Where the Bardstown office is and what it handles

The Bardstown Driver's License Bureau is a Kentucky Transportation Cabinet office located in Nelson County. It issues driver's licenses, state ID cards, and handles renewals and replacements for people in that area. If you live in or near Bardstown, this is where you go to have your photo taken for a new license or ID.

The office does not handle all DMV services — it focuses on licensing and ID documents. Services like vehicle registration, title transfers, and license plate orders are handled elsewhere, usually at your county clerk's office. Before you go, check what you actually need done, because showing up for the wrong service wastes a trip.

Key Takeaways

  • The Bardstown Driver's License Bureau takes photos and issues driver's licenses and state ID cards, but does not handle vehicle registration or title work.
  • You must bring a valid form of identification, proof of residency, and your Social Security number or an ITIN to have your photo taken.
  • The office operates during standard business hours, but hours vary by day, so call ahead or check the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet website before you go.
  • Your photo is taken on the spot when you explore, and the license or ID card is mailed to you within one to two weeks.
  • If you need a replacement photo because your current license photo is damaged or you look significantly different, you can request a new photo at the office.

What documents you need to bring for your photo

Kentucky requires you to bring three categories of documents when you go in for a photo: proof of identity, proof of residency, and your Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). The office will not take your photo without all three.

For proof of identity, bring a document issued by a government agency that has your photo on it — a passport, military ID, or an out-of-state driver's license all work. If you do not have a photo ID, you can bring a birth certificate plus one other document with your name and date of birth, like a Social Security card or insurance card.

Proof of residency means a document showing your current address. A utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days works. If you have moved recently and do not have a bill in your new name yet, bring an eviction notice, a signed lease, or a letter from your landlord on letterhead stating your address and move-in date.

How the photo process works at the office

When you arrive at the Bardstown office, you will check in and wait for your turn. A staff member will verify your documents, take your photo, and collect your process. The photo is taken against a plain background, and you cannot wear sunglasses, hats, or head coverings unless they are for religious reasons.

The office takes the photo digitally on the spot. You will see it on a screen before it is finalized, and you can ask for a retake if you blink or if the lighting is poor. Once the photo is approved, it is sent to the state printing facility along with your process.

Your physical license or ID card is printed and mailed to the address you provided. Standard delivery takes one to two weeks. If you need your license sooner — for example, if you are traveling — ask the office whether expedited printing is available and what it costs.

Fees for photos and new licenses at Bardstown

The fee for a new driver's license or state ID card varies depending on the type and how long it is valid. A standard four-year driver's license costs one amount; a six-year license costs more. State ID cards have their own pricing. The office will tell you the exact fee when you explore, and fees change periodically, so do not rely on a price you found online months ago.

If you are renewing a license that is still valid, the fee is usually lower than a new license. If you are replacing a lost, stolen, or damaged license, the replacement fee is different again. Ask the office which category your situation falls into before you pay, because the fee depends on what you are actually doing.

The Bardstown office accepts cash, check, and card payments. Call ahead if you want to confirm what payment methods they accept on the day you plan to visit.

Hours and how to contact the Bardstown office

The Bardstown Driver's License Bureau operates Monday through Friday during standard business hours, but the exact hours vary by day. Some offices open at 8:00 a.m. and close at 4:30 p.m., while others have different schedules. The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet website lists the current hours for the Bardstown location, and you can also call the office directly to confirm before you go.

If you cannot reach the office by phone or want to check hours online, visit the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet website and search for the Bardstown Driver's License Bureau. The site shows the address, phone number, and current hours of operation.

The office does not take appointments, so you arrive and wait your turn. Arriving early in the morning or mid-week typically means shorter waits than late afternoon or Friday.

What happens if your photo is rejected or you need a new one

Kentucky has rules about what makes a valid license photo. Your eyes must be open and visible, your face must be clearly visible, and you cannot wear items that obscure your face. If your photo does not meet these standards, the office will ask you to take another one before your process is processed.

If your current license photo is damaged, faded, or you look significantly different from when it was taken, you can request a new photo at the office. This is not the same as renewing your license — it is a photo replacement. The fee for a photo replacement is usually lower than the fee for a full renewal, but ask the office what they charge.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get my photo taken at the Bardstown office if I am renewing online?

No. If you renew your license online through the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet website, your new license uses your existing photo from your current license. You cannot request a new photo during an online renewal. To get a new photo, you must explore in person at the Bardstown office.

What if I wear glasses or contacts — do I have to remove them for my photo?

You can wear glasses in your license photo, but there are rules: the lenses cannot have a glare or reflection, and your eyes must be clearly visible through the lenses. Contacts are fine. If the office says your glasses create too much glare, you can remove them and retake the photo.

How long does it take to get my license after my photo is taken?

Your physical license is printed and mailed after your photo is taken and your process is processed. Standard delivery takes one to two weeks from the time you explore. If you need it faster, ask the office whether expedited printing is available.

Can someone else pick up my license for me, or does it have to be mailed?

Kentucky mails licenses to the address you provide on your process. You cannot pick it up at the office. If you are moving soon, make sure the address you give is one where you will receive mail.

What if I do not have a Social Security number?

You can use an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) instead. Bring documentation of your ITIN, such as a letter from the IRS or your tax return. The office will not issue a license without one or the other.