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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)