Changes in Kentucky Driving Laws for 2025

Visions Screenings Are Required for Everyone

As the new year approaches, Kentuckians with driver’s licenses need to be aware of new requirements moving forward. The Commonwealth of Kentucky Transportation Cabinet recently released information about requirements for vision screenings for driver’s license renewals in 2025. The goal of the requirement is to enhance driver safety throughout Kentucky.

Where to Get Your Vision Screening

If you need to renew your driver’s license in Kentucky, there are two ways to complete your vision screening.

• Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Driver Licensing Regional Office

If you’re new to Kentucky, the “Kentucky DMV” is referred to as the Driver Licensing Regional Office. There are over 30 locations throughout the state from Mayfield to Catlettsburg. You can find a Driver Licensing Regional Office here.

The Driver Licensing Regional Office will not charge you for the vision screening, and it usually takes less than one minute to complete.

• At your Personal Vision Specialist

If you don’t want to complete your vision screening at the Driver Licensing Regional Office near you, you do have the option to get your vision exam done by your personal optometrist or ophthalmologist. However, you will have to get a state-issued form from your doctor and bring it to your license renewal visit.

What Happens if You Don’t Pass Your Driver’s License Vision Screening in Kentucky?

For those who choose to do the vision screening in the Driver Licensing Regional Office, if you don’t pass your vision screening, you will need to see a vision specialist to get corrective lenses before you can renew your license. You will need to wait until you have those corrective lenses before you return to the regional office.

What Should I Bring to Get My Kentucky License Renewed?

To renew your driver’s license in Kentucky, you’ll need to bring the following items:

1. Your current driver’s license
2. Proof of residency (a bill or piece of mail with your name on it)
3. Name change documentation (if you’ve changed your name since your last renewal)
4. Renewal fee
5. Any corrective lenses you currently use

If you currently use contacts or glasses when you drive, make sure to bring those in with you. If you pass your eye exam with your corrective lenses, a restriction will be put on your license.

Can I Still Complete Online and Mail-In Driver’s License Renewal in Kentucky?

Yes! You will be able to proceed with mail-in or online license renewals in Kentucky. However, in order to ensure the vision screening, you will need to go to your optometrist or ophthalmologist and get the state-issued form. The extra step for mail-in or online license renewal will be to upload the signed form on drive.ky.gov.

For more information on the new requirements for vision screening set forth by the Commonwealth of Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, visit https://transportation.ky.gov/Pages/Home.aspx.