π What to Bring
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Proof of identity & residency
Documents that meet Kentucky requirements (e.g. Social Security card, birth certificate or passport, proof of KY residency)
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Application & fee
Complete the application and pay the permit/test fee at a Driver Licensing Regional Office
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Parent/guardian (if under 18)
Applicants under 18 need a parent or guardian to sign and proof of school enrollment/compliance
π How to Schedule
- 1
Study the manual and practice
Read the Kentucky Driver Manual and take practice tests covering signs, rules of the road, and safe driving.
- 2
Visit a Driver Licensing office
You can take the knowledge test for an instruction permit at age 16. Bring your documents and fee; the test is offered in English and Spanish.
- 3
Pass the vision and knowledge tests
Pass a vision screening, then the 40-question knowledge test (32 to pass). When you pass, you get your instruction permit and enter Kentucky's graduated licensing.
π‘ Test Day Tips
- β’The Kentucky knowledge test has 40 questions; you must answer 32 correctly (80%) to pass.
- β’The legal BAC limit is 0.08 (0.04 for commercial drivers); drivers under 21 are limited to 0.02. Kentucky has an implied-consent law for testing.
- β’Kentucky uses graduated licensing: instruction permit β intermediate license β full license, with passenger and night-driving restrictions for new drivers.
- β’Kentucky's Move Over law requires you to change lanes or slow down for stopped emergency, public-safety, and highway vehicles displaying flashing lights.
- β’Unless posted otherwise, common Kentucky limits are 65 mph on rural interstates, 55 mph on rural highways, 35 mph in business/residential areas, and 15 mph in school zones.
π Driver Handbook
All practice questions are based on the chapters below. Click any chapter to read it on the official DMV website.
π― Practice by Topic
The Driver's License
Getting a Kentucky license: the graduated licensing system (permit, intermediate, full) for teens, required documents, the tests, license classes, renewal, and the point system.
General Information
General Kentucky driver information: vehicle registration and insurance, organ donation, address changes, and other services.
Be in Shape to Drive
Being fit to drive: vision, fatigue, emotions, illness, and how alcohol and drugs impair your ability to drive β including BAC limits and implied consent.
Before You Drive
Before you drive: seat belts and child restraints, mirrors and seating, required equipment, and getting your vehicle ready.
Basic Driving
Basic driving: starting, steering, accelerating, braking, backing, and basic vehicle control in Kentucky.
Rules of the Road
Kentucky rules of the road: speed limits, right-of-way, signs, signals, pavement markings, turns, and intersections.
General Driving
General driving: signaling, passing, lane use, following distance, parking, and expressway driving in Kentucky.
Safe Driving Tips
Safe driving tips: scanning and space management, distractions, aggressive driving, and defensive-driving habits.
Emergency Situations and Avoiding Crashes
Emergency situations and avoiding crashes: skids, brake and tire failures, collisions, breakdowns, and what to do at a crash scene.
Sharing the Road
Sharing Kentucky roads with pedestrians, bicyclists, motorcyclists, large trucks (the No-Zone), school buses, and emergency vehicles β including the move-over law.
Special Driving Situations
Special driving situations: night driving, rain, snow, ice, fog, work zones, railroad crossings, and rural/mountain driving in Kentucky.