Gov. Andy Beshear announced that a new, modernized driver licensing system and online portal will launch in June, providing online services that will help reduce long wait times at regional offices and minimize paperwork.
The new system will replace the current, nearly 40-year-old system, and allow Kentuckians to create accounts through a new portal, myDrive, that enables people to pre-apply for a license, permit or ID, request a card replacement, check their current license standing, and more.
The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) new system, known as the Kentucky Information Network for Driver Licensing (KINDL), is scheduled to launch on Monday, June 8.
“The new system,” the governor’s office said, “will streamline licensing for commercial drivers as well, allowing medical certificates to be accepted directly from approved medical providers, cutting out the middle step of needing to manually submit results yourself to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s National Registry.”
Once launched, the state’s MyCDL portal for commercial drivers to upload medical certificates will be discontinued, as it will no longer be needed.
Changes to services during transition
To allow staff to convert more than four million driver records into the KINDL system, the following temporary changes to licensing services will be necessary.
- All Driver Licensing Regional Offices will close Thursday, June 4 – Friday, June 5.
- Offices will reopen on Monday, June 8. Walk-in hours will be 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. through June 18.
- While once-a-month Saturday hours will not be hosted in June, two May Saturday options will be available on May 9 and May 30 from 8:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Monthly Saturday hours will resume in July.
- Online driver’s license renewal will be unavailable beginning Wednesday, June 3. Services will be restored on Monday, June 8.
Kentuckians due to renew in June are strongly encouraged to visit a Driver Licensing Regional Office before June 4, as all offices will close on June 4 and 5 and hours of operation will be adjusted from June 8 – 18 for the system migration.
“With approximately 55,000 Kentuckians due to renew in June, now is the best time to take care of your licensing needs to save valuable time before the temporary office closures,” KYTC Secretary Rebecca Goodman said. “Online and mail-in renewal is still an option for most Kentuckians who want to skip a trip entirely if they have a completed vision screening form.”
Cardholders can renew their driver’s license up to six months before their card’s expiration date.
New myDrive accounts for online services
Starting June 8, all online licensing services, including those for commercial driver’s license holders, will require a myDrive account. Account holders can enjoy the following new services:
- Pre-apply for a license, permit or ID to save time during an in-person visit to request a card for the first time or to renew a license.
- Request a card replacement
- Change their address
- Check their current license standing (i.e. suspended) and production status of their card
- View individual licensing communications sent by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet
An account will also be needed to renew your license online, register an emergency contact, sign up for license expiration reminders, or pay reinstatement fees. More details on how to set up an account will be shared as the rollout approaches.
By Ken Howett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
