When and where you can obtain your driver’s license in Bell County is being affected by recent

changes from the state level.

The changes that are being put into place are going to affect Bell County in a couple of ways.

One change that will affect new drivers is the Middlesboro office will no longer offer the

road test for a driver’s license. The Middlesboro office will remain open for renewals only until

further notice by the Department of Transportation.

The Middlesboro office hours are only Friday from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m., and the office

closes for lunch from 11 a.m. to noon.

The office in the Bell County Judicial Center in Pineville will remain open for driver’s license

services Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., with extended hours on Wednesday until

6 p.m.

The Kentucky State Police Drivers Testing Office will be available only by making an appointment for

Wednesday through Friday. To make an appointment, call 606-337-6773.

Circuit Court Clerk Colby Slusher recently released a statement regarding changes to driver’s

licenses in Kentucky.

“Recent changes by the Department of Transportation and Homeland Security have taken further

steps to limit the role of the Circuit Court Clerk in the administering of Driver’s License throughout

the Commonwealth,” Slusher said.

According to the statement, due to the transition to an eight-year travel ID/driver’s license, the

Kentucky Department of Transportation and the Administrative Office of the Court are

discontinuing funding statewide to offices outside Judicial Centers in an effort to comply with

security requirements and reduce spending.

“I will continue to work tirelessly to provide the best service possible while conforming to the

budget reductions passed on by the Administrative Office of the Courts,” Slusher said in the release.

The Driver’s License Department can be reached at 606-337-2942 for any questions.