Category: Kentucky

Photo: Charles Delano, USACE Louisville District, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Kentucky licenses bioptic drivers under KRS 186.578 and 186.579, with a Bioptic Driving Program run through the state’s Office of Vocational Rehabilitation. Your license examination includes a driving test over a route designed for bioptic use, and new bioptic drivers take both a daytime and a nighttime exam. Your license then requires the bioptic device and outside mirrors on both sides, and may be limited to daytime driving. Check the exact acuity you need through the telescope with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet.

Kentucky bioptic rules at a glance

Topic	Kentucky rule	Source
Driving test	Driving skills tested over a route designed to test competency with a bioptic telescopic device	Official (2022 Acts ch. 116)
Day and night exams	New bioptic drivers take daytime and nighttime examinations, which may be on the same day	Official (2022 Acts ch. 116)
License conditions	Bioptic device required; vehicle must have left and right outside mirrors	Official (KRS 186.579)
Daytime restriction	Added on a vision specialist’s recommendation, or if you fail the nighttime exam	Official (KRS 186.579)
Removing the daytime restriction	A vision specialist’s recommendation plus an evaluation by the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation’s bioptic driving program	Official (KRS 186.579)
Acuity through the telescope	20/60 or better	Official (Office of Vocational Rehabilitation)
Carrier acuity and field	20/200 or better in the better eye with ordinary lenses; 120-degree horizontal field	Official (Office of Vocational Rehabilitation)
Time before the daytime restriction can be lifted	36 months without at-fault crashes is reported	Check with the state

A 2026 act (Senate Bill 116, 2026 Acts chapter 94) revised KRS 186.579. It restricts bioptic licensees to driving with the device and exempts them from certain vision-testing provisions. Ask the Transportation Cabinet how the current text applies to you.

How the Kentucky route works

1. Vision screening and eye exam. Kentucky applicants need 20/40 to go straight on to the written test. Below that, you are referred for an eye exam. The general rule is that 20/60 or better makes you eligible to test, with a lens restriction if lenses are prescribed.
2. Low vision specialist. If a bioptic is prescribed, your vision specialist’s report and recommendation shape your restrictions.
3. Bioptic Driving Program. Contact the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation about training and evaluation.
4. Permit and tests. Your road test uses a route designed for bioptic driving, by day and by night.
5. Your license. It requires the bioptic and two outside mirrors, and may be daytime only.

The usual Kentucky teen steps also apply: see learning to drive in Kentucky.

Can I drive at night with a bioptic in Kentucky?

Possibly from the start. Because new bioptic drivers take a nighttime exam, you are restricted to daytime driving only if you fail it or your vision specialist recommends the restriction. To remove a daytime restriction later, you need your specialist’s recommendation and an evaluation by the vocational rehabilitation bioptic program.

Where to check the details

• Kentucky Transportation Cabinet driver licensing, for the current vision standard and forms
• The Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, for the Bioptic Driving Program
• Your low vision specialist, for questions about your own eyes

Compare Kentucky with other states in bioptic driving laws by state and the Southern vision rules. Neighbors: Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Tennessee and Virginia.

All medical and disability topics: the US guide to driving with a medical condition or disability.

Want to practise the eyesight check? Our sister site Driving Eyesight Test has a free US letter chart on drivingeyesighttest.com. It is a practice screen, not an eye test.

Sources

• Kentucky Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, “Bioptic Driving Program” (kcc.ky.gov)
• Kentucky General Assembly, “2022 Regular Session Acts Chapter 116” (apps.legislature.ky.gov)
• Kentucky General Assembly, “KRS 186.579 Restricted operator’s license” (apps.legislature.ky.gov)
• Kentucky General Assembly, “2026 Regular Session Acts Chapter 94 (SB 116)” (apps.legislature.ky.gov)
• Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, “Kentucky Driver Manual” (drive.ky.gov)

Photo: Charles Delano, USACE Louisville District, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Kentucky’s No Pass/No Drive law (KRS 159.051) links driving privileges to school attendance and academic progress for students aged 15 to 17. You cannot get a permit without a School Compliance Verification Form, and a teen who drops out or falls academically deficient can have their permit or license suspended. This page explains who it applies to, where to get the form and how reinstatement works.

Key facts (KYTC, checked November 2026)

• Applies to: students aged 15 to 17 applying for a permit or license. It stops applying at 18.
• In effect since: 1 August 2007.
• Form: TC 94-200 KY High School Compliance Verification Form.
• Covers: all public, private and home schools and Job Corps in Kentucky.
• Reporting trigger: a school can report a student at the 9th unexcused absence or once the student becomes academically deficient.

Where to get the School Compliance Verification Form

Your situation	Where to get the form
Public or private school student	Your school
Homeschooled	Your local school district office, after the home school is registered with the county Board of Education
Alternative schooling	Your local school district office
Kentucky resident at an out-of-state school	The Kentucky school district where you live (601 KAR 13:070)
Moving to Kentucky with an out-of-state permit	Your school district of residence

Homeschool forms do not need an embossed seal. You show the form once, when you apply for your permit, not again for your license.

Already graduated, dropped out or studying for a GED?

At 15 to 17 you can submit one of these instead: proof of high school graduation, proof of having received your GED (transcripts only), or a School Compliance Verification Form.

What gets a student suspended

If a student who already holds a permit or license:

• drops out of school, or
• is declared academically deficient,

the school reports it to the Division of Driver Licensing, which suspends the driving privilege and notifies the student. Schools can report at the 9th unexcused absence. KYTC does not define “academically deficient” on its page; the standard is set in KRS 159.051, so ask your school how it applies the rule.

How a suspension affects your graduated license timeline

Days spent suspended under No Pass/No Drive do not count toward the 180-day permit period. A suspension mid-permit pushes back the date you can take the road test. Full timeline: Kentucky permit and intermediate license rules.

How to get your driving privilege back

1. Get back into compliance. Students may reapply at the end of the semester in which they enroll and complete the educational requirements.
2. School reports compliance. The school tells the Division of Driver Licensing, which reinstates the privilege.
3. Or turn 18. The suspension ends when you turn 18.
4. Or court order. A court can order reinstatement. The petition form is AOC 297: Petition for Student Driving Privilege/License Reinstatement.

Common questions

What is the No Pass/No Drive law in Kentucky?

A state law, KRS 159.051, that requires students aged 15 to 17 to be in school and making academic progress to get and keep a permit or license.

Can I get a permit without the school form?

No. Without the form (or proof of graduation or a GED), the Regional Office will not issue the permit.

Does the law apply to homeschoolers?

Yes. It covers public, private and home schools and Job Corps.

How many absences before my license is suspended?

The school can report you at the 9th unexcused absence.

Does it apply after I turn 18?

No. The law no longer applies once you turn 18.

I am moving to Kentucky. Do I need the form?

Yes, if you are under 18. Get it from your school district of residence. See moving to a new state.

Related: Kentucky permit written test guide and the main guide, learning to drive in Kentucky.

Sources

• Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, “No Pass/No Drive Law (HB 32)” (drive.ky.gov)
• Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, “Graduated Driver Licensing Program” (drive.ky.gov)
• Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, “Under 18 Permit Restrictions” (drive.ky.gov)
• Kentucky State Police, “Kentucky Driver Manual” (updated July 2026) (kentuckystatepolice.ky.gov)

Photo: >Author Madgeek1450, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

If your Kentucky permit was issued before you turned 18, you must complete an approved driver education course before you can get a full, unrestricted license. The required Graduated Licensing course is 4 hours, and there are free options. This page compares every route KYTC accepts and explains how your completion reaches the Division of Driver Licensing.

Key facts (checked November 2026)

• Who: anyone whose permit was issued under 18. Enroll before your 18th birthday.
• When: complete it before moving to the full license phase.
• Length: 4 hours of classroom instruction (601 KAR 13:110).
• Cost: free (Alive at 25, high school course) or $12.50 (RightLane online), as of November 2026.
• Behind-the-wheel lessons at a driving school are optional.

