More driver’s license renewal locations under consideration
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More driver’s license renewal locations under consideration February 11, 2025
Rep. Kevin Jackson, R-Bowling Green, speaks before the House Transportation Committee on Tuesday about House Bill 161, which would allow third-party entities to offer driver’s license renewal services. A high-resolution photo can be found here.
FRANKFORT — Kentuckians looking for a more convenient way to renew their driver’s license may soon have more options under House Bill 161.
The House Transportation Committee approved the bill on Tuesday. Primary sponsor, Rep. Kevin Jackson, R-Bowling Green, said the legislation would allow third-party entities to offer driver’s license renewal services.
“This legislation would leverage a tool already being used in other states to increase the access and availability of driver’s license renewal services for Kentuckians,” Jackson said, reiterating this bill would be for renewals only.
In 2022, the Kentucky General Assembly passed legislation to create 34 regional centers for issuing driver’s licenses and renewals, which was a change from the services being offered in all 120 counties. Jackson said this has caused issues for many Kentuckians.
“Many folks are forced to drive long distances, wait in long lines, and deal with people they’ve never met before,” he said. “We ask the public to get online to make appointments, but many don’t have a computer or Wi-Fi.”
Today, roughly 28 states allow third-party entities, like AAA or insurance offices, to offer driver’s license renewals, Jackson said.
Under HB 161, businesses seeking to offer driver’s license renewal services would have to undergo an approval process through the Transportation Cabinet.
“Allowing third-party entities to issue driver’s license renewals will help streamline the process and make it more accessible for all Kentuckians,” Jackson said.
Rep. Daniel Elliott, R-Danville, said he noticed the bill mentioned there would be a fee for the service.
“Do you have any idea what that range would be?” Elliott asked. “Because sometimes fees can get pretty exorbitant, but I think the point that you’ve made is really good in terms of our inaccessibility to these regional offices, and that does disproportionality affect older folks.”
Jackson said his research showed renewing at a third-party location would cost an extra $2 to $5 compared to what it would cost at a regional center.
Two lawmakers had additional questions about the ability of the third-party entities to do driver’s license renewals.
Rep. Matthew Lehman, D-Newport, asked Jackson if Kentuckians would be able to renew a REAL ID at a third-party site. After May 7, a 2005 federal law will go into effect requiring Americans to have a REAL ID or a passport in order to board a commercial airplane.
Jackson said, yes, the third-party site would be able to do renewals, but would not be able to issue a brand-new REAL ID.
Rep. Anne Gay Donworth, D-Lexington, asked Jackson if the third-party entities would be able to do the new state-required vision test for driver’s license renewals.
Jackson confirmed the vision test would not be an issue.
“They would have to have the refraction machine in these locations just like they would at the 34 driver’s license centers,” he said.
In addition to wanting more driver’s license renewal location options, Kentuckians have also been asking lawmakers to allow more options for driver’s tests, Rep. Tom Smith, R-Corbin, said.
Smith asked Jackson if allowing sheriff’s departments to be trained to offer driver’s tests is something he considered. Currently, only Kentucky State Police can administer driver’s tests.
Jackson said HB 161 only focuses on renewals, but it might be something the general assembly considers in the future.
“We didn’t deal with that in this,” he said. “We wanted to basically stick our toe in the water and try renewals this way, but I could see in the future that possibly would be something that we could do.”
HB 161 is now before the full House for consideration.
News Releases are provided by the LRC Public Information Office. All photos are attributed to LRC Staff.
https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/publicservices/pio/release.html#HB161021125
