Where to go for your driver's license in Prestonsburg
The Floyd County Clerk's office in Prestonsburg handles driver's license services for the area. You'll find them at 123 Main Street, Prestonsburg, KY 41653. They issue new licenses, renewals, and replacements, and they also handle Kentucky ID cards if you don't drive.
Hours vary by season and staffing, so call ahead at the Floyd County Clerk's office before you go. Wait times can be longer during lunch hours and on Fridays, so arriving early in the week or mid-morning typically means a shorter wait.
You can also renew your license online through the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet website if you're renewing a standard license that hasn't expired more than one year ago and you have no medical restrictions. Online renewal takes about 7 to 10 business days for the card to arrive by mail.
Key Takeaways
- The Floyd County Clerk's office on Main Street in Prestonsburg issues driver's licenses and handles renewals in person.
- You need a Social Security number, proof of residency (utility bill or lease), and a birth certificate or passport to get a new license.
- Kentucky driver's licenses cost $20 for a four-year license or $40 for an eight-year license, and you choose the term when you explore.
- If you're under 21, you'll get a different-colored license with restrictions on when you can drive, and you must pass a written test and road test.
- Online renewal is available if your license expired less than a year ago and you have no medical restrictions, and costs $20 for four years or $40 for eight.
What documents you need for a new license
Kentucky requires proof of identity, proof of Social Security number, and proof of residency. A birth certificate or U.S. passport works for identity. A Social Security card, W-2, or tax return shows your Social Security number. A utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement dated within the last 60 days proves where you live.
If you were born outside the United States, bring your passport and a document showing your lawful presence — a green card, employment authorization document, or visa. If your name has changed since your birth certificate was issued, bring a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order showing the change.
Bring your current driver's license if you have one, even if it's expired. If you're renewing and your address hasn't changed, you may be able to skip the residency document, but call the Floyd County Clerk's office first to confirm what they need.
Written test and road test requirements
If you're getting your first Kentucky license or your license has been expired for more than one year, you must pass a written test and a road test. The written test covers road signs, right-of-way rules, and safe driving practices. You can study using the Kentucky Driver's Manual, which the clerk's office provides free or you can read from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet website.
The road test happens at a separate appointment after you pass the written test. A state examiner drives with you on local roads and watches how you handle turns, stops, parking, and traffic. The test takes about 20 to 30 minutes. You must bring your own vehicle, and it must be insured and in working condition.
If you're under 18, you must also hold a learner's permit for at least 180 days before you can take the road test. During that time, you can only drive with a licensed adult 21 or older in the front seat.
License costs and how long they last
A standard four-year Kentucky driver's license costs $20. An eight-year license costs $40. You choose which term you want when you explore. The longer license is cheaper per year but requires you to pay more upfront.
If you're under 21, your license is free until your 21st birthday, then you pay the standard fee when you renew. If you're 65 or older, a four-year license costs $10 and an eight-year license costs $20.
Replacement licenses (if yours is lost, stolen, or damaged) cost $10 for a four-year card or $20 for an eight-year card. Name changes, address changes, and corrections to your license information are free.
Real ID and what it means for your license
Kentucky offers both standard driver's licenses and Real ID-compliant licenses. A Real ID license has a gold star in the upper right corner and meets federal requirements for entering federal buildings, military bases, and boarding domestic flights. A standard license does not.
Getting a Real ID license costs the same as a standard license — $20 for four years or $40 for eight years. You need the same documents, but you must show them in person; you cannot renew a Real ID online. The Floyd County Clerk's office can issue Real ID licenses, so you can get one when you renew.
If you don't fly or enter federal buildings often, a standard license is fine. If you travel by air or need to enter a federal facility, Real ID is worth getting. Starting May 7, 2025, you'll need a Real ID license or passport to board a domestic flight.
What to do if your license is suspended or revoked
If your Kentucky license is suspended or revoked, you cannot legally drive. Suspensions are temporary; revocations are permanent until you meet specific conditions. Common reasons include unpaid traffic fines, DUI convictions, accumulating too many points from traffic violations, or failure to pay child support.
To learn about your license is suspended, call the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet at 502-564-6800 or check online through their website. They'll tell you the reason and what you must do to restore it. Some suspensions lift automatically after a set time; others require you to pay fines, complete a safety course, or meet other conditions.
If you need to drive before your suspension ends, you may be able to get a restricted license that lets you drive to work, school, or medical appointments. The Floyd County Clerk's office can tell you whether you may have access to and what paperwork you need.
Renewing your license before it expires
You can renew your Kentucky license up to 180 days before it expires. Renewing early doesn't change your expiration date; your new license will expire four or eight years from the date you renew, not from the date your old one expired.
If you renew in person at the Floyd County Clerk's office, you get your new license the same day. If you renew online, the card arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days. During that time, you can still drive using your old license.
If your license expires while you're waiting for your renewal card to arrive, you can print a temporary license from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet website and carry it with your old license as proof that you've renewed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my license by mail?
Kentucky does not offer mail renewal. You can renew online if you meet the requirements (license expired less than one year ago, no medical restrictions), or you can renew in person at the Floyd County Clerk's office. Online renewal takes 7 to 10 business days; in-person renewal is same-day.
What if I moved to Prestonsburg from another state?
You must get a Kentucky license within 30 days of moving to the state. Bring your out-of-state license, proof of residency in Kentucky, and your Social Security number. You'll take the written test but may not need the road test if your out-of-state license is valid. Ask the clerk's office what applies to your situation.
How do I change my address on my license?
You can change your address online through the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet website for free, and a new card with your updated address arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days. You can also change it in person at the Floyd County Clerk's office for free, same-day.
What happens if I fail the road test?
You can retake the road test. There's no waiting period between attempts, but you must schedule another appointment. Each road test costs $10. Most people pass on the second or third try.
Do I need an appointment to get my license at the clerk's office?
The Floyd County Clerk's office operates on a first-come, first-served basis, but you can call ahead to ask about current wait times. Some Kentucky clerk's offices now offer online appointment scheduling; call to ask if Prestonsburg does.