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:
- Level I: car control. Backing, right turns, left turns. Use a quiet area and an automatic car if possible.
- Level II: traffic. Intersections, lane changes, keeping space around the car, driving in traffic.
- Level III: maneuvers. Hill parking, parallel parking, U-turns, three-point turns.
- 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)