Area residents will be happy to hear that the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet has launched an online renewal option for drivers and motorcycle licenses. Governor Andy Beshear made the announcement Monday which comes after the Transportation Cabinet announced in April that drivers licensing would transition from the circuit clerk’s office in each county to specialized regional offices across the commonwealth.
Governor Beshear said this is a dramatic step forward for customer convenience – the ability to go online to renew your driving credential and save yourself a trip to a licensing office if you don’t otherwise require in-person service. He added modernizing state services put Kentuckians in the driver’s seat to choose how they want to be served and make a Better Kentucky.
According to the governor, online license renewal is among the new modern conveniences and options available to Kentuckians as a result of the phased transfer for licensing services to KYTC regional offices from local Offices of the Circuit Court Clerks. All counties are required to have made the transition by June 30, 2022, and 20 already have done so.
The online renewal option is for holders of standard-issue or REAL ID licenses whose credentials will expire within six months — or have been expired for less than a year- and want to maintain the same card version as their current license. Officials say the applicant’s name and address must be the same as what is listed on their current credential.
Beshear says the online renewal option does not apply to:
– Kentuckians requesting a license replacement (lost/stolen cards).
– Kentuckians upgrading from standard-issue license to a REAL ID.
– Kentuckians upgrading from four-year to eight-year expiration.
– Those needing a license with a changed name or address.
– Commercial driver’s license (CDL).
Applications for a replacement license or a license that reflects a change of name or address as well as the initial application for a REAL ID must be done in person at one of the KYTC Driver Licensing Regional Office.
In western Kentucky, Regional Offices currently are operating in Bowling Green, Madisonville, Owensboro and Paducah.
Online renewal is available at https://dlrenewal.ky.gov