Kentucky driver ed options compared

Option	Format	Cost (Nov 2026)	How completion is reported
Alive at 25	In person or by Zoom	Free for Kentucky drivers	Sent directly to the Division of Driver Licensing
RightLane online course	Online	$12.50	Sent directly to the Division of Driver Licensing
High school driver education course	At school	Free (KYTC)	You mail the completion documents
Approved private driver training school	Must include 4 hours of classroom training	Set by the school	You mail the completion documents

The 2026 manual describes a classroom version offered free to Kentucky drivers. The current KYTC page lists Alive at 25 as the free in-person or Zoom option.

Is a high school course enough?

Only if it is approved and meets the 4-hour in-classroom requirement in 601 KAR 13:110. Check with your school before relying on it.

How to send your completion to KYTC

Alive at 25 or RightLane: nothing to send. Allow two full business days for processing before you can be issued a full license.

High school or private school course: mail the completed form or transcript. It must show your:

• Permit or license number
• Name
• Date of birth

Address: Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, Division of Driver Licensing, Attn: Driver Education, 200 Mero Street, Frankfort, KY 40622. It is your responsibility to make sure KYTC receives it.

Approved driver training schools listed in the 2026 manual

These are the schools the manual lists as approved for the private course option. The KSP also publishes a list of certified driving schools; check it for the current list.

• ABC Driving School, Louisville
• Green Light Driving School, Louisville
• Kentucky Driving School, Louisville
• Preferred Driving School, Florence
• Sure-Drive, Inc., Edgewood

When to take the course

You can do the course while on your intermediate license, so it is done by the time your 180 intermediate days are up and you are 17. If you finish early, you wait for the 180 days. If you turn 18 first, KYTC says you can then get the full license without the remaining intermediate time, as long as the course is complete. Full timing: Kentucky permit and intermediate license rules.

Common questions

Can I do Kentucky driver’s ed online for free?

Alive at 25 is free and can be taken by Zoom. The RightLane online course costs $12.50 as of November 2026.

Do I need behind-the-wheel lessons?

No. KYTC says driver training schools are optional and not required to get a license. Your 60 practice hours are logged with a supervising adult. See the Kentucky 60 hour practice driving log.

Does driver ed replace the road test?

No. You still pass the KSP road skills test for your intermediate license.

I got my first permit at 18. Do I need the course?

The requirement applies to drivers whose permits were issued under 18.

Can I take the course before my road test?

The official pages place it in the intermediate phase. If you plan to take it earlier, confirm with KYTC that it will count.

Main guide: learning to drive in Kentucky.

Sources

• Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, “Graduated Driver Licensing Program” (drive.ky.gov)
• Kentucky State Police, “Kentucky Driver Manual” (updated July 2026), Section One: Driver Education Training and Full Licensure (kentuckystatepolice.ky.gov)
• Kentucky State Police, “Driver Testing” (kentuckystatepolice.ky.gov)

Photo: >Author Daderot, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Kentucky drivers aged 15, 16 or 17 must log at least 60 hours of supervised practice, 10 of them at night, before the Kentucky State Police (KSP) will give the road test. The log is a KYTC form that you and your parent or guardian sign. This page explains how the log works and gives parents a practice plan based on the KYTC parent guide.

Key facts (checked November 2026)

• 60 hours total: 50 day hours and 10 night hours on the form.
• Supervisor: licensed driver aged 21 or older in the front passenger seat.
• You and the parent or guardian who certifies the practice both sign.
• Take the signed log to your KSP road test. The examiner reviews it before the test.
• Minimum permit time is still 180 days, however fast you finish the hours.

How the Kentucky Practice Driving Log works

The official form (Practice Driving Log, on drive.ky.gov) has three parts:

Part	What you fill in
Day Driving Record (50 hours)	Date, amount of driving time, parent or guardian initials
Night Driving Record (10 hours)	Date, amount of driving time, parent or guardian initials
Certification	Applicant and parent or guardian signatures confirming the log is correct

A KSP license examiner then signs and dates it to confirm 60 hours are documented.

Tips for keeping a clean log

• Fill in each session the same day. Reconstructing 60 hours from memory is where errors creep in.
• Record time in hours and minutes and keep a running total in the margin.
• Have the parent or guardian who will sign the certification initial each entry.
• Keep a copy or photo in case the original is lost.

A 4-level practice plan from the KYTC parent guide

The KYTC guide for parents suggests moving through four levels and only moving on when the current level is mastered:

1. Level I: car control. Backing, right turns, left turns. Use a quiet area and an automatic car if possible.
2. Level II: traffic. Intersections, lane changes, keeping space around the car, driving in traffic.
3. Level III: maneuvers. Hill parking, parallel parking, U-turns, three-point turns.
4. Level IV: harder conditions. Freeway driving, night driving, special problems and emergencies.

The guide suggests starting with 15 to 20 minute sessions in daylight and building to about an hour, then starting night practice once you are both ready. Night hours belong at Level IV, so plan them for the second half of the permit period.

Help for those stages: freeway driving for new drivers and driving in snow, fog and rain.

Before the road test: the parent check ride

The parent guide ends with a check ride and a safe driver checklist. On a long drive, check that your teen:

• Adjusts mirrors and fastens the seat belt before moving.
• Looks over a shoulder and signals before pulling into traffic.
• Stops behind the crosswalk or stop line.
• Slows for turns and starts and ends each turn in the correct lane.
• Looks back over the right shoulder when backing.
• Signals, checks mirrors and checks over a shoulder for every lane change.
• Curbs the wheels and sets the parking brake when hill parking.
• Times freeway entry and signals early for exits.
• Keeps a space cushion and a safe following distance.

The guide’s readiness questions also ask whether you have practiced in heavy city traffic, on one-way streets, on country and gravel roads, on hills, in bad weather and at night. Then work through the Kentucky State Police road skills test checklist.

Common questions

Who can supervise practice in Kentucky?

Any licensed driver aged 21 or older sitting in the front passenger seat. The log itself is certified by a parent or guardian.

Do hours with a driving school count?

The official log does not say. Ask KYTC before counting them.

Do adults need the 60-hour log?

The log requirement applies to drivers aged 15, 16 and 17. Adults still need the permit time (180 days for ages 18 to 20, 30 days for 21 and over).

What if I finish 60 hours before 180 days?

You still wait out the 180 days. Keep practicing.

Where do I get the form?

From the KYTC Graduated Driver Licensing page on drive.ky.gov. The KSP Driver Testing page links to it too.

Related: Kentucky permit and intermediate license rules, supervised driving hours by state, and the main guide, learning to drive in Kentucky.

Sources

• Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, “Practice Driving Log” (drive.ky.gov)
• Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, “Graduated Driver’s License: A Parent’s Guide for First Time Drivers” (drive.ky.gov)
• Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, “Graduated Driver Licensing Program” (drive.ky.gov)
• Kentucky State Police, “Kentucky Driver Manual” (updated July 2026) (kentuckystatepolice.ky.gov)

Photo: Charles Delano, USACE Louisville District, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Kentucky drivers who get their first permit before 18 go through three phases: learner’s permit, intermediate license and full unrestricted license. The two early phases share the same core restrictions: no driving from midnight to 6 a.m. without good cause, and no more than one unrelated passenger under 20. This page sets out every rule for each phase and what happens if you break one.

