DMV delays: What you need to know before you go as REAL ID deadline approaches

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB)-- With the REAL ID deadline looming, drivers across Kentucky are flocking to DMV offices.

At the Bowman Field Driver Licensing Regional Office in Louisville on Monday, people said they waited in line for four hours just to get inside the building—and an additional two hours once inside.

Stephanie Salls said she arrived at the DMV before 9 a.m., but was still waiting around 1 p.m.

“Going on almost four hours,” Salls said.

She previously visited a few days ago, but left after waiting an hour in the rain. Salls is one of many frustrated residents who stood in line for hours, including families with children and elderly people.

“My legs never last six hours,” said Jerald Watkins.

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet attributes the delays to a statewide network outage.

“Normally, nobody has near that kind of wait,” said KYTC Vehicle Regulation Commissioner Matthew Cole.

KYTC is encouraging residents to schedule an appointment online. However, appointments in Louisville are currently booked until late January.

“We no longer have the county restrictions,” Cole said. “You can literally go to any of our 34 regional locations you want.”

If you are willing to drive, WDRB found an earlier appointment in Lexington on Jan. 14.

There are also many things you don't need to go to an office for in the first place. To find out if the service you need can be done online or via mail, click here.

While the long lines may be unavoidable for some, there are ways to reduce the hassle:

Schedule an Appointment: Check availability at any KYTC location statewide.
Bring All Required Documents: Avoid being turned away by ensuring you have everything needed for your visit.
Sign Up for Text Notifications: If you’re waiting in person, ask the person working the door to receive text alerts so you can wait in your car instead of the lobby.
Consider Online Services: Many DMV services, including license renewals without an address change, are available on KYTC's website.
Visit During Saturday Walk-In Hours: Monthly Saturday hours are an option for many if weekdays aren’t feasible.
Arrive Early: While it doesn’t guarantee a shorter wait, arriving early may help you secure a spot.

Starting May 7, 2025 every resident age 18 or older will need a REAL ID to travel by plane within the U.S.

The requirement is part of the federal REAL ID Act, aimed at establishing minimum security standards for state-issued identification documents.

Kentuckians can renew their license up to six months before it expires. Anyone ineligible for renewal can upgrade to a REAL ID for $15 and keep your same expiration date. REAL ID licenses are available for $24 for a four-year ID, and $48 for an eight-year ID.

To make an appointment at one of the state's regional licensing offices, click here. Walk-in customers are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.

All Kentucky regional Driver Licensing Offices are equipped to issue REAL ID versions of licenses or identification. Kentucky residents who already have a REAL ID can renew online or by mail, but first time applicants have to apply in-person with required documents. A list of acceptable documents is available at RealIDKy.com.

Circuit court clerks historically provided driver’s licenses and state identification card services in each county, but a majority of clerks asked KYTC to take over issuing REAL IDs.

To learn more about the transition to REAL ID in Kentucky, click here.

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