What you need to do to reinstate your Kentucky license
Reinstating a suspended Kentucky driver's license requires you to resolve the reason for the suspension, pay a reinstatement fee, and submit the required documents to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. The specific steps depend on why your license was suspended — whether it was for unpaid traffic fines, failure to appear in court, child support arrears, medical reasons, or another cause. Each reason has its own resolution path, and you cannot straightforward pay a fee and get your license back without addressing the underlying issue first.
The reinstatement fee itself is $60 for most suspensions, though you may owe additional money depending on the cause. If your suspension was due to unpaid fines or court costs, you must pay those amounts. If it was due to child support arrears, you must work with the Kentucky Department for Community Based Services to bring your account current or establish a payment plan. Once the underlying issue is resolved and the fee is paid, you submit your reinstatement request to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, either in person at a regional office or by mail.
Key Takeaways
- You must resolve the reason for your suspension before paying the reinstatement fee — paying the fee alone will not restore your driving privileges.
- The reinstatement fee is $60 for most suspensions, but you may owe additional money for unpaid fines, court costs, or child support arrears.
- Different suspension reasons require different resolution steps: unpaid fines go to the court, child support issues go to the Department for Community Based Services, and medical suspensions require a doctor's clearance.
- You can submit your reinstatement request by mail or in person at a Kentucky Transportation Cabinet regional office.
- Processing typically takes two to four weeks after the Cabinet receives your complete request.
Finding out why your license was suspended
Before you can reinstate your license, you need to know the specific reason for the suspension. The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet maintains your suspension record, and you can find out the reason by calling the Cabinet's driver services line at 502-564-6800 or visiting a regional office in person. Have your driver's license number or Social Security number ready when you call.
Common suspension reasons in Kentucky include failure to pay traffic fines or court costs, failure to appear for a court date, child support arrears, medical suspension (due to a condition that affects your ability to drive safely), suspension for driving under the influence (DUI) convictions, and suspension for accumulating too many points on your driving record. Each reason requires a different resolution before reinstatement is possible. If you are unsure which category applies to you, the Cabinet's staff can tell you during that call.
Resolving traffic fines and court costs
If your license was suspended for unpaid traffic fines or court costs, you must pay the full amount owed to the court that issued the citation. Contact the district court or circuit court in the county where you received the ticket. The court clerk can tell you the exact amount due and accept payment by phone, mail, or in person.
Once the court confirms payment, request a letter or receipt showing that the fine or court cost has been paid in full. Keep this document — you will need to include it with your reinstatement request to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. Some courts can notify the Cabinet directly that the debt has been cleared, but it is safer to have written proof in your possession.
Addressing child support arrears
If your suspension is due to child support arrears, you cannot straightforward pay a lump sum to the court. Instead, you must work with the Kentucky Department for Community Based Services, which administers child support enforcement. Contact the department's child support office at 1-800-248-1163 to discuss your account and the amount owed.
You have two options: bring your account current by paying the full arrearage, or establish a payment plan with the department. A payment plan does not require you to pay everything at once, but you must demonstrate that you are making regular payments. Once the department confirms that you are either current or in compliance with a payment plan, they will notify the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, and your suspension will be lifted. This process typically takes one to two weeks after the department sends notice to the Cabinet.
Medical suspensions and DUI-related suspensions
If your license was suspended for medical reasons — such as a seizure disorder, loss of consciousness, or another condition affecting your ability to drive safely — you must obtain medical clearance before reinstatement. Contact your physician and ask them to complete the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet's medical evaluation form, which confirms that your condition no longer poses a safety risk. Your doctor will submit this form directly to the Cabinet, or you can submit it on their behalf.
DUI-related suspensions follow a different timeline and may require completion of an alcohol education program or substance abuse treatment, depending on the circumstances of your conviction. If your suspension is DUI-related, contact the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet directly to learn what additional requirements explore to your case. Some DUI suspensions are mandatory and cannot be shortened, while others may be reduced if you complete court-ordered programs.
Submitting your reinstatement request
Once you have resolved the underlying reason for your suspension and gathered the required documents, you can submit your reinstatement request to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. You have two options: submit by mail or visit a regional office in person.
To submit by mail, send the following to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, Driver Services Branch, 200 Mero Street, Frankfort, KY 40622: a completed reinstatement form (available on the Cabinet's website or by calling 502-564-6800), proof that you have resolved the suspension reason (such as a court receipt, child support clearance letter, or medical form), and a check or money order for $60 payable to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. Include your name, date of birth, and driver's license number on all documents.
To reinstate in person, visit any Kentucky Transportation Cabinet regional office with the same documents and payment. Regional offices are located throughout the state; you can find the office nearest you on the Cabinet's website. Processing in person is sometimes faster, though you will still need to wait for the Cabinet to update its records, which typically takes a few business days.
Timeline and what happens after you submit
After the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet receives your complete reinstatement request, processing typically takes two to four weeks. During this time, the Cabinet verifies that the underlying suspension reason has been resolved and that your payment has been received. You can check the status of your request by calling the driver services line at 502-564-6800.
Once your reinstatement is approved, the Cabinet will mail you a new driver's license or a reinstatement notice confirming that your driving privileges have been restored. If you submitted your request by mail, you should receive this confirmation within four to six weeks of submission. Your driving privileges are restored on the date the Cabinet processes your reinstatement, not on the date you receive the physical license in the mail, so you may be able to drive before the new license arrives.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive while my reinstatement request is being processed?
No. Your license remains suspended until the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet officially processes your reinstatement request and updates its records. Driving with a suspended license is illegal and can result in additional fines and criminal charges. Wait for written confirmation from the Cabinet before driving.
What if I cannot pay the full amount owed for fines or child support right now?
For traffic fines, contact the court that issued the citation and ask about a payment plan. Many courts will work with you to set up installments. For child support, the Department for Community Based Services can establish a payment plan; contact them at 1-800-248-1163. You must be in compliance with the plan before the Cabinet will reinstate your license.
Do I need to take a driving test to get my license reinstated?
No. Reinstatement does not require a written or driving test unless your suspension was due to medical reasons and your doctor's clearance form indicates that you need to retake the test. In most cases, you straightforward resolve the suspension reason and pay the reinstatement fee.
What if I lost my reinstatement confirmation letter from the Cabinet?
Call the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet at 502-564-6800 and request a duplicate confirmation or a letter stating that your license has been reinstated. You can also visit a regional office in person to request this documentation. Keep a copy for your records.
Can I reinstate my license online?
The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet does not currently offer online reinstatement. You must submit your request by mail or in person at a regional office. However, you can call the Cabinet to check the status of your request or to ask questions about the process.