If you’re new to the commonwealth, you’ll need to apply for a Kentucky driver’s license within 30 days of moving, even if your current license is still valid, in order to legally drive on Kentucky roads.
You’ll also need to transfer your title registration to Kentucky, get new license plates, pay vehicle usage taxes on your car and undergo an inspection if your car was bought out of state. If you’re from out of state, it can seem a little onerous, but them’s the rules; we didn’t make them.
License issuances are handled through the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, or KYTC. Beginning in May 2025, all IDs must conform to federal Read ID requirements. This means you’ll need proof of your identity, proof of your social security number and proof of any official name or gender changes in order to get an approved license. There are a handful of ways you can do this. Consult the chart below to see acceptable documents.
Next, you’ll need to find an approved regional office of the KYTC (which you can do at https://drive.ky.gov/Pages/Find-An-Office.aspx) and go there during open hours. Some offices allow you to make an appointment. From there, you’ll need to update your insurance so that it’s valid with our new Kentucky address. This may or may or entail getting a fresh policy, depending on your insurance provider, but you have to have valid Kentucky insurance before doing anything else.
If you bought your vehicle outside of Kentucky, your county sheriff will have to inspect it. You usually don’t have to make an appointment for an inspection, but check with your sheriff at the webpages below for details. Once your inspection is complete, they’ll send a special form to the clerk’s office, which will allow you to complete the final registration of your car.
- https://boonecountykysheriff.com/
- https://www.kentoncountysheriff.org/167/Vehicle-Inspection
- https://campbellcountysheriffky.org/vehicle-inspection/
Finally, you’ll need to update your title, get new plates and pay taxes. Unlike license issuances, these tasks are completed with your county clerk. Vehicle usage taxes are collected anytime you’re required to register your car and are charged at a rate of 6%. Call the phone numbers below to find out more.
- Boone County Clerk – (859)334-2108
- Kenton County Clerk – (859)392-1652
- Campbell County Clerk – (859)292-3850