KRS § 186.416 Renewal and update of operator's license electronically or by mail for military personnel and spouse and dependents stationed outside of Kentucky -- Veteran's designation on operator's license or personal ID card -- Administrative regulations. (Effective July 15, 2026)
AI-assisted research summary: Military personnel, their spouses, and dependents stationed outside Kentucky may renew or update certain operator’s licenses by mail or electronically, and qualifying veterans may request a veteran designation on a license or ID card.
186.416 Renewal and update of operator's license electronically or by mail for military personnel and spouse and dependents stationed outside of Kentucky -- Veteran's designation on operator's license or personal ID card -- Administrative regulations. (Effective July 15, 2026) (1) If a resident of the Commonwealth currently serving in the United States military is stationed or assigned to a base or other location outside the boundaries of the Commonwealth, the resident, or the resident's spouse or dependents, may: (a) Update his or her license electronically or by mail to include a motorcycle operator's endorsement on an existing operator's license; or (b) Renew a Class D operator's license issued under this section by mail. If the resident, or his or her spouse or dependents, was issued an "under 21" operator's license, upon the date of the license holder's twenty-first birthday, the "under 21" operator's license may be renewed for an operator's license that no longer contains the outdated reference to being "under 21." (2) A resident of the Commonwealth renewing an operator's license by mail under subsection (1) of this section may have a personal designee apply to the cabinet on behalf of the resident to renew the resident's operator's license. An operator's license for which an endorsement is being added electronically or by mail, or which is being renewed by mail under subsection (1) of this section shall be issued a license bearing the applicant's historical photo if there is a photo on file. If there is no photo on file, the license shall be issued without a photograph and shall show in the space provided for the photograph the legend "valid without photo and signature." (3) (a) 1. If a resident of the Commonwealth has been serving in the United States military stationed or assigned to a base or other location outside the boundaries of the Commonwealth and has allowed his or her operator's license to expire, he or she shall, within ninety (90) days of returning to the Commonwealth, be permitted to renew his or her license without having to take a written test or road test. 2. The spouse or dependent of a person identified in subparagraph 1. of this paragraph shall be afforded the same consideration identified in that subparagraph regarding the renewal of an expired operator's license. (b) A person who meets the criteria in paragraph (a) of this subsection shall not be convicted or cited for driving on an expired license prior to license renewal during the ninety (90) days after the person's return to the Commonwealth if the person can provide proof of his or her out-of-state service and dates of assignment. (c) A person who meets the criteria in paragraph (a) of this subsection and who does not renew his or her license within ninety (90) days of returning to the Commonwealth shall be required to comply with the provisions of this chapter governing renewal of a license that has expired. (4) (a) Any person who served in the active Armed Forces of the United States, including the Coast Guard, and any member of the National Guard or Reserve Component who completed the member's term of service and was released, separated, discharged, or retired therefrom under either an honorable discharge or a general under honorable conditions discharge may, at the time of initial application or application for renewal or duplicate, request that an operator's license or a personal identification card issued under this chapter bear the word "veteran" on the face or the back of the license or personal identification card. (b) The designation shall be in a style and format considered appropriate by the Transportation Cabinet. Prior to obtaining a designation requested under this subsection, the applicant shall present to the cabinet as proof of eligibility, an original or copy of his or her: 1. Unexpired Veteran Identification Card or Veteran Health Identification Card issued by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs; 2. DD-2, DD-214, DD-256, DD-257, or NGB-22 form; or 3. Unexpired Geneva Conventions Identification Card issued by the United States Department of Defense. The cabinet shall not be liable for fraudulent or misread forms presented. (5) The cabinet shall promulgate administrative regulations in accordance with KRS Chapter 13A to establish forms and procedures for facilitating the addition of a motorcycle endorsement to an existing operator's license, both electronically and by mail, in accordance with subsection (1) of this section. Effective: July 15, 2026 History: Amended 2026 Ky. Acts ch. 135, sec. 22, effective July 15, 2026. -- Amended 2023 Ky. Acts ch. 17, sec. 5, effective June 29, 2023. -- Amended 2021 Ky. Acts ch. 65, sec. 2, effective June 29, 2021. -- Amended 2020 Ky. Acts ch. 42, sec. 2, effective July 15, 2020; and ch. 51, sec. 8, effective March 27, 2020. -- Created 2017 Ky. Acts ch. 100, sec. 9, effective January 1, 2019.