Kentucky graduated licensing at a glance

Rule	Permit (under 18)	Intermediate license (under 18)	Full license
Minimum age	15	16 (KRS 186.452; manual says 17, see below)	17
Minimum time in phase	180 days	180 days	None
Supervisor required	Yes, licensed driver 21+ in front passenger seat	No	No
Midnight to 6 a.m.	Not allowed without good cause	Not allowed without good cause	No restriction
Passengers	Max 1 unrelated person under 20	Max 1 unrelated person under 20	No GDL limit
Alcohol limit under 21	0.02	0.02	0.02 until 21
To move up	60 hours logged, KSP road test	4-hour driver education course	n/a

Permit phase rules

• Drive only with a licensed driver aged 21 or older in the front passenger seat.
• Carry your permit whenever you drive.
• No more than 1 unrelated passenger under 20.
• No driving between midnight and 6 a.m. unless you can show good cause, such as an emergency, school activity or work.
• Hold the permit at least 180 days and log 60 hours of practice, 10 at night. See the Kentucky 60 hour practice driving log.
• Days spent suspended under the No Pass/No Drive law do not count toward the 180 days. See Kentucky No Pass No Drive law explained.

Then you take the KSP road skills test.

16 or 17 for the intermediate license?

Kentucky law (KRS 186.452) sets the intermediate license age at 16, after at least 180 days on the permit, and the KYTC Graduated Driver Licensing page (drive.ky.gov) agrees. The 2026 Kentucky Driver Manual says “reaching age 17” for the same step, but the statute and KYTC’s current instructions say 16, so use 16 when you book. Age 17 is the minimum for the full, unrestricted license under 18.

Intermediate license rules

After you pass the road test, you get your intermediate license from the Regional Office ($15, or $18 for REAL ID, as of November 2026). You can drive alone, with two restrictions:

• Curfew: no driving from 12:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. unless you can show good cause, such as an emergency, school or work-related activity.
• Passengers: while you are under 18, no more than 1 unrelated person under 20.

Also:

• Carry the intermediate license whenever you drive.
• Complete the required 4-hour driver education course. Options: Kentucky driver education options for teens.

Full unrestricted license

You qualify when all three are true:

1. You have held the intermediate license for 180 days.
2. You have completed an approved driver education course.
3. You are at least 17.

Go to a Regional Office with a parent or guardian. A 4-year license costs $21.50 ($24 for REAL ID) as of November 2026. Bring 1 proof of residency (2 for REAL ID) if your address has changed.

Turning 18 early: once you are 18, you can apply for the full license without finishing the 180 intermediate days, as long as you have completed the driver education course.

What happens if you break a rule?

Violation	Effect
Breaking a permit or intermediate restriction, or a moving violation under KRS 186, 189 or 189A	At least 180 more days from the date of the violation before you can move to the next phase
Reaching 7 points (more than 6) under 18	Hearing and possible suspension
Alcohol concentration 0.02 or more under 21	Violation of Kentucky’s zero tolerance law
Dropping out or being academically deficient	School reports you and your driving privilege is suspended
Parent or guardian withdraws responsibility	Permit or license canceled until a new application is signed or you turn 18

More: zero tolerance laws for drivers under 21 and points systems and license suspensions.

Phones

Kentucky law (KRS 189.294) bars drivers under 18 with a permit, intermediate license or operator’s license from using a personal communication device while the vehicle is moving. The KYTC parent guide says this includes hands-free use. Bills to change Kentucky’s phone laws were filed in 2025, so confirm the current rule with KYTC. National overview: hands-free and texting laws.

Common questions

How many passengers can a Kentucky permit holder carry?

The supervising driver plus no more than 1 unrelated person under 20. The limit applies to unrelated passengers under 20 only.

Can I drive after midnight on an intermediate license to get home from work?

The rule allows driving with good cause, and the manual gives emergencies, school and work-related activities as examples. Be ready to explain.

Does a speeding ticket reset my time?

Yes. A moving violation adds at least 180 days from the date of the violation before you can move up.

Do these rules apply if I get my first permit at 18?

No intermediate phase. Drivers 18 to 20 hold the permit 180 days, then take the road test for a full license. The supervisor rule still applies while on a permit.

How does Kentucky compare with other states?

See US graduated driver licensing compared.

Main guide: learning to drive in Kentucky.

Sources

• Kentucky State Police, “Kentucky Driver Manual” (updated July 2026), Section One: Applicants Under Age 18 (kentuckystatepolice.ky.gov)
• Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, “Graduated Driver Licensing Program” (drive.ky.gov)
• Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, “Under 18 Permit Restrictions” (drive.ky.gov)
• Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, “No Pass/No Drive Law” (drive.ky.gov)
• Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, “Graduated Driver’s License: A Parent’s Guide for First Time Drivers” (drive.ky.gov)

Photo: >Author Brando03, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

The Kentucky road test is given by a Kentucky State Police (KSP) examiner and starts with a vehicle and paperwork check before you drive in normal traffic. Use this checklist the week before your test, whether you are a teen going for an intermediate license or an adult going for a full license. It covers documents, the vehicle inspection, what is scored and the retest rule.

Key facts (checked November 2026)

• Appointment only, booked with KSP.
• No numerical score: you get a pass or fail score sheet.
• Any collision, traffic violation or dangerous act can mean automatic failure.
• Failing to follow the examiner’s instructions twice means disqualification.
• Fail and you wait at least one week (KYTC says seven full days) before retesting.

Paperwork checklist

• Your permit.
• Vehicle registration for the test car. A temporary tag is fine if it matches the car and is valid on test day.
• Proof of liability insurance: an insurance card, a current policy for that vehicle, or a written binder from an agent.
• Rental car? Your name must be on the rental contract as an operator.
• Under 18: the Practice Driving Log showing 60 hours (10 at night), signed by you and your parent or guardian.
• Under 18: the Graduated Driver License Skills Test Eligibility Letter. The manual says it must be within seven days of its print date. Ask your Regional Office how to get it if you do not have one.

Teens go straight to KSP on road test day. You do not need to visit the Regional Office first.

Who must come with you

A licensed driver aged 21 or older. Permit holders cannot drive to the test alone. If you break this rule or any traffic law at the test site, the test is rescheduled. Any licensed driver 21 or older can bring you, not only a parent.

Vehicle inspection: controls you must demonstrate

After checking registration and insurance, the examiner asks you to show you can operate:

Control	Practice this
Headlights	Turn them on and off without searching
Dimmer switch	Switch between high and low beam
Horn	Find it quickly
Windshield wipers	Front wipers on and off
Turn signals	Left and right
Emergency brake	Set and release
Emergency flashers	Hazard lights on and off
Brake lights	Have someone confirm both work before test day

Equipment that can get your car rejected

The examiner physically checks the car. Missing or broken equipment can cancel or reschedule your test. Check:

• Brakes that stop and hold the car.
• Two headlights, two red taillights and working brake lights.
• License plate displayed, legible and lit at night.
• Windshield clear of signs, stickers or tint, except required papers and a tint strip at the top. Driver-side wiper working.
• Working horn, muffler and turn signals.
• A left outside mirror plus an inside or right mirror.
• Steering in good condition.
• Clean, working seat belts. You and the examiner must both wear them.
• Clean front passenger seat and floor. The examiner sits there, and a dirty car may be rejected.
• No excessive window tint or flashing lights other than turn signals.

What the Kentucky road test covers

You drive in normal traffic. The manual lists:

• Stops
• Backing
• Turning the car around
• Stopping and starting on a hill
• Parallel parking
• Intersection approaches
• Clutch use (if your car has one)
• Speed
• Turns
• Lane use
• Right-of-way
• Overall vehicle control

The examiner will not play tricks or ask you to do anything illegal. Interpreters cannot ride along, but may help before and after.

Technology during the test

• Parking assist: not allowed. You must parallel park without assistance.
• Cruise control: the manual says you will not be allowed to use it on the test.
• Backup camera: allowed, but you still have to check mirrors and look over your shoulder when backing.

