Cabinet's medical review officer has concerns, you may be able to request a hearing to present your case. Ask the Transportation Cabinet about the hearing process when you call.
Suspensions for too many points on your record
Kentucky suspends licenses when drivers accumulate 12 or more points within a two-year period. Points come from traffic violations — a speeding ticket might be 3 points, a reckless driving conviction might be 6 points. If this is why your license was suspended, you cannot straightforward pay a fee to get it back.
Your suspension lasts for a set period: usually 30 days for a first suspension, 60 days for a second, and one year for a third or later suspension. Once that time has passed, you can request reinstatement from the Transportation Cabinet. You will need to pay a reinstatement fee (the amount varies) and pass a written knowledge test. Some drivers also must pass a driving skills test.
Call the Transportation Cabinet at 502-564-6800 to confirm when your suspension period ends and what tests you will need to pass. You can study for the written test using the Kentucky Driver's Manual, which is free on the Transportation Cabinet website.
The reinstatement process and fees
Once you have resolved the reason for your suspension, contact the Transportation Cabinet to request reinstatement. You can do this by phone at 502-564-6800, online through their website, or in person at any Driver Licensing office. Have your driver's license number and Social Security number ready.
The Transportation Cabinet will tell you whether you owe a reinstatement fee. The fee amount depends on the reason for suspension and how long your license was suspended. Some suspensions have no fee; others cost between $50 and $100. You can pay by credit card, debit card, or check.
After you request reinstatement and pay any fee, the Cabinet will mail you a new license or a temporary driving permit within 7 to 10 business days. If you need to drive before your new license arrives, ask about a temporary permit when you request reinstatement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive while my license is suspended?
No. Driving with a suspended license is a separate criminal offense in Kentucky and can result in additional fines, jail time, and a longer suspension. If you are stopped by police, you will be cited. If you need to drive for work or medical reasons, ask the Transportation Cabinet about a hardship permit, though these are granted only in limited circumstances.
How long does reinstatement take?
If you have already resolved the reason for suspension, reinstatement usually takes 3 to 5 business days after you request it. Your new license will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days. If you still need to resolve the underlying reason (pay a fine, arrange child support payments, etc.), that process can take weeks or longer depending on the court or agency involved.
What if I was suspended in another state but now live in Kentucky?
Kentucky is part of the Driver License Compact, which means suspensions from other states are recognized in Kentucky. You must resolve the suspension in the state where it was issued before Kentucky will reinstate your license. Contact the transportation or motor vehicle department in that state to learn what you need to do.
Do I have to retake the written test to get my license back?
It depends on the reason for suspension and how long it lasted. If your suspension was for unpaid fines, failure to appear, or child support, you usually do not need to retake the test. If your suspension was for accumulating too many points, you will need to pass the written test and possibly a driving skills test. The Transportation Cabinet will tell you what is required when you request reinstatement.
What if I cannot afford the reinstatement fee?
Contact the Transportation Cabinet and explain your situation. Some offices may be able to work with you on payment arrangements or direct you to local resources. You can also ask whether a hardship permit is available while you save for the fee, though these are rarely granted.