How to get your license back after a DUI in Kentucky
Getting a license back after a DUI is an agency process, not a court one: the steps below are the ones the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, Division of Driver Licensing lists, in its order, each quoted from the agency's own page. Requirements differ by offense, blood-alcohol level, refusal, and prior record; the state's wording controls.
Steps the state lists
- 1
Serve the fixed suspension period (or the reduced period with an ignition interlock license)
KYTC administers a fixed suspension based on the conviction: for a first offense within ten years, a 6-month suspension without an IID, reducible to 4 months with 90 days of violation-free KIIP participation; a second offense is 18 months, reducible to 12 months with 120 violation-free days. KRS 189A.070(1)(a) sets the same periods.
What the source says
“1st offense within a ten year period 90-day approved alcohol/substance abuse program 6-month license suspension 90-day approved alcohol abuse program 90 days of violation-free KIIP participation 4-month license suspension”
- 2
Complete the approved alcohol/substance abuse program and submit proof of completion
KYTC lists a 90-day approved alcohol/substance abuse program for a first offense and a one-year program for second and later offenses; the Division of Driver Licensing accepts completions only from programs authorized for DUI treatment, and proof is submitted by email to [email protected]. KRS 189A.070(2) makes completion of the KRS 189A.040 program a condition of reinstatement of full privileges.
What the source says
“The Division of Driver Licensing only accepts completions from programs authorized for DUI treatment.”
- 3
Apply to KYTC for an ignition interlock license through KIIP (if driving during the suspension)
KYTC's enumerated KIIP steps: (1) wait for KYTC to receive the court action and send a withdrawal/suspension letter; (2) submit the Ignition Interlock Application TC 94-175 with proof of vehicle registration and an insurance card, plus the $40 reinstatement fee when the restricted license is issued; (3) receive an approval or denial letter; (4) take the Letter of Approval to a certified provider for installation and obtain a Certificate of Installation; (5) take the certificate to a Regional Office to have a Restricted License issued — credit for KIIP participation begins only at issuance.
What the source says
“Take your Certificate of Installation to any Regional office to have a Restricted License issued. The cost of the license will depend on the type of license issued. Credit for participation in KIIP will only begin at the time of issuance.”
- 4
Pay the $40 reinstatement / re-licensing fee
KYTC states a $40.00 reinstatement/re-licensing fee may be required any time driving privileges are suspended; it can be paid online through myDrive (in-state license holders), in person at a Driver Licensing Regional Office, by mail, or by phone. An active ID card must be canceled first.
What the source says
“Any time your driving privilege is suspended, a $40.00 reinstatement/re-licensing fee may be required.”
- 5
Complete vision and written testing if suspended for more than one year
KYTC states no testing is required for suspensions under one year; vision and written tests (administered by the Kentucky State Police) are required for suspensions over one year, and the $40 fee must be paid before the testing appointment. A driver suspended over five years starts over with the vision and written tests and a permit.
What the source says
“Vision and written tests are required before a license can be reinstated for drivers suspended for more than one year.”
- 6
Have the interlock removed after the compliance period and obtain a non-restricted license (KIIP participants)
Upon completion of the required compliance period, KYTC mails or emails a Letter of Removal for the vendor; after removal the service center issues a Certificate of Removal, which is taken to a Regional Office for a Non-Restricted License.
What the source says
“Once the device is removed, the Service Center will provide you with a Certificate of Removal. Take your Certificate of Removal to a Regional Office to have a Non-Restricted License issued.”
- 7
Satisfy all suspension requirements before reinstatement occurs
KYTC states that paying the reinstatement fee alone does not restore driving privileges; all suspension requirements must be fully satisfied before reinstatement.
What the source says
“Paying the reinstatement fee alone does not automatically restore your driving privileges. All suspension requirements must be fully satisfied before reinstatement can occur.”
Official reinstatement page: Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, Division of Driver Licensing
Conditions that travel with reinstatement
| Reinstatement fee | $40 |
|---|---|
| SR-22 / financial-responsibility filing | No — details |
| Ignition interlock | Kentucky interlock rule |
| Required program | Approved alcohol/substance abuse program (KRS 189A.040) — 90-day program for a first offense, one-year program for second and subsequent offenses |
| Driving during the suspension | Ignition interlock license (Kentucky Ignition Interlock Program, KIIP) (KRS 189A.340) |
Required program: Approved alcohol/substance abuse program (KRS 189A.040) — 90-day program for a first offense, one-year program for second and subsequent offenses
KYTC's DUI Suspensions and Requirements table lists a 90-day approved alcohol/substance abuse program for a first offense within ten years and a one-year program for second, third and fourth offenses. The Division of Driver Licensing accepts completions only from programs authorized for DUI treatment (list linked from the page); out-of-state course completions are handled by the Division at 502-564-1257. KRS 189A.070(2) provides that no person is eligible for reinstatement of full privileges until the alcohol or substance abuse education or treatment program ordered under KRS 189A.040 is completed.
