GLASGOW, Ky. — State officials are moving forward with plans for a regional driver licensing office in Barren County, a project local leaders have pushed for as residents continue facing long drives and wait times for licensing services.

According to a recent invitation to lease issued by the Kentucky Finance and Administration Cabinet, the state is seeking approximately 5,595 square feet of office space with 60 reserved parking spaces for a Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Driver Licensing Regional Office in Glasgow.

The proposed office is expected to serve around 250 customers daily.

The solicitation allows developers or property owners to submit proposals for either existing space or new construction. Proposals are due June 17.

The lease request follows approval earlier this year of a state budget that set aside $15.66 million during fiscal years 2027 and 2028 for new regional licensing offices in Barren, Bullitt and Oldham counties.

Barren County Judge/Executive Jamie Byrd previously said conversations with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet had been ongoing for months, with support from neighboring counties for a permanent licensing office in Glasgow.

The proposed regional office would help address a geographic gap between existing locations in Bowling Green and Columbia.

Byrd previously said the former Barren County Health Department property had been considered as a possible location for the regional office, though state officials reportedly did not view the site as the best fit for the project.

“They want a much larger space than they originally said,” Byrd said. “And the amount of parking spaces also.”

While it remains unclear whether they intend to pursue the project, Byrd said she passed along contact information from state officials to the owners of the shopping center that houses Big Lots and Dollar Tree for consideration as a potential site.

Kentucky transitioned to a centralized licensing system in 2022, shifting services away from circuit court clerk offices and into regional centers operated by the state. Since then, residents across Kentucky have frequently reported long wait times and limited appointment availability, particularly in rural areas.

The newly issued lease notice does not identify a preferred location in Glasgow but outlines requirements for any future site, including compliance with OSHA standards, ADA accessibility guidelines and Kentucky building codes.

The Barren County office is one of three new regional driver licensing locations currently being pursued by the state. Similar lease requests were also issued for proposed offices in Bullitt and Oldham counties.