Walking through the mostly abandoned Richmond Mall on the way to the driver's license office feels…read morelike stepping into a time capsule that never quite got sealed. The air is faintly cool and carries that unmistakable, slightly dusty mall scent--a blend of tile cleaner, food court grease, and decades of hair spray and nail polish remover (worth noting, two of the remaining stores are a nail salon and what I believe was a former Regis Salon... the staple mall salon of the 90's where Gen X and Millennials were traumatized with the experience of horrible high school dance hair do's that remained plastered to your head for days due to all the hair spray). The wide tiled corridors stretch out, eerily quiet and nostalgically peach colored, but your mind almost fills them with echoes: teenagers in acid-wash jeans, jangly bracelets, and oversized sweaters clustering at Aladdin's Castle; you almost crave the thrum of a fountain and the squeak of white sneakers on polished tile remains. (Today I coincidentally wore white Bobs sneakers, an unintended homage to 25 years ago when I would have been in Keds!) The faded pastel walls and neon trim still reflect the 1980s--mint greens, peachy pinks, and geometric accents that wouldn't feel out of place in the opening credits of Saved by the Bell. You half expect Zack Morris to lean against a payphone or Kelly Kapowski to walk past clutching a brightly colored oversized shopping bag. Every shuttered storefront seems to hold a memory of when the mall was the center of social life--Friday night hangouts, first dates, prom dress shopping, families crowding in line for Orange Julius. Ironically, the current stores and businesses are primarily bridal or formal wear or what appears to be a fairly popular community church. I do have to comment on the crazy collision and juxtaposition of two quintessentially American social constructs - the hip non-denominational church and the former temple of commercial consumerism. A quick search describes the church as a friendly and service-based community and I will admit that I find a strange sense of positive harmony in their use of this space. Despite the eerily abandoned and run down exterior, the interior of the mall was immaculately clean and while the Drivers Bureau could have had better signage and directions (you have to squander some faith when entering the mall at the direction of your GPS), I applaud our government for their use of this space. A short walk into the heart of the former mall finds a well-staffed office and a digital check in system that was highly efficient and ran promptly on time. The whole experience was more than a little surreal: a bureaucratic errand tucked inside the skeleton of America's mall culture, where the décor and the emptiness are both creepy and nostalgic. My main complaint for this visit was the depressing gray cubicles and unfortunately excessive fluorescent lighting inside the offices. While good drivers license photos are seldom a reality, this venue yielded my least flattering photo of all time - my picture (which the clerk was kind enough to call 'flattering'), was a depressing, washed out mug shot that created bags under my eyes and hinted at a scandalous profession and past that I shudder to imagine. (I am now considering investing in a quick trip to a spa for laser treatments and Botox to remove any hint that I actually appear to others as I do in this photo!) My photo withstanding, I have to commend the staff as they were all friendly, helpful, and kind. The gentleman that helped me truly was a nice man and I could tell he was respected by his colleagues. For anyone needing a quick appointment in the great Commonwealth of Kentucky - Richmond is your venue. It was the only location in Kentucky with an appointment in reasonable time frame and the drive in from Lexington saved a four month wait. The whole trip turned into an incredible adventure and it took me longer to write this review than it did to renew my license.

Went there on a Saturday I was in and out! They kept the line moving quickly. And the ladies were…read morevery friendly!

*Wait time is extremely long…read more Came in to get a Real ID. First, it's definitely recommended to get an appointment, but that doesn't translate to a speedy efficient experience. After chatting with a few people, there were a few people that had been waiting for several hours. Walk-ins beware. The wait time can be more than several hours. Please ensure you have all the necessary documents. Payment can be in cash/card. Priority is given for cash payments. Also, documents (pdf) can be sent mailed to: kytcddl.lexreg@ky.gov

So Kentucky basically downsized their offices to a few where I thought getting a REAL ID was going…read moreto be a pain in the butt. My experience was as follows: I drove their early on a Saturday (select walk in days) or else one will have to take paid leave as this place is open only during business hours on appointment. I ended up waiting in line from 7:34 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. and I do not even think they opened on time. I think it was like 8:01-8:02 a.m. before a gal began checking me in. She will ask for name and payment method (cash or card). Since I was paying by card; I had to wait a bit longer (people who pay in cash get the priority). Then they will have one wait in a room of around 40 chairs. They will then have you move to another room with 8 chairs and some at the other end of the building (4 I think..maybe for cash only?). Then they will call one up and tell the booth number. From what I had seen, they were numbered up to 12. Since I was getting a REAL ID done, they had taken all the documents (I chose to bring a bank statement, pay stub, and social security card). I forget that one's driver's license can also serve as a proof of residency document. Just make sure that everything given matches. All names should match and all addresses should match. Oh and another thing, they WILL TAKE A PICTURE. I ended up going there with a cap and they had told me to take it off to take a picture. I had to do some last minute hair damage control. I thought they just put a star on the standard license, why take another picture? Does this mean I can online renew again on my next renewal? I ended up leaving at around 8:48 a.m. Edit: The temporary REAL ID stapled to my old license stated 10-12 business days. I just wanted to report back that I received my REAL ID on 11/12/2024. So really, only 7 business days (technically, 5 because the state government observes Veteran's and Election Day. Very timely.

I came on the day after Labor Day. Got there about 7:50 and there was a few people already waiting…read moreoutside the door. They opened up almost right on time. About 8:05 I was already being helped. Unfortunately I didn't have what I needed and ran home. Spent less than 10 minutes inside. The woman that helped me was friendly and helpful. About 8:25 I came back. Got everything processed (change of license from a different state), and in under 20 minutes I was out the door with my new KY driver's license. The 3 employees I interacted with were very friendly, and the service was quick. I'm very happy with my experience there.

