Kentucky Drivers Education

Driving is a privilege that will allow you to travel and experience all the wonderful things the Commonwealth of Kentucky has to offer but along with this privilege comes responsibility that you understand the rules of the road as they pertain to you.

Teens who are considering applying for a Learners Permit must fully understand the new regulations as they apply to new applicants. These regulations include the ‘no pass – no drive’ rules that went into affect for all new applicants after August 1, 2007. This regulation states that you must be attending school, you must have passed at least four courses (current or previous quarter), you may not have had more than nine (9) unexcused absences, and you may not have dropped out of school. Proof will be required by submission of a school compliance verification form which may be obtained from your schools office. If you are 16 or 17 years old and have a driver’s license and you are in violation of this regulation, your license will be revoked and may only be reinstated once you are in compliance through a new application process.

Like many other states, the Commonwealth of Kentucky does have a graduated licensing process – this process works this way:

Permit Phase

Applicants for a permit must be at least 16 years of age, parent or guardian must sign the permit application for applicants under the age of 18, taking responsibility for you; you must successfully pass the written permit examination and the vision test, if you are under 21 you must have a driving permit for a minimum of 180 days, if you are over 21 you must have the driving permit for a minimum of 30 days, you may only drive with licensed driver over 21 years old accompanying them in the front passenger seat and complete a minimum of 60 hours of practice driving, 10 of which must be night-time driving.

In addition, if you are under the age of 18, you will not be allowed to drive between the hours of 12 midnight and 6 a.m. unless the driver can demonstrate a good cause for driving such as emergencies, school or work related activities, if you are issued a moving traffic violation conviction you will have to restart the 180 day Permit waiting period; if you are a permit holder you shall not operate a motor vehicle at any time with more than 1 unrelated person under 20 in the car, any violation of the “Zero Alcohol Tolerance” (defined as .02 Blood Alcohol concentration) will result in suspension of your permit. It is important that you also are aware of Kentucky’s point system since a driver under 18 who accumulates more than 6 points, or if you are 18 and over and accumulate 12 points you may have your driving privileges suspended. You are not allowed to have any serious moving violations if you are under the age of 18 - also, don’t forget to Buckle Up, it’s the Law! Everyone in the vehicle must wear a seatbelt at all times.

Intermediate License Phase

You may apply for an Intermediate Drivers License if your parent or guardian certifies that you have completed at least sixty (60) hours of driving practice including ten (10) during the night. If you received your permit before you were 18, you must pass the driving skills test to qualify for an intermediate license and your license will carry a sticker that clearly states ‘Intermediate License’. If you did not receive a permit before the age of 18, you do not have to complete the Intermediate Licensing phase, but instead may apply for a full, unrestricted driver’s license.

If you are an Intermediate License holder and are under the age of 18, you may drive only between 12 midnight and 6am unless you can prove it is an emergency, a school related activity or a work related activity. Other restrictions include not having more than one unrelated person under the age of 20 in the car with you at any time, if you receive a moving violation you will have to start your waiting period (180 days) over again, you must have completed an approved drivers education course before you can apply for an unrestricted license, you must abide by the “Zero Alcohol Tolerance” policy, if you accumulate more than 6 points your driving privileges may be suspended and you are not allowed any moving violations. Buckle Up, it’s the Law! Everyone in the vehicle must wear a seatbelt at all times.

Full Unrestricted Driver License Phase

Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is prohibited. All drivers under the age of 21 are subject to “Zero Alcohol Tolerance”. All drivers are subject to Kentucky’s point system and drivers under the age of 18 who accumulate more than 6 points, or a driver age 18 and over who accumulates 12 points may have their driving privilege suspended. Buckle Up, it’s the Law! Everyone in the vehicle must wear a seatbelt at all times.