The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) will open a permanent Regional Driver Licensing office in Daviess County to administer REAL ID-compliant credentials.
Judge-Executive Al Mattingly and State Representative Suzanne Miles discussed the move in a recent interview at the Daviess County Courthouse.
“Daviess County is one of the largest counties in western Kentucky and we had been bypassed originally,” Mattingly explained. “If our citizens wanted a REAL ID, they had to drive to Madisonville.”
Mattingly said it was important for Owensboro to have its own regional office to make it easier to obtain a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license.
What is REAL ID?
Beginning October 1, 2021, verified identification such as REAL ID driver’s licenses and identification cards will be required to board domestic commercial flights, enter military bases and other secure federal facilities.
Kentuckians who possess a valid passport or military ID already have an acceptable credential, and applying for REAL ID is NOT mandatory to drive. To find out whether a REAL ID is right for you, visit drive.ky.gov.
*Information from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet
Owensboro Regional Office
The Transportation Cabinet has established a temporary office in Owensboro to process REAL ID applications in the interim. Appointments are strongly recommended. Click here to schedule.
The permanent regional office will be located at the Daviess County Operations Center at 2620 KY-81. It’s expected to open around the first of the year.
“We have signed a lease with the state,” Mattingly said. “We have had a walk-through meeting with contractors. We are looking for renovations to be done around the end of November, which gives them a month to move in.”
Mattingly said the Operations Center was chosen because it offers ample parking. The new Regional Driver Licensing office will serve Daviess County and surrounding communities.
“We are very pleased the Judge has worked with us at the state level and local level to make sure we had a regional office in Owensboro,” said State Representative Suzanne Miles. “Any state issued ID that you would need will be available at the regional office.”
“I encourage everyone to go through the checklist and make sure you have your documents ready before you set up an appointment to get a REAL ID,” she added.
Kentuckians applying for REAL ID will have the option to secure the credential for up to eight years, though the cost will be higher than a typical driver’s license. The credential will be mailed to your home.
New Milestone
Recently, the Transportation Cabinet announced it had reached a milestone of 50,000 REAL ID-compliant driver’s licenses and identification cards.
Kentuckians seeking a REAL ID may apply at any KYTC Regional Driver Licensing office. The Cabinet expects to eventually have a network of 20 or more offices around the state.
For more information, visit drive.ky.gov.
