Though the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) has not named a permanent site for the issuance of REAL IDs, according to its website, a local satellite field office has already been set up in Owensboro. KYTC confirmed to Owensboro Times Wednesday that a temporary REAL ID office has been set up in downtown Owensboro, but that it’s in a testing phase where only a limited number of are being issued.
“The satellite office in Owensboro is a location we already owned and operated for other driver’s license things,” said KYTC Executive Director of the Office of Public Affairs Naitore Djigbenou. “We are interested in opening as many offices as we can. We’re looking at locations across the state for future REAL ID sites and are trying to expedite that as much as we can.”
This satellite field office, located on the second floor of the McAtee building at the corner of Second and Daviess Streets, will not be the permanent site for the issuance of REAL IDs. The temporary location is open 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Djigbenou said the hours of operation at the temporary site are fluid and while the site will be used primarily for testing purposes, KYTC will not turn away people interested in obtaining a REAL ID. However, with a one-person staff working at the site right now, Djigbenou said a very limited number of people will walk out with a REAL ID until more people are hired.
“We won’t turn someone away, but you’re coming at your own risk,” she said. “People can go if they want to, but we have very limited staff there right now.”
Djigbenou said KYTC wants to open up a permanent REAL ID location in Owensboro “as soon as possible” and that an announcement will be made once the temporary REAL ID location is open to the general public.
“We understand the need for a REAL ID office in Owensboro, and it is a priority for us,” she said, adding that a timeframe for a permanent office in Owensboro has not yet been finalized through KYTC.
For now, KYTC requests that anyone wishing to obtain a REAL ID at the Owensboro location be a resident of Daviess County.
