How to Renew Your Kentucky Driver's License

Kentucky driver's license renewal by mail, online, or in person

You can renew your Kentucky driver's license through three routes: online at the KYTC (Kentucky Transportation Cabinet) website, by mail, or in person at a driver's licensing office. Online renewal is fastest and costs $20 for a four-year license or $30 for an eight-year license. Mail renewal takes longer but works if you cannot visit an office. In-person renewal is required if your license has been expired for more than five years, if you need to change your address, or if you want to add a Real ID star (the federal security feature).

Your renewal window opens 180 days before your license expires and closes on your expiration date. Kentucky will not renew you early or late, so check your expiration date on the front of your card now. If your license has already expired, you must renew in person at a driver's licensing office—online and mail renewal are not available once you pass the expiration date.

Key Takeaways

Online renewal through the KYTC website is the fastest option and costs $20 for four years or $30 for eight years, but only works if your license is not expired and you have not changed your address.
Mail renewal takes two to four weeks and requires you to send your current license, a completed form, and payment to the KYTC; it works only if your license is current and your address has not changed.
In-person renewal at a driver's licensing office is required if your license expired more than five years ago, if you moved, or if you want to add a Real ID star.
Real ID renewal adds a gold star to your license and costs an extra $10; you will need proof of identity, proof of Social Security number, and proof of Kentucky residency.
If your license is already expired, you cannot renew online or by mail and must go to a driver's licensing office in person.

Online renewal through the KYTC website

Go to drive.ky.gov and select "Renew Your License" from the main menu. You will need your current Kentucky driver's license number, your Social Security number, and a debit or credit card to pay the $20 (four-year) or $30 (eight-year) fee. The system will ask you to confirm your address; if it is wrong, you cannot complete the renewal online and must use mail or in-person renewal instead.

After you submit your information, the KYTC will mail your new license to the address on file. Delivery takes seven to ten business days. You can use your old license until the new one arrives. Online renewal works only if your current license is not expired and you have not moved since you last renewed.

Mail renewal by sending your license and form to the KYTC

read or print the DL 44 form (process for Kentucky Driver's License) from the KYTC website. Fill it out, sign it, and mail it along with your current driver's license and a check or money order for $20 (four-year) or $30 (eight-year) to the address listed on the form. Do not send cash.

Mail your packet to the KYTC address shown on the DL 44 form. Processing takes two to four weeks from the day they receive your envelope, plus mail delivery time on both ends. Your new license will be mailed to the address you listed on the form. Mail renewal is not available if your license has already expired or if you have changed your address since your last renewal.

In-person renewal at a Kentucky driver's licensing office

Visit any driver's licensing office in Kentucky with your current license (or expired license if it expired fewer than five years ago), proof of your Social Security number, and proof of your Kentucky address. Proof of address can be a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days. Bring your original documents or certified copies—the office will not accept photocopies.

Wait times vary by location and time of day. Call ahead to the office you plan to visit to ask about current wait times, or check the KYTC website for a list of all licensing offices and their hours. The renewal fee is $20 for four years or $30 for eight years, paid by cash, check, debit card, or credit card.

In-person renewal is the only option if your license expired more than five years ago, if you have moved and your address on file is wrong, or if you want to add a Real ID star to your license.

Adding a Real ID star during renewal

A Real ID is a federal security standard that allows your Kentucky driver's license to be used for domestic air travel and entry to federal buildings without a passport. The Real ID appears as a gold star in the upper right corner of your license. You can add it during renewal only in person at a driver's licensing office.

To add Real ID, bring your current license, proof of identity (passport, birth certificate, or naturalization papers), proof of your Social Security number (Social Security card, W-2, or 1099), and proof of Kentucky residency (utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within 60 days). The Real ID fee is $10 on top of the standard $20 or $30 renewal fee. Processing takes the same amount of time as a standard renewal—you will receive your new license by mail within seven to ten business days.

If you do not add Real ID during renewal, you can add it later by visiting a licensing office in person and paying the $10 fee, but you will receive a new license card rather than keeping your current one.

What to do if your license has already expired

If your license expired on or before your renewal window closed, you cannot renew online or by mail. You must visit a driver's licensing office in person with your expired license, proof of Social Security number, and proof of Kentucky address. The renewal fee is the same ($20 for four years or $30 for eight years), but you will be treated as a new applicant rather than a renewal, which may add time to processing.

Bring your original documents or certified copies. The office will not accept photocopies. If your license expired more than five years ago, you may be required to pass a vision test and written knowledge test in addition to the standard renewal process. Call the licensing office ahead of time to ask what to expect.

Kentucky driver's licensing office locations and hours

Kentucky has driver's licensing offices in every county. The main office is in Frankfort, but you can renew at any location statewide. Visit drive.ky.gov and search for "Find a Driver's License Office" to see the full list, hours, and phone numbers. Many offices are open Monday through Friday during business hours, but some have extended evening or Saturday hours.

Call the office you plan to visit before you go. Wait times can be long during lunch hours and on Fridays, and some offices close for lunch. If you are renewing in person and need to add Real ID, allow extra time for the additional documents and processing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my Kentucky license if I moved out of state?

No. You must have a Kentucky address to renew a Kentucky license. If you have moved out of state, you should surrender your Kentucky license and get a license from your new state. If you moved within Kentucky, you can renew online or by mail as long as you update your address during the renewal process.

What happens if I let my license expire and then try to drive?

Driving with an expired license is illegal in Kentucky and can result in a traffic citation, fine, and points on your driving record. If you are stopped, you must show a valid license. Renew as soon as you realize your license has expired by visiting a driver's licensing office in person.

How long does it take to get my renewed license by mail?

The KYTC takes two to four weeks to process your mail renewal after they receive your envelope, plus mail delivery time. Total time is usually four to six weeks from the day you mail your packet. You can continue to use your old license until your new one arrives.

Do I need a Real ID to fly domestically in the United States?

Yes, starting May 7, 2025, you will need either a Real ID driver's license, a passport, a military ID, or another federal ID to board a domestic flight. A standard Kentucky driver's license without the gold star will not be accepted. You can add Real ID during renewal in person at any Kentucky driver's licensing office.

Can I renew my license if I have unpaid traffic tickets or fines?

Kentucky does not suspend license renewal for unpaid traffic tickets or fines. You can renew your license even if you owe money to the court. However, the court may suspend your driving privileges separately, which is different from license renewal. Check with your local court if you are unsure whether your license is suspended.

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.