Where to go for your Danville driver's license
The Boyle County Clerk's Office in Danville issues Kentucky driver's licenses and ID cards. You'll find them at 321 Main Street, Danville, KY 40422. This is the only office in Danville that handles driver's licenses — you cannot renew or obtain one at the police department or any other local government office.
The Clerk's Office is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with a one-hour lunch break from 12 to 1 p.m. They close on state holidays. You can call ahead at (859) 238-1074 to ask about wait times or confirm they have the document type you need in stock.
If you cannot visit Danville in person, you can renew a Kentucky license by mail or online through the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet website, but only if your license is not suspended, you have no medical restrictions, and you're renewing for the first time (not a duplicate or replacement). New licenses, learner's permits, and any license after a suspension must be obtained in person.
Key Takeaways
- The Boyle County Clerk's Office at 321 Main Street is the only place in Danville to get a driver's license or ID card.
- You must bring a Real ID document (passport, birth certificate, or state ID) plus proof of Social Security number and Kentucky residency to explore.
- A standard Kentucky driver's license costs $20 and is valid for four years; a Real ID-compliant license costs $27 and is valid for eight years.
- If your license is suspended or you have medical restrictions, you must explore in person and may not be issued a standard license.
- Wait times at the Clerk's Office vary by day and time; calling ahead can help you plan when to visit.
What documents you need to bring
Kentucky requires a Real ID document as proof of identity and citizenship. This means one of the following: a valid U.S. passport, a certified birth certificate (with a raised seal), a passport card, a naturalization certificate, or a military ID. A photo ID alone is not enough — you need proof of citizenship or identity issued by a federal or state government.
You also need proof of your Social Security number. Bring your Social Security card, a W-2 form, a tax return, or a 1099 form. A Social Security statement from ssa.gov works as well.
Finally, bring proof of Kentucky residency. This can be a utility bill, a lease or mortgage statement, a bank statement, an insurance policy, or a government check dated within the last 60 days. Your name must appear on the document. A driver's license from another state does not count as proof of residency.
Bring the originals of these documents — photocopies are not accepted. If your documents are in a language other than English, bring an official English translation as well.
License types and costs in Kentucky
Kentucky offers two main driver's license types: a standard license and a Real ID-compliant license. The standard license costs $20 and is valid for four years. The Real ID license costs $27 and is valid for eight years. Both are issued at the Boyle County Clerk's Office.
The Real ID license is required to board a domestic flight or enter a federal building as of May 2025. If you plan to fly within the United States, you will need either a Real ID license or a passport. The Real ID license looks like a standard license but has a gold star in the upper right corner.
If you are under 21, your license will have a vertical orientation (taller than it is wide) and will expire on your 21st birthday. If you are 21 or older, your license will have a horizontal orientation and will expire four or eight years from the issue date, depending on which type you choose.
Kentucky also issues learner's permits for $10, valid for one year. You must pass a written test and a vision screening to get a permit. Once you hold a permit for at least 30 days, you can schedule a road test to earn your full license.
What happens if your license is suspended
If your Kentucky license is suspended, you cannot renew it by mail or online — you must go to the Clerk's Office in person. A suspension usually results from unpaid traffic fines, failure to pay child support, a DUI conviction, or accumulating too many points from traffic violations.
When you arrive at the Clerk's Office, staff will check the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet database to see if your suspension is still active. If it is, you cannot receive a new license until the suspension is lifted. You will need to resolve the underlying issue — paying fines, completing a DUI education program, or waiting out the suspension period — before you can reapply.
If your suspension has been lifted, bring proof of the lift (a letter from the court, the Transportation Cabinet, or the agency that imposed the suspension). The Clerk's Office will verify the lift in their system before issuing your license.
Medical restrictions and vision requirements
Kentucky requires all applicants to pass a vision screening at the Clerk's Office. You must be able to see at least 20/40 in each eye, with or without corrective lenses. If you wear glasses or contacts, bring them with you — you will be tested while wearing them.
If you have a medical condition that affects your ability to drive safely — such as seizures, severe hearing loss, or a heart condition — you may be required to provide a medical report from your doctor. The Transportation Cabinet will review the report and may issue your license with restrictions, such as "corrective lenses required" or "daylight driving only."
If you have a condition that makes you unsafe to drive, Kentucky may deny your license or suspend it. You have the right to request a hearing before the Transportation Cabinet if your license is denied or restricted on medical grounds.
Renewing your license by mail or online
If your license is not suspended and has no medical restrictions, you can renew it without visiting the Clerk's Office. Kentucky allows mail renewal and online renewal through the Transportation Cabinet website.
To renew online, go to drive.ky.gov and log in with your license number and date of birth. You can renew if your license is expiring within 90 days and you have not had a suspension in the past five years. The online renewal takes about 10 minutes and costs the same as renewing in person.
To renew by mail, contact the Boyle County Clerk's Office and request a renewal form. Mail it back with your current license and payment. Mail renewal takes two to three weeks. You cannot renew by mail if you are changing your address, adding a Real ID designation, or if your license has been suspended.
Getting a duplicate or replacement license
If your license is lost, stolen, or damaged, you need a duplicate or replacement license. These are not the same as a renewal. You must visit the Clerk's Office in person and bring the same documents you would need for a new license: a Real ID document, proof of Social Security number, and proof of residency.
A duplicate or replacement license costs $10 and is issued on the spot. You do not need to retake the written test or vision screening unless your current license has expired or your vision has changed significantly.
If your license was stolen, you can report it to the Danville Police Department or Boyle County Sheriff's Office. Bring the police report to the Clerk's Office — it may help speed up the process, though it is not required.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get a license at the Boyle County Clerk's Office?
Most applicants receive their license the same day they explore, as long as they pass the vision screening and bring all required documents. Wait times range from 15 minutes to an hour depending on how busy the office is. Calling ahead at (859) 238-1074 can help you choose a less busy time.
Can I get a Kentucky license if I live in another state but work in Danville?
No. Kentucky requires proof of residency — a utility bill, lease, or bank statement with your name and a Kentucky address dated within the last 60 days. If you do not live in Kentucky, you cannot get a Kentucky license. You must hold a license from your home state.
What if I fail the vision screening?
If you fail the vision screening, you can retake it when ready if you have corrective lenses with you. If you do not have glasses or contacts, you can come back another day with them. If you fail even with corrective lenses, the Clerk's Office will refer you to an eye doctor and you will need a medical report before you can reapply.
Do I need an appointment to visit the Boyle County Clerk's Office?
No appointment is required. The office operates on a first-come, first-served basis during business hours. However, you can call ahead to ask about wait times and confirm the office is open.
Can I renew my license if I have an outstanding traffic fine?
If your fine has resulted in a license suspension, no — you cannot renew until the suspension is lifted. If you have an unpaid fine but no suspension, you can renew, but Kentucky may suspend your license later if the fine goes unpaid long enough. It is best to pay outstanding fines before renewing.