RICHMOND, Ky. — A new Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) regional driver licensing office is now open in Richmond, Gov. Andy Beshear announced.

Kentuckians are still encouraged to use mail or drop-in options to renew or apply for standard credentials if their service doesn't require an in-person visit. Those with licenses, permits, or ID cards that are lost, expired or will expire between March 1 through February 28, 2021, and who don't require testing, can apply for remote renewal or replacement through the circuit court clerk in their county of residence. 

“We are offering essential, in-person public services while taking care to do so in a way that protects public health,” said Beshear. “Essential services include issuing, renewing and replacing operator’s licenses and official identification cards for our fellow Kentuckians who depend on them for employment, travel and emergencies.”

With the opening of the Richmond location, 11 KYTC regional offices have newly opened or reopened to handle licensing needs while following Healthy at Work guidelines.

REAL IDs, however, must be applied for in-person. You can take a short quiz to see if you need one.

In-person services at the Richmond location are limited to:

• Issuance of a REAL ID for any resident;
• Replacement of a lost license, permit or identification card;
• Issuance of a license or ID card needed for employment;
• Issuance of a REAL ID or standard license for a new resident replacing a valid out-of-state credential; and
• Issuance or renewal of REAL ID or standard licenses for applicants who have successfully completed Kentucky State Police driver testing.

The same services are offered at offices in Paducah, Madisonville, Elizabethtown, Frankfort, Lexington, Morehead, Somerset, Columbia, Jackson, and Prestonsburg.

“With the new office in Richmond, we are expanding an important customer service,” KYTC Secretary Jim Gray said. “But we are doing so in a way that protects the health and safety of our customers and our employees. That includes social distancing, wearing face masks and having a sanitized work station for every customer.”

The Richmond office, located at the Richmond Mall, 830 Eastern Bypass, will be open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., EDT.

Appointments may be made online, and a limited number of workstations will be available to serve walk-ins. Applicants may be asked to wait in their vehicles until it's their turn to be served.