KY Driver's License & State ID

From now until May 7, 2025, you may use a Kentucky driver's permit, driver's license, or state ID to fly domestically within the US. After May 7, 2025, international students will need to travel with their passport as you will be granted a standard rather than a REAL ID version of a Kentucky driver's permit, driver's license, or state ID.

Driver's Permit & License

All non-U.S. citizens may drive in the U.S. on their valid foreign license AND international driving permit (IDP) for up to one year from the date of admission into the U.S. provided their home country is part of the Foreign License Reciprocity. To get an IDP, contact the motor vehicle department of the country that issued your driver's license, and beware of scams that try to sell unofficial/fake IDP's.

Drivers should obtain a Kentucky license within 30 days of establishing residency in Kentucky (KY).​ For driving purposes, KY law defines "residency" as a person who has established Kentucky as their state of domicile within the last 30 days. Student will most commonly use a bank statement, a piece of mail that has been postmarked (meaning stamped and dated) by USPS, and/or a letter/transcript from Centre which establishes enrollment and thus residence.

For those that have a driver's license from another US state that is valid or has been expired for less than one year, you may be exempt from the written, vision, and road tests. All other non-permanent residents should complete all testing, and will generally need to start with a permit prior to obtaining a license. 

Please refer to the appropriate How-to Instructions on the Forms page, and contact ISS for more assistance obtaining a Driver's Permit and/or License.

Kentucky (KY) State ID

Some students are uncomfortable with always carrying their passport around as their form of ID. If you would like an ID card for non-drivers, then a KY State ID card may be appropriate.  

Please refer to the appropriate How-to Instructions on the Forms page, and contact ISS for more assistance obtaining a KY State ID card.

 

For more information, please contact ISS and/or refer to the following source(s):

How-to Instructions on the Forms page

https://drive.ky.gov/Pages/default.aspx

http://kentuckystatepolice.org/driver-testing/

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Jessica Leonard

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Associate Director, Centre Global
International Student Services (ISS)

Office Location: Old Carnegie
Office Phone: +1 859.238.6106
Office Email: jessica.leonard@centre.edu
Schedule an Appointment on Navigate (for Current Students only): Click Here
Biography

BS: Physics, University of Maryland

M.Ed (pursuing): Higher Education – Student Affairs, Liberty University

Jessica Leonard joined Centre College in August 2018. She previously taught English as a Second Language (ESL) in South Korea for almost 8 years.

Jessica is a member of the College's CARE team and Enrollment Management & Retention Advisory Committee in addition to serving on the College's Staff Congress as Secretary. She currently advises the International Student Association (ISA), the Asian American and Pacific Islander Coalition (AAPIC), and the Centre South Asian Cultural Association (SACA) and previously advised the Chinese Students and Scholars Association (CSSA).

In her free time, Jessica enjoys spending time with her husband and daughter at home in Versailles, KY.

Matthew Pierce

Photo of Matthew Pierce
Director, Centre Global

Office Location: Old Carnegie
Office Phone: +1 859.238.6042
Office Email: matthew.pierce@centre.edu
Schedule an Appointment on Navigate (for Current Students only): Click Here
Biography

PhD in Islamic Studies, Boston University

Matthew Pierce joined the Centre College faculty in 2011 and was awarded tenure and promotion to associate professor in 2019. Before coming to Centre, he spent extensive time in the Middle East and Central Asia, including living in Egypt, Yemen, and Iran. He was named a Centre Scholar in 2016. Dr. Pierce has led students around the world — from Turkey and Morocco to Spain and London — and designed innovative courses that explore global Muslim communities. 

Vivienne Main

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Assistant Director, Centre Global
Study Abroad and Away

Office Location: Old Carnegie
Office Phone: +1 859.238.5285
Office Email: vivienne.main@centre.edu
Schedule an Appointment on Navigate (for Current Students only): Click Here
Biography

MSci: Marine and Freshwater Biology, University of Glasgow

Vivienne Main is a Scotland native who graduated from the University of Glasgow in 2015 with an MSci in Marine and Freshwater Biology. She studied abroad in Egypt and focused on tropical ecology with a strong emphasis on citizen science engagement and science communication.

Vivienne spent 4 years working abroad in Egypt and The Bahamas coordinating STEM and sustainability-focused programs for visiting international students. Upon moving to the USA in 2019 she served as Program Coordinator for International Field Studies, an educational and scientific non-profit organization established to promote and assist educators with field study programs. In these roles, Vivienne coordinated international travel, and on-site logistics, and advised students from the US and other countries who were studying abroad.

Margaret Meadows

Photo of Margaret Meadows
Business Manager, Centre Global

Office Location: Old Carnegie
Office Phone: +1 859.238.5295
Office Email: margaret.meadows@centre.edu
Schedule an Appointment on Navigate (for Current Students only): Click Here
Biography

BA: Spanish and International Relations, University of Kentucky

Margaret Meadows joined Centre Global in 2022. She graduated from the University of Kentucky in 2015 where she studied abroad in Costa Rica and earned a BA in Spanish and International Relations.


 
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