Ky.gov

Graduated Driver Licensing Program

  • Drivers
  • Graduated Driver Licensing Program
Drivers

​​​​​NEW DRIVER LICENSING LAW FOR 15-YEAR-OLDS

The licensing system has been upgraded to accommodate 15-year-old applications. Those interested may make appointments with the Kentucky State Police (KSP).

​
​

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​The Grad​uated Driver Licensing program aims to curb the overall number of crashes involving teenage drivers, especially the high number of deadly crashes with teen involvement. This program is only required for drivers obtaining their original permit between the ages of​ 15-17. It uses an intermediary period between the learner's permit and a full, unrestricted license. During the intermediary phase, teenagers will have an intermediate license. They can drive on their own, but with two restrictions on their driving privileges (listed under step two below).​​​​​

​  KY DRIVER MAN​UAL​​    Printable KY Driver Manual

  KY DRIVER MANUAL​​​    Printable KY Driver Manual (Spanish Version)

​  KSP WEBSITE    Schedule an appointment with the Kentucky State Police to take the written or driving test

  Check eligibility date    Check when you are eligible to take the skills test

  Print eligibility letter    ​Only required before taking the road skills test to begin the intermediate license phase​

​

​STEPS TO OBTAIN A LICENSE​

  • ​It is up to the Parents/Guardians to decide when their teen is ready to drive. 

  • ​​A parent/legal guardian that is listed on the applicant's birth certificate, must sign the license/ ID card application form. If the parent/legal guardian is not listed on the birth certificate, court ordered paperwork is required. ​Drivers under the age of 18 cannot apply for a permit or license without the signature of a parent or guardian accepting responsibility.​

  • The parent/guardian is jointly liable with the applicant for any damages by signing the application form. The parent/guardian must complete the form at the testing location so that an official can witness the signature and verify guardianship. (Must provide a birth certificate or guardianship papers signed by the judge.)

  • A Parent/Guardian has the right to withdraw their responsibility at any time. The Parent/Guardian Withdrawal of Responsibility form must be completed and submitted to a Driver Licensing Regional office. Once this is received and entered, the minor's permit or license will be canceled until another application accepting responsibility is signed.

  • Kentucky drivers under 18 must go through three phases of licensing: a Learner's Permit, an Intermediate License, and then a Full Unrestricted License.

  • Before a teen driver can advance to the Intermediate License phase, the Parent/Guardian must document and sign the Practice Driving Log and verification form certifying the driver has completed 60 hours of practice driving, 10 of which must occur at night.

  • Parents/Guardians play a significant role in their teen's licensing process. Parents become role models, teachers, monitors, and supervisors when their teen is learning to drive.

BELOW ARE SOME TOOLS TO HELP YOU AND YOUR TEEN THROUGH THE LICENSING PROCESS:

Drivers must be at least 15 years of age to take the written knowledge and vision tests at a Kentucky State Police testing center and apply for a permit. Learn more about the process within the KY Driver Manual.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS TO BRING WHEN APPLYING FOR A PERMIT

1. Original Birth Certificate (or certified copy)

​2. Social Security Card (must bring card as proof)

3. One (1) Proof of Residency (2 for a REAL ID)

  • If the applicant does not have a proof of residency in their name, the parent/guardian can provide proof of residency in their own name to confirm that the applicant lives with them.​

​4. School Compliance Verification Form issued by their school. (reference: No Pass/No Drive Law​)

​5. A parent/legal guardian that is listed on the applicant's birth certificate, must sign the license/ ID card application form. 

  • If the parent/legal guardian is not listed on the birth certificate, court ordered paperwork is required.​
  • Foster children will need to bring a Commitment Verification letter signed by their Independent Living Specialist, not the foster parent. They do not need to bring the custody papers with them​. The foster parent/social worker can sign for guardianship of the child when the permit is issued.​​

​ DRIVERS MUST SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE KENTUCKY STATE POLICE​ TO TAKE THE WRITTEN AND VISION TESTS.
​
IF YOU PASS THE WRITTEN AND VISION TESTS

  • A distinctive 'under 21' permit will be issued to all applicants.​
  • ​​​​Permit holders who are 15 years of age must hold the driving permit for a minimum of 180 days and reach the age of 16.​
  • Permit holders ages 16 - 20 must hold the driving permit for a minimum of 180 days. 
  • The driver must complete a Practice Driving Log with a minimum of 60 hours of practice driving; 10 hours must be completed at night before the driver can apply for an Intermediate License. For the Practice Driving Log and Verification Form, click here​.
  • If you fail the written test, you may return the next available day to retake the test. ​


RULES 
  • Permit holders may only drive when accompanied (in the front passenger seat) by a licensed driver 21 years or older.
  • Passenger restriction – limited to 1 (one) unrelated person under 20 years of age.
  • The driver is not permitted to drive between the 12:00 A.M. (midnight) and 6:00 A.M. unless the driver can demonstrate a good cause for driving, such as emergencies, school-, or work-related activities.
  • The driver will not receive credit while suspended for not complying with KRS 159.051 (No Pass/No Drive Law).
  • If the driver is convicted of a moving traffic violation indicated in KRS 186, 189, and 189A, they will have to restart the 180-day waiting period.​
  • ​Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is prohibited. All drivers under 21 are subject to "Zero Alcohol Tolerance" (Defined as .02 Blood Alcohol Concentration).