“no person shall be eligible for reinstatement of his or her full privilege to operate a motor vehicle or motorcycle until he or she has completed the alcohol or substance abuse education or treatment program ordered pursuant to KRS 189A.040.”
Driving during the suspension: Ignition interlock license (Kentucky Ignition Interlock Program, KIIP) (KRS 189A.340)
KRS 189A.340(1)(a) provides that when a license is suspended for a DUI under KRS 189A.010(1)(a), (b), (e) or (f), the sole license the person is eligible for is an ignition interlock license; a person suspended under (1)(c) or (d) may also be eligible for a hardship license under KRS 189A.410. KYTC states eligibility is based on the five-year driver history (KRS 186.560 and 186.570), that the holder is authorized to drive only a vehicle with an ignition interlock device installed (an employer work exemption exists, TC 94-190), that only the primary vehicle must have a device, and that the device must be installed in Kentucky unless preauthorized. Time holding a valid ignition interlock license counts day-for-day toward the suspension (KRS 189A.340(5)).
“If a person's license is suspended pursuant to this chapter and the initial suspension was for a violation of KRS 189A.010(1)(a), (b), (e), or (f), the sole license the person shall be eligible for is an ignition interlock license pursuant to this section.”
When the interlock can be removed
Compliance-based. KRS 189A.340(4)(b) keeps the interlock restriction in place for the required suspension period and, if the maximum period has not yet run, until KYTC receives a declaration from the device provider certifying that none of the listed violations occurred in the 90 consecutive days (first offense) or 120 consecutive days (subsequent offenses) before the restriction is released. KYTC states a violation restarts the consecutive-day count but does not extend beyond the original suspension. KYTC authorizes removal: on completion of the compliance period it mails or emails a Letter of Removal for the vendor; the service center issues a Certificate of Removal (TC 94-178), which 601 KAR 2:233 requires the provider to submit to the cabinet within 24 hours electronically or 72 hours by mail/fax, after which the cabinet updates the driver record so a license without the interlock restriction can be issued. Removal for other reasons requires an approved TC 94-204 request. KRS 189A.340(7)(a)3. caps the provider's removal fee at $30.
Compliance period: 90 consecutive violation-free days (first offense within ten years) or 120 consecutive violation-free days (subsequent offenses), certified by the provider before the restriction is released (KRS 189A.340(4)(b)2.)
“Upon completion of the required compliance period, KYTC will mail or email a Letter of Removal for you to submit to your Vendor (not the Service Garage) to schedule the device's removal.”
Questions about reinstatement in Kentucky
- What does KYTC require to restore a license after a Kentucky DUI suspension?
- KYTC's DUI Penalties and Programs page sets a fixed suspension by offense (6 months for a first offense, reducible to 4 months with 90 violation-free days on an ignition interlock license) and completion of an approved alcohol/substance abuse program (90 days for a first offense). The License Reinstatement page adds a $40 reinstatement fee, vision and written tests if suspended more than one year, and satisfaction of all suspension requirements.
- Who can get a Kentucky ignition interlock license, and how is it obtained?
- Under KRS 189A.340(1)(a), an ignition interlock license is the sole license available during a suspension for a DUI under KRS 189A.010(1)(a), (b), (e) or (f). KYTC lists the KIIP steps: submit application TC 94-175 with registration and insurance, receive an approval letter, have a certified provider install the device and issue a Certificate of Installation, then obtain the Restricted License at a Regional Office, paying the $40 fee.
- When and how is a Kentucky ignition interlock device removed?
- KRS 189A.340(4)(b) releases the restriction after the required suspension period and, if the maximum has not run, once the provider certifies 90 (first offense) or 120 (subsequent offenses) consecutive violation-free days. KYTC then issues a Letter of Removal; the service center provides a Certificate of Removal, which is taken to a Regional Office for a non-restricted license. The removal fee is capped at $30 by KRS 189A.340(7)(a).
Sources
- KYTC DRIVE — DUI Penalties and Programs (suspension table, approved programs, KIIP steps, device removal, violations)
- KYTC DRIVE — License Reinstatement ($40 fee, testing, all requirements must be satisfied)
- KRS 189A.070 — License suspensions; time periods; completion of program required before reinstatement (Kentucky LRC)
- KRS 189A.340 — Ignition interlock licenses; compliance period; provider fees (Kentucky LRC)
- 601 KAR 2:233 — Kentucky Ignition Interlock Program (Certificate of Removal; removal of restriction) (Kentucky LRC)