Kentucky Child Support License Suspension

How the Child Support Hold Works

Under KRS 186.570(2), the KYTC must suspend a driver's license when the Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS) or the Office of the Attorney General notifies them that the driver has accumulated child support arrears equal to or greater than six months of obligations. The regulation governing this process is 601 KAR 12:070.

This hold is distinct from court debt or traffic citations. Neither the county court system nor the KYTC can lift it. Only CHFS has the authority to issue the reinstatement authorization that tells the KYTC to remove the hold.

What CHFS Requires to Release the Hold

CHFS will issue a written or electronic reinstatement authorization to the KYTC when the driver meets one of three conditions:

Pay the arrears in full. The most direct path. Once the past-due balance is brought to zero, CHFS authorizes the reinstatement.

Enter an approved payment plan. If you cannot pay the full amount, you can negotiate a formal payment agreement with CHFS. You must complete the required initial payment under the plan before CHFS will issue the authorization. This means you cannot simply sign a payment plan and expect immediate clearance — the first payment must actually be made.

Comply with outstanding subpoenas or warrants. If there are active subpoenas or warrants related to paternity or support proceedings, resolving them can also trigger the reinstatement authorization.

The Administrative Hearing

To prevent duplication, the formal hearing regarding a child support license suspension is handled by CHFS under 904 KAR 2:410 — not by the KYTC. This hearing satisfies the hearing requirement under KRS Chapter 186, so you do not need to request a separate hearing from the Transportation Cabinet.

If you believe the suspension is in error — for example, if the arrears amount is miscalculated or payments were not properly credited — you can request this administrative hearing through CHFS to contest the suspension.

After the Hold Is Lifted

Once CHFS transmits the reinstatement authorization to the KYTC, you still need to:

1. Verify the authorization reached the KYTC system (check through the myDrive portal or call 502-564-1257)
2. Check for any other active holds on your Driving History Record — child support is often one of multiple stacked suspensions
3. Pay the $40 administrative reinstatement fee to the KYTC
4. Complete any required testing if your suspension exceeded 365 days

Common Mistakes

Calling the KYTC to clear a child support hold. The KYTC cannot remove this hold. They are waiting for CHFS to send the authorization. Your contact should be with CHFS or the child support enforcement office handling your case.

Paying the $40 reinstatement fee before the CHFS clearance. The KYTC will accept the $40, but your license will remain suspended until the CHFS authorization is in the system. Pay the reinstatement fee only after confirming the child support hold has been released.

Assuming the payment plan clears the hold automatically. Entering the plan is not enough. You must make the initial payment under the plan before CHFS will issue the reinstatement authorization.

For drivers dealing with a child support hold alongside other suspensions, the Kentucky Driver's License Reinstatement Guide explains the full multi-agency clearing sequence, including which holds must be resolved before others.

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