KY drivers face long lines to renew license, get REAL ID. How to beat the crowds
Kentucky’s regional driver’s license offices are busier than usual this spring as staffers work to process a surge in demand for REAL IDs ahead of the federal law’s Wednesday, May 7 enforcement date.
Additionally, as Gov. Andy Beshear explained in a recent news conference, a new vision screening requirement for renewing driver’s licenses has produced long lines at regional offices as drivers opt to get the screenings done on-site for free.
“What’s changed is tens of thousands if not a hundred-plus thousand folks that used to renew online are now coming into the offices,” Beshear said. “It is creating a bigger push into the offices.”
Indeed, as of April 15, the state’s website for booking renewal appointments showed none were available in Lexington. The state’s regional driver’s license offices do accept walk-ins, but visitors are likely to experience lengthy wait times taking that route.
So how can you beat the lines and renew your driver’s license in the least amount of time? Here’s what to know.
What’s the easiest way to renew your Kentucky driver’s license in 2025?
During an April 10 news conference, Beshear outlined three alternative paths drivers renewing licenses in 2025 can take to wait in a long line. They include:
1. Visit a vision specialist and renew online
Initially, booking an appointment with a vision specialist might seem like another unnecessary hoop to jump through before you can renew your license. However, Beshear said doing so allows renewing drivers to skip the line at the regional office entirely.
“While that won’t be free to those that can do it, it allows them to ultimately do everything online they’d need and not have to deal with scheduling that appointment or coming in,” Beshear said.
During their visit with an eye specialist for a vision screening, drivers should ask for the completed vision form and then upload the form at DLRenewal.ky.gov.
“What happens is we mail the license to you as usual without you having to wait in any line,” Beshear said.
2. Visit a regional office and get a temporary license same day
If renewing drivers want to get the vision screening requirement taken care of for free and on-site at a regional driver’s licensing office, they can still do so and cut down on their wait time. According to Beshear, there’s a shortened process that allows drivers to obtain a temporary license the same day.
“You can visit any regional office, get a free vision screening, fill out the renewal form that is there on site, but then you can leave it there,” Beshear said. “We will send you a temporary license emailed to you that day.”
The advantage of this route is drivers can benefit from the free vision screening without having to wait in a line for processing their paperwork and obtaining a renewed license.
3. Renew your license entirely by mail
Drivers can renew their license by mail. Visit drive.ky.gov and download the renew by mail form. Print the form, fill it out and attach your completed vision screening form before mailing it. You’ll get your new license in the mail.
Do I really need a REAL ID in Kentucky?
Before rushing to obtain a REAL ID, it may be worth your time to consider whether you need one in the first place.
While you can still obtain a REAL ID after the May 7 enforcement date, you will need some form of compliant identification to do the following:
Board a domestic flight without delays and additional Transportation Security Administration security screening
Visit military bases
Access federal facilities that require them
That said, there are several forms of REAL ID-complaint identification you could use. They include:
A U.S. passport or passport card
A foreign government issued passport
A permanent resident card
A U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Card
A veteran health identification card
The TSA offers a full list of acceptable identification travelers can use at checkpoints.
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This story was originally published April 16, 2025 at 4:40 AM.