Renew Driver's License · Kentucky

Bring these documents

• Your current Kentucky driver's license[2]Required

  Expiration must be within 6 months. If your license has been expired more than 1 year you must renew by mail or in person; expired 5+ years means starting over with a permit and tests.

• Vision Screening Certification (Form TC 94-202)[4]Required

  Required for online and mail renewal of a driver's or motorcycle license. Must be signed by a KYTC-credentialed medical specialist within the last 365 days. Skip if you complete a free vision screening at a Regional Office.

• Proof of name change (if applicable)[9]If applicable

  Certified marriage certificate, certified divorce decree, certified legal name change order, valid military ID, or court order. Marriage license is NOT accepted. Your name must already be updated with Social Security.

• Proof of new Kentucky address (if address changed)[9]If applicable

  One residency document postmarked within the last year (utility bill, lease, bank statement, USPS-postmarked mail). Forwarded mail is not accepted.

• Payment method[2]Required

  Card only for online renewal. Mail and in-person accept card, cash, or check (made to Kentucky State Treasurer).

Step by step

1. 1

   Step 1[2]

   Confirm you're eligible to renew. You can renew online if you have a current standard DL/ID, no name change, no address change you can't handle by mail, and you're not under 21, a CDL holder, or a non-U.S. citizen.

   Open official page Source: drive.ky.gov
2. 2

   Step 2[4]

   Get a signed TC 94-202 vision form from any KYTC-credentialed eye doctor (or visit a Regional Office and take the free vision screening to receive a one-time online passcode).

   Open official page Source: drive.ky.gov
3. 3

   Step 3[1]

   Renew online at dlrenewal.ky.gov, by mail using Form TC 94-192, or in person by booking an appointment at a Driver Licensing Regional Office.

   Open official page Source: drive.ky.gov
4. 4

   Step 4[2]

   Online renewals issue NO temporary document — your card arrives in 10–15 business days. By mail you'll get a temporary credential by email. In person you receive a temporary credential printed on paper.

   Open official page Source: drive.ky.gov
5. 5

   Step 5[10]

   Renewing online or by mail keeps your existing card type (standard stays standard). To switch to a REAL ID you must visit a Regional Office in person.

   Open official page Source: drive.ky.gov

Common reasons this gets rejected

• Trying to upgrade to REAL ID online

  REAL ID upgrades are NOT available online or by mail — you must visit a Regional Office in person with all source documents. Online renewals only renew the credential type you already hold.

• Missing or expired TC 94-202 vision form

  The vision form must be signed within the last 365 days by a KYTC-credentialed medical specialist. Mail renewals without it are returned unprocessed.

• Name on file doesn't match Social Security

  Kentucky verifies your name against the Social Security database. If you've changed your name, update Social Security FIRST and bring certified proof — a marriage license alone is not accepted, you need a certified marriage certificate.

• Letting it expire too long

  If your credential has been expired more than 1 year you can no longer renew online. After 5 years expired you must start over with a permit application, written test, vision test, and road test.

• Expecting a temporary document from an online renewal

  Online renewals don't issue a temporary card. If you need to drive or fly before the new card arrives, renew by mail (temp emailed) or in person (temp printed at the office).

Talk to a human

Sources

1. [1]DRIVE — Renew, Replace, Update a Credential
2. [2]DRIVE — Compare Licensing Service Options
3. [3]DRIVE — REAL ID Pricing
4. [4]DRIVE — Vision Screening Requirement
5. [5]DRIVE — Contact Us
6. [6]Form TC 94-192 (DL/ID Renewal or Replacement)
7. [7]Online Renewal Portal — dlrenewal.ky.gov
8. [8]Find a Driver Licensing Regional Office
9. [9]https://drive.ky.gov/RealID/Pages/What-You-Need.aspx
10. [10]https://drive.ky.gov/RealID/Pages/When-Can-I-Apply.aspx