Question 1

How many questions are on Kentucky's permit knowledge test, and what's the passing score?

Accepted Answer

40 questions, with at least 32 correct (80%) to pass — Kentucky's permit knowledge test has 40 questions — 10 on signs and traffic control devices, 30 on rules of the road — and requires at least 32 correct (80%) to pass.

Question 2

Which agency actually administers Kentucky's written and vision knowledge tests?

Accepted Answer

Kentucky State Police, not the regional licensing office — Kentucky splits the process across two agencies: Driver Licensing Regional Offices handle applications and issuance, but Kentucky State Police (KSP) administers the actual written, vision, and road tests at its own testing sites.

Question 3

What is the minimum age to apply for a Kentucky learner's permit?

Accepted Answer

15 years old — A Kentucky teen may apply for a learner's permit starting at age 15.

Question 4

Under Kentucky's No Pass/No Drive law, what can block a 15-to-17-year-old from getting a permit?

Accepted Answer

Failing grades or 9 or more unexcused absences in a semester — Kentucky's No Pass/No Drive law (KRS 159.051) can deny or revoke a permit or license for a student who lacks passing grades in at least three of four courses, or who accumulates 9 or more unexcused absences in a semester.

Question 5

What must a 15-to-17-year-old bring to a Kentucky regional office to satisfy the No Pass/No Drive law?

Accepted Answer

A School Compliance Verification Form — A student aged 15 to 17 must present a School Compliance Verification Form showing they meet the academic and attendance standards of KRS 159.051 before getting a permit or license.

Question 6

Where must a supervising driver sit while a Kentucky permit holder practices driving?

Accepted Answer

In the front passenger seat — A Kentucky permit holder under 18 must be accompanied by a licensed driver 21 or older seated in the front passenger seat at all times.

Question 7

How many hours of supervised driving does Kentucky require before an intermediate license, and how many at night?

Accepted Answer

60 hours, including 10 at night — Kentucky requires at least 60 hours of supervised driving practice, including 10 hours at night, before advancing to an intermediate license.

Question 8

How long must a Kentucky teen hold a learner's permit before advancing to an intermediate license?

Accepted Answer

180 days — Kentucky requires holding the learner's permit for at least 180 days before applying for an intermediate license.

Question 9

What happens to Kentucky's 180-day permit-holding clock if a teen is convicted of a moving violation?

Accepted Answer

It restarts from zero — A conviction for a moving traffic violation restarts Kentucky's 180-day waiting period required before progressing to the next licensing stage.

Question 10

What is the minimum age for a Kentucky intermediate license?

Accepted Answer

16 years old — A Kentucky applicant must be at least 16 years old for an intermediate license, after completing the 180-day permit hold and the road skills test.

Question 11

What is Kentucky's curfew for an intermediate license holder, absent an exception?

Accepted Answer

No driving from midnight to 6 a.m. — A Kentucky intermediate license holder generally can't drive between midnight and 6 a.m., unless there's good cause such as an emergency, school activity, or work-related need.

Question 12

What passenger restriction applies to a Kentucky intermediate license holder?

Accepted Answer

No more than one unrelated passenger under 20 — A Kentucky intermediate license holder may carry at most one unrelated passenger under age 20 in the vehicle.

Question 13

What must a Kentucky intermediate license holder complete before moving to a full license?

Accepted Answer

An approved 4-hour driver education course — Kentucky requires an intermediate license holder to complete an approved 4-hour driver education course as part of moving toward a full, unrestricted license.

Question 14

At what age can a Kentucky driver move to a full, unrestricted license, if all other requirements are met?

Accepted Answer

17 — A Kentucky driver can advance to a full, unrestricted license at 17, after holding the intermediate license for at least 180 days and completing the required driver education course.

Question 15

What BAC threshold triggers Kentucky's zero-tolerance law for a driver under 21?

Accepted Answer

0.02% — Kentucky's zero-tolerance law flags a BAC of 0.02% or higher for a driver under 21, well below the standard 0.08% adult threshold.

Question 16

Can a Kentucky driver under 18 use a hands-free device to talk on the phone while driving?

Accepted Answer

No — any personal communication device use is prohibited for an under-18 driver — Kentucky bans all personal communication device use, including hands-free calls, for a driver under 18 holding a permit, intermediate license, or operator's license, with narrow emergency exceptions.

Question 17

What does Kentucky's general (all-ages) cell phone law prohibit?

Accepted Answer

Reading, writing, or sending a text message while the vehicle is in motion — For all Kentucky drivers regardless of age, it's illegal to read, write, or send a text message on a personal communication device while the vehicle is in motion.

Question 18

How many days does a new Kentucky resident have to obtain a Kentucky driver's license after moving to the state?

Accepted Answer

30 days — A new Kentucky resident has 30 days to obtain a Kentucky driver's license after establishing residency.

Question 19

Without signs or signals, who has the right-of-way at a Kentucky intersection?

Accepted Answer

The vehicle approaching from the right — At an uncontrolled intersection, a Kentucky driver yields to the vehicle approaching from the right.

Question 20

What does a flashing yellow traffic signal mean in Kentucky?

Accepted Answer

Slow down and proceed with caution; no full stop is required — A flashing yellow signal means proceed with caution, unlike a flashing red, which requires a full stop.

Question 21

What does a double solid yellow line mean for passing in Kentucky?

Accepted Answer

Passing is prohibited for traffic traveling in either direction — A double solid yellow line prohibits passing for vehicles traveling in either direction.

Question 22

What following distance should a Kentucky driver keep in good conditions?

Accepted Answer

At least a 3-second gap — A 3-second following gap in good conditions gives a Kentucky driver enough time to react if the vehicle ahead brakes suddenly.

Question 23

What must Kentucky drivers do when approaching a stopped school bus with flashing red lights on an undivided road?

Accepted Answer

Stop in both directions until the lights stop flashing — Kentucky requires traffic in both directions on an undivided road to stop for a school bus with flashing red lights, and to remain stopped until the lights stop flashing.

Question 24

What should a Kentucky driver do at a railroad crossing with no gates or lights?

Accepted Answer

Slow down, look both ways, and listen before crossing — Even without gates or warning lights, a driver should slow down, look both directions, and listen for an approaching train before crossing.

Question 25

What does Kentucky's basic speed law require regardless of the posted limit?

Accepted Answer

A safe speed for current conditions, even if that's below the posted limit — Kentucky's basic speed law requires a safe speed for current conditions, which can mean driving below the posted limit even when it's technically legal to go faster.

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