An Official Website of the Commonwealth of Kentucky
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services ( USCIS )
All non-U.S. citizens and permanent residents may apply for a Kentucky driver's permit/license/ID card to apply at any Driver Licensing Regional Office. If any testing is required, an appointment will need to be scheduled first with the Kentucky State Police by visiting their website here."Permanent Residents" or "Resident Aliens" must present their current and updated Permanent Resident card or I-551 with photo issued by USCIS.All non-U.S. citizens may drive in the U.S. on their valid foreign license and International Permit for up to one year from the date of admission into the U.S. provided their home country is part of the Foreign License Reciprocity. Drivers must obtain a Kentucky license within 30 days of establishing residency in Kentucky.Permanent residents are eligible to apply for a REAL ID. For more information on a REAL ID, click here. Non-U.S. citizens are not eligible to apply for a REAL ID.
All non-U.S. citizens and permanent residents may apply for a Kentucky driver's permit/license/ID card to apply at any Driver Licensing Regional Office. If any testing is required, an appointment will need to be scheduled first with the Kentucky State Police by visiting their website here.
"Permanent Residents" or "Resident Aliens" must present their current and updated Permanent Resident card or I-551 with photo issued by USCIS.
All non-U.S. citizens may drive in the U.S. on their valid foreign license and International Permit for up to one year from the date of admission into the U.S. provided their home country is part of the Foreign License Reciprocity. Drivers must obtain a Kentucky license within 30 days of establishing residency in Kentucky.
Permanent residents are eligible to apply for a REAL ID. For more information on a REAL ID, click here. Non-U.S. citizens are not eligible to apply for a REAL ID.
Foreign License Reciprocity Countries REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION Select Code select one Birth Certificates and Marriage Licenses must have an English translationIf a driver does not see their status listed, they are asked to present all documentation proving they are legally allowed to be in the United States. All documentation must be in the original form and is subject to approval. These statuses are subject to review and change as the Division of Driver Licensing continues strengthening review procedures within the issuance process to non-U.S. citizens. Due to the complex nature of rules, interpretations, and laws, there may be occasions when exceptions may be made. Residency RequirementsAll non-U.S. citizens must provide proof of residency in Kentucky. Kentucky law defines "residency" as a person who has established Kentucky as their state of residence within the last 30 days. Proof of residency shall include but not be limited to a deed, property tax bill, utility agreement, utility bill, or housing agreement. LIST OF VALID PROOF DOCUMENTS TESTING REQUIREMENTS PERMANENT RESIDENTS Holds an International Driver Permit from a Foreign License Reciprocity Country Written test requiredVision test required All testing is scheduled through the Kentucky State Police website. Click here for driver testing information. Holds a foreign country license, but is not from a Foreign License Reciprocity Country Written test required Vision test requiredRoad test required*Applicant must start with a driver's permit All testing is scheduled through the Kentucky State Police website. Click here for driver testing information. Holds a valid license from another U.S. state No testing required Bring all required documentation to any Driver Licensing Regional office to apply for a Kentucky license. Holds an expired (within 1 year) license from another U.S. state No testing requiredBring all required documentation to any Driver Licensing Regional office to apply for a Kentucky license. Does not hold a driver's license Written test required Vision test required Road test required *Applicant must start with a driver's permit All testing is scheduled through the Kentucky State Police website. Click here for driver testing information. NON-PERMANENT RESIDENTS Holds a valid license from a Foreign License Reciprocity Country Written test requiredVision test requiredRoad test requiredAll testing is scheduled through the Kentucky State Police website. Click here for driver testing information. Holds a foreign country license, but is not from a Foreign License Reciprocity Country Written test requiredVision test requiredRoad test required*Applicant must start with a driver's permitAll testing is scheduled through the Kentucky State Police website. Click here for driver testing information. Holds a valid license from another U.S. state No testing requiredBring all required documentation to any Driver Licensing Regional office to apply for a Kentucky license. Holds an expired (within 1 year) license from another U.S. state No testing requiredBring all required documentation to any Driver Licensing Regional office to apply for a Kentucky license. Does not hold a driver's license Written test requiredVision test requiredRoad test required*Applicant must start with a driver's permit All testing is scheduled through the Kentucky State Police website. Click here for driver testing information. Available Testing Languages for Written Permit Testing Albanian Arabic Bosnian Cambodian Chinese Croatian English French German Japanese Korean Laotian Persian Polish Romanian Russian Somali Spanish Thai Turkish Vietnamese LICENSE EXPIRATIONA license or ID card issued to a non-U.S. citizen will be issued to expire with their USCIS documents. Exceptions are "Special Status Individuals" (Asylee, Refugee, Paroled in Public Interest, or K-1). These individuals will receive a 4-year license or ID. If the person's USCIS documents are issued indefinitely, but the person is not considered a "Special Status," the license or ID will be valid for 4 years. FRAUDULENT DOCUMENTSA person presenting false information regarding citizenship, residency, or immigration status under KRS 186.570 will be denied or suspended and prosecuted. APPLICATIONS Non-U.S. Citizen Application - Form TC 94-152 Non-U.S. Citizen Application (Spanish) - Form TC 94-152-Spanish INS School Compliance - Form TC 94-159 Interpreter Affidavit of a Foreign Country Driver License- Form TC 94-197 VISIT ANY DRIVER LICENSING REGIONAL OFFICE Schedule an Appointment
All non-U.S. citizens must provide proof of residency in Kentucky. Kentucky law defines "residency" as a person who has established Kentucky as their state of residence within the last 30 days. Proof of residency shall include but not be limited to a deed, property tax bill, utility agreement, utility bill, or housing agreement.
Written test required
Vision test required
Road test required
*Applicant must start with a driver's permit
No testing required
No testing required
Written test required
No testing required
Written test required
Schedule an Appointment