The changes to when and where you can get your driver’s license in Bell County took effect last week.

The announcement was made from the Commonwealth of Kentucky and reiterated by Circuit Court Clerk Colby Slusher in January that the changes were going to affect Bell County in a couple of ways.

The biggest change went into place when the Middlesboro office stopped offering the road test for a driver’s license.

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. until 4 p.m. with extended hours on Wednesday until 6 p.m.

“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.

The Kentucky State Police Driver’s Testing Office will be available only by making an appointment for Wednesday through Friday and you can make appointments by calling 606-337-6773.

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.