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Kentucky driving lesson · Getting Your License

Under 18: applying & the permit phase

A 4-minute lesson from the Kentucky course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.

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Read time
4 minutes
Course unit
Getting Your License
Checkpoint questions
6
Source pages
10, 11, 12

Everyone applies at a Transportation Cabinet Regional Driver Licensing Office, and Kentucky State Police (KSP) give the tests: vision first, then the written knowledge test. Pass both and the Regional Office issues your instruction permit. Drivers under 18 then move through three phases: Learner's Permit, Intermediate License and Full Unrestricted License.

Know the rule

To apply for an operator's, motorcycle or moped license you must be at least 16, and your driving privilege must not have been withdrawn in Kentucky or any other state.

Handbook p. 10 ↗

Parents and legal guardians:

  • Decide when their teen is ready to drive
  • Must sign for any applicant under 18, accepting responsibility
  • Become jointly liable with the teen for any damages by signing
  • Must sign at the testing location, with a birth certificate or judge-signed guardianship papers
Handbook p. 10 ↗

Know the rule

A parent or guardian may withdraw responsibility at any time by filing the Withdrawal of Responsibility form at a Regional Office. The minor's permit or license is then canceled until another application is signed.

Handbook p. 11 ↗

Bring originals (photocopies are not accepted):

  • Original birth certificate or certified copy
  • Social Security card
  • 1 proof of residency (2 for a REAL ID)
  • School Compliance Verification Form from your school (No Pass/No Drive Law)
  • Parent/guardian signature; a guardian needs a certified, judge-signed court guardianship order
Handbook p. 11 ↗
180 days

Minimum time permit holders ages 16–20 must hold the permit

Handbook p. 11 ↗
60 hours

Practice Driving Log minimum for an intermediate license—10 of them at night

Handbook p. 11 ↗

Permit driving rules:

  • Drive only with a licensed driver 21 or older in the front passenger seat
  • Carry your instruction permit at all times while driving
  • Passengers: limited to 1 unrelated person under 20 years of age
  • Under 18: no driving between midnight and 6:00 a.m. unless you can show good cause
  • No credit toward the 180 days while suspended under the No Pass/No Drive Law (KRS 159.051)
Handbook p. 11 ↗

Know the rule

Every applicant who passes the written and vision tests is issued a distinctive 'under 21' permit.

Handbook p. 11 ↗

Know the rule

Driving under the influence is prohibited. All drivers under 21 are subject to 'Zero Alcohol Tolerance,' defined as .02 blood alcohol concentration.

Handbook p. 12 ↗

Know the rule

For permit holders under 18, a permit-restriction violation, a moving violation under KRS 189, or a DUI violation under KRS 189A adds at least 180 days, counted from the violation date, before you may apply for an intermediate license.

Handbook p. 12 ↗

Know the rule

A driver under 18 who accumulates more than six points may have their driving privilege suspended.

Handbook p. 12 ↗

Put it into practice

You're 16 with a permit, and your 22-year-old cousin is in the front seat. You want to drive two unrelated 16-year-old classmates to a movie. You can't take both—permit holders may carry only 1 unrelated passenger under 20—and the drive home must end before midnight.

Check your understanding

Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.

How long must a Kentucky permit holder aged 16–20 hold the permit before taking the road test?
  1. 90 days
  2. 365 days
  3. 180 days
  4. 30 days

Answer: 180 days

Permit holders ages 16-20 must hold the driving permit for a minimum of 180 days.

Handbook p. 11 ↗
To become eligible for an intermediate license, a driver must complete a Practice Driving Log with a minimum of how many hours of practice driving?
  1. 60 hours, including 10 hours at night
  2. 30 hours, including 10 hours at night
  3. 40 hours, including 5 hours at night
  4. 60 hours, including 20 hours at night

Answer: 60 hours, including 10 hours at night

The log requires a minimum of 60 hours of practice, with 10 of those hours completed at night.

Handbook p. 11 ↗
When a permit holder is driving, the licensed driver supervising them must be seated:
  1. Anywhere in the vehicle and at least 18 years old
  2. In the front passenger seat and at least 21 years old
  3. In the front passenger seat and at least 18 years old
  4. In the back seat and at least 25 years old

Answer: In the front passenger seat and at least 21 years old

Permit holders may only drive when accompanied by a licensed driver 21 or older seated in the front passenger seat.

Handbook p. 11 ↗
A Kentucky instruction permit holder's passenger restriction limits them to how many unrelated passengers under 20?
  1. 2
  2. 0
  3. 3
  4. 1

Answer: 1

Permit holders are limited to one unrelated passenger under 20 years of age.

Handbook p. 11 ↗
Permit holders under age 18 may generally not drive during which hours?
  1. Midnight to 5:00 a.m.
  2. 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.
  3. Midnight to 6:00 a.m.
  4. 11:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.

Answer: Midnight to 6:00 a.m.

Drivers under 18 may not drive between midnight and 6:00 a.m. without demonstrating good cause.

Handbook p. 11 ↗
A permit holder under 18 who violates a permit restriction or a traffic law adds how much time before they may apply for an intermediate license?
  1. No additional time, only a warning
  2. At least 180 more days from the violation date
  3. An additional 365 days from the violation date
  4. An additional 30 days from the violation date

Answer: At least 180 more days from the violation date

Such violations add a minimum of 180 additional days before the driver may apply for an intermediate license.

Handbook p. 12 ↗
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