Kentucky Driver's License Practice Test 2025

The Kentucky State Police (KSP) Driver Testing Branch administers the vision test, written knowledge test, and road/skills test — not the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) directly, and not a traditional "DMV." KYTC's Division of Driver Licensing (drive.ky.gov) handles your application paperwork and issues the physical license after you pass. Appointments and regional testing locations are managed through the KSP Driver Testing Branch. A minimum score of 80% is required on the written test to pass.

KRS 189.050 requires horse-drawn vehicles traveling on public roads: (1) during daylight — must display a slow-moving vehicle (SMV) emblem (the orange-red reflective triangle) on the rear; (2) after dark — must display a white or amber light visible from the front AND a red light or red reflective material visible from the rear. Riders on horseback after dark must wear or carry reflective gear or lights. These rules apply throughout Kentucky but are especially relevant in Amish-concentrated counties (Ohio, Breckinridge, Logan, Grayson, etc.). Drivers must slow, give space, and never honk at horse-drawn vehicles — horses can panic and cause fatal accidents.

Brent