Non
U.S. Citizens applying for
Kentucky Driver's License
Goal:
Verify legal status in the U.S. and documentation authenticity/information
prior to applying for a Kentucky driver's license.
Bureau
of Citizenship and Immigration Services
-
KRS
186.412 requires all non U.S. citizens wishing to apply
for a Kentucky driver's license or ID card to make application
to a Division
of Driver Licensing regional office. This
excludes permanent residents. Once the Division of Driver
Licensing approves the application, the license/ID card
will be issued from the Circuit
Court Clerk's office in the county where
the applicant resides.
- "Permanent
Residents" or "Resident Aliens"
may go directly to the Circuit Court Clerk's office
for licensing. They must present their Permanent
Resident card or I-551 with photo issued by BCIS.
- Non
U.S. citizens with B1/B2 "Visitor" or
WT status will not be approved for a Kentucky license
or ID card. All non U.S. citizens may drive in the U.S.
on their valid foreign license and International Permit
for up to one year from the date of admission into the
U.S. provided their home country is part of the Geneva
Compact. Drivers from non Geneva Compact
countries must obtain a Kentucky license within 30 days
of establishing residency in Kentucky.
Required
Documentation
-
A
non U.S. citizen must present all of his or her BCIS
documents to Driver Licensing personnel, such as
Visa with I-94, Employment Authorization Card
(I-688A or I688B or I-766) or I-94
with stamped picture. College students must also present
an I-20 form completed by university, along with
a letter from the Universities Registrars Office, stating
enrolled full-time and in good standing. J-1 exchange
visitors must have form DS2019.
- Applicants
on work related Visa (excluding Employment Authorization
Cards) must show proof of employment within the last 30
days (ie., payroll check, verification on company letterhead).
The spouse of someone with a work status visa (if in the
U.S. on a dependent Visa) must show spouses Visa, I-94
and proof of employment.
Residency
Requirements
-
All
non U.S. citizens must also provide proof of residency
in Kentucky. Kentucky law defines "residency"
as a person who has established Kentucky as his or her
state of domicile. Proof of residency shall include, but
not be limited to, a deed or property tax bill, utility
agreement or utility bill or housing agreement.
Testing
-
All
non U.S. citizens applying for a first time Kentucky license,
with the exception of permanent residents, are required
to take the written, vision and road tests. This includes
transfer driver's holding a valid license from another
state or country. Driver's holding a valid out of state
license, or a valid license from a Geneva Compact
country, will not be required to hold a permit. Non U.S.
citizens already licensed in Kentucky are not required
to retest but they must be approved by Division of Driver
Licensing.
License Expiration
-
A
license or ID card issued to a non U.S. citizen will be
issued to expire with their BCIS documents. Exceptions
to this are "Special Status Individuals" (Asylee,
Refugee, Paroled in Public Interest, or K-1). These individuals
will receive a 4 year license or I. D. If the persons
BCIS documents are issued for an indefinite period of
time, but the person is not considered a "Special
Status", the license or ID will be valid for a 2
year period.
Fraudulent Documents
Applications
Non-U.S. Citizen Application - Form TC 94-152
BCIS School Compliance - Form TC 94-159
Please
read all instructions.
Division
of Driver Licensing Home Page
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