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)