WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT REAL ID by Senator Brandon Smith

May 01, 2025

In just a few days, Kentuckians will face new federal requirements for air travel and federal building access under the REAL ID Act. Starting May 7, standard driver’s licenses will no longer be accepted for boarding domestic flights or entering secure federal facilities. Only a REAL ID-compliant license, or an alternative like a U.S. passport or passport card, will meet federal standards.

I recently joined my Senate colleagues in sending a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem asking for an additional extension. With only about 37 percent of Kentuckians compliant, many families may face long waits, travel disruptions and avoidable frustrations. While it’s looking like the May 7 deadline will hold, there is some hope that federal agencies will be able to take a phased in approach.

Let me clarify who actually needs a REAL ID.

If you fly domestically or visit secure federal buildings, you will need a REAL ID, passport, passport card, or another REAL ID compliant form of ID.

If you do not fly or visit federal facilities, you do not need a REAL ID. A standard driver’s license will still allow you to drive, vote and conduct everyday activities.

Alternative options, like passports or military IDs, can also substitute for a REAL ID when traveling or accessing federal buildings.

If you do not plan on flying soon or visiting a federal building, you do not need to rush to get a REAL ID by May 7. That is the deadline for enforcement, not the deadline to obtain a REAL ID. Appointments will continue to be available after May 7.

Many Kentuckians still face barriers outside their control. Years ago, licensing services moved from local circuit court clerks to regional offices because clerks could not meet federal security standards. Kentucky was the only state using local offices for driver's licenses at the time. With the enactment of REAL ID legislation in 2019, licensing transitioned to regional centers operated by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. While the General Assembly has passed laws to help—such as allowing mail-in and online renewals, approving mobile pop-up licensing units to visit unserved counties at least twice annually, and expanding regional offices—day-to-day management of REAL ID remains an executive branch responsibility.

Several issues persist.

Lack of appointment availability. Currently, many regional offices have no availability until June. There are some available in regional offices in eastern and western Kentucky, but the Louisville, Lexington and northern Kentucky offices are fully booked.

Public communication has been lacking, which results in a bottleneck of appointments. It’s been unclear who actually needs a REAL ID, and who may not.

Regional offices are only open one Saturday a month, despite lawmakers urging expanded days and hours. States like New Jersey have expanded hours, but Kentucky has not prioritized problem solving efforts to maximize our time between now and May 7.

Staff shortages and morale problems at licensing centers continue to delay services. Please be kind to staff when you visit these offices and events.

Similar patterns of delay, seen during the Unemployment Insurance backlog and ongoing permitting issues, show a concerning trend.

The regional offices nearest our district are in Breathitt County at 1127 Main Street in Jackson and in Clay County at 25 Marcum Hill Road in Manchester.

To help, special REAL ID pop-up events are coming to counties in our district. Register at drive.ky.gov. They include the following.

Estill County

August 12

119 Broadway Street, Suite 1

Irvine, KY 40336
Registration opens on July 29 at 8 a.m.

Lee County

May 13 and September 23

Lee County Coop Extension Office

259 Industrial Park Road, Beattyville, KY 41311

Registration for the May 13 event is now open. Registration for the September 23 event will open on September 9 at 8 a.m.

Leslie County

May 14 and October 22

Leslie County Courthouse Annex

22010 Main Street, Hyden, KY 41749

Registration for the May 14 event will open April 30 at 8 a.m. Registration for the Octtober 22 event will open October 29 at 8 a.m.

Magoffin County

July 15 and October 21

100 E. Maple Street

Salyersville, KY 41465

Registration for the July 15 event will open July 1 at 8 a.m. Registration for the October 21 event will open October 7 at 8 a.m.

Morgan County

September 11

450 Prestonsburg Street

West Liberty, KY 41472

Registration opens August 28 at 8 a.m.

Perry County

July 16 and November 12

354 Perry Park Road,

Hazard, KY 41701

Registration for the July 16 event will open July 2 at 8 a.m. Registration for the November 12 event will open October 29 at 8 a.m.

Powell County

August 5

169 Maple Street

Stanton, KY 40380

Registration will open July 22 at 8 a.m.

Wolfe County

June 18

Old Courtroom at the Old Courthouse

16 Court Street, Campton, KY 41301

Registration for the June 18 event will open June 4 at 8 a.m.

If you plan to visit a regional office or pop-up, you must bring

one proof of identity (certified birth certificate),

one proof of Social Security (card or W-2/1099 form),

two proofs of residency (license, utility bill), and

proof of any name changes (marriage license, court order).

Visit drive.ky.gov for more information or to make an appointment. Please remember a vision screening is now required for license renewals.

It is an honor to serve you in the Kentucky Senate.

Sen. Brandon Smith, R-Hazard, represents the 30th Senate District, which includes Breathitt, Estill, Lee, Leslie, Magoffin, Morgan, Perry, Powell, and Wolfe Counties. Smith serves as chair of the Senate Natural Resources and Energy Committee. He is also a member of the Senate Committees on Transportation; Veterans, Military Affairs, and Public Protection; and Banking and Insurance. Additionally, Smith serves on the Budget Review Subcommittee on Economic Development, Tourism, Natural Resources, and Environmental Protection. During the 2024 interim, he was a member of the Artificial Intelligence Task Force.