The week-before checklist

1. Practice parallel parking and a turnabout on a quiet street until both feel routine.
2. Practice a hill start without rolling back.
3. Run through the 8 controls above in the test car.
4. Walk around the car: lights, plate light, mirrors, tires, wipers.
5. Clean out the passenger side.
6. Put registration, insurance proof, permit, log and letter in one folder.

Common errors in any state: common reasons people fail the US driving test. Parallel parking requirements elsewhere: US road test by state.

Common questions

How long do I wait to retake the Kentucky road test?

The manual says at least one week from the date of failure. The KYTC page says seven full days. Plan on a week and use it to practice.

Can I use my backup camera?

Yes, but do not rely on it alone. KSP still expects mirror and shoulder checks.

Do I get a score?

No number. The score sheet shows pass or fail.

What happens after I pass?

Under 18: you visit the Regional Office to get your intermediate license ($15, or $18 for REAL ID, as of November 2026). 18 and over: you apply for your license at the Regional Office. See Kentucky permit and intermediate license rules.

Can I test in a different county?

Yes. Since July 2022 you can book at any KSP testing location in Kentucky.

Back to the main guide: learning to drive in Kentucky.

Sources

• Kentucky State Police, “Kentucky Driver Manual” (updated July 2026), Section One: Road (Skills) Test (kentuckystatepolice.ky.gov)
• Kentucky State Police, “Driver Testing” FAQs (kentuckystatepolice.ky.gov)
• Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, “Graduated Driver Licensing Program” (drive.ky.gov)

Photo: >Author Calstanhope, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Kentucky permit test is a written knowledge test plus a vision screening, both given by the Kentucky State Police (KSP) by appointment. You need at least 80% to pass, and the test covers driving rules, regulations, procedures and highway signs from the Kentucky Driver Manual. This guide is for anyone 15 or older taking it for a first Kentucky permit.

Key facts (checked November 2026)

• Minimum age: 15.
• Pass mark: 80%.
• Vision: 20/40 or better, with or without glasses or contacts, before you can take the written test.
• Booking: appointment only, through the KSP online scheduler.
• Failed? You can retake it the next available day.
• Permit fee after you pass: $15 ($18 for REAL ID), as of November 2026.

How many questions are on the Kentucky permit test?

Neither the Kentucky Driver Manual nor the KSP Driver Testing page states the number of questions. What is official: you need 80% or more, and the questions cover rules, regulations, procedures and highway signs. Ignore unofficial counts and aim to know the whole manual. For how other states compare, see US permit test by state.

What is on the test

KSP says the Kentucky Driver Manual is the only approved study material. Focus on:

• Signs: shapes, colors and meanings. You must answer the signs section from your own knowledge, even if the rest of the test is read aloud to you.
• Right of way: four-way stops, pedestrians, emergency vehicles, school and church buses.
• Pavement markings: what yellow and white lines allow.
• Kentucky numbers: 65/55/35/15 mph default speed limits, signal 100 feet before a turn, 4-second following distance, 0.08 and 0.02 alcohol limits, 3 feet when passing a bicycle, 500 feet behind emergency vehicles.
• Teen rules: supervisor 21 or older, midnight to 6 a.m. limit, 1 unrelated passenger under 20. See Kentucky permit and intermediate license rules.

Sample questions from the manual

Section 12 of the manual has 11 practice questions with answers. Three examples of the style:

1. A yellow dashed line on your side of the road only means passing is permitted on your side.
2. At a four-way stop, if you arrive at the same time as another driver, yield to the driver on your right.
3. Regulatory signs are white.

Refreshers: US road signs by shape and color and US pavement markings.

Can I take the Kentucky written test in another language?

Yes. The 2026 manual lists the written test in these languages: Albanian, Arabic, Bosnian, Burmese, Cambodian, Chinese, Croatian, Dari, Farsi, French, German, Hindi, Japanese, Kinyarwanda, Korean, Laotian, Pashto, Polish, Romanian, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Swahili, Thai, Turkish and Vietnamese. It marks Arabic, Burmese, Chinese, French, Japanese, Somali and Spanish as available on the testing software and in audio.

The KSP Driver Testing page gives a shorter list for the standard operator test: Arabic, Burmese, Chinese, Dari, English, French, Kinyarwanda, Japanese, Pashto, Somali, Spanish and Swahili. If you need a language not on the KSP list, contact the testing site before booking.

• Testing offices have tablets that read the test aloud in English and several other languages. No special appointment is needed for this.
• You need a special appointment for an oral test given by staff, or for an interpreter.
• Deaf or hard of hearing? Contact the testing site to request a sign language interpreter.

How to book the Kentucky permit test

1. Use the KSP online scheduler. You can choose any testing location in Kentucky.
2. Check at 8 a.m. on a weekday. New appointments are released Monday to Friday at 8 a.m., and the schedule runs about three weeks out.
3. Want to test on your 15th birthday? Check the scheduler three weeks before.
4. If you see “No Availability”, check again the next morning at 8 a.m.

What to bring on test day (under 18)

• Original birth certificate or certified copy
• Social Security card
• 1 proof of Kentucky residency (2 for REAL ID)
• TC 94-200 School Compliance Verification Form (see No Pass No Drive)
• A parent or legal guardian, who signs the application

Photocopies are not accepted. On test day, you visit the Regional Office first with your documents, test with KSP, then return to the Regional Office to get your permit.

Common questions

What score do I need to pass the Kentucky permit test?

At least 80%.

What if I fail?

KYTC says you can return the next available day to retake it. You still need an appointment.

Can I take the Kentucky permit test online?

Testing is at KSP locations by appointment, so ask KSP before you look for an online option.

What if my eyesight is below 20/40?

You are referred to a vision specialist. After that, 20/60 or better makes you eligible to test, with a corrective lens restriction if lenses are prescribed. Below that, the Kentucky Bioptic Driving Program may be an option.

Do I need to study anything besides the manual?

No. KSP says the manual is the only approved source, and it is free to view and download.

I have trouble reading. Can the test be given orally?

Yes. Some locations have audio versions, and staff can give the test orally where they do not. Book a special appointment for an oral test.

Next steps: learning to drive in Kentucky and the 60 hour practice driving log.

Sources

• Kentucky State Police, “Kentucky Driver Manual” (updated July 2026), Section One and Section Twelve (kentuckystatepolice.ky.gov)
• Kentucky State Police, “Driver Testing” (kentuckystatepolice.ky.gov)
• Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, “Graduated Driver Licensing Program” (drive.ky.gov)

Photo: Arian Fernandez, Pexels

To get a driver’s license in Kentucky as a teen, you pass a vision test and written test with the Kentucky State Police (KSP) at 15, hold your permit for 180 days while logging 60 practice hours, pass the KSP road test for an intermediate license, then upgrade to a full license at 17 after another 180 days and a 4-hour driver education course. Adults follow a shorter route. This guide walks through each step and every section of the 2026 Kentucky Driver Manual, with links to the detailed Kentucky guides.

Key facts (Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and KSP, checked November 2026)

• Permit: from age 15. Written test pass mark is 80%.
• Under 18: a parent or legal guardian signs and accepts responsibility, and you need a School Compliance Verification Form (No Pass/No Drive).
• Permit phase: at least 180 days, 60 hours of supervised practice (10 at night), supervisor 21 or older in the front seat.
• Intermediate license: KSP road test after 180 days on the permit. Two restrictions: no driving midnight to 6 a.m. without good cause, and no more than 1 unrelated passenger under 20.
• Full license: 180 days on the intermediate license, an approved driver education course and age 17.
• Fees as of November 2026: permit $15 ($18 REAL ID), intermediate license $15 ($18 REAL ID), 4-year license $21.50 ($24 REAL ID).

Who runs licensing in Kentucky?

Two agencies share the job. The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC), Division of Driver Licensing, handles applications, documents and credentials at its Regional Offices. The Kentucky State Police Driver Testing Branch gives every vision, written and road test, by appointment only. You can book a test at any testing location in the state, not just your home county.

