KYTC urges residents to get REAL ID before holiday travel

With the holiday travel season underway, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet is urging residents to make sure they have a REAL ID in hand before heading to the airport.

The reminder comes as domestic travelers will continue to need a REAL IDor a valid passport when flying within the United States or entering a military base.

Since a series of customer service upgrades have been completed, Kentuckians are spending far less time at regional driver licensing offices, making it easier and quicker to upgrade or renew a license before the busy season begins.

REAL ID enforcement officially began on May 7 and around 45% of Kentuckians have already made the switch. The transition has led to record activity for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. May was a record breaking month with more than 130,000 credentials being issued. Then from January through October, the state has issued more than 1.1 million credentials altogether, including over 21,000 permits for 15-year-olds.

Governor Andy Beshear says the state listened to concerns about wait times earlier this year and took aggressive steps to fix the problem. He says the improvements are paying off, giving Kentuckians faster, easier access to the services they need. In fact, average walk-in wait times reportedly dropped from 49 minutes in April to just 14 minutes by October. Appointment wait times also fell sharply, from 25 minutes to 11 minutes during the same period.

To reduce wait times, KYTC hired around 125 additional full-time employees over the summer, encouraged eligible residents to use the “Skip the Line” tool for online or mail-in renewals, introduced a new line-management system with a text message check-in and opened a fifth licensing location in Louisville. Monthly Saturday hours and pop-up licensing events in counties without a regional office have also helped expand access and while appointments are recommended, walk-ins are always welcome. REAL ID applications must still be completed in person and cards arrive by mail within 10 to 15 days.

KYTC Secretary Jim Gray says that anyone planning to upgrade should come prepared with the necessary documentation to avoid delays or repeat trips. Residents can visit realidky.com to take the IDocument Guide quiz, which provides a personalized list of required documents and helps locate the nearest regional office. The “Skip the Line” quiz at drive.ky.gov can also help determine whether a renewal can be completed online, by mail or requires an office visit.

TSA is also introducing a new option for travelers who show up at the airport without acceptable identification. Beginning February 1, 2026, passengers may pay a $45 fee to use the Confirm.ID system, a modernized identity verification method that allows them to continue their travel for up to 10 days. This backup option does not replace the need for a REAL ID in the long term.