How to Get a Driver's License in Kentucky [2024]

Types of Driver's Licenses in Kentucky

For each license type there's a corresponding type of instruction permit

Class D

It allows you to operate common cars, station wagons, pickup trucks, utility vehicles, and most panel trucks and a trailer, with weights not greater than 26,000 pounds, designed to carry less than 16 passengers including the driver. Read the KY KSP Handbook or take a free KY driving practice test.

Class A/B/C (Commercial)

Class A is for any combination of vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 26,001 pounds or more, provided the GVWR of the vehicle being towed is more than 10,000 pounds. Class B is for any straight truck with two or more axles and a GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more and pulling a vehicle with a GVWR of 10,000 pounds or less, and a single vehicle that transports 16 or more passengers including the driver with a GVWR of 26,001 or more. Class C is for any vehicle with a GVWR of less than 26,001 pounds transporting hazardous materials or 16 or more passengers. Read the KY CDL Manual or take a free CDL practice test.

Class M/E

Class M is for riding motorcycles, while class E is required for riding mopeds. Read the KY Motorcycle Manual or take a free KY motorcycle practice test.

Pro tip: Venturing through Kentucky's bluegrass regions and metropolitan areas calls for sharp driving acumen. Our step-by-step guides for manual driving and parallel parking will serve you well. Master the techniques for parking in reverse and three-point turns. It's essential to have your mirrors positioned correctly for visibility. Our Online Driving Simulator offers excellent practice, and for international drivers, make sure to understand Kentucky's international driver's license rules.

How to Apply for Your Learner's Permit

All new drivers in Kentucky are required to get the permit before they are eligible for a license. The permit allows you to drive supervised at all times with a licensed driver 21 years of age or older in the front seat. You mustn’t drive between 12:00 A.M. and 6:00 A.M., unless there is a good cause for driving, such as emergencies or school and work related activities. You mustn’t transport more than one unrelated person under 20 years of age. It is also the first step of the Graduated Driver Licensing program for drivers at the age of 16 and 17.

1Apply in person

You should apply at the Circuit Court Clerk's office in your Kentucky county of residence. Note that all non-U.S. citizens (excluding Permanent Residents and Resident Aliens) must first apply at a Division of Driver Licensing Regional Field Office.

2Bring documentation required

Social Security card
An original or certified copy of your birth certificate
Proof of residence (e.g., a utility bill, mortgage documents, postmarked letter with your name and current address, etc.)
Permanent Resident card or I-551 with photo issued by USCIS. (for non-citizens)

No copies or laminated documents are acceptable.

If you are a non-US citizen, check here for other documents you are required to bring depending upon your status in the US.

3Come with your parent or guardian if under age 18

Your parent or guardian must sign your application accepting financial responsibility. Make sure she/he carries a valid driver's license. A legal guardian must also have a certified copy of guardianship papers. Foster children must also bring the Cabinet for Health and Family Services Custody Verification Letter. Your parent/guardian may withdraw their permission at any time.

4Provide no pass/no drive form if under age 18

It’s the School Compliance Verification Form that you can get from your public or private school. If you don’t study at school, get the form from your school district of residence.

5Pay the permit fee of $12

6Get tested by the kentucky state police license examiner

After the Clerk has prepared the application, the Kentucky State Police License Examiner will administer the tests.

7Pass a written test

The test will contain questions about rules of the road, signs and procedures. Take free practice tests online before you go. If you fail your test you may return the next day or later.

8Pass a vision test

Minimum visual acuity of 20/40 is required, otherwise, you will be referred to a vision specialist.

8Return to the circuit court clerk’s office

You will be issued a permit or a distinctive "under 21" permit if you are younger than 21.

Applicants under the age of 21 must hold the driving permit for a minimum of 180 days.

Applicants older than 21 must hold the permit for at least 30 days.

If you are under 18 years of age, your next step is applying for the intermediate driver's license.

If you are over 18 years of age, your next step is applying for the full driver's license.

How to Apply for Intermediate Driver’s License

Intermediate license is the second stage of the Graduated Driver Licensing program for drivers at the age of 16 and 17. It allows you to drive without supervision but with the following restrictions: you mustn't drive between 12:00 A.M. and 6:00 A.M., unless there is a good cause for driving, such as emergencies or school and work related activities; and you can't transport more than one unrelated passenger under 20 years of age.

