
License renewals can be confusing, but there’s no need to worry! We consolidate accurate and up-to-date information into one place. This guide goes over everything you need to know about renewing your Kentucky driver’s license.
A standard Kentucky license is valid for eight years when you first get one, and then they are renewed every four years after that. If you are under 21, your license expires 90 days after your birthday. If you are 21 or older, your license expires 31 days after your birthday.
If your license has been expired for more than a year, you will be required to take a vision and written test.
Since July, 2020, Kentucky no longer gives 90-day extensions or grace periods to expired driver’s licenses. Driving without a valid license is a Class B misdemeanor that can result in fines up to $250 and up to 90 days in jail.
Kentucky is dealing with the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic by instituting a remote renewal program that allows drivers to renew their licenses remotely through June 30, 2021. At this time, a license cannot be renewed online.
Renewing by mail was implemented to allow people to renew their licenses during COVID-19. The process and availability may change once COVID restrictions are lifted.
If you do not need to change your name, address, signature, or other credentials, you may qualify to renew your license by mail. However, you must renew in person if you need to take a written or driving test.
Here is how to do it:
Important note: Make sure to do this several weeks before your license expires! You will not receive a temporary paper license while you wait for the new license to come in the mail.
If you need to take a test or change any information on your license, you will need to renew in person. It is a fairly straightforward process, and if you have any questions, the staff will be able to help you.
Follow these steps to renew your Kentucky driver’s license in person:
A standard Kentucky license four-year renewal is $21.50, and an eight-year REAL ID is $48. You can find a full range of prices for motorcycles, duplicates, and more here.
Starting Oct 1, 2021, a standard driver’s license will not qualify as your federal id. You will not be able to board a plane, visit a military base, or enter certain government buildings on your standard license. If you do not need access to these locations OR you have another federally approved id, you can get by on your standard license.
That’s everything you need to know about renewing your driver’s license in Kentucky, make sure to do so well before your license expires to avoid unnecessary complications. If you need help studying for renewal exams, then Zutobi is the perfect study resource with state-of-the-art Kentucky refresher exams.
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