The REAL ID Act is a federal law to enhance the security of state-issued
driving credentials. Starting May 7, 2025, all Kentucky standard driver’s
licenses and IDs (cards that don’t display a star icon) will no longer
be accepted to board commercial flights within the U.S., or enter
into military bases, nuclear power plants or any federal building that
requires identification. Kentuckians who want to maintain these travel
and access benefits have a choice! They can either use an approved
federal form of identification ( like a passport, passport card or military
ID) OR use a Kentucky REAL ID. REAL IDs are driver’s licenses, permits
or identification cards (featuring a star icon) accepted for domestic air
travel, military base entry and entry into restricted federal buildings.
Kentuckians who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents may apply for
a REAL ID at any Driver Licensing Regional Office across the state.
When Applying for a
REAL ID Card
PRESENT DOCUMENTS
Applicants must provide
(1) proof of identity,
(1) proof of social security,
and (2) proofs of residency.
Carefully review the full list of
accepted documentation for
a REAL ID you need to gather
before applying; additional
documentation, like
a marriage certificate
or divorce decree, may
be necessary.
ARRIVE IN THE MAIL
Residents will visit a Driver
Licensing Regional Office to
apply for a new credential.
The requested credential will
arrive in the mail at the address
provided by the applicant 10-15
business days later.
TEMPORARY DOCUMENT
Applicants will leave the
regional office with a 30-day
temporary printed document
and a hole-punched version of
their current card to use until
the requested credential arrives
in the mail.
EXTENDED SHELFLIFE
REAL IDs are available in four or
eight-year lifespans.
PRICING
The cost of REAL ID credentials
accounts for the extended
renewal cycle and additional
security improvements.
Kentuckians with a credential
more than six months from
expiring the date they apply
may pay $15 to upgrade to
a REAL ID credential that
maintains their current
credential’s expiration date.
ONLINE LICENSE RENEWAL
REAL ID cardholders may
renew their license online
if their name and address
haven’t changed.
Visit drive.ky.gov
Kentuckians applying for a REAL ID card must present one (1) valid
proof of identity, one (1) valid proof of social security number and two
(2) valid proofs of residency. If an applicant’s name or gender doesn’t
match on the proof documents, additional documentation (like a
marriage certificate or divorce decree) may be required. A detailed
list of acceptable documents is available at realidky.com. The online
IDocument Guide quiz provides a customized list of documents an
applicant will need to present. Some acceptable documents have strict
requirements (i.e. no photocopies of birth certificates, documents must
be unexpired).
Social Security card, current
tax year W-2 or 1099 form
(no photocopies of social
security card, SSN may not be
handwrien)
PERMANENT RESIDENT
OR OR
Certified birth certificate, passport,
permanent resident card, etc.
(no photocopies,
applicants under 18 must provide birth certificate)
If the current legal name is not
displayed on all of the proof
documents, bring legal document
linking the name change
(marriage
license, court order)
KY driver’s license with current home address,
utility bill
(must be less than 1 year old), etc.
1 PROOF OF IDENTITY 2 PROOFS OF RESIDENCY
1 PROOF OF SOCIAL SECURITY 1 PROOF OF NAME CHANGE
(if applicable)
What You Need to Apply for a REAL ID
The cost of all identity
credentials has
changed to factor in
the doubled life cycle
and enhanced security
features. Cards with
a four-year lifespan
are half the cost of an
eight-year credential.
New standard
driver’s license
$43 8 years valid
New standard
personal ID card
$23 8 years valid
New standard
motorcycle license
$43 8 years valid
REAL ID
driver’s license
$48 8 years valid
REAL ID
personal ID
$28 8 years valid
REAL ID
motorcycle license
$48 8 years valid
CDL costs vary by type
and endorsement
combination. Contact
the Division of Driver
Licensing CDL section for
more details at
(502) 564-1257.
Non-U.S. citizens may
obtain any standard
credential for the
listed cost, plus a $30
application fee. Visit
drive.ky.gov for more
information.
COST
Kentucky
REAL ID
Kentucky
STANDARD
CREDENTIAL
Driving (licenses, permits)
Voting
Age-restricted purchases
Accessing federal & social
benefits (Social Security
offices, VA hospitals, etc.)
U.S. air travel
(Starting May 7, 2025)
Visiting military bases,
nuclear power plants and
federal buildings that
require identification
starting May 7, 2025
Federally Approved Cards
Acceptable forms of ID for U.S.
commercial air travel include the
following valid and unexpired
credentials:
1. Kentucky’s REAL ID card versions
or other federally approved cards
offered by other states
2. U.S. passport
3. U.S. passport card
4. DHS trusted traveler card (Global
Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST)
5. U.S. Department of Defense ID,
including IDs issued to dependents
6. Permanent resident card
7. Border crossing card
8. DHS-designated enhanced driver’s
license
9. Federally recognized,
tribal-issued photo ID
10. HSPD-12 PIV card
11. Foreign government-issued
passport
12. Canadian provincial driver’s license
or Indian/Northern Affairs Canada
card
13. Transportation worker identification
credential (TWIC®)
14. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration
Services Employment Authorization
Card (I-766)
15. U.S. Merchant Mariner Credential
16. Veteran Health Identification Card
(VHIC)
Military bases and federal buildings like the White House, which require ID, will
accept REAL IDs. For a list of other acceptable forms of identification, contact
the base or building directly before visiting.
KYTC Driver Licensing Regional Offices
Kentuckians may request REAL ID or standard (non REAL ID compliant)
credentials at any Driver Licensing Regional Office statewide. Applicants are
encouraged to schedule an appointment online. Walk-ins are accepted.
A complete list of licensing offices and online scheduling is available at
www.realidky.com. Offices are open Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
License Renewal vs. Upgrade
If you request a REAL ID and your current license expires within six months of
the date you apply, you may renew your license for either four or eight years.
If your current license expires more than six months from the date you apply,
you may pay $15 to upgrade to the REAL ID license that will keep the same
expiration date as your current card (you’re eligible to renew your license once
you’re within your six-month renewal period).
Revised 12/05/22
