Driver’s Licenses
Local driver’s licenses can be applied for or renewed at one of two locations, at 162 East Main Street, Room 206, in downtown Lexington or at 2519 Regency Road, Suite 103. Hours and contact numbers follow. Persons with out-of-state licenses must apply for a Kentucky license and pass both written and eye exams. In special cases, a road test may be required. Persons with no license must apply and pass written and eye tests to obtain a learner’s permit, which costs $12. After a waiting period of six
calendar months, a road test can be taken. Once passed, the driver is then issued a Kentucky driver’s license at a cost of $10. The cost is $10 if the individual is 16-years old and is prorated until age 21. The license is valid for four years. Duplicate licenses are $12 each. Renewal of a driver’s license costs $20. A combination driver and motorcycle license is also available for $30 from the Fayette County Clerk’s office. The cost for a motorcycle license is $20.
Driver’s License Law for New and Teenage Drivers
A Graduated Driver License Law was passed several years ago by the Kentucky General Assembly. This law took effect on October 1, 2006. The goal of Graduated Driver License Law is to curb the overall number of crashes involving teenage drivers, especially the high number of deadly crashes with teen involvement. The Graduated Driver License Law creates an intermediate period of six months between the learner’s permit and a full, unrestricted license. During the intermediary phase, teenagers will have a full license with two restrictions on their driving privileges. One of the restrictions stipulates no driving from midnight to 6 a.m., except in cases of emergency. Also, the teen driver will be allowed no more than one unrelated passenger under the age of twenty. To find out more about the Graduated Driver’s License Law, visit transportation.ky.gov/drlic/Grad.
Driver’s License Locations
Fayette County Clerk’s office
162 East Main Street, Room 206
Phone: 246-2151
Office Hours:
Monday, 8:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Tuesday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Testing Hours: Monday, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Tuesday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.
2519 Regency Road, Suite 103
OPEN FOR LICENSE RENEWALS ONLY
Phone: 246-2106
Office Hours:
Monday, Wednesday-Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Tuesday, 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Vehicle Insurance
Drivers in Fayette County are required to carry liability insurance. Kentucky law requires $25,000 coverage for bodily injury to one person and $50,000 coverage for all other persons injured in an accident. In addition, the law also states that drivers must carry $10,000 coverage for property damage liability. Residents can reach the Kentucky Department of Insurance at (502) 564-3630.
Vehicle License Plates
Those moving into Kentucky should obtain a Kentucky license plate for their vehicle within 15 days after establishing residency. Plates can be obtained from the Fayette County Clerk’s office. Your vehicle must be made available for inspection when obtaining plates. Registration renewal is required annually. A six percent (6%) motor vehicle usage tax is levied upon the “retail price” of vehicles registered for the first time in Kentucky and upon registration resulting when the vehicle is subsequently transferred.
Acceptable methods of payment include cash, certified check, cashier's check, or money order. (Note: Visa and MasterCard are not accepted for title or transfer transactions.) For information about taxes, application fees, handicap license plates, and motorcycle licenses, contact the Fayette County Clerk’s Office at (859) 253-3344 or visit www.fayettecountyclerk.com.