How to get a driver’s license in Kentucky under 18

1. Get your School Compliance Verification Form (TC 94-200) from your school, or from your school district office if you are homeschooled. See Kentucky No Pass No Drive law explained.
2. Book the written and vision tests with KSP for on or after your 15th birthday. You can complete a pre-application in MyDrive first to speed things up.
3. Visit the Regional Office on test day with your documents and a parent or guardian, then test with KSP. Bring an original birth certificate (or certified copy), your Social Security card, 1 proof of Kentucky residency (2 for REAL ID) and the school form. Photocopies are not accepted.
4. Pass the vision and written tests and collect your permit. If you fail the written test, you can retake it the next available day. Study plan: Kentucky permit written test guide.
5. Practice for at least 180 days and 60 hours, 10 of them at night. Use the Kentucky 60 hour practice driving log.
6. Take the KSP road test for your intermediate license. Checklist: Kentucky State Police road skills test checklist.
7. Complete the 4-hour driver education course while on your intermediate license. Options and costs: Kentucky driver education options for teens.
8. Upgrade to a full license after 180 days on the intermediate license and reaching 17. A parent or guardian goes with you to the Regional Office.

All the restrictions for each stage are in Kentucky permit and intermediate license rules.

Intermediate license at 16 or 17?

Kentucky law (KRS 186.452) and the current KYTC Graduated Driver Licensing page both let a driver under 18 apply for the intermediate license at 16, after holding the permit for at least 180 days. Age 17 is the minimum for the full, unrestricted license under 18, after holding the intermediate license for at least 180 days and completing an approved driver education course. One sentence in the KSP-hosted 2026 driver manual says “reaching age 17” for the intermediate step; the statute and KYTC’s current instructions say 16, so use 16 when you book.

Getting a Kentucky license at 18 or older

Step	Age 18 to 20	Age 21 and over
Written and vision tests	Yes, with KSP	Yes, with KSP
Minimum time on permit	180 days	30 days
Intermediate license phase	No (if your permit was issued at 18 or older)	No
Road test	Leads straight to a full license	Leads straight to a full license
Permit valid for	3 years, renewable	3 years, renewable

Every permit holder, at any age, must drive with a licensed driver aged 21 or older in the front passenger seat. That includes the drive to the road test.

What the Kentucky Driver Manual covers, section by section

The KSP says the Kentucky Driver Manual is the only approved study material for the written test. Its sections, with the Kentucky-specific points worth knowing:

1. The driver’s license

License classes (Class D is the regular operator’s license; Class E is mopeds; Class M is motorcycles), the steps above, testing, renewals and losing your license. Under-21 licenses expire 90 days after your 21st birthday. You must update your address or name within 10 days. New residents must get a Kentucky license within 30 days. More: moving to a new state.

• Class E moped license: from 16, with vision and written tests only (no permit or skills test). Mopeds may not use limited access highways where the minimum speed is over 30 mph.
• From 21, a license expires 31 days after your birthday and lasts 4 or 8 years. A credential expired more than 5 years means starting again as a new driver.
• Moving in: if your out-of-state license has been expired more than 1 year, you need a driver history record from your old state and must pass the written and vision tests. An out-of-state permit is first transferred to a Kentucky permit, and you take the KSP road test unless your old test scores are sent.
• A college student with a Kentucky school ID card can drive on a valid out-of-state license. Visitors from countries with license reciprocity can drive on their foreign license and an International Driving Permit for up to 1 year from entry.
• Kentucky residents serving in the military out of state can renew by mail, and have 90 days after returning to renew an expired license without testing.
• Your license can be suspended or revoked for driving uninsured, unpaid citations or child support, using a license to buy alcohol, 3 reckless driving convictions in 12 months, DUI or refusing a test, leaving a crash scene or fleeing police. A crash judgment left unpaid for 60 days also brings a suspension.

Points: a driver under 18 who reaches 7 points (12 for 18 and over) within two years faces a hearing and possible suspension. See points systems and license suspensions in the US.

2. General information

Register a vehicle you buy or bring into Kentucky within 15 days. Minimum liability insurance is $25,000 per person and $50,000 per crash for bodily injury plus $25,000 property damage, or a $60,000 single limit. Driving uninsured can mean a $500 to $1,000 fine, up to 90 days in jail, or both. Keep proof of insurance in the car; a paper card or one on your phone both count.

The Medical Review Board advises on drivers with conditions that may affect driving. You must be free of seizures, blackouts or loss of consciousness for 90 days to get or keep a license. The vision standard is 20/60 or better in at least one eye, with a field of at least 35 degrees to each side and 25 degrees above and below. A doctor, certain officials, or two citizens by affidavit can report a driver to the Board. You can join the organ donor registry when your license is issued or renewed. Background: car insurance for new drivers.

3. Be in shape to drive

Vision of 20/40 or better (with or without lenses) is needed to move on to the written test. Kentucky’s legal limit is 0.08 alcohol concentration, and 0.02 if you are under 21. Under 21 it is also illegal to buy, possess or drink alcohol.

• A first DUI conviction within 10 years means a $200 to $500 fine plus court costs, 48 hours to 30 days in jail and a 4 to 6 month license suspension, which can be longer under 18. A first drug-driving conviction carries the same fine and jail range and a 30 to 120 day suspension.
• Jail is mandatory with aggravating circumstances, such as driving 30 mph or more over the limit, going the wrong way on a limited access highway, causing death or serious injury, a 0.15 or higher reading, refusing a test, or carrying a passenger under 12.
• Refusing a breath, blood or urine test can lead to a court suspension and can be used as evidence. Before a test you get 10 to 15 minutes to try to contact a lawyer.
• Anyone convicted of DUI must complete an assessment and an approved alcohol education or treatment program before the license is reinstated.

See zero tolerance laws for drivers under 21 and implied consent and DUI.

4. Before you drive

Everyone in a vehicle made after 1981 must wear a seat belt. Children 40 inches tall or less ride in a child restraint; children under 8 who are 40 to 57 inches tall ride in a booster seat. The manual advises children 12 and under to ride in the back. Never leave a young child alone in a car; Kentucky law punishes leaving a child under 8 where it creates a grave risk of death. The law also requires a secure load: nothing may slide, shift, fall or blow off your vehicle. On the road test you may not use parking assist or cruise control. Check tire pressure monthly with a gauge, with the tires cold, against the figure on the door jamb sticker. For tread, put a penny in the groove head first: if you can see all of Lincoln’s head, replace the tire. More: seat belt and child car seat laws.

5. Basic driving

Starting, moving, stopping, steering and backing up. These are the controls the road test checks.

6. Rules of the road

Right of way, signals, signs and pavement markings. Yield to a driver who reached the intersection first, to oncoming traffic (including right turns) when you turn left, to the driver on your right at a four-way stop tie, and to highway traffic when you leave a driveway or minor road. You may clear an intersection you entered on yellow, but entering on red is illegal. Left on red is allowed only from a one-way street onto a one-way street. If you stall on railroad tracks, get out, move away toward the direction the train is coming from, then call the number posted at the crossing or 911. Refreshers: US road signs by shape and color, four-way stops.

7. General driving

Signal at least 100 feet before a turn. A turnabout uses a driveway to reverse direction when you cannot go around the block; your car must be visible for 500 feet each way, and it is tested on the road test. Staying in the left lane of a limited access highway is illegal. Finish any pass before a no-passing zone starts and before you come within 200 feet of an oncoming vehicle. When someone passes you, give way to the right. Turn off the engine and remove the key whenever you leave the car. Parking in a handicapped space without a permit is punishable by a fine. You must stop for a school bus or church bus loading or unloading, from either direction, unless you are on the opposite side of a road with four or more lanes divided by a barrier or unpaved median. See school bus stopping laws and how to drive a roundabout.

