Ky.gov
Effective: 08/22/2025

C12.19 State ID and Driver's License for Youth in the Custody of the Cabinet for Health and Family Services

Legal Authority

Introduction

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Youth in care or young adults on extended commitment have the same opportunity to obtain a driver’s license as their same-age peers. While not every youth will obtain a driver’s license, the youth’s custody status alone should not be a prohibitive factor. All youth in care age 16 and older must receive a state-issued identification card, and any youth age 14 and older will receive a state-issued identification card upon request for the purpose of travel, employment, or extracurricular activities.   

Practice Guidance

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  • Caregivers utilize the reasonable and prudent parent standard (RPPS) to determine if a youth is ready and able to pursue a learner’s permit, as described in C12.3 Normalcy and Youth Development Funds. 
  • Youth in out-of-home care (OOHC) must attend a Readiness to Drive Meeting and receive a signed Learner’s Permit – Commitment Verification Letter before they are permitted to obtain a learner’s permit or driver’s license.
  • Caregivers of youth aged 15 through 18 years old in OOHC may request reimbursement for the cost of a state ID, learner's permit, or license for youth in their care via the monthly boarding statement or by submitting an itemized receipt to the regional billing specialist.  ​
  • As funds allow, youth in OOHC aged 15 through 21, or their caregiver, may request reimbursement up to $600 for the cost of completing a state-approved driver's education program. Request for reimbursement should be submitted on the Youth Development Funds Request Form to the regional independent living specialist (ILS). ​
  • As funds allow, caregivers of youth aged 15 to 19 who are in OOHC can request reimbursement for the cost of adding the ​youth to their personal vehicle insurance policy. Caregivers should submit the following documents to the regional billing specialist each month: a statement from the insurance company that details the added cost incurred for coverage of the youth and a signed Learner’s Permit – Commitment Verification Letter.
  • If a youth causes damage to the caregiver's vehicle while driving, the caregiver can request reimbursement of their deductible, up to $1,000. The caregiver should submit proof of payment and the signed Learner’s Permit – Commitment Verification Letter to the regional billing specialist. ​
  • As funds allow, up to the 19th birthday, youth may request reimbursement for the cost of their personal vehicle insurance premium. A copy of the youth’s insurance policy information and itemized receipts should be submitted quarterly to the regional billing specialist through the youth’s caregiver or state social worker. ​
  • To apply for an ID, the youth will take the State ID – Commitment Verification Letter, a certified birth certificate, and a ​Social Security card to one of the regional driver licensing offices.  An appointment is recommended. 
  • ​Central office staff on the Transitional Services Branch are available for consultation and guidance as needed.

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Procedure

​The SSW:

  1. Ensures youth in OOHC age 16 and older have a state-issued identification card;
  2. Provides any necessary documents, free of charge, to youth aged 14 and older upon request for purposes of employment, travel, extracurricular activities, or obtaining a driver’s permit, to include the following:
    1. ​Official birth certificate;
    2. Social Security card; and
    3. State-issued identification card; 
  3. ​Provides youth in OOHC a signed copy of the State ID – Commitment Verification Letter indicating who is approved to sign for the youth's application for a state ID; 
  4. Refers youth interested in obtaining their learner’s permit to the regional ILS;
  5. Provides the signed Learner’s Permit – Commitment Verification Letter to the youth once approved, and ensures they have a certified birth certificate and Social Security card. 
  6. May not sign an application for a driver’s license or learner’s permit for a youth in OOHC under the age of 18, even if parental rights have been terminated.

The ILS:

  1. Convenes and facilitates a meeting with youth interested in obtaining a learner’s permit to discuss the requirements for application under the graduated driving program in Kentucky. The meeting includes, but is not limited to, the following participants: 
    1. ​SSW (as available); 
    2. Youth; 
    3. Caregiver; 
    4. Foster parent; and 
    5. Any other significant person in the youth's life, who can assist in the determination. 
  2. ​Reviews the DPP-17 Readiness for Driving Agreement and completes it with meeting participants during the meeting;
  3. Advises youth and caregivers that an application to obtain a driver's license or permit for a youth age 15 or older in the custody of the cabinet may be signed by: 
    1. The youth's parent, legal guardian, grandparent, adult sibling, aunt or uncle, if parental rights have not been terminated;
    2. Another person who is at least age 18 who is willing to assume responsibility; 
    3. The foster parent or caregiver with whom the youth resides when the RPPS is applied in partnership with the Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS/Cabinet); or 
    4. The youth, without another person, upon verification: 
      1. By the Cabinet that the youth is in the custody or commitment of the Cabinet; and ​
      2. That the youth has an insurance policy. 
  4. ​Confirms the young adult, or other person signing the application, is aware they will be held jointly liable with the minor for any damages caused by negligence; 
  5. Informs the youth that the Cabinet, or anyone who signs permission for the youth to obtain their permit or license, can file a verified request with the Transportation Cabinet to cancel a permit or license for a youth under age 18, if at any time the youth no longer meets the requirements to maintain a license; 
  6. Signs and obtains service region administrator (SRA) or designee approval and signature on the Learner’s Permit – Commitment Verification Letter. 
  7. May not sign an application for a driver’s license or learner’s permit for a youth in OOHC under the age of 18, even if parental rights have been terminated;  
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Documents

Revisions