Non-US Citizen

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services ( USCIS )
  • ​All eligible non-U.S. citizens and permanent residents may apply for a Kentucky driver's permit/license/ID card at any Driver Licensing Regional O​ffice. If any testing is required, an appointment will need to be scheduled first with the Kentucky State Police by visiting their website her​e

  • Applicants under the age of 18 that are applying for a first-time license will be required ​to bring their birth certificate along with a notarized, translated statement of the information listed on the birth certificate​​.​

  • "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 her​e. Non-U.S. citizens are not eligible to apply for a REAL ID. ​


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​REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION

Foreign Licenses, ​Birth Certificates, and Marriage Licenses must have a notarized, translated statement of the information listed on the document. Applicants under the age of 18 who are applying for a first-time license will be required ​to bring their birth certificate along with a notarized, translated statement​​ of the information listed on the birth certificate.
If 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 Requirements​​

All non-U.S. citizens/permanment r​esidents must provide one (1) proof of reside​ncy in Kentucky (2 for a REAL ID). 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​​​​

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PERMANENT RESIDENTS

​Written test required

Vision test required


All testing is scheduled through the Kentucky State Police website. Click here for driver testing information.


​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.



​No testing required


Bring all required documentation to any Driver Licensing Regional office to apply for a Kentucky license.

​No testing required


Bring all required documentation to any Driver Licensing Regional office to apply for a Kentucky 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.​​

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NON-PERMANENT RESIDENTS

​Written test required

Vision test required

Road test required


All testing is scheduled through the Kentucky State Police website. Click here for driver testing information.


​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.​


​​No testing required


Bring all required documentation to any Driver Licensing Regional office to apply for a Kentucky license.


​No testing required


Bring all required documentation to any Driver Licensing Regional office to apply for a Kentucky 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.​​


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Available Testing Languages for Written Permit Testing​

  • Albania Flag Albanian
  • Arab Flag Arabic
  • Bosnia Flag Bosnian
  • Cambodia Flag Cambodian
  • China Flag Chinese
  • Croatia Flag Croatian
  • United States of America Flag English​
  • France Flag French
  • Germany Flag German
  • Japan Flag Japanese
  • South Korea Flag Korean
  • Latvia Flag Laotian
  • Iran Flag Persian
  • Poland Flag Polish
  • Romania Flag Romanian
  • Russia Flag Russian
  • Somalia Somali
  • Mexico Flag Spanish
  • Thailand Flag ​Thai
  • Turkey Flag Turkish
  • Vietnam Flag Vietnamese
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KENTUCKY DRIVER MANUAL​

LICENSE EXPIRATION

A 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.

RENEWAL

If a non-U.S. citizen wishes to renew a credential, they will need to bring in their updated USCIS documents with the new date listed to any Driver Licensing Regional office to request a renewal. ​​If a Non US Citizen is waiting for an extension and has the I-797C in digital format, the I-797C form will be accepted.  It will need to be printed out in order for the Regional office to scan the document to a record.

FRAUDULENT DOCUMENTS

A person presenting false information regarding citizenship, residency, or immigration status under KRS 186.570 will be denied or suspended and prosecuted.

APPLICATIONS

​​​VISIT ANY DRIVER LICENSING REGIONAL OFFICE

Schedule an Appointment




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