Carry your learner’s permit for at least 180 days
Everybody under the age of 21 must hold the permit for 180 days before proceeding.
Complete a Practice driving log
You parents/guardians should log at least 60 hours of practice driving, 10 hours of which must be completed at night. Your parent is also required to sign a verification form.
Print your eligibility letter
Check your eligibility here, print the letter and take it to your Kentucky State Police License Examiner.
Take a driving skills test
Testing times and locations are available from the Circuit Clerk’s Office in your county of residence. Call your office to find out if an appointment is necessary. You are required to bring your own vehicle. If you fail the test you will have to wait at least 7 days before retaking it.

When you pass the driving skills test, the examiner will place an "Intermediate License" sticker on your permit. After holding the intermediate license for 180 days or once you turn 18, you will be eligible for a full license, provided that the required driver education course has been completed.

How to Apply for Your Full (Unrestricted) Driver’s License

Before you apply for your Kentucky full driver's license. You are required to get a driver's permit. Check this guide to get a driver's permit in Kentucky.

Intermediate license holder under 18 years of age? Hold your license for 180 days, complete a driver education course, print your eligibility letter and visit the Circuit Clerk's Office in your county of residence.

Permit holder? Start from Step 1.

1Hold the driver’s permit

If you are older than 21, you must hold it for at least 30 days before being eligible to take a road test. If you are younger than 21, you must hold your permit for at least 180 days.

2Complete driver education program if under 18

If your permit was issued under the age of 18, you are required to complete a Driver Education program. The course offered by the Transportation Cabinet is a free, 4-hour course on driver safety. Other possible methods of completing the course are an online course or an approved private school. If you have already completed a high school driver's education course or Driver License approved driver training school course, provide a copy of the completion to:

ATTN: Driver Education
Division of Driver Licensing
200 Mero St
Frankfort, KY 40622
OR fax to (502) 564-0839

Make sure that your driver license number, name and date of birth are on the completion.

3Print eligibility letter

Check your eligibility here, print the letter and take it to your Kentucky State Police License Examiner.

4Check driving test availability

All testing times and locations are available from the Circuit Clerk's Office in the driver's county of residence. In most cases an appointment is required. You can also schedule a driving test by contacting the Kentucky State Police at (844) 253-5680.

5Pass the road test

You must bring a vehicle with proper registration and insurance confirmation. If you pass the test, the examiner will record your result and send you to the Circuit Clerk’ Office. If you fail the road skills test, you will have to wait at least 7 days before trying it again.

6Get your license

Go back to the Circuit Clerk’s Office where you will be issued a license. Your license will be valid for 4 years. After 2019 Real ID licenses will be valid for 8 years.

Note that all drivers under the age of 21 are subject to Zero Alcohol Tolerance.

Kentucky Written Test (aka Knowledge Test)

Written tests are administered by the Kentucky State Police License Examiner. You should contact your Circuit Clerk's Office to find out testing dates and times.

Take a free practice test

What will the test consist of?

It contains 40 multiple-choice questions regarding driving rules, regulations, procedures, and highway signs. You will have to make a minimum score of 80% to pass the test. It means that no more than 8 mistakes are acceptable. All the information you will need for the test can be found in Kentucky Driver Manual.

How to prepare for the test?

Study Kentucky Driver Manual and take free practice tests available here. When you feel comfortable with your score, you are ready! You can also download our free DMV Genie app to study on the go. Get it on the App Store or on Google Play.

What common mistakes should I avoid?

The most common mistake comes from not knowing enough information out of the manual. This happens when people study solely with practice tests. Make sure you read the manual first. Another problem is rushing through questions. Take your time and remember what you have studied.

Is the test available in any other language but English?

Yes, you can take the written test in Albanian, Bosnian, Arabic, Cambodian, Chinese, Croatian, French, German, Japanese, Korean, Laotian, Persian, Polish, Romanian, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Thai, Turkish and Vietnamese.

Can I take the test orally instead of writing?

Yes. If you cannot read in English, you can take an oral test, but the signs portion of the test must be answered from your own knowledge and understanding.

Can I use the driver's manual when I take the actual test?

Absolutely not! This is not an open book test. The purpose of the test is to make sure you understand and apply the rules of the road. Moreover, the use of any kind of testing aid during the test will mean an automatic failure of the test.

What happens if I fail the test?

You can return the next day the tests are given in your county and try again or come back on a later date.

Driving Test

Step-by-Step Guide

What to expect during your KY driving test

Road Test FAQ

The exam will check your ability to drive safely in traffic, encountering normal situations.

Most counties require appointments for road tests. Check with your local Examiner or Circuit Court Clerk regarding the schedule and appointment system in your county.

