WOODFORD COUNTY, Ky. — There are some changes taking place for driver's licenses and renewals in the Commonwealth.

What You Need To Know

  • Securing a driver's license will now mean a visit to the Transportation Department and not circuit court clerks

  • Not every county will have an in-person driver's license office

  • There will be 15 regional offices around the state

  • The plan is part of the REAL ID program

Historically, Kentuckians headed to the circuit court clerk’s office for all driver's license needs. This week that’s changing.

“It is part of the introduction of REAL ID in Kentucky, and it's running in tandem with the circuit court transitioning off driver's licensing and credentialing,” said Sarah Jackson, who oversees the REAL ID Project in the state. “The law requires us to transition to complete the transition from all circuit clerk's to a regional model by the end of June 30 of 2022.” 

Franklin and Woodford Counties were first up to start the transition on Monday. 

“It became apparent that the Transportation Cabinet which was charged with the REAL ID issuances of REAL IDs, that it was a great model to go ahead with those regional offices that were stood up and transition all driver's licensing functions to those offices, regardless of the type of credential you're going to seek,” Jackson said.

There are now at least 15 regional offices set up throughout the state.

“A regional model means that there will not be driver's licensing in person available in every county in this state. But what we do offer in a regional model is we offer one agency that will be administering all of the driver's licensing,” Jackson said.

In April, nine more counties will transition to the new driver-licensing system: Adair, Breathitt, Floyd, Hopkins, Madison, McCracken, Pulaski, Rowan, and Russell. The Office of Circuit Court Clerk in those counties will cease nearly all in-person driver licensing services on Monday, April 26.

Kentucky residents can visit any regional site for driver's license services.

“Can we transition all 120 (counties) the first month, no. That's why we're doing it over a logical 14 month period we want to get messaging out to the citizens of those counties and let people know what's coming in their area,” Jackson said.

It will help streamline the process which became evident shortly after the REAL ID law went into effect.

Beginning October, a REAL ID or a passport is required to get on domestic flights, or visit a federal facility. ​

Kentucky State Police will continue to oversee all permit and license testing.


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