State officials said DMV lines may be longer than normal following recent changes to the driver licensing process throughout the Commonwealth. One of the changes has been the addition of vision screenings to the process, causing the potential for delay.
Governor Andy Beshear said there are alternative solutions.
“Those who have the means to see an eye specialist as opposed to come into the DMV, you can skip the whole thing. If you go see an optometrist and you get your eyes checked, and they know the form to fill out, you can do all this online,” said Beshear.
There is a way to skip the line if the required service is a license renewal. Officials said those who need to renew can either get their vision screened beforehand at an optometrist office or come into the licensing office for a screening. They will then receive a code to continue the renewal process online or be given a form to fill out to give them a temporary license through their email.
Beshear said something else that will be taking up clerk’s time is the upcoming deadline to apply for a Real ID. Beshear said the process can take a while, but there are alternatives for those who are in a tight spot.
“Real, which takes a lot of documentation, and it is going to be needed to board a plane, but remember a passport is also a Real ID. So, if you’re worried about the deadline but you have valid passport you are still going to be able to get on that plane,” said Beshear.
In addition to the vision screenings and Real ID, many 15-year-old across the state will be flooding offices to get their learners permits follow legislation that allows them to do so.