Where to renew your license in Elizabethtown

In Elizabethtown, you renew your driver's license at the Hardin County Clerk's Office, located at 14 Public Square, Elizabethtown, KY 42701. This is the only office in Hardin County that handles license renewals, so this is where you'll go regardless of which part of town you live in.

The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with a one-hour lunch break from noon to 1 p.m. It's closed on weekends and state holidays. You do not need an appointment — the office operates on a walk-in basis, though wait times can be longer during lunch hours and late afternoon.

You can also renew your license online through the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet website if you meet certain conditions. Online renewal is faster and requires no visit to the office, but not all drivers are may be able to access. The next section explains who can use online renewal and who must visit in person.

Key Takeaways

  • The Hardin County Clerk's Office at 14 Public Square handles all driver's license renewals in Elizabethtown and is open weekdays 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
  • You can renew online through the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet website if your license is not expired, you have no medical restrictions, and you have not changed your name or address.
  • In-person renewal requires your current license, proof of residency, and a completed DL 44 form, and takes about 15 to 30 minutes.
  • Kentucky licenses expire on your birthday and are valid for four years; you can renew up to six months before expiration.
  • If your license is expired or you need a new photo, you must renew in person at the Clerk's Office.

Online renewal versus in-person renewal

Kentucky offers online renewal through its Transportation Cabinet portal, which is the fastest option if you are may be able to access. Online renewal takes about 10 minutes, costs $20, and your new license arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days. You do not have to visit the Clerk's Office or take a new photo.

You can renew online only if all of these are true: your current license is not expired, you have no medical restrictions or corrective lens requirements that have changed, you have not changed your name, and your address on file is still correct. If any of these do not explore to you, you must renew in person at the Hardin County Clerk's Office.

In-person renewal at the Clerk's Office takes 15 to 30 minutes depending on how busy the office is. You will receive a temporary paper license on the spot and your permanent license by mail within 7 to 10 business days. In-person renewal costs $20 and includes a new photo.

Documents you need for in-person renewal

Bring your current Kentucky driver's license and one document that proves your current address. Proof of residency can be a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, bank statement, or government mail dated within the last 60 days. A cell phone bill does not count as proof of residency in Kentucky.

You will also need to complete form DL 44 before you arrive or at the office. This is the standard driver's license process form. You can read it from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet website or pick one up at the Clerk's Office. If you pick one up at the office, staff can help you fill it out.

Bring your Social Security number or have it memorized. You do not need to bring the card itself, but you must provide the number. If you have changed your name since your last license was issued, bring a certified copy of the document that shows the change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order.

When your license expires and renewal windows

Your Kentucky driver's license expires on your birthday and is valid for four years from the date of issue. You can renew your license up to six months before it expires. For example, if your birthday is in September, you can start renewing in March of that year.

If your license has already expired, you cannot use online renewal — you must go to the Clerk's Office in person. An expired license is still accepted as identification for the renewal process, but you will need to bring it with you.

Renewing early is a good idea if you travel or need your license for identification purposes. There is no penalty for renewing before the six-month window, and your new license will be valid for four years from the date you renew, not from your birthday.

What happens after you renew

If you renew in person at the Clerk's Office, you will receive a temporary paper license when ready. This temporary license is valid for 30 days and can be used for driving and identification. Your permanent plastic license will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days.

If you renew online, you will not receive anything in person. Your new license will be mailed to the address on file within 7 to 10 business days. During this time, your old license remains valid for driving.

If your new license does not arrive within 10 business days, contact the Hardin County Clerk's Office. Bring your temporary license or confirmation number if you have one. The office can check the status of your license and reissue it if there was a problem with the original mailing.

Renewing if you need a new photo or have changed your name

If you want a new photo on your license, you must renew in person at the Clerk's Office. Online renewal uses your existing photo from your current license. The Clerk's Office will take a new photo during your visit at no additional cost.

If you have changed your name since your last license was issued, you cannot use online renewal. You must visit the Clerk's Office in person and bring a certified copy of the document that shows your name change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order from a Kentucky court. The office will update your name and issue a new license with your current photo.

Contact information and hours

The Hardin County Clerk's Office is located at 14 Public Square, Elizabethtown, KY 42701. You can reach them by phone at (270) 765-2271. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with a lunch break from noon to 1 p.m. The office is closed on weekends and state holidays.

For questions about online renewal or to start the process, visit the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet website. You can also call the Cabinet's customer service line, though wait times are often long during business hours. The Clerk's Office staff can answer questions about in-person renewal and what documents you need to bring.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my license by mail?

No. Kentucky does not offer mail-in renewal. You can renew online through the Transportation Cabinet website, or you can renew in person at the Hardin County Clerk's Office. Online renewal is the fastest option if you are may be able to access.

What if I have a commercial driver's license?

Commercial driver's licenses (CDLs) cannot be renewed online. You must renew in person at the Hardin County Clerk's Office. Bring your current CDL, proof of residency, and form DL 44. You may also need to pass a medical examination depending on the type of commercial driving you do.

Do I need to take a new written test or road test to renew?

No. Renewal does not require a written test or road test. You only need to provide your current license, proof of residency, and complete the process form. Tests are only required if your license was suspended, revoked, or if you are obtaining a license for the first time.

What if my address changed but I have not updated my license yet?

You cannot use online renewal if your address has changed. You must renew in person at the Clerk's Office and bring proof of your new address — a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days. The office will update your address and issue your new license.

How much does renewal cost?

Renewal costs $20 whether you renew online or in person. This is the standard fee for a four-year license renewal in Kentucky. No additional fees explore unless you need a duplicate license or are replacing a lost or stolen license.