How to apply for a KY Driver's License as a J-1 Non-Degree Exchange Visitor

• First you will need a letter from the Social Security Administration stating that you are not eligible for a Social Security Number. In order to receive a Letter of Ineligibility, you will request it in person from the Social Security Administration Office  in Lexington. They do not take appointments and operate on a first-come first-serve basis. 
  • SSA offices are busiest Mondays, the morning after a Federal holiday, and the first week of the month. If you come to an office, they may not be able to serve you that day. They may schedule an appointment or phone call for a different day. More information here. 
  • It is recommended to wait at least 10 days after your arrival before visiting the SSA office, as this is the timeframe required for the SSA to verify your immigration status and DHS forms. If you go before this period, you may be turned away and advised to return at a later date.

• Address & Hours:   

  2241 Buena Vista Rd. STE 110, Lexington, KY 40505

  Phone: 1-866-530-7754

  Monday - Friday: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM 

          Saturday - Sunday: Closed

• You will need a letter of support from ISSS that states you are a student in good standing at the University of Kentucky. 
• Select the "Letter Request" e-form in iCAT and choose the "Driver's License/State ID Card" option. 
• When your letter is ready, you will receive an approval email.
• This letter is only valid for 30 days. 

•  If you have not held Kentucky Driver’s License in the last five years, you will be required to take written, vision, and road tests.
• Written, vision, and road tests are scheduled through the Kentucky State Police website.
  • You will schedule two separate testing appointments:
    • One appointment for the written and vision tests
    • One appointment for the road test
• NOTE: You must pass the written and vision tests before taking the road test. Keep this in mind when scheduling your appointments.
• Lexington has two testing locations:
  • 2624 Research Park Dr.
    
    Lexington, KY 40511
  • 141 Leestown Center Way
    
    Lexington, KY 40511
• If the scheduling website says "No Availability" underneath any of the testing locations, that means they are fully booked. Please check back the next day at 8am for more availability.
  • If Lexington is fully booked, you have the option to schedule your tests at any other location throughout Kentucky.
  • For more information on appointments, please read the Appointment Scheduling Instructions on the KY State Police website. 
• Please review the Kentucky Driver Manual before testing. 
  • Although the driver manual is in English, the written portion of the test can be taken in Korean.
  • If you fail the road test, you are required by law to wait seven days before another test can be administered. 
• Please bring the following documentation with you to your tests:
  • Visa, Passport with Homeland Security Stamp &/or I-94
  • Form DS-2019
  • Letter from ISSS (Step 2)
  • Ineligibility letter from Social Security Administration (Step 1)
  • Proof of residency within the last year
    • Proof of residency shall include but not be limited to a deed, property tax bill, utility agreement, utility bill, or housing agreement.​
• ​Cash, check and debit/credit cards are accepted for payment. Additional fees apply for the use of debit/credit cards.​​
• Non-immigrants are not allowed to register to vote. Please check "NO" when asked in your application.