Kentucky driver testing regional branches in place

The increased availability and flexibility are both made possible by regionalizing our services.

FRANKFORT, Ky. – Gov. Andy Beshear and the Kentucky State Police announced on Tuesday that all KSP Driver Testing Regional Branches have been established within the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Driver Licensing Regional Offices.

They are ready to serve Kentuckians who wish to obtain a state driver permit or driver license, and residents have the option to make driver testing appointments at any regional office throughout the state, regardless of the county where they live.

“We appreciate KSP and KYTC working together to expand driver licensing services to Kentuckians statewide,” said Gov. Beshear. “Now that residents can make an appointment at any regional office, our Kentucky families have expanded access to the services they need, making it easier for them to take a written or skills drivers test and obtain a license at one location in one day.”   

Appointments are available Monday-Friday and can be made online by visiting KSP’s website.  Residents must make an appointment at any regional branch before arrival for a permit, driver, or commercial driver license test. Successful testing applicants will be served the same day by KYTC Driver Licensing Regional Office staff to apply for a permit or license, based on capacity and time of day, without scheduling a separate appointment.  

“One of the benefits of the regional branches is the increased availability of testing services,” said KSP Capt. Marshall Johnson, Commander of Driver Testing. “Allowing citizens to choose where they receive those services adds increased flexibility for scheduling appointments. The increased availability and flexibility are both made possible by regionalizing our services. New appointments will be posted daily at 8 a.m., Monday through Friday, and citizens can now make an appointment at a location that works best for them.” 

Prior to an appointment, new drivers should prepare for the exam by accessing the only approved Kentucky driver’s manual or through the official KSP mobile app. All driver testing materials can be viewed and downloaded free of charge. 

According to KYTC, Kentucky will continue offering the option of a standard driver’s license, but a REAL ID or other form of federally approved identification, such as a passport or military ID, eventually will be needed by people 18 and older for boarding commercial flights and accessing military bases and federal buildings that currently require identification. Federal enforcement is scheduled to begin May 3, 2023. 

To find out more about the REAL ID program, as  the documentation you need to present to apply, go to https://drive.ky.gov/RealID/Pages/IDocument-Guide.aspx.