As of May 2025, standard credentials do not meet federal REAL ID Act requirements for boarding U.S. domestic flights or entering select federal facilities. These federal security standards were recommended by the 9/11 Commission to help prevent the fraudulent use and reproduction of licenses and ID cards.
WHAT DO I NEED TO APPLY FOR A KY DRIVER'S LICENSE?
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1
One proof of identity document
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One proof of Social Security number (first-time and out-of-state applicants must bring their Social Security card as proof)
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One proof of the applicant’s Kentucky residency dated less than one year. Two are required if applying for a REAL ID.
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One name change document (if your current full legal name, date of birth, or gender differs from what is shown on your identity or lawful status document, you must provide legal proof of the changes. Your name must be updated on your Social Security card before applying for a driver’s license.)
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5
For persons under 18, a School Compliance Verification Form issued by their school
PHOTOCOPIES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED FOR ANY OF THE REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
STEPS TO OBTAIN A LICENSE
Kentucky Driver Manual
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Kentucky Driver Manual (Spanish Version)
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STEP ONE: PERMIT PHASE
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Drivers must schedule an appointment with the Kentucky State Police to take the written and vision test to apply for a permit.
Schedule a written and vision test appointment with Kentucky State Police
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- Bring the required documents with you to your Kentucky State Police appointment.
- Once you pass the written and vision tests, you will get in line with the Regional Office to apply for your permit credential. You will be issued a temporary permit printed on paper to use until the credential arrives in the mail.
- You must hold the permit for 180 days before you are eligible to take the road test. During this time, all permit holders must have a licensed driver age 21 or older in the passenger seat while driving.
- If you fail the written test, you may return the next available day to retake the test.
STEP TWO: FULL UNRESTRICTED LICENSE
- After holding the permit for 180 days, you may schedule an appointment with the Kentucky State Police to take the road skills test to apply for your full unrestricted license. A licensed driver age 21 or older must accompany you to the testing site.
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Schedule a road skills test appointment with Kentucky State Police
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- After passing the road skills test, you will get in line with the Regional Office to apply for your license credential. You will be issued a temporary paper credential to use until the credential arrives in the mail. If your current address differs from what is listed on your permit, bring valid proof of residency with you, or two proofs if applying for a REAL ID.
REQUIREMENTS TO TAKE THE ROAD TEST
Vehicles used for testing must be appropriately registered, and proof of liability insurance is required. One of the following is accepted as proof:
- A proof-of-insurance card from the insurance company
- A current insurance policy for that vehicle
- A binder from an insurance agent stating that insurance is in force
If you fail the road skills test, you must wait seven full days before retaking the test.
Kentucky Driver Manual
(opens in new tab)
Kentucky Driver Manual (Spanish Version)
(opens in new tab)
STEP ONE: PERMIT PHASE
-
Drivers must schedule an appointment with the Kentucky State Police to take the written and vision test to apply for a permit.
Schedule a written and vision test appointment with Kentucky State Police
(opens in new tab)
.
- Bring the required documents listed above with you to your Kentucky State Police appointment.
- Once you pass the written and vision tests, you will get in line with the Regional Office to apply for your permit credential. You will be issued a temporary permit printed on paper to use until the credential arrives in the mail.
- You must hold the permit for 30 days before you are eligible to take the road test. During this time, all permit holders must have a licensed driver age 21 or older in the passenger seat while driving.
- If you fail the written test, you may return the next available day to retake the test.
STEP TWO: FULL UNRESTRICTED LICENSE
- After holding the permit for 30 days, you may schedule an appointment with the Kentucky State Police to take the road skills test to apply for your full unrestricted license. A licensed driver age 21 or older must accompany you to the testing site.
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Schedule a road skills test appointment with Kentucky State Police
(opens in new tab)
.
- After passing the road skills test, you will get in line with the Regional Office to apply for your license credential. You will be issued a temporary permit printed on paper to use until the credential arrives in the mail. If your current address differs from what is listed on your permit, bring valid proof of residency with you, or two proofs if applying for a REAL ID.
REQUIREMENTS TO TAKE THE ROAD TEST
Vehicles used for testing must be properly registered, and proof of liability insurance is required. One of the following is accepted as proof:
- A proof-of-insurance card furnished by the insurance company
- A current insurance policy for that vehicle
- A binder from an insurance agent, in writing, stating that insurance is in force
If you fail the road skills test, you must wait seven full days before taking the test again.
Persons moving into Kentucky have 30 days to obtain a Kentucky driver’s license.
Kentucky driver’s licenses and identification cards are issued at any Driver Licensing Regional Office.
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED TO TRANSFER AN OUT-OF-STATE LICENSE
- One proof of the applicant’s Kentucky residency, or two if applying for a REAL ID
- Social Security card
- Birth certificate or passport
- Valid out-of-state license
- If your out-of-state license is valid or has been expired for less than one year when you transfer to Kentucky, you will not be required to test.
- If the license has been expired for more than one year at the time of transfer, you must obtain a full certified driving history record or clearance letter from the previous state and take both the written and vision exams before being issued a Kentucky operator’s permit or license.
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If testing is required, you must
schedule a Kentucky State Police testing appointment
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- If you have lost your out-of-state license but it has not been expired for more than one year, you will need to obtain a driving history record or clearance letter from the previous state.
