Regional driver’s license office coming to London

When it comes to the issue of renewing your driver’s licenses or getting a REAL ID, which will be needed to board commercial flights, and access military bases and federal buildings starting in May 2023, there is some good bad news and good news for local residents.

The bad news is that by June 30, 2022, the Whitley Circuit Court Clerk’s Offices in Corbin and Williamsburg will no longer be able to issue regular driver’s licenses as the issuance of driver’s licenses is being transferred to Driver Licensing Regional Offices. At present, the closest regional offices are in either Somerset or Richmond.

One bit of good news came Friday when the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) announced that it would be opening seven new regional offices later this year, including offices in London and Pineville. Opening dates and addresses will be announced later once arrangements are finalized.

“On Team Kentucky, we’re working every day to make sure all government services offered are up to the standard our families deserve,” said Gov. Andy Beshear. “Driver’s licenses aren’t just credentials. They’re keys. They unlock so many other doors, like making your voice heard in an election, being able to drive to school or work as you pursue your goals or being able to travel on a plane or visit a military base to see loved ones.”

Currently, the Office of Circuit Court Clerk in 106 of Kentucky’s 120 counties have transferred services to regional offices, including Knox County. Whitley and Laurel counties are among the 14 counties where the circuit court clerk’s offices are still issuing regular driver’s licenses.

There are 23 Driver Licensing Regional Offices strategically located across the state to serve residents from any Kentucky county – regardless of where they live – who need to request, replace or renew a driving credential and do not require testing.

“This transition to a modern, secure network of Driver Licensing Regional Offices has been years in the making, in coordination and cooperation with the Kentucky Circuit Court Clerks Association,” said KYTC Secretary Jim Gray. “Circuit court clerks will be able to focus solely on court duties, while at the  regional offices, driver licensing is our only business.”

More than 150,000 Kentuckians have skipped a trip to a regional office entirely by renewing online or through the mail – options never before available. Kentuckians also have the option of renewing a license for eight years instead of the usual four years.

Kentucky will continue offering the option of a standard driver’s license, but a REAL ID or other form of federally approved identification, such as a passport or Department of Defense-issued military ID, eventually will be needed by people 18 and older for boarding commercial flights and accessing military bases and federal buildings that currently require identification once federal enforcement begins May 3, 2023.

First-time application for a REAL ID must be made in person at a Driver Licensing Regional Office. Specific documentation is required.

Kentucky State Police will continue to administer all permit and license testing. Testing services are offered Monday through Friday by appointment. Kentuckians who need written, driving or vision testing for a permit, driver’s license or CDL must schedule an appointment online at kentuckystatepolice.org/driver-testing. Some KSP testing sites are within Driver Licensing Regional Offices and residents are assigned to conduct testing in specific locations based on where they live.