Kentucky DMV Cheat Sheet
A condensed study guide for the KYTC written knowledge test — test logistics, plus the Kentucky-specific rules most likely to differ from what you already know. This isn't a substitute for the official Kentucky driver's manual, or for practicing the real questions. Looking for the core rules and signs that apply everywhere, not just Kentucky? Check the general driving theory cheat sheet instead.
40Questions
80%To Pass
Fees vary by regional office and license typeFee
- Test length varies: The Kentucky Driver Manual doesn't print the real written test's fixed question count, only that a minimum score of 80% is required to pass; this site's Kentucky practice test uses a 40-question sample size to match the state's published exam length.
- Fee: The manual does not print a specific permit or license fee schedule -- confirm current fees with your Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Regional Driver Licensing Office.
- Documents required:
- Original birth certificate or certified copy
- Social Security card
- One proof of Kentucky residency dated less than one year (two for a REAL ID)
- School Compliance Verification Form for applicants under 18 (No Pass/No Drive Law)
- Parent or legal guardian signature on the application if the applicant is under 18
- If you don't pass: If you fail the road (skills) test, you must wait at least one week before attempting it again; there is no printed waiting period for retaking the written knowledge test.
- Online testing: Kentucky State Police testing appointments for the written and road tests are scheduled online only, released Monday through Friday at 8:00 a.m., with the calendar generally kept open about three weeks out.
Kentucky-Specific Rules
Minor & Provisional Licensing
- Kentucky's two agencies split licensing duties: Transportation Cabinet regional offices handle applications and issue credentials, but the Kentucky State Police administers all vision, knowledge, and road skills testing.
- An instruction permit must be held 180 days (ages 16-20) or just 30 days (age 21+) before the road skills test.
- A permit holder may only drive accompanied, in the front passenger seat, by a licensed driver at least 21 years old.
- Permit and intermediate holders under 18 are limited to one unrelated passenger under age 20.
- Permit and intermediate holders under 18 may not drive midnight to 6:00 a.m. without a good-cause exception (emergencies, school, work).
- Advancing to an intermediate license requires a certified Practice Driving Log showing at least 60 hours of supervised driving, including 10 hours at night.
- The No Pass/No Drive Law (KRS 159.051) requires a School Compliance Verification Form for under-18 applicants; a permit suspended under this law gets no credit toward the 180-day hold period.
- Zero Alcohol Tolerance for drivers under 21 is a .02 BAC; a moving or alcohol/drug violation by an under-18 permit or intermediate holder adds a minimum of 180 more days before the next license stage.
- A driver under 18 who accumulates more than six points may have their driving privilege suspended -- a lower threshold than the general adult point system.
- A driver whose permit was issued before age 18 must complete an approved driver training program before their 18th birthday and before advancing to a full unrestricted license.
Licensing Procedure & Documents
- The written knowledge test requires a minimum score of 80% to pass.
- First-time applicants need at least 20/40 visual acuity (corrected or uncorrected) to move on to the written test.
- The Kentucky Bioptic Driving Program, run by the Kentucky Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, can qualify applicants with acuity as low as 20/200 (corrected) or 20/60 (with a bioptic device) for a restricted license.
- New residents must get a Kentucky license within 30 days of establishing residency; an out-of-state license expired more than a year requires a full driving-history record and both a written and eye retest.
- A license held by a driver under 21 expires 90 days after their 21st birthday; drivers 21 and older get a license valid four or eight years, renewable up to six months before it expires.
- No retest is required for credentials expired less than 5 years; a license expired more than 5 years requires starting over as a new driver.
- A duplicate license is required within 10 days of any address or name change.
- Kentucky State Police testing appointments release online Monday-Friday at 8:00 a.m., with the schedule generally open about three weeks out.
- A Class E moped license requires being at least 16 years old and already holding a permit, license, or motorcycle credential -- only the vision and knowledge tests apply, with no skills test or permit phase.
- Completing RideSmartKY, Kentucky's approved motorcycle rider training program, exempts an applicant from the motorcycle written and skills tests.
Registration, Insurance & Points
- Minimum liability coverage: $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident bodily injury, plus $25,000 property damage (or a single-limit $60,000 policy), plus basic reparations benefits unless the vehicle is a motorcycle.
- A vehicle purchased or brought into Kentucky must be registered within 15 days, with no grace period for renewal.
- A suspension hearing is triggered at 12 or more points (18 and older) or 7 or more points (under 18) within a two-year period; failing to appear brings a six-month suspension the first time, one year the second, two years after that.
- Points expire 2 years from the conviction date, but the conviction itself stays on the record for 5 years.
Vehicle Safety & Passenger Restraints
- Child restraint is tied to height: a child 40 inches or less needs a child safety seat; under 8 and 40-57 inches needs a booster; over 57 inches needs no booster regardless of age. Fine: $50 plus a $10 Traumatic Brain Injury Trust Fund fee.
- The seat belt law is primary enforcement and covers any vehicle made after 1981 -- the driver and every passenger must be belted or restrained.
- Leaving a child under 8 years old unattended in a vehicle under circumstances creating a grave risk of death is illegal.
DUI & Alcohol
- Illegal BAC levels: 0.08 for drivers generally, 0.02 for drivers under 21, and 0.15 or higher counts as an aggravating circumstance requiring mandatory jail time.
- A first DUI conviction (within a 10-year period) brings a $200 to $500 fine plus costs, 48 hours to 30 days in jail, and a four to six month license suspension (longer if under 18).
- Refusing a lawfully requested breath, blood, or urine test can bring a court-ordered suspension and be used as evidence in a DUI case.
Rules of the Road
- Default (unposted) speed limits: 65 mph interstates/parkways, 55 mph other state highways, 35 mph business/residential districts, 15 mph off-street public parking facilities.
- A pass must be completed before a posted no-passing zone begins and before coming within 200 feet of an oncoming vehicle.
- Passing a bicyclist or electric low-speed scooter in a single travel lane requires at least 3 feet of clearance.
- Headlights must be on from a half hour after sunset to a half hour before sunrise; dim high beams within 500 feet of oncoming traffic and 300 feet when following.
- Add at least one extra second of following distance at night, and two extra seconds on an unfamiliar roadway at night, on top of the baseline four-second rule.
Sharing the Road
- Failing to yield to a blind pedestrian using a white cane or guide dog can bring a fine up to $250; don't stop more than 5 feet from the crosswalk.
- A properly led funeral procession has the right-of-way at intersections; driving between its vehicles or otherwise interfering can bring a $250 fine or 90 days in jail.
- An autocycle (a three-wheeled, steering-wheel-and-pedal vehicle) needs only a valid operator's license -- no motorcycle license, endorsement, or headgear required.
Rules and fees change — always confirm current details with KYTC before your exam. Cheat sheet v1.0, last checked 2026-08-01.