PERMIT HOLDERS
- You must be at least 15 years of age to transfer your driving permit or license to Kentucky.
- Out-of-state permit holders transferring to Kentucky must transfer their permit and be issued a Kentucky permit before applying for a Kentucky driver’s license.
- If under age 18, you must present a School Compliance Verification Form signed by the out-of-state school under the No Pass/No Drive Law. This form can be obtained from the student’s school district of residence.
COLLEGE STUDENTS
A college student may drive on their valid out-of-state license and is not required to transfer that license to Kentucky if:
- They are a citizen of the United States
- They are enrolled as a full-time or part-time student at a university, college, or technical college located in Kentucky
- They have a student identification card from the Kentucky school in their immediate possession while driving in Kentucky
- Military veterans have the option of having their veteran status displayed on their Kentucky driver’s license.
- Veterans must provide one of the following as proof of veteran status:
- DD-214
- DD-256
- DD-257
- NGB-22
- VA Veterans Identification Card
- VA Veterans Healthcare Card
IDENTIFICATION CARDS
Effective July 15, 2024, an applicant shall not be issued a personal identification card if the applicant currently holds a valid Kentucky instruction permit or operator's license. A person shall not hold more than one license or personal identification card.
If a person's instruction permit or operator's license has been suspended or revoked, the person may be issued a personal identification card. A personal identification card shall be surrendered when the person applies to have his or her instruction permit or operator's license reinstated.
Free Voter ID Card
A free voter ID card can be obtained at any
Driver Licensing Regional Office
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The application must be submitted at the time of issuance to ensure eligibility requirements are met.
Qualifications To Receive A Free Voter ID:
Must be eligible to vote
Must be registered to vote or register to vote upon issuance
Must not possess another state-issued credential from Kentucky or another jurisdiction
Must provide the required documents according to KRS contained in Kentucky law (birth certificate, Social Security card, and proof of residency).
Homeless Identification Card
Kentucky law (KRS 186.412(7)) allows individuals without a fixed or permanent address to receive a state-issued personal identification card. This ID card can be obtained at no cost from any
Driver Licensing Regional Office.
Qualifications to Receive a Homeless ID Card:
Must be a Kentucky resident
Must apply in person at a Driver Licensing Regional Office
Must provide the required documents according to KRS contained in Kentucky law (birth certificate, Social Security card, and proof of residency).
Proof of Residency Exception:
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If you do not have a fixed, permanent address, you may provide a signed letter from one of the following, stating that you are currently receiving services and that you are a Kentucky resident:
A homeless shelter
A health care facility
A social service agency
This letter serves as your proof of residency for the Homeless ID card.
Kentucky Child ID Program
On January 2, 2003, Kentucky implemented a new "Child ID" Program for applicants 2 to 15 years old. This program works closely with the Kentucky State Police "Missing Persons Clearinghouse" and the Amber Alert System in the event of a missing child.
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To obtain an ID for your child, please visit any
Driver Licensing Regional Office
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The office will need to verify the child's identity using their birth certificate and Social Security card.
The child must be a U.S. citizen or a Permanent Resident. Proof of residency is required.
The child's parent or guardian will need to sign the application and answer the question regarding U.S. citizenship for the child. The card costs $6.00, and it will expire in four years.
Foster children will need to bring a Commitment Verification letter signed by their Independent Living Specialist, not the foster parent. They do not need to bring the custody papers with them. The foster parent or social worker can sign for guardianship of the child when the ID card is issued.
The card will be in the "vertical" format since it is issued to someone under 21. One noticeable difference on the Child ID is that the child's address will not appear on the face of the license. While stored in KDLIS, the address does not appear on the card's face to protect the child if the card is lost or stolen.
KENTUCKY CREDENTIAL PRICING
Kentucky credential pricing.
Standard credential pricing:
Driver's License, 4 year, $21.50.
Driver's License, 8 year, $43.00.
Motorcycle License, 4 year, $21.50.
Motorcycle License, 8 year, $43.00.
Driver and Motorcycle License Combo, 4 year, $26.50.
Driver and Motorcycle License Combo, 8 year, $53.00.
Personal ID, 4 year, $11.50.
Personal ID, 8 year, $23.00.
REAL ID credential pricing:
Driver's License, 4 year, $24.00.
Driver's License, 8 year, $48.00.
Motorcycle License, 4 year, $24.00.
Motorcycle License, 8 year, $48.00.
Driver and Motorcycle License Combo, 4 year, $29.00.
Driver and Motorcycle License Combo, 8 year, $58.00.
Personal ID, 4 year, $14.00.
Personal ID, 8 year, $28.00.
Permit pricing:
Driver's Permit, Standard, 3 year, $15.00.
Driver's Permit, REAL ID, 3 year, $18.00.
Motorcycle Permit, Standard, 1 year, $15.00.
Motorcycle Permit, REAL ID, 1 year, $18.00.
Additional note:
CDL costs vary according to the type of CDL and different endorsement combinations. Please ask a licensing office employee for more details, or contact the Division of Driver Licensing CDL section at 502-564-1257.
Payment types accepted:
Credit, debit, cash, and check.