8. Safe driving tips

When no limit is posted: 65 mph on interstates and parkways, 55 mph on other state highways, 35 mph in business and residential districts, 15 mph in public parking facilities. The transportation secretary can raise some highways to 70 mph. If rain, snow or fog cuts what you can see to 100 feet, do not drive faster than 25 mph and use low beams. Keep at least a 4-second following distance and look 20 to 30 seconds ahead. At 50 mph on dry pavement, braking alone takes about 158 feet. Headlights must be on from half an hour after sunset to half an hour before sunrise. Your car must have working signal lights; the manual says hand signals cannot be used. See speed limits and the basic speed law.

9. Emergencies and crashes

If a crash causes more than $500 of property damage and police do not investigate, you must file a written report with KSP within 10 days. You must stop and give reasonable help to anyone hurt. After a crash with no injuries, move the damaged vehicles to the shoulder. If you hit a parked car and cannot find the owner, leave a note with your name, address, license number, plate number and the date and time. If you break down, pull off the road, turn on your flashers and place flares 200 to 300 feet behind the car. Steps at the scene: what to do after a car crash.

10. Sharing the road

When passing a bicycle in a single lane, leave at least 3 feet. Do not follow an emergency vehicle closer than 500 feet. Move over a lane for stopped emergency vehicles on four-lane highways when safe; otherwise slow down. Yield to a blind pedestrian with a white cane or assistance dog (the fine for failing to is up to $250), and stop within 5 feet of the crosswalk so they can hear your car. Riders 16 and older may use electric low-speed scooters on roads and bike lanes, under bicycle rules. An orange and red slow-moving vehicle triangle means the vehicle travels under 25 mph. Do not honk or rev your engine near horses. ATVs may use a two-lane highway only to cross it or for farm, construction, road or snow work. Never stop or park near a truck runaway ramp. See move over laws and sharing the road.

11. Special driving situations

Night driving (dim your lights within 500 feet of oncoming vehicles and 300 feet of a vehicle ahead), funeral processions, work zones (fines can double where posted and a worker is present), rural roads, autocycles and trailers.

• At night, add at least 1 second to your following distance, or 2 on unfamiliar roads, and do not wear sunglasses or tinted lenses.
• A funeral procession led by an escort with flashing lights has the right of way at intersections. Do not drive between its vehicles or pass them unless an officer directs you (or you are outside city limits or on an interstate or parkway). Breaking this rule can mean a $250 fine or 90 days in jail.
• On a narrow or single-lane bridge, take turns; the first driver there generally goes first.
• An autocycle needs only a regular operator’s license, with no motorcycle endorsement or helmet.
• Load a trailer about 60% at the front, keep to about 55 mph or less, and if it sways, steer straight and ease off without braking.

12. Test your knowledge

Eleven sample questions with answers. Use them, then read the whole manual.

Common questions

How old do you have to be to get a permit in Kentucky?

15. You take the written and vision tests with KSP and get the permit from a KYTC Regional Office.

Can I drive alone on a Kentucky permit?

No. A licensed driver aged 21 or older must sit in the front passenger seat every time.

Do I need an appointment?

Yes. All written and road tests are booked with KSP. New appointments are released weekdays at 8 a.m. and the schedule runs about three weeks ahead, so book early if you want your 15th birthday.

Do I have to take driver’s ed in Kentucky?

Yes, if your permit was issued before 18. You must complete an approved course before the full license. Free and low-cost options exist.

What if I turn 18 while on my intermediate license?

KYTC says you can then apply for a full license without finishing the 180 days, as long as you have completed the driver education course.

Can a parent cancel a teen’s license?

Yes. A parent or guardian can withdraw responsibility at any time. The permit or license is then canceled until someone signs a new application or you turn 18.

How does Kentucky compare with other states?

See US graduated driver licensing compared and learning to drive in the USA. For documents and REAL ID, see REAL ID and your first US driver’s license.

Sources

• Kentucky State Police, “Kentucky Driver Manual” (updated July 2026) (kentuckystatepolice.ky.gov)
• Kentucky State Police, “Driver Testing” (kentuckystatepolice.ky.gov)
• Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, “Graduated Driver Licensing Program” (drive.ky.gov)
• Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, “Under 18 Permit Restrictions” (drive.ky.gov)
• Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, “No Pass/No Drive Law” (drive.ky.gov)

Photo: >Author Brando03, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Under Kentucky’s point system, drivers under 18 can lose their license at 7 points in two years. Adults can at 12. Points range from 3 for most moving violations up to 6 for speeding 16 to 25 mph over, and a speed 26 mph or more over the limit goes straight to a hearing. This guide lists the point values, the teen permit and intermediate rules, and how State Traffic School and probation work.

Key facts (Kentucky, as of November 2026)

• Under 18: 7 points within two years can lead to suspension. The Kentucky Driver Manual puts it as “more than six points”.
• 18 and over: 12 points within two years.
• Points expire two years from the conviction date (not the citation date). The conviction stays on your record for five years.
• A hearing comes first: you get the chance to meet a hearing officer before any point suspension.
• Permit and intermediate holders under 18: a moving violation adds at least 180 days before you can move up a stage.

Kentucky point values for common tickets

From the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet’s point system table:

Violation	Points
Speeding 10 mph or less over on a limited access highway (such as an interstate)	0
Speeding 11 to 15 mph over on a limited access highway	3
Speeding 15 mph or less over on any other road	3
Speeding 16 to 25 mph over on any road	6
Speeding 26 mph or more over, attempting to elude police, racing	Hearing, possible suspension
Failure to stop for a church or school bus	6
A moving hazardous violation involving an incident, or two or more in one continuous occurrence	6
Improper passing	5
Reckless driving, following too close, wrong side of the road, vehicle not under control, failure to yield to an emergency vehicle	4 each
Failure to yield, stop violation (signal, stop sign, rail crossing), careless driving, improper lane use, improper turn	3 each
Texting while driving	3
Failure to comply with instruction permit requirements	3
Any other moving hazardous violation	3

The point rules are set by regulation in 601 KAR 13:025. Check the current regulation if a ticket is not on this list.

How the 7-point teen limit plays out

For a driver under 18, two ordinary tickets reach the limit quickly:

Tickets in two years	Total	Under 18	18 and over
Speeding 12 mph over on a 2-lane road (3) + rolling a stop sign (3)	6	Below the limit, one ticket away	Well below
Speeding 18 mph over (6) + texting (3)	9	Over the limit: hearing, possible suspension	Below 12
Speeding 20 mph over (6) + following too close (4) + careless driving (3)	13	Over the limit	Over the limit

What happens when you reach the limit?

1. The Transportation Cabinet schedules a hearing about your driving privilege.
2. If you do not appear, the suspension is automatic. For the 12-point accumulation, the manual gives 6 months for a first, 1 year for a second and 2 years for any later accumulation within the two-year period.
3. At the hearing, the Cabinet can place you on probation instead of suspending your license, and require you to attend a driver improvement clinic (State Traffic School).
4. Probation once every two years: after a probation period, you will not be considered for probation again until two years after it ended, whether or not you completed it.

Always go to the hearing. Skipping it removes the chance of probation.

Extra rules for permit and intermediate drivers under 18

• Permit: a permit restriction violation, a moving violation under KRS 189 or a DUI violation under KRS 189A adds at least 180 days, counted from the violation date, before you can apply for the intermediate license.
• Intermediate license: the same violations add at least 180 days before you can apply for the full license.
• Both stages: a driver under 18 with more than six points may have their driving privilege suspended.
• Under 21: “Zero Alcohol Tolerance” applies, defined in the manual as 0.02 blood alcohol concentration.

