According to the Kentucky Division of Driver Licensing persons moving into Kentucky have 30 days to obtain a Kentucky driver's license.

To obtain a Kentucky Driver License you must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident of this country. You must be at least 16 years of age to transfer your driving permit or license to Kentucky. If under age 18, must present a School Compliance Verification Form signed by the out-of-state school (No Pass/No Drive Law - KRS 159.051 effective 08-01-07). This form can be obtained from the student's school district of residence.

All Kentucky Driver Licenses are issued in the Circuit Court Clerk's Office in the Kentucky County of residence. Proof of Kentucky residency is required. Proof includes, but not limited to, a deed or property tax bill, utility agreement or utility bill, or rental housing agreement.

Your valid out-of-state (Texas) license, social security card, and birth certificate must also be presented to the clerk. If your out-of-state license is valid when you transfer to Kentucky, you will not be required to test.

If your out-of-state license is expired one year or more, you must provide a current driving record or clearance letter from the state you are transferring from. Out-of-State permit holders transferring to Kentucky must transfer their permit and be issued a Kentucky permit before applying for a Kentucky Driver License.

The type of license you apply for will determine the cost you will have to pay.

The Motor Vehicle Licensing department of the KY Transportation Cabinet does not mention how long you have to change over your registration and title but likely it is within 30 days as well (you can check with the KY MVL to find out for certain). The steps below tell you what to take with you to the County Clerk's office when you are changing over your TX registration and title to Kentucky.

If you own your car (not leased), have no liens on the vehicle, and have possession of the title you will need:

• a certified inspection from the sheriff's office from the county of your new residence.
• original out-of-state title
• original registration receipt
• original current proof of insurance (copy not allowed)
• proof of sales/usage/use tax paid to the previous state
• picture ID or driver's license
• money to pay applicable fees and taxes

If you own your car (not leased) and have liens on the vehicle you will need:

• a letter from your new county clerk's office requesting the title from the previous state (if the lending institute held your title) OR the original out-of-state title with the lien listed on it
• original registration receipt
• original current proof of insurance (copy not allowed)
• proof of sales/usage/use tax paid to the previous state
• a certified inspection from the sheriff's office from the county of your new residence
• picture ID
• money to pay applicable fees and taxes

For more information on what is required of you as a new resident of Kentucky regarding your vehicles and your driver's license contact the KY Transportation Cabinet which is over both the motor vehicle licensing and driver's licensing divisions.

Driving without insurance is against the law in Kentucky whether you are have KY plates and license or are from out of state. Now that you have moved to Kentucky anyway you really need to get KY insurance on your vehicles so that you can register them and also so you are not stopped and cited for driving without insurance.

The State of Kentucky requires all motorists to carry liability coverage in the amounts of 25/50/10. These numbers stand for $25,000 total for bodily injury per person, $50,000 total for bodily injury coverage per accident and $10,000 total for property damage per accident.

The penalties for driving without Kentucky car insurance can be rather severe. For a first offense you are cited to go to court and can be fined between $500 and $1000 or be imprisoned for not more than 90 days or both.

Your KY motor vehicle registration and license plates can be suspended for one year or until proof of motor vehicle insurance is provided. You also could lose your license for up to a year. The penalties increase for each subsequent violation of not having proper proof of auto insurance.

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