Number was a disconnected number Still trying to figure…read morenumber. Been trying to get lost id mailed in form 3 weeks ago yet to hear anything

What great service. My boyfriend was having trouble in Louisville KY getting a replacement driver…read morelicense, we went to London KY so I could take my written test, They helped him and our southern hospitality was amazing.

From the owner: Upgrade to a REAL ID or renew a standard credential by visiting a Driver Licensing Regional Office,…read moreopen to any Kentucky resident. Appointments are highly suggested, as limited space for walk-ins differs from site to site. Visit our website to schedule an appointment. For information on written and driver testing in Kentucky, please visit the Kentucky State Police's Driver Testing site.

This is the best you are going to get with DMV offices. If you make an apartment, they get you…read moreright in and I spent a total of 20 minutes getting my license renewed. I love a small town government office

Called office looking for information and here is what I experienced. I prefer to speak with…read moresomeone instead of using online services and I called to get some information. The woman that I spoke to, and I will say "woman" because she was definitely not a lady, wasn't very friendly whatsoever. It was obvious that I was disturbing her and causing her to do her job and she started to make a rude and disrespectful comment but, she caught herself. If it bothers you to do your job and be helpful to someone then, you need to seek employment elsewhere. Before you do that, CHANGE YOUR ATTITUDE. I don't know who this person is but, when I go to the Morehead office, I intend to find out and complain to her supervisor! She doesn't need to be working with the public if she can't handle it. I would love to speak with someone on the phone who has some authority at this office and let them know about this. If I could have pulled her disrespectful carcass through the phone, I would have done so. Just RUDE. I'm sure that my experience isn't going to matter and neither will this post but, you wanted to know.

Melissa at the 2624 Research Park Dr. DMV license office was very patient, kind and helpful (even…read moreafter I had to run back to my car for my glasses!) I appreciate her, and I hope this sweet lady gets a raise! And everyone there was polite and courteous.

They were very helpful and went out of their way to accommodate people. I hear people complaining…read moreabout them but I don't know what on earth they could be complaining about.

I will have to say for a motor vehicles it went extremely fast and it was painless!!!! Now don't…read moreexpect the friendliest of people but hey they get you in and out and on your way, I don't ask for anything more!! I guess it is relatively quick due to the small town effect so Hhhheeeeeeee Haaawwww!!!!! Never had a bad experience and this is our third time being here!

Located in a massive fortress building on a back road, adjacent to the Kentucky Vietnam Veterans…read moreMemorial, The Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives is the official repository for historical records of governments in the state of Kentucky, including its various (and numerous) counties. Its collections include microfilms and original paper records dating to the very beginning of Kentucky as a state. It is truly a treasure for preservation of KY history and service to researchers of various interests. The archives are open to the public which include novices, intermediate and advanced independent researchers. I had a very specific and abbreviated research mission during my visit in September 2022, so cannot being to comment about the overall extent of their collections and services. I initially inquired via email about the availability of the specific records I was looking for and received a quick, very helpful reply. Once there, a very helpful, knowledgeable and efficient staff and they had me up and running quickly. I found exactly what I had hoped to find (prove or disprove a family legend about a wayward ancestor). It was truly amazing to hold 220 year old records of my ancestors and very grateful that we the public are allowed to do that. But my main purpose here is to clarify some things that may not be clear to first-timers, like myself. Like all similar facilities, there are stringent rules that must be followed and are strictly enforced. Experienced researchers are used to them, Novices may not. So just deal with it. Some supplemental comments: - Out of the way location, but easy enough to find. 626 to Coffee Tree road, next to Kentucky Vietnam Veterans Memorial, which itself should be visited to pay tribute to the 1,048 soldiers who died and are honored there. - I overheard that cell phone service is poor/spotty. - Entry requires filling out a form with government ID at the guard desk. The guard will open the locked access door. - Items allowed to be carried in are limited and specific. Not at all unusual or unrealistic rule for facilities like this. Strictly enforced. - There are free lockers at the entrance for items not allowed. You will be given a key. - The hours are not clear. The overall facility is open 9-4, but the research room is open 9-11:30 and 1-4. You will leave for their lunch break 11:30 to 1:00. - Head out west on 626 for a couple miles to run into the usual fast food franchises. - If records are on microfilm, you must use that form, not the originals. - Two public rooms: microfilm and research. - To access originals, staff will prepare a request form after you have found the item on an index on microfilm and they will be called and delivered to the Research Room. Very fast, only 10 minutes or so. There will be a cut-off near the end of the day. - Desk space in Research Room IS limited. They advise reservations. When I was there on a Thursday, it was not busy. - Staff only makes photocopies. They are very accommodating as allowing very old, delicate records to be copied. - You may find that your very early records, like court proceedings, are written on what amount to scraps of paper bundles together. Treat them with care and keep them in order. - Verboten: Folders of any kind including even simple manila file folders, pens, briefcases, folios, knives, scissors, highlighters, food, drink, USB sticks (not sure why) and CD's (why would someone bring a CD there?). - Allowed: Laptops, pencils, note paper, loose papers, cameras, cellphones (ringers off!), overhead "book" style scanners, "hand scanners." Essentially you can photograph or scan documents as long as the scanner does not physically touch the object. That precludes flatbed scanners but allowed cell phone photos, camera photos and (presumably) overhead "book" scanners. - But ... the tables in the research room do not have outlets. - Your materials will be checked by the guard (a really nice, polite guy - this isn't the DMV) coming in and leaving. It is necessary to preserve the collection.