With only one year left until federal REAL ID Act enforcement begins on May 7, 2025, state officials are urging Kentuckians to consider whether they possess the necessary identification. After this deadline, individuals will need a REAL ID state-issued driving or identity credential, or another federally accepted form of REAL ID such as a passport, in order to access air travel checkpoints, military bases, or federal buildings that require identification.
You can find the complete list of credentials approved by the Transportation Security Administration here. However, please note that a Kentucky REAL ID is not considered valid for international travel.
In Kentucky, you have the option to choose between two types of driving and ID cards: the standard version or the REAL ID card.
A Kentucky REAL ID features a black cutout star, while the standard version showcases the Kentucky Unbridled Spirit logo or the phrase “NOT FOR REAL ID PURPOSES.” For additional details regarding the distinctions between the two, please visit this link.
Kentucky residents have the convenience of renewing their driver’s license up to six months before the printed expiration date. If you’re not yet within your renewal window but would like to obtain a REAL ID, you have the option to upgrade your standard card for a fee of $15. Rest assured, the expiration date on your new card will remain the same.
Even after the enforcement date, you can still use a standard-issue license for driving and as proof of identity, age, and residence. It remains valid for voting, age-restricted purchases like buying alcohol, and accessing federal facilities, including Social Security offices and Veterans Administration hospitals.
The cost of a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license is $24 for a four-year period, and $48 for an eight-year period. On the other hand, a standard, non-compliant license is priced at $21.50 for a four-year term, while an eight-year license costs $43.