Before the test

You must be accompanied by a licensed driver of at least 21 years of age who won’t be permitted to ride with you during the test but will wait to ride with you home if you fail the test.

The vehicle you bring to the test must have the following:

Be properly registered
Have proof of liability insurance which can be a proof-of-insurance card, a current insurance policy or a binder from an insurance agent stating that insurance is in force.
Rental cars must have the driver’s name listed on the rental contract as an operator.

Vehicle Inspection

The following equipment must be in good condition:

Brakes
Lights
Properly displayed and unobscured license plate
Windshield wiper on the driver’s side
Horn
Muffler
Rearview mirror
Steering gear ( not more than 1/4 turn free play)
Safety glass on all windows
Safety belts
Vehicles with a louvered rear window must have side view mirrors
Passenger compartment, seat, and floor area must be clean

Avoid the following:

Red and blue light showing to the front
Sirens and bells
Signs, posters, or stickers on the windshield or any other window in the car, unless required by law
Heavy-tinted windows

You must demonstrate to the examiner that you know how to operate the following:

Headlights
Dimmer Switch.
Horn
Windshield Wipers.
Turn Signals.
Emergency Brake.
Emergency Flashers.
Brake Lights.

On the Road

Your job is to follow the examiners instructions, drive safely and demonstrate overall vehicle control. The following maneuvers will be evaluated during the test:

stops
backing
turning the car around
stopping and starting on a hill
parallel parking
choosing appropriate speed
approaching intersections
correct lane usage
giving and accepting right-of-way

You will be disqualified automatically if you

fail to follow your examiner’s instructions twice
commit traffic violation or be part of collision or dangerous act.

End of the Test

You will be given a score sheet at the end of the test, indicating whether you passed or failed, a numerical score won’t be revealed. If you pass the test, your examiner will send you back to the Circuit Clerk’s Office to get the license. If you don’t pass the test, you should wait at least 7 days before trying it again.

New Residents: How to Get the Kentucky Driver's License

When you become a resident of Kentucky, in most cases you must exchange your driver’s license issued by another authority for the Kentucky driver’s license. You must be at least 16 years of age to apply.

Out-of-state license Foreign license

Not sure if you are a resident of Kentucky?

Kentucky law defines "resident" as a person who has established Kentucky as his or her state of domicile within the last 30 days.

Residing temporarily?

Good news! If either of the following applies to you, you do not require to transfer your driver’s license.

You are a member of the military on active duty or a dependent of a military member who holds a valid license from another state.
You are a full-time student enrolled in school or college with a valid license from another state.

I’ve Got a Valid Out-of-State License

Moving from another US state? Welcome to Kentucky!

If you become a resident of Kentucky, you must transfer your out-of-state license within 30 days of establishing residence.

You must transfer your license in person in the Circuit Clerk’s Office of your county of residence. Note that all non-U.S. citizens (excluding permanent residents and resident aliens) must apply at a Division of Driver Licensing Regional Field Office.

Plan of Action

Apply in person.
Submit your valid out-of-state driver’s license.
If under age 18, present a School Compliance Verification Form signed by the out-of-state school (No Pass/No Drive Law). You can get the form from your school district of residence.
Bring documentation required.
- Social Security card
- An original or certified copy of your birth certificate (if your name here differs from the name on your license, you may be asked to show a marriage certificate or another document certifying your name change)
- Proof of residence (e.g., a utility bill, mortgage documents, postmarked letter with driver's name and current address, etc.)
- Permanent Resident card or I-551 with photo issued by USCIS. (for non-citizens)
Pay the fee of $20.00.

Note that if you are a non-U.S. citizen with an out-of-state driver’s license, you will have to take vision, written and road skills tests in Kentucky (It doesn’t apply to permanent residents and resident aliens, though).

Once you have met all the requirements, the Circuit Clerk’s office will issue you a license. Your new Kentucky driver’s license will be valid for 4 years. Starting from 2019 new REAL ID cards will be valid for 8 years.

I've Got a Valid Foreign License

Moving from another country? Welcome to Kentucky!

If you are a non U.S. citizen, you may drive in Kentucky on your valid foreign license and International Permit for up to one year from the date of admission into the U.S. if your home country is part of the Foreign License Reciprocity. Drivers from non-Foreign License Reciprocity Countries or US citizens must obtain a Kentucky license within 30 days of establishing residency in Kentucky.

To transfer a foreign driver’s license, non U.S. citizens (excluding permanent residents and resident aliens) must first apply at a Division of Driver Licensing Regional Field Office. Permanent residents and resident aliens may apply directly at the Circuit Clerk’s Office of their county of residence.