Kentucky Driving History Record

Why the Driving History Record Comes First

Before you pay any reinstatement fee, visit a court, or call the Transportation Cabinet, you need to know exactly what is on your record. Kentucky suspensions rarely come from a single event. Drivers frequently discover they have court holds from counties they forgot about, child support blocks they did not know were reported, or out-of-state flags from years-old tickets.

The official Driving History Record (DHR) from the KYTC Division of Driver Licensing is the only reliable source. Third-party websites that offer to "check your license status" pull from incomplete databases and often miss active holds. The DHR shows every recorded action, including the governing statute and the date it was placed.

How to Order Your DHR

Online ($6)

Purchase a three-year driving history through drive.ky.gov using a credit or debit card. You receive an instant digital download. This version covers the most recent three years of entries and is sufficient for most reinstatement situations.

In Person ($3)

Visit any KYTC Regional Driver Licensing Office and request either a three-year or full driving history for $3. Payment by credit card, money order, or cashier's check — personal checks and cash are not accepted.

By Mail ($3)

Complete Form TC 94-195 and mail it to the Division of Driver Licensing in Frankfort with a $3 cashier's check or money order payable to the Kentucky State Treasurer. Allow additional time for processing and return mail.

How to Read the Key Entries

The DHR lists suspensions and administrative actions by code and statute. Here is what the most common entries mean and which agency controls each one:

DUI Conviction / Administrative Refusal — Governed by KRS 189A.010 or KRS 189A.105. Cleared through the KYTC Division of Driver Licensing, Ignition Interlock Section. You must complete mandatory treatment and satisfy any KIIP compliance period before this hold lifts.

FTA (Failure to Appear) or FTP (Failure to Pay) — Governed by KRS 186.570(1)(i). Cleared through the county district or circuit court clerk where the citation was issued. Pay all fines and court costs, then verify the court transmitted an electronic clearance to the KYTC.

Child Support Arrearage — Governed by KRS 186.570(2) and 601 KAR 12:070. Cleared through the Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS). You must pay the arrears in full, execute an approved payment plan and make the required initial payment, or comply with all outstanding subpoenas or warrants before CHFS will release the hold.

Insurance Lapse / Registration Cancelled — Governed by KRS 304.39-080 and KRS 186.040. Cleared through your local County Clerk's Office by submitting current proof of liability insurance and paying the $40 registration reinstatement fee.

Point Accumulation — Governed by 601 KAR 13:025. Cleared through the Division of Driver Licensing Hearing Branch by attending an administrative hearing; State Traffic School is an alternative only if the hearing officer places you on administrative probation.

Out-of-State Hold (NDR/PDPS Pointer) — Governed by KRS 186.400 and the Driver License Compact. Cleared through the originating state's licensing authority. You must resolve all outstanding out-of-state citations and obtain an official clearance letter before Kentucky will act.

Medical Review Board Suspension — Governed by KRS 186.444. Cleared by submitting Form TC 94-182 (Medical Review Affidavit) with a physician's fitness evaluation to the KYTC Medical Review Board.

What to Do After You Have the DHR

Map each active hold to its responsible agency. You cannot clear holds out of order — court holds must be resolved before you pay the KYTC's $40 reinstatement fee, and the reinstatement fee must be paid before you can schedule testing for long suspensions.

If you have multiple holds from different agencies or need help interpreting specific codes on your record, the Kentucky Driver's License Reinstatement Guide includes a full hold-identification table and walks you through the clearing sequence step by step.

See more Kentucky guides →