Caldwell County officials are not happy with the statewide driver’s licensing move from the local courthouse to regional offices.
The transition is in progress in several counties across the state, including Caldwell. It will see driver’s licensing services moved from the circuit court clerk’s offices to a specialized regional office. Western Kentucky offices include Paducah and Madisonville.
Governor Andy Beshear said Tuesday that circuit court clerks have done great work to get Kentuckians properly licensed over the years. However, he added these times demand a modernized system that offers convenience and choices to the customer, plus greater security for regional information and the credentials. He said the state’s Transportation Cabinet Driver Licensing Regional Offices are uniquely equipped for that.
During Caldwell County magistrates’ comments Tuesday morning, Magistrate Brent Stallins and Judge-executive Larry Curling voiced their displeasure with the move.
click to download audioCounty Clerk Toni Watson said the move to regional offices is unfair to the residents who will have to travel to Madisonville or Paducah.
click to download audioAccording to the governor’s office, the Office of Circuit Court Clerk in Caldwell and the other seven counties, including Webster, will cease nearly all in-person driver license services on May 24.
This brings the number of counties in the state to have made the transfer of services to twenty and include Hopkins and McCracken. Beshear said full implementation statewide is expected to be completed by June 30, 2022.
State officials say residents of the eight counties most recently making the transition may renew or apply for a REAL ID or new standard card version of driver licenses, permits, commercial driver licenses (CDLs) and ID cards at any Transportation Cabinet Driver Licensing Regional Office.
Applicants are encouraged to make an appointment at the regional offices online, but walk-in customers are also welcome.
