How to Renew Your Kentucky Driver License

Kentucky driver licenses renew every four or eight years depending on your age

In Kentucky, your driver license expires on your birthday. If you are under 21, your license lasts four years. If you are 21 or older, it lasts eight years. The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet sends you a renewal notice in the mail about 60 days before your license expires — that notice tells you which renewal method you can use.

You have three ways to renew: online, by mail, or in person at a Regional Driver Licensing Office. Which method you can use depends on whether you have a REAL ID-compliant license, whether your address has changed, and how long it has been since your last in-person visit. Online renewal is fastest if you are may be able to access, but not everyone qualifies.

Key Takeaways

Kentucky sends renewal notices 60 days before expiration; check the notice to see which renewal methods are available to you.
Online renewal takes minutes and costs $20 for a four-year license or $30 for an eight-year license, but you must have a REAL ID-compliant license and cannot have changed your address.
Mail renewal costs the same as online but takes two to three weeks; you need the renewal notice and a check or money order.
In-person renewal at a Regional Driver Licensing Office is required if your address changed, if you have never had a REAL ID license, or if you have not visited an office in more than eight years.
You can renew up to six months before your license expires, so you do not have to wait until the last minute.

Online renewal: fastest option if your address has not changed

If your renewal notice says you are may be able to access for online renewal, you can renew at drive.ky.gov. You will need your current Kentucky driver license number, your Social Security number, and a valid payment method (debit card or credit card). The process takes about five minutes, and your new license arrives by mail in seven to ten business days.

Online renewal costs $20 for a four-year license or $30 for an eight-year license. You cannot use online renewal if your address has changed since your last license was issued, if your name has changed, or if your current license is not REAL ID-compliant. If any of those explore, you must renew by mail or in person.

Mail renewal: slower but no office visit required

To renew by mail, fill out the renewal notice the Transportation Cabinet sent you, include a check or money order for $20 (four-year) or $30 (eight-year), and mail both to the address printed on the notice. Do not send cash. Your new license arrives in two to three weeks.

Mail renewal works if your address has not changed and you have a REAL ID-compliant license. If your address has changed or you do not have REAL ID, you must renew in person. The renewal notice will tell you which method applies to you, so check it before you mail anything.

In-person renewal at a Regional Driver Licensing Office

You must renew in person if your address has changed, if your name has changed, if you have never had a REAL ID license, or if it has been more than eight years since you last visited an office in person. Bring your current Kentucky driver license, proof of your current address (utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within 60 days), and payment ($20 or $30).

If you are renewing a REAL ID license and your address has not changed, the visit takes about 15 minutes. If you are getting REAL ID for the first time, bring proof of citizenship (passport, birth certificate, or naturalization papers) and two forms of proof of your Social Security number (W-2, tax return, or Social Security card). REAL ID renewals take longer because the office must verify your documents.

Find your nearest Regional Driver Licensing Office at drive.ky.gov and check its hours before you go. Many offices accept walk-ins, but some require you to schedule an appointment online. Wait times vary by location and time of day.

What happens if your license expires before you renew

Driving with an expired Kentucky license is illegal. If you miss your expiration date, you cannot renew online or by mail — you must go to a Regional Driver Licensing Office in person. Bring your expired license, proof of address, and payment. The office will issue a new license on the spot, though you may wait longer than a routine renewal.

If your license has been expired for more than one year, you may be required to pass the written test and vision test again. Check with your local office before you go to confirm what documents and tests you need.

REAL ID and what it means for renewal

REAL ID is a federal security standard. A REAL ID-compliant Kentucky driver license has a gold star in the top right corner. You need REAL ID to board a domestic flight or enter a federal building after May 7, 2025.

If your current license already has the gold star, you have REAL ID and can renew online or by mail (as long as your address has not changed). If your license does not have the star, you do not have REAL ID yet. When you renew in person, you can request REAL ID at that time. Bring proof of citizenship and proof of your Social Security number. REAL ID licenses cost the same as regular licenses and last the same length of time.

Timeline and when to start the renewal process

You can renew your Kentucky driver license up to six months before it expires. The Transportation Cabinet recommends renewing as soon as you get the renewal notice, especially if you plan to renew by mail or in person. If you wait until the last week before expiration and choose mail renewal, your new license may not arrive before your old one expires.

Online renewal is the fastest option — you can renew the day you get the notice and have your new license in about a week. If you must renew in person, call ahead to check wait times and whether you need an appointment. During busy seasons (summer and early fall), some offices have longer waits.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my Kentucky driver license before I get the renewal notice?

Yes. You can renew up to six months before your license expires. If you have not received a notice yet, go to drive.ky.gov to check your expiration date and see which renewal methods are available. You do not have to wait for the notice to arrive.

What if my name changed since my last license?

You must renew in person. Bring your current driver license, proof of your name change (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order), proof of your current address, and payment. The office will issue a new license with your updated name.

Do I need an appointment at a Regional Driver Licensing Office?

It depends on the office. Some accept walk-ins during all hours; others require appointments for certain times. Check drive.ky.gov for your local office's policy. If appointments are required and none are available, you can usually walk in during designated walk-in hours, though you may wait longer.

What if I lost my renewal notice?

You do not need the notice to renew. If you are renewing online, go to drive.ky.gov and enter your license number and Social Security number. If you are renewing by mail or in person, you can still do so — just bring your current license, proof of address, and payment. The office or mail processing center will look up your renewal information.

Can I renew if my license is suspended or revoked?

No. You cannot renew a suspended or revoked license. You must first resolve the suspension or revocation with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. Contact the Cabinet at 502-564-6800 or visit drive.ky.gov to find out what you need to do to clear the suspension or revocation before you can renew.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.