Full details: Kentucky permit and intermediate license rules. School attendance can also cost a teen their license: see Kentucky No Pass No Drive law explained. The low alcohol limit is covered in zero tolerance laws for drivers under 21.

Kentucky State Traffic School

State Traffic School is the Transportation Cabinet’s course, offered online, in person and in a virtual classroom. There are two routes in:

• Court referral: the District Court where you got the ticket refers you, and the Division of Driver Licensing mails you enrollment instructions. Once referred, attendance is a court order. Not finishing it leads to suspension.
• Point hearing: the Cabinet can require the course as a condition of probation instead of a suspension.

Eligibility for a court referral, from the manual:

• You cannot have been under suspension at the time of the citation.
• Only minor traffic violations qualify, not convictions that carry a mandatory suspension.
• Once every 12 months at most.
• Non-licensed and out-of-state drivers are not eligible.

The manual does not say whether a court referral keeps points off your record. Ask the court how the case will be reported. More options after a ticket: getting a traffic ticket as a new driver.

Common questions

How many points can a 16-year-old get in Kentucky?

Seven points within two years can lead to a hearing and suspension. More than six is the line the manual uses.

How many points is a speeding ticket in Kentucky?

3 points for up to 15 mph over (0 for 10 mph or less over on a limited access highway), 6 points for 16 to 25 mph over, and a hearing for 26 mph or more over.

Is texting worth points?

Yes, 3 points.

When do points come off?

Two years from the date of conviction. The conviction itself stays on your record for five years.

Does the teen limit change at 18?

Yes. From 18 the limit is 12 points in two years.

How do other states compare?

See points systems and license suspensions in the US.

Main guide: learning to drive in Kentucky.

Sources

• Kentucky State Police, “Kentucky Driver Manual” (updated July 2026) (kentuckystatepolice.ky.gov)
• Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, Office of Highway Safety, “Kentucky’s Point System” (transportation.ky.gov)
• Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, “Kentucky Point System” (drive.ky.gov)
• Kentucky Legislative Research Commission, 601 KAR 13:025, “Point system” (legislature.ky.gov)

Photo: Charles Delano, USACE Louisville District, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Kentucky permit test is a written knowledge test given by the Kentucky State Police (KSP), and you need at least 80% to pass. It covers driving rules, regulations, procedures and highway signs from the Kentucky Driver Manual. These 40 practice questions follow the manual’s sections in order, so you can study one section and test it straight away. They are original and unofficial, written from the July 2026 manual, not taken from the KSP test.

Kentucky written test: the facts

• Minimum age: 15.
• Pass mark: 80%. The manual and the KSP Driver Testing page do not state the number of questions.
• Vision first: 20/40 or better, with or without lenses.
• Booked with KSP. New appointment slots open at 8 a.m. on weekdays.
• Permit fee after passing: $15 ($18 REAL ID), as of November 2026.

Booking, documents and the test languages: the Kentucky permit written test guide.

Section 1: the driver’s license (questions 1 to 6)

1. How long must a Kentucky teen hold a learner’s permit before the road test?

• A. 90 days
• B. 120 days
• C. 180 days
• D. 1 year

Answer: C. At least 180 days. Days suspended under No Pass/No Drive do not count. See Kentucky permit and intermediate license rules.

2. How many hours of supervised practice must a Kentucky permit holder under 18 log?

• A. 40, with 10 at night
• B. 50, with 10 at night
• C. 60, with 10 at night
• D. 65, with 15 at night

Answer: C. 60 hours, 10 of them at night. See the Kentucky 60-hour log.

3. Who must sit in the front passenger seat whenever a Kentucky permit holder drives?

• A. Any licensed driver aged 18 or older
• B. A parent only
• C. A licensed driver aged 21 or older
• D. Any passenger with a seat belt

Answer: C. This applies to every permit holder at any age, including the drive to the road test.

4. Kentucky permit and intermediate drivers under 18 may not drive between:

• A. 10 p.m. and 5 a.m.
• B. 11 p.m. and 5 a.m.
• C. 12 a.m. and 6 a.m.
• D. 1 a.m. and 5 a.m.

Answer: C. Midnight to 6 a.m., unless you can show good cause such as an emergency, school activity or work.

5. On a Kentucky permit or intermediate license under 18, how many unrelated passengers under 20 may ride with you?

• A. 0
• B. 1
• C. 2
• D. 3

Answer: B. No more than one unrelated person under 20.

6. A Kentucky driver under 18 who reaches how many points within two years faces a hearing and possible suspension?

• A. 4
• B. 6
• C. 7
• D. 12

Answer: C. 7 points (more than 6) under 18. Drivers 18 and older are called in at 12. See Kentucky points and teen suspension rules.

Being fit to drive and buckling up (questions 7 to 11)

7. What is the legal alcohol limit for a Kentucky driver under 21?

• A. 0.00
• B. 0.02
• C. 0.05
• D. 0.08

Answer: B. 0.02 under 21; 0.08 for adults. See zero tolerance laws.

8. Under Kentucky’s implied consent law, when you drive you are treated as having agreed to:

• A. A field sobriety test only on interstates
• B. Pay any fine without a hearing
• C. A search of your phone
• D. A lawfully requested test of your blood, breath or urine

Answer: D. Refusal can lead to a court suspension and can be used as evidence of DUI. See implied consent and DUI.

9. Your implied consent obligations come from the law of:

• A. The state where your car is registered
• B. The state that issued your license
• C. Federal law only
• D. The state where you are stopped

Answer: D. The manual notes the law that applies is that of the state where you are arrested.

10. In a Kentucky vehicle made after 1981, who must wear a seat belt?

• A. Only front-seat occupants
• B. Only the driver
• C. Only children
• D. Everyone in the vehicle

Answer: D. Every occupant must buckle up. See seat belt and child seat laws.

11. A 6-year-old who is 45 inches tall must ride in:

• A. No restraint on short trips
• B. An adult belt only
• C. The front seat
• D. A booster seat

Answer: D. Children under 8 who are 40 to 57 inches tall ride in a booster. Children 40 inches or shorter need a child restraint. The manual advises children 12 and under ride in the back.

Signs, signals and general driving (questions 12 to 26)

12. A red and white triangle pointing down means:

• A. Do not enter
• B. Slow down and let traffic with the right of way go before you enter
• C. Stop every time
• D. One way

Answer: B. That is the manual’s wording for a yield sign. See US road signs by shape and color.

13. After stopping at a stop sign, you must yield to:

• A. Only vehicles on your left
• B. No one
• C. Only pedestrians
• D. Crossing vehicles and pedestrians in all directions

Answer: D. Stop at the line or crosswalk, then yield to crossing traffic and pedestrians before going.

14. A sign reading LEFT TURN ONLY over a center lane marked for both directions tells you:

• A. It is a passing lane
• B. You may drive in it for a mile
• C. The center lane is reserved for left turns by traffic from either direction
• D. It is for buses only

Answer: C. Enter it only to turn left. See the center two-way left-turn lane.

15. Work zone signs in Kentucky are generally which color?

• A. Green
• B. Orange
• C. Brown
• D. Blue

Answer: B. Orange marks work zones. See work zone driving rules.

16. When can fines be doubled in a Kentucky highway work zone?

• A. Only at night
• B. Only if you cause a crash
• C. When signs say so and at least one worker is present
• D. Never

Answer: C. Kentucky law allows doubled fines where signs announce the work zone and double fines, with at least one worker present.

17. The light turns yellow just after you have entered the intersection. You should:

• A. Continue and clear the intersection
• B. Speed up and turn
• C. Reverse
• D. Stop in the intersection

Answer: A. You may clear an intersection you entered on yellow. It is illegal to enter after the light turns red. See traffic signals in the US.

18. In Kentucky, when may you turn left on a red light?

• A. Only from a one-way street onto a one-way street, after stopping
• B. Never
• C. Only on highways
• D. Any time it is clear

Answer: A. Right on red is allowed after a stop unless a sign prohibits it. Left on red only between one-way streets. See right on red.