After holding a permit for at least 180 days, drivers who are 16 years or older may schedule a driving test with the Kentucky State Police to apply for their intermediate license. A licensed driver who is 21 or older must accompany the applicant to the testing location.​​

Drivers must be at least 16 years of age to take the road test and apply for an Intermediate License.​​
​
REQUIREMENTS TO TAKE THE ROAD TEST
​
  • ​Vehicles used for testing must be properly registered, and proof of liability insurance is required. One of the following will be required as proof:
    • A proof-of-insurance card furnished by the insurance company.
    • A current insurance policy for that vehicle.
    • A binder from an insurance agent, in writing, stating that insurance is in force.
    • NOTE: Rental cars must have the driver’s name listed on the rental contract as an operator. 

  • ​​The Practice Driving Log, signed and certified by the parent/guardian, that lists 60 hours of practice driving, 10 of those hours being at night. 

  • If you fail the road skills test, you must wait seven full days before retaking the test.

DRIVERS MUST SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE KENTUCKY STATE POLICE​ TO TAKE THE ROAD TEST​.
​
IF YOU PASS THE SKILLS TEST
​
  • After completing the road test administered by a Kentucky State Police examiner, the examiner will place an "Intermediate License" sticker on the driver's permit. 
  • After holding the intermediate license for 180 days and completing the required driver education course (see Driver Education Training section below), drivers at least 17 years of age will be eligible for a full unrestricted license. 

Drivers must be at least 17 years of age to be eligible for a full unrestricted license.

RULES AND RESTRICTIONS

  • The driver is not permitted to drive between 12:00 A.M. (midnight) and 6:00 A.M. unless the driver can demonstrate a good cause for driving, such as emergencies, school-, or work-related activities.
  • If the driver is convicted of a moving traffic violation indicated in KRS 186, 189, and 189A, they will have to restart the 180-day waiting period.
  • Passenger restriction if the driver is under 18- limited to 1 (one) unrelated person under 20 years of age.​
  • Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is prohibited. All drivers under 21 are subject to "Zero Alcohol Tolerance" (Defined as .02 Blood Alcohol Concentration). 
​
After completing the graduated driver licensing education course and holding the intermediate license for the full 180-day period, drivers over the age of 17 may schedule an appointment at any Driver Licensing Regional office​ to have your full-unrestricted license issued. 

The office will issue a temporary license printed on paper to use until the license card is delivered by US mail. ​

One valid proof of residency​ (Two for a REAL ID) will be required if the address listed on your intermediate license is not up to date. 

​ A PARENT/ GUARDIAN MUST ACCOMPANY YOU TO YOUR APPOINTMENT!
​
​


GRADUATED DRIVER LICENSING COURSE​​​​

Kentucky has graduated licensing laws to improve traffic safety and reduce traffic accidents, injuries, and fatalities by controlling young drivers' exposure and progressively moving them into more complex driving experiences before full licensure. Drivers whose ​permits were issued under 18 must complete a driver education program before moving to the full, unrestricted licensing phase. Before you are eligible to obtain a full, unrestricted license, you must complete a driver's training program.

Acceptable methods of completing the course are as follows: 

DRIVER EDUCATION TRAINING

Kentucky State Police-approved driver training schools must include four hours of classroom training. These schools may not offer a separate graduated licensing option. Check ​with the school to ensure compliance with Kentucky graduated licensing Requirements.


  • Preferred Driving School
    8172 Mall Rd. Suite 234
    Florence, KY 41042
    (859) 525-4005
    Sure-Drive, Inc.
    8248 Alexandria Pike
    Alexandria, KY 41001
    (859) 331-0007
    Green Light Driving School
    13501 Aiken Rd.
    Louisville, KY 40245
    (502) 254-1414

  • Kentucky Driving School
    4809 Poplar Level Rd.
    Louisville, KY 40213
    (502) 456-5266
    ABC Driving School
    3002 Taylorsville Rd.
    Louisville, KY 40205
    (502) 451-2222
    BG Driving School LLC
    1725 Ashley Cir. Suite 117 A
    Bowling Green, KY 42104
    (270) 303-1687

  • A-1 Driving School LLC
    22 Commonwealth Ave.
    Erlanger, KY 41018
    (859) 727-2353
    Apex Driving School, LLC
    3175 Custer Dr. Suite 201
    Lexington, KY 40517
    (859) 692-9179
    Central KY Driving School
    133 N. Locust Hill Dr. Suite 114
    Lexington, KY 40509
    (859) 538-7775

  • East Kentucky Driving School
    1948 South Mayo Trail
    Pikeville, KY 41501
    (606) 339-7233
    Safe 2 Drive Driving School
    3331 Lovelaceville Rd. Suite A
    Paducah, KY 42001
    (270) 210-2405
    U-Drive Driving School
    7130 Price Pk #3
    Florence, KY 41042
    (859) 282-0300

  • Fred Myers School of Driving
    2773 West Park Dr
    Paducah, KY 42001
    (270) 443-3733

​​​​COMPLETION SUBMISSION PROCESS

​It is the responsibility of the young driver and the parents/guardians to ensure that the driver enrolls and completes one of the programs listed above. 

  • If the driver completed a class offered by Alive at 25 or through the online provider RightLan​e, they don't need to submit their completion to the Division of Driver Licensing. However, completions will take two full business days to process before the driver can be issued a full unrestricted license.​

  • All other completions can be mailed to the address below. Please ensure the driver's license/permit number, name, and date of birth are on the completed form or transcript. It is the driver's responsibility to supply the Division of Driver Licensing with the completed information.

​  Kentuck​​y Transportation Cabinet​
Division of Driver Licensing​​
Attn: Driver Education​​
200 Mero Street​​
Frankfort, KY 40622​ ​
​​