Ky.gov

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Real ID

Frequently Asked Questions

myDrive FAQs

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A REAL ID is a federally compliant form of identification used to board domestic U.S. flights, enter military bases, and access federal buildings that require identification. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and U.S. military installations accept approved documents, such as valid, unexpired passports and passport cards. For a complete list of acceptable identification for air travel, visit the TSA website. Contact the military base you plan to visit to confirm which credentials they accept.

By state law, Kentuckians have the option of choosing between a standard or REAL ID compliant version of their driver’s license, permit, or identification card.  
A Kentucky REAL ID can only be requested in person at a Driver Licensing Regional Office, required documentation must be presented, and the printed card will display a black star icon identifying it as a REAL ID. 
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Effective May 7, 2025, standard Kentucky licenses, permits, and personal IDs are no longer accepted for domestic air travel or for entry into restricted federal facilities.

The Kentucky REAL ID is one of many options accepted by the Transportation Security Administration to fly within the U.S.

A list of acceptable forms of identification is available on the TSA website.

Travelers without a REAL ID can pay a fee to participate in TSA’s ConfirmID program. More details are available on the TSA website.

A Kentucky REAL ID can be requested in person at any Driver Licensing Regional Office. 

If you already have a Kentucky credential, but it expires more than six months from the date you apply, you can pay $15 to upgrade to a REAL ID version of your card.  Your new REAL ID will keep the same expiration date as your current credential until you are eligible to renew. 

If you are within six months of your current card expiring, you can request a REAL ID when you renew. 

All REAL ID requests require the applicant to present the necessary documents. To learn what required documents are accepted specifically for you, take the IDocument Guide quiz or review a list of acceptable documents​.



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Standard credentials and REAL IDs are acceptable to:
  • Enter federal facilities, such as museums or a post office, that do not require a person to present identification;
  • Apply for or receive federal benefits (includes Social Security office);
  • Access health or life-preserving services (includes hospitals and health clinics), law enforcement, or constitutionally protected activities (including a defendant’s access to court proceedings);
  • Participate in law enforcement proceedings or investigations (includes federal courthouses);
  • Operate a vehicle;
  • Vote or register to vote.
A standard credential cannot be used to board a U.S. flight or to access restricted federal facilities (such as military bases and the White House).
Applicants applying for a REAL ID or a first-time standard driver’s license must present documents that verify:

  1. Identity (e.g., certified birth certificate, U.S. passport, Permanent Resident Card)

  2. Social Security number (e.g., Social Security card, W-2 form)

  3. Kentucky residency: two proofs are required for a REAL ID(e.g., utility bill, lease agreement)

  4. Name change document: If your legal name, date of birth, or gender differs from what is shown on your identity or lawful status document, you must bring additional documentation (such as a marriage license, divorce decree, or court order).​

View our list of acceptable documents.​​

Many people change their names due to marriage, adoption, divorce, or other reasons. In order to obtain a REAL ID or first-time standard credential, you must provide proof documents that show a direct link between your name changes. Those documents include a marriage certificate, a divorce decree, a legal name court order, or a valid U.S. Military ID card. If your name has changed due to marriage, you will need to request a new Social Security card that matches your current legal name before applying for a new credential.

For example, if your birth certificate lists your maiden name but your Social Security card lists your married name, you’ll need to bring a certified copy of your marriage certificate to link the documents. If you’ve lost your birth, marriage, or divorce certificate, you will need to obtain a certified replacement copy. If you have a U.S. passport or passport card that matches your current legal name, you can use that document as proof of identity and legal presence in place of a birth certificate.

If your present gender is different than what is listed on your identity document (such as a birth certificate or passport), you will need to present a court order changing gender marker or a letter from the surgeon who completed the gender reassignment.

If the birth date on your current license is not correct, you will need to present a birth certificate to ensure your new credential reflects the correct date.

​To find out what additional documents you may need to provide, view our list of acceptable documents.

View our pricing page​ to see how much a REAL ID costs based on the credential type. A four-year REAL ID driver’s license is $24. An eight-year REAL ID is $48.

Driver Licensing Regional Offices​ issue standard and REAL ID credentials. REAL ID licenses, permits, and IDs will be mailed to successful applicants and should be received within 10-15 business days. A 30-day temporary document will be issued on-site for use while you wait for your new credential to come in the mail.​​​​​​

Once you apply for a REAL ID credential, you will be issued a 30-day temporary document from the Driver Licensing Regional Office. This temporary document remains valid for driving and/or identification purposes while your permanent REAL ID is mailed to you.

Please be advised that until the physical REAL ID is received, travelers may be subject to enhanced screening at airport security checkpoints. For additional information regarding identification requirements and screening procedures, please visit the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) website.​

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) does not require children under 18 to provide identification when traveling with a companion within the United States. The companion will need a REAL ID-compliant form of identification.​

If your current credential's expiration date is within six (6) months, you can renew your license for another four- or eight-years when applying for a REAL ID..

If your expiration date is more than six months away, you can pay $15 for an ID that maintains your current credential's expiration date. 

For a list of other credentials accepted at airport security checkpoints, visit www.tsa.gov.​

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If your requested credential has not arrived at the address on record after 30 days, you may call the Division of Driver Licensing at (502) 564-1257.

Kentucky’s new credentials are 100% laser engraved. A precision laser creates a grayscale image and renders a high-quality, high-resolution portrait with fine features and excellent gradation between light and dark areas. This leads to high-quality portraits that clearly and definitively represent the cardholder without the distortion and distraction of color.​
​It depends on how you travel to your cruise:

  • Flying to the cruise port: A REAL ID–compliant driver’s license or a passport is required to clear airport security.
  • Driving to the port: A REAL ID is not required.
  • Boarding the cruise itself: A valid passport is the safest option. However, many closed-loop cruises (departing and returning to the same U.S. port) may allow you to board with a birth certificate and a government-issued photo ID instead.

*Always check with TSA and your cruise line for the most current identification requirements.


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