Kentucky License Reinstatement Fee

The $40 Fee Is the Last Step, Not the First

The KYTC charges a flat $40 administrative reinstatement fee for restoring a suspended operator's license. This fee covers the reinstatement itself — it does not cover underlying court fines, child support arrears, or any other debts that caused the suspension.

Paying the $40 before clearing all other holds does not restore your license. The KYTC will accept the payment, but your driving privileges remain suspended until every hold on your record is resolved. This is the single most common mistake drivers make.

How to Pay

Online Through myDrive

The fastest option, but it requires a linked account. To link your credential to the myDrive portal, you need a Letter ID — an alphanumeric code printed on a KYTC document dated on or after June 6, 2026, and issued within the last 60 days.

If you do not have a recent Letter ID, you can request one by mail (5 to 10 business days) or visit a Regional Office in person to link the account on the spot.

By Phone

Call the KYTC Division of Driver Licensing at 502-564-1257. You can pay with a credit or debit card over the phone.

By Mail

Send a cashier's check or money order for $40, payable to the Kentucky State Treasurer, to the Division of Driver Licensing in Frankfort. Personal checks are not accepted. Include your full name and license number.

In Person

Visit any KYTC Regional Driver Licensing Office. Payment by credit card, money order, or cashier's check.

CDL Holders Pay Differently

If you hold a Commercial Driver's License (CDL), you cannot pay the reinstatement fee online through myDrive. CDL reinstatement requires in-person processing at a Regional Office, along with a $3 NCIC criminal background check fee under KRS 281A.300 and electronic self-certification through the myDrive portal.

Other Fees You Might Owe

The $40 reinstatement fee is rarely the only cost. Depending on your situation, you may also need to pay:

• Court fines and costs — paid directly to the county court clerk where each citation was issued
• Vehicle registration reinstatement — $40 to the County Clerk if your registration was cancelled for an insurance lapse
• KIIP application fee — $105 to the KYTC if you are applying for an ignition interlock license
• Driving History Record — $6 online or $3 in person, to audit your record before starting
• License renewal — $21.50 (4-year) or $43.00 (8-year) if your license expired during the suspension

The $40 reinstatement fee itself is a flat charge. You do not owe a separate $40 for each hold on your record — it is one fee regardless of how many underlying suspensions existed.

When to Pay

Pay the reinstatement fee only after all of these are true:

1. All court holds (FTA/FTP) have been cleared and transmitted to the KYTC
2. Any child support hold has been released by CHFS
3. DUI compliance requirements (treatment, KIIP) are satisfied
4. Out-of-state holds are resolved with the originating state
5. Medical Review Board clearance is granted (if applicable)

If your suspension exceeded 365 days, you must pay the $40 fee before scheduling written and vision tests with the Kentucky State Police. The fee payment is a prerequisite for test scheduling, not something you do after passing.

The Kentucky Driver's License Reinstatement Guide includes a hold clearing sequence that maps exactly when each payment is due and where to send it.

See more Kentucky guides →