Kentucky Drivers Ed (GDL) – Powered by DriversEd.com Drivers License Guide

How to Get Your Kentucky Drivers License

There are three phases to getting your Kentucky drivers license, depending on your age. Taking a Graduated License course – such as the online Kentucky GDL course we offer – is just a part of that process. Here’s how it works.

Step 1: The Kentucky Permit Phase

You may begin the process at age 16 by taking the written knowledge test and the vision test.

• Online driving manuals are available on the Kentucky State Police site.
• You must provide proof of identification: Social Security card, certified birth certificate, or an acceptable proof of residence.
• If you are under 18 years old, you also must provide a compliance verification form issued by your school.

Once you pass your permit test, you will be issued a Kentucky permit. If you are under 21 years old, you must keep the permit for 180 days. If you are 21 and older, you only need to keep it for 30 days.

During the permit phase, certain restrictions will apply to all permit holders. You are only allowed to drive when accompanied by a licensed Kentucky driver (21 and older). This passenger must ride in the front seat.

Additional restrictions for Kentucky permit holders under 18:

• Must complete a total of 60 hours of practice driving. At least 10 of these hours must be at night.
• Not allowed to drive between midnight and 6:00 a.m. Exceptions will be made for drivers who have demonstrable reason for driving during these hours (school/work activities, emergencies, etc).
• Must not have more than 1 unrelated person under the age of 20 in the vehicle at any time.
• If a driver receives a moving traffic violation (under KRS 186, 189, or 189A) the driver’s 180-day waiting period begins again.
• Must complete one of the following New Driver Education Programs:
  • Graduated License Course (4 hours)
  • High School Drivers Education
  • Private Driver Training Course (training school must be approved)

Additional restrictions for permit holders under 21:

If you are under 21, you are subject to Kentucky’s Zero Tolerance law. This means driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is strictly prohibited. The tolerance level is defined as 0.02% blood alcohol content.

Restrictions for All Drivers:

Kentucky’s point system states that drivers could face license suspension if:

• Under 18: driver accumulates more than 6 points.
• Over 18: driver accumulates more than 12 points.

For more information, please refer to the Kentucky Point System page.

If, for some reason, you don’t pass on your first try, you may try again on the next available testing day. You can repeat this process for up to 6 attempts. If you fail 6 times, you must wait 6 months before trying again.

Step 2: The Intermediate Drivers License Phase

Once you have held your Kentucky permit for the appropriate time period (180 days for 21 and under, 30 days for 21 and over), you can do the following:

• Apply for your Kentucky intermediate drivers license.
• Take your driving skills test.

Keep in mind that to make your appointment, you must contact your county’s Circuit Clerk’s Office.

Driving Skills Test Requirements:

• Driver’s parent or guardian must verify the driver has completed their 60 hours of practice driving (10 of which were done at night).
• Proper registration and proof of insurance for the vehicle used for the test.

Passing the Skills Test

Under 18:

• After you pass, your Kentucky State Police driving examiner will place an “intermediate license” sticker on your Kentucky driver’s permit.
• After passing, you must successfully hold this intermediate drivers license for 180 days, adhering to all restrictions:
  • No driving between the hours of midnight and 6:00 a.m. (unless driver can provide legitimate reason, such as work or school).
  • If driver receives a moving traffic violation (under KRS 186, 189, or 189A) the driver’s 180-day waiting period begins again.
  • Must not have more than 1 unrelated person under the age of 20 in the vehicle at any time.
  • Must complete one of the following New Driver Education Programs:
    • Graduated License Course (4 hours)
    • High School Drivers Education
    • Private Driver Training Course (training school must be approved )
• If a driver gets more than 6 points during this time, he or she can have their license suspended.

Additional restrictions for intermediate Kentucky drivers license holders under 18:
If you are under 21, you are subject to Kentucky’s Zero Tolerance law. This means driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is strictly prohibited. The tolerance level is defined as 0.02% blood alcohol content.

If You Don’t Pass

If you fail the Driving Skills test on your first attempt, you must wait one week before taking it again. If you fail 6 times, you must wait a period of 6 months before you’re allowed to take it again. From there, you’ll only have 2 attempts to pass.

Step 3: The Full, Unrestricted Kentucky Drivers License Phase

IF YOU ARE UNDER 18: Once you have held your intermediate license for 180 days and completed your New Driver Education Program, you may apply for the full, unrestricted Kentucky drivers license.

IF YOU ARE OVER 18: Once you have held your permit for 180 days and completed your New Driver Education Program, you may apply for the full, unrestricted Kentucky drivers license.

Things to Remember:

• You must bring a Graduated Licensing Eligibility Letter with you when applying for the full unrestricted Kentucky drivers license.
• If you are over 21, it will be indicated on your drivers license.
• If you are under 21, you are subject to Kentucky’s Zero Tolerance law. This means driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is strictly prohibited. The tolerance level is defined as 0.02% blood alcohol content.
• Kentucky’s point system states that drivers could face license suspension if:
  • Under 18: driver accumulates more than 6 points.
  • Over 18: driver accumulates more than 12 points.