Raymer takes aim at returning drivers licensing to local level

Frankfort, Kentucky (January 14, 2026) – Earlier this week, State Representative Rebecca Raymer filed HB 332, legislation that would increase access and convenience to driver’s licenses and state-issued identification cards by allowing local governments or local officials to provide these services - rather than requiring all applicants to travel to regional driver licensing offices.

“House Bill 332 is about meeting people where they live and where they work. It is about making basic government services more accessible for every Kentuckian,” Raymer said. “Too many families have had to drive long distances or wait weeks for an appointment just to get a driver’s license or personal identification. By allowing trusted local officials to provide these services in every county, we can reduce wait times, ease the burden on regional offices, and ensure no community is left behind.”

Under the provisions of HB 332, local governments and individual local elected officials would be able to work in partnership with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet to issue the documents. The bill adds definitions to state law and directs the cabinet to establish a system ensuring that at least one local official or local governmental entity in every county can provide licensing and ID services, giving residents more convenient, local options rather than relying solely on regional offices.

“The Beshear administration has spent five years and thousands of dollars to create a system that works for Kentuckians and they’ve only made it harder to get a driver’s license or have it renewed,” Raymer said. “Let’s let the local governments and local officials who are willing to do this solve the problem.”

The bill sets a deadline of July 1, 2027, for identifying participating local entities statewide. It also requires the Transportation Cabinet to track and report how many documents are issued locally and whether the change reduces wait times at regional licensing offices. Most provisions of the bill would take effect on July 1, 2027.