Where to get your Elizabethtown driver's license

The Elizabethtown Regional Office of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet is where you go to get your driver's license in Elizabethtown. The office is located at 410 West Dixie Avenue, Elizabethtown, KY 42701. This is the only place in Elizabethtown that issues licenses — you cannot renew or obtain one at a county clerk's office or any other location in the city.

The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with a one-hour lunch break (usually noon to 1:00 p.m.). It closes on state holidays. You do not need an appointment — the office works on a first-come, first-served basis, though wait times vary by time of day and day of week. Mornings and early afternoons tend to be less crowded than late afternoon.

You can also renew your license online through the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet website if you meet certain conditions: your license must not be expired by more than five years, you must have a valid Social Security number on file, and you cannot have any medical or vision restrictions that need updating. Online renewal costs less than in-person renewal and takes about two weeks for the new license to arrive by mail.

Key Takeaways

  • The Elizabethtown Regional Office at 410 West Dixie Avenue is the only place in the city to get a driver's license in person.
  • You will need to bring your Social Security card, proof of residency, and proof of identity — the specific documents depend on whether you are getting your first license or renewing.
  • The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and does not require appointments, but wait times can be long during peak hours.
  • If your license expired fewer than five years ago and you have no medical restrictions, you can renew online for less money and receive your new license by mail.
  • Vision and written tests are required for first-time licenses and when renewing after expiration; renewal by mail skips both tests.

Documents you need to bring

What you bring depends on whether you are getting your first Kentucky license, renewing an expired license, or renewing a valid one. For any transaction, bring your Social Security card (the original card, not a copy) and proof of residency — a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days with your name and Elizabethtown address on it.

For a first-time license, you also need proof of identity and proof of your legal name. Acceptable identity documents include a U.S. passport, passport card, military ID, or state ID from another state. For proof of legal name, bring your birth certificate (original or certified copy), marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. If you were born outside the United States, bring your original or certified birth certificate plus your green card or visa.

For renewal of an expired license, bring your expired Kentucky license and the same identity and residency documents listed above. For renewal of a valid license (before it expires), you only need your current license and proof of residency — you do not need to bring identity documents again.

If you are under 18, a parent or legal guardian must be present with you. Bring their ID as well. If you are renewing and your name, address, or medical information has changed, tell the staff when you arrive — they may ask for additional documents to verify the change.

Vision and written tests

You will take a vision test at the Elizabethtown office before you can get or renew your license. The test checks whether you can see well enough to drive safely. If you wear glasses or contacts, bring them with you — you will take the test while wearing them if you normally drive with them. If you fail the vision test, you cannot get a license that day. You can return after you have seen an eye doctor and had your vision corrected.

You will also take a written test if you are getting your first Kentucky license or if your license has been expired for more than a certain period (usually three years or longer). The written test covers Kentucky traffic laws, road signs, and safe driving practices. You can study using the Kentucky Driver's Manual, which is free and available on the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet website or in print at the Elizabethtown office. The test has 40 questions, and you must answer at least 32 correctly to pass.

If you are renewing a license that is still valid or expired by fewer than three years, you do not take the written test. If you fail the written test, you can take it again the same day or return another day at no extra charge.

Fees and payment methods

The cost of a driver's license in Kentucky varies by the type of license and how long it is valid. A four-year license (for drivers 21 and older) costs $28. A six-year license (also for drivers 21 and older) costs $42. A license for drivers under 21 costs $28 and is valid until the driver turns 21. These prices are set by the state and do not change between offices.

The Elizabethtown Regional Office accepts cash, debit cards, and credit cards. They do not accept checks or money orders. If you renew online, you pay by credit or debit card through the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet website.

If you need a duplicate license (because yours was lost, stolen, or damaged), the cost is $10. A duplicate is a replacement of your current license with the same expiration date — it does not extend your license or change any information on it.

Real ID and what it means for your Elizabethtown license

Kentucky offers Real ID-compliant driver's licenses, which meet federal standards for identification at airports and federal buildings. A Real ID license has a gold star in the upper right corner. You do not have to get a Real ID license — a standard Kentucky license is still valid for driving — but you will need a Real ID, passport, or other federal ID to board a domestic flight or enter a federal building after May 7, 2025.

To get a Real ID license at the Elizabethtown office, bring the same documents as you would for a regular license, plus proof of your Social Security number (your Social Security card, W-2, or tax return) and proof of legal residency (a utility bill, lease, or mortgage in your name). The fee is the same as a regular license — there is no extra charge for Real ID.

If you already have a Real ID license from Kentucky, you can renew it in person or online just like a regular license. If you have a standard license and want to upgrade to Real ID, you can do so at the Elizabethtown office by bringing the documents listed above.

What happens after you pass

When you pass the vision and written tests (if required) and submit all your documents, the staff will take your photo and process your process. Your new license will be printed on the spot if you are getting a standard license. You can leave with it the same day.

If you are getting a Real ID license, the process takes longer. Your process goes to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet's central office for additional verification. You will receive your Real ID license by mail within 7 to 10 business days. You will be given a temporary paper license to use while you wait.

If you renewed online, your new license arrives by mail within about two weeks. You do not receive a temporary license for online renewal — your old license remains valid until the new one arrives.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a driver's license in Elizabethtown if I do not have a Social Security number?

No. Kentucky requires a valid Social Security number to issue a driver's license. If you are a non-citizen without a Social Security number, you may be able to get an ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) from the IRS, but the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet does not currently issue licenses to people without a Social Security number or ITIN on file.

What if I lost my birth certificate and cannot find it?

You can order a certified copy from the Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics or from the vital records office in the state or country where you were born. This usually takes one to two weeks and costs $10 to $25. Bring the certified copy to the Elizabethtown office along with your other documents. A photocopy of your birth certificate is not acceptable.

Do I have to take the written test again if I renew my license before it expires?

No. If you renew while your license is still valid, you do not take the written test. You only take it if you are getting your first Kentucky license or if your license has been expired for more than three years.

How long does it take to get a Real ID license in Elizabethtown?

You receive a temporary paper license the same day, and your actual Real ID license arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days. If you get a standard license instead, you leave with it the same day.

Can I renew my license by mail from Elizabethtown?

No. Mail renewal is not available in Kentucky. You can renew online if your license is not expired by more than five years and you have no medical restrictions, or you can renew in person at the Elizabethtown office.