Warren County will be among the first Kentucky counties to implement a new driver’s license and personal identification initiative called Confident Kentucky, according to a news release from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet.

The phased rollout of the new licenses and IDs – being implemented to bring Kentucky into compliance with the federal Real ID Act that Congress passed in 2005 in response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks – will start in March and conclude by May.

A schedule released Monday by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet has Warren County implementing the new identification documents during a window of March 25-29. Only four of Kentucky’s 120 counties (Fayette, Franklin, Jefferson and Woodford) have earlier implementation dates.

Southcentral Kentucky counties Allen, Barren, Butler, Edmonson, Grayson, Logan and Simpson are all scheduled to begin implementing the new system in April.

KYTC Secretary Greg Thomas explained that the cabinet chose to release the calendar of implementation dates to end speculation about when the new system would take effect.

“We want to give Kentuckians a sense of when they can expect the upgraded cards to become available in their county of residence,” Thomas said in a news release. “As the rollout approaches in each county, we’ll announce the specific date the changes will take effect. It’s important we maintain some flexibility right now as we continue to prepare for a massive statewide redesign of the license program. Our focus is to make the transition as smooth as possible.”

Although the Real ID Act limits the ability of those without compliant IDs to board domestic flights or enter federal buildings, Warren Circuit Court Clerk Brandi Duvall said in November that there’s no need to rush to the Warren County Justice Center to get a new license. She said current licenses are good under federal law until Oct. 1, 2020.

“After Oct. 1, 2020, the current Kentucky driver’s license or ID that you possess will no longer allow you to board a domestic flight, enter a military base or enter a federal facility,” Duvall said.

If your current license or ID is set to expire before that deadline, Duvall said you simply need to come to the clerk’s office to renew. If your license is set to expire after Oct. 1, 2020, but you plan to use it as a form of identification for flying or to visit a military base or federal facility, you will need to come to the clerk’s office sometime between Warren County’s launch date and Oct. 1, 2020, to get a new license or ID.

It won’t be like previous trips to the clerk’s office, Duvall points out. Those looking to renew their license will have options they never had before.

Duvall said everyone age 21 and over will have the option of choosing a card with either a four-year or an eight-year life span. Eight-year cards will cost $48, and four-year cards will cost $24, Duvall said. Driver’s license renewals for four years cost $20 currently.

People holding a commercial driver’s license will be required to take the eight-year option and, beginning in 2023, all cards issued will have a mandatory eight-year life span.

There will be a slightly cheaper option for those not wanting the travel ID that is fully compliant with federal law. For $43 for an eight-year driver’s license, Kentucky residents can opt for a “standard” license.

The standard card does not require additional documentation if you have a current license or ID. But, in order to fly domestically, standard card holders will need to have a valid passport or check with the Transportation Security Administration to determine what other forms of identification are acceptable.

The travel ID, which will have enhanced security features, requires you to present an original or certified copy of your birth certificate or a passport, your non-laminated Social Security card and two proofs of Warren County residency (deed, lease, utility bill, piece of mail, etc.).

Greg Helton, president of the Kentucky Association of Circuit Court Clerks, advises people to gather the documents needed for the travel ID.

“Gathering, replacing and updating required documents can spare applicants from repeat trips to Circuit Court Clerk offices,” Helton said. “Now is the time to collect documents like a certified birth certificate or request a Social Security card that reflects your current legal name.”

The KYTC news release points out that the new driver’s licenses will not be handed out at Circuit Court Clerk’s offices. Because one central location is being used to print the cards, they will be mailed within five to 10 days after the application date.

Duvall said more information about the transition to Real ID compliance can be found at drivewarrenky.com.

More information about the Confident Kentucky rollout schedule can be found at drive.ky.gov/confidentKY.