LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — As the federal REAL ID enforcement deadline approaches, Kentucky lawmakers are urging a delay, citing long lines and overwhelmed driver’s license facilities across the state.

At the Bowman Field Driver Licensing Regional Office in Louisville, residents are experiencing hours-long waits — appointment or not — in an effort to update their identification.

“It was wrapped around. We were very much clustered in there,” said Dshayla Thompson, who was at the facility for the second day in a row attempting to obtain a state ID. “Yesterday I came at 10:30 a.m. and had to leave at 2:30 p.m. because I had to get a kid out of school.”

She’s far from alone. Davontie Mukama, who also needs a REAL ID, said he waited for over two hours.

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet attributes the delays to several factors, including new legislation requiring vision screenings for license and permit renewals, and a surge in demand from residents trying to meet the upcoming May 7 REAL ID deadline.

Beginning May 7, REAL ID-compliant identification will be required to board domestic flights and enter certain federal buildings. Alternative documents, such as a passport, are also viable options. 

"I'm out here getting a REAL ID," said James Pate, another resident in line Friday morning. “Would like to see more improvements for DMV lines rather than just extending the deadline.”

Twenty-eight state senators have signed a letter addressed to U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, asking for an extension of the deadline. The lawmakers argue that without a delay, regional offices — already strained — could become even more overwhelmed. As of Friday, no response had been received from Secretary Noem, according to Sen. Jimmy Higdon.

To ease congestion, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet is promoting “skip the line” options.

Those include:

  • Visit your eye specialist, ask for a vision screening form, go online and upload it to renew at DLRenewal.Ky.gov.
  • Visit any licensing office for a vision screening, receive a passcode, return home to renew online at DLRenewal.Ky.gov.
  • Visit any licensing office for a vision screening, then ask for a renewal form to fill out there and receive a temporary license via email.
  • Or renew by mail by printing the mail-in form at Drive.ky.gov, filling it out, and attaching a completed vision form from an eye specialist.

"These remote renewal options will help not only you but will also reduce waits for others who need in-person services to change an address, marital status or photo on a license, apply for a CDL, or upgrade to a REAL ID," said State Transportation Secretary Jim Gray. 

Officials also recommend residents schedule appointments online, though slots are filling within minutes of becoming available.

“You just gotta be quick,” said Hilaire Jean Baptiste, who was taking the driver’s permit test and managed to secure a spot. “I was, you know, lucky.”

Saturday hours will continue to be offered once a month, and pop-up sessions are scheduled in counties without permanent driver’s license branches.

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. 

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

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2 weeks before Real ID deadline, 28 Kentucky lawmakers ask for another delay

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