Question 1

In Kentucky, which agency actually administers the vision, knowledge, and road skills tests for a driver's license?

Accepted Answer

The Kentucky State Police, even though the Transportation Cabinet's regional offices process the paperwork and issue the credential — Kentucky splits the process: Transportation Cabinet Regional Driver Licensing Offices handle applications and issue credentials, but the Kentucky State Police administers all vision, knowledge, and road skills testing.

Question 2

How long must a Kentucky instruction permit be held before the holder is eligible to take the road (skills) test?

Accepted Answer

180 days for permit holders age 16-20; only 30 days for permit holders age 21 and over — Kentucky requires permit holders age 16-20 to hold the instruction permit at least 180 days before the road test, while applicants 21 and older need to hold it only 30 days.

Question 3

Who must accompany a Kentucky instruction permit holder while they are driving?

Accepted Answer

A licensed driver at least 21 years old, seated in the front passenger seat — Kentucky permit holders must be accompanied in the front passenger seat by a licensed driver who is at least 21 years old.

Question 4

What is Kentucky's passenger restriction for a permit or intermediate license holder under age 18?

Accepted Answer

Limited to one unrelated passenger under age 20 — Kentucky limits permit and intermediate license holders under 18 to one unrelated passenger under age 20.

Question 5

During what hours are Kentucky permit and intermediate license holders under 18 barred from driving, absent a good-cause exception?

Accepted Answer

Midnight to 6:00 a.m. — Kentucky bars permit and intermediate license holders under 18 from driving between midnight and 6:00 a.m. unless they can show good cause, such as an emergency, school, or work.

Question 6

How many hours of certified practice driving must a Kentucky permit holder log, and how many of those hours must be at night, to become eligible for an intermediate license?

Accepted Answer

60 hours total, including at least 10 hours at night — Kentucky requires a Practice Driving Log showing at least 60 hours of practice driving, including a minimum of 10 hours at night, certified by a parent or legal guardian, before a permit holder can advance to an intermediate license.

Question 7

What happens to a Kentucky teen driver's 180-day permit-hold clock if their permit is suspended under the No Pass/No Drive Law (KRS 159.051) for failing grades or excessive absences?

Accepted Answer

The driver does not receive credit toward the 180-day permit period while suspended under that law — Under Kentucky's No Pass/No Drive Law, a minor whose permit is suspended for school non-compliance does not get credit toward the 180-day permit-hold period while the suspension is in effect.

Question 8

In Kentucky, what BAC level defines 'Zero Alcohol Tolerance' for drivers under 21, and what happens to a permit or intermediate holder under 18 who is cited for a KRS 189 or 189A violation?

Accepted Answer

A BAC of .02 defines Zero Alcohol Tolerance, and the violation adds a minimum of 180 additional days before advancing to the next license stage — Kentucky defines Zero Alcohol Tolerance for under-21 drivers as a .02 BAC, and a traffic-regulation or DUI violation by an under-18 permit or intermediate holder adds a minimum of 180 additional days before the next license stage.

Question 9

How many points can a Kentucky permit or intermediate license holder under 18 accumulate before risking suspension of their driving privilege?

Accepted Answer

More than six points — Kentucky drivers under 18 face a lower point threshold than adults: accumulating more than six points can lead to suspension of their driving privilege.

Question 10

What must a Kentucky driver whose instruction permit was issued before age 18 complete before their 18th birthday to move to the full unrestricted license phase?

Accepted Answer

An approved driver training program, such as a free classroom course, an $11 online course, a high school course, or a private driving school — Kentucky requires drivers whose permits were issued before 18 to complete an approved driver training program -- a free classroom course, an $11 online version, a high school course, or a private driving school with at least 4 hours of classroom training -- before their 18th birthday and before moving to a full unrestricted license.

Kentucky: Minor & Provisional Licensing Questions

1. In Kentucky, which agency actually administers the vision, knowledge, and road skills tests for a driver's license?

2. How long must a Kentucky instruction permit be held before the holder is eligible to take the road (skills) test?

3. Who must accompany a Kentucky instruction permit holder while they are driving?

4. What is Kentucky's passenger restriction for a permit or intermediate license holder under age 18?

5. During what hours are Kentucky permit and intermediate license holders under 18 barred from driving, absent a good-cause exception?

6. How many hours of certified practice driving must a Kentucky permit holder log, and how many of those hours must be at night, to become eligible for an intermediate license?

7. What happens to a Kentucky teen driver's 180-day permit-hold clock if their permit is suspended under the No Pass/No Drive Law (KRS 159.051) for failing grades or excessive absences?

8. In Kentucky, what BAC level defines 'Zero Alcohol Tolerance' for drivers under 21, and what happens to a permit or intermediate holder under 18 who is cited for a KRS 189 or 189A violation?

9. How many points can a Kentucky permit or intermediate license holder under 18 accumulate before risking suspension of their driving privilege?

10. What must a Kentucky driver whose instruction permit was issued before age 18 complete before their 18th birthday to move to the full unrestricted license phase?

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