9 more Ky. counties set for regional driver’s license offices

“It’s a new era of driver licensing in Kentucky,” said Gov. Andy Beshear.

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FRANKFORT, Ky. (KT) – Nine more Kentucky counties will transition in August from circuit clerk offices to a new, secure driver-licensing model at regional offices operated by the Transportation Cabinet, which means 49 counties will have made the move by the end of next month.

Eighteen regional offices have opened statewide to date with more to come. The Transportation Cabinet and Kentucky’s circuit court clerks are working together to smoothly complete the transition statewide by June 30, 2022.

“It’s a new era of driver licensing in Kentucky,” said Gov. Andy Beshear. “We are using technology to offer more service options than ever before, such as online appointment scheduling and, for the first time, online license renewal. After many years of issuing driver licenses, circuit court clerks will be able to focus solely on court business and driver licensing will be executed at new regional offices whose only business is licensing.”

Making the transition in August will be Bath, Carter, Crittenden, Cumberland, Jackson, Lawrence, Lyon, McLean and Warren counties. The circuit clerk’s office in each of those counties will cease in-person driver licensing services on Aug. 23, 2021, and licensing services will instead be performed at KYTC’s regional offices.

A new convenience is that for the first time in Kentucky, license holders who want to renew their current license version, and whose name and address have not changed, now can do so online. Visit dlrenewal.ky.gov for more information.

The KYTC regional offices are now the only place where Kentuckians can get a REAL ID. See the map that accompanies this story to view the location of the regional offices, the counties making the transition next month, those that already have, as well as the remainder, which will also be moving by the end of next June.

Kentucky State Police will continue to administer all permit and license testing. Testing services are offered Monday through Friday by appointment only. Applicants who require testing by KSP for a permit, driver's license or commercial driver's license may make an appointment online by visiting KSP’s website, selecting written or road testing and then locating the schedule associated with their county of residence.

For more information, go to drive.ky.gov.