19. Two red lights flashing alternately at a railroad crossing mean:

• A. Stop, and go only after they stop flashing and no train is coming
• B. The gate is broken
• C. Slow down and cross
• D. A train has just passed, so go

Answer: A. The crossbuck near the tracks means the same as a yield sign. See railroad crossings.

20. A flashing yellow light means:

• A. Stop
• B. Turn right only
• C. Speed up
• D. Slow down and watch for others

Answer: D. You will see it at intersections, construction areas and on vehicles like tow trucks.

21. How far before a turn must you signal in Kentucky?

• A. 50 feet
• B. 100 feet
• C. 200 feet
• D. 300 feet

Answer: B. At least 100 feet.

22. A school bus is stopped with its stop arm out on a two-lane road. You are coming the other way. You must:

• A. Stop only if children are on your side
• B. Stop and stay stopped until everyone is clear and the bus moves
• C. Continue, because you are going the other way
• D. Slow down and pass

Answer: B. Kentucky requires a stop from either direction on all roads, except traffic going the opposite way on a road with four or more lanes separated by a raised barrier or unpaved median. See school bus stopping laws.

23. The Kentucky school bus stopping rule also applies to:

• A. Church buses loading or unloading
• B. City transit buses
• C. Airport shuttles
• D. Tour buses

Answer: A. The manual covers stopped school and church buses alike.

24. When parking along a road with a curb, you should:

• A. Park as close to the curb as possible
• B. Park in either direction
• C. Park with two wheels on the curb
• D. Leave 3 feet for cyclists

Answer: A. The manual says park as far from traffic as possible, and as close to a curb as you can. Check signs and painted curbs for limits. See US parking rules.

25. A large truck is in the right lane signaling a right turn but swinging left. You should:

• A. Drive alongside
• B. Wait behind it until it completes the turn
• C. Pass on its right
• D. Honk

Answer: B. Trucks swing wide to turn right; the gap on their right closes fast. See sharing the road.

26. You are entering a roundabout. You should:

• A. Yield to traffic already in it and go counterclockwise
• B. Speed up to merge
• C. Enter to the left
• D. Stop in the circle

Answer: A. Traffic in the circle has the right of way. See how to drive a roundabout.

Section 8: safe driving tips (questions 27 to 33)

27. When no speed limit is posted, the Kentucky limit on interstates and parkways is:

• A. 55 mph
• B. 60 mph
• C. 65 mph
• D. 70 mph

Answer: C. 65 mph. Other state highways are 55 mph, business and residential districts 35 mph and public parking facilities 15 mph. See speed limits.

28. What is the unposted speed limit in a Kentucky business or residential district?

• A. 25 mph
• B. 30 mph
• C. 35 mph
• D. 45 mph

Answer: C. 35 mph unless signs say otherwise.

29. What following distance does the Kentucky manual recommend?

• A. 2 seconds
• B. 3 seconds
• C. 4 seconds
• D. 6 seconds

Answer: C. At least 4 seconds behind the vehicle ahead. See following distance.

30. Headlights must be on in Kentucky from:

• A. 9 p.m. to 6 a.m.
• B. One-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise
• C. Sunset to sunrise only on highways
• D. Only when it rains

Answer: B. Also use them in rain, snow or fog and whenever you have trouble seeing others. See night driving.

31. You must dim your high beams when an oncoming vehicle comes within:

• A. 200 feet
• B. 300 feet
• C. 500 feet
• D. 1,000 feet

Answer: C. 500 feet for oncoming vehicles and 300 feet when following.

32. In fog, rain or snow you should use:

• A. Hazard lights only, at full speed
• B. High beams
• C. Low beams
• D. Parking lights only

Answer: C. High beams cause glare in bad weather. See driving in snow, fog and rain.

33. When passing a bicyclist in Kentucky, leave at least:

• A. 2 feet
• B. 3 feet
• C. 4 feet
• D. 5 feet

Answer: B. At least 3 feet.

Emergencies, sharing the road and paperwork (questions 34 to 40)

34. An ambulance with a flashing red light and siren approaches. Kentucky law requires you to:

• A. Move into the left lane
• B. Drive to the right side or curb, clear of any intersection, and stop until it passes
• C. Stop where you are, even in an intersection
• D. Speed up

Answer: B. Stay stopped unless a police officer or firefighter directs you to move. See pulling over for emergency vehicles.

35. How close may you follow an emergency vehicle in Kentucky?

• A. No closer than 100 feet
• B. No closer than 300 feet
• C. No closer than 200 feet
• D. No closer than 500 feet

Answer: D. It is unlawful to follow an emergency vehicle closer than 500 feet.

36. Under Kentucky’s move-over law, on a four-lane highway with police stopped on the shoulder you should:

• A. Approach slowly and move into the left lane if it is safe
• B. Flash your lights
• C. Keep your speed and lane
• D. Stop behind the police car

Answer: A. On two-lane highways, approach slowly and pass with caution. See move over laws.

37. Police signal you to pull over at night. Which is the manual’s advice?

• A. Pull off the travel lanes safely, turn off the engine, turn on hazards and the interior light, and keep your belt on
• B. Get out and walk to the police car
• C. Stop suddenly in the lane
• D. Search for your documents straight away

Answer: A. Stay calm and let the officer see inside. See pulled over by police as a new driver.

38. A crash causes more than $500 of property damage and police do not investigate. You must:

• A. File a written report with KSP within 10 days
• B. Do nothing
• C. Report it within 30 days to the county clerk
• D. Call your insurer only

Answer: A. The manual sets that rule. See what to do after a crash.

39. What is Kentucky’s minimum liability insurance?

• A. $25,000 per person, $50,000 per crash and $25,000 property damage, or a $60,000 single limit
• B. $10,000 total
• C. $15,000 per person only
• D. There is no minimum

Answer: A. Driving uninsured can mean a $500 to $1,000 fine, up to 90 days in jail, or both. See car insurance for new drivers.

40. After moving to Kentucky, within how many days must you get a Kentucky license?

• A. 10 days
• B. 30 days
• C. 60 days
• D. 90 days

Answer: B. 30 days for new residents. Address or name changes must be reported within 10 days. See moving to a new state.

Score yourself at 80%

Correct out of 40	Result at the KSP 80% standard
36 to 40	Ready
32 to 35	Pass. Recheck your misses.
Under 32	Below 80%. Reread the sections you missed.

Then try the 11 practice questions at the end of the Kentucky Driver Manual, which come with answers.

Common questions

Are these the real KSP test questions?

No. They are original, unofficial practice that covers the same manual.

How many questions are on the Kentucky permit test?

Neither the manual nor KSP’s Driver Testing page states a number. What is official: you need at least 80%.

Can I take the Kentucky permit test online?

You test with KSP by appointment, so ask KSP before you look for an online option.

What if I fail?

KYTC’s GDL page says you can retake it on the next available day. Book a new slot with KSP.

Is there a phone ban for teens?

KYTC’s parent guide says drivers under 18 may not use a cell phone at all while driving, even hands-free. Confirm the current law with KYTC. See hands-free and texting laws.

What comes after the permit?

180 days and 60 hours, then the KSP road test. See the KSP road skills test checklist, No Pass No Drive, driver education options and the full Kentucky learner driver guide. Other states: US permit practice tests.

Sources

• Kentucky State Police, “Kentucky Driver Manual” (updated July 23, 2026) (kentuckystatepolice.ky.gov)
• Kentucky State Police, “Driver Testing” (kentuckystatepolice.ky.gov)
• Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, “Graduated Driver Licensing Program” (drive.ky.gov)
• Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, “Permit Restrictions” (drive.ky.gov)
• Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, “Practice Driving Log” (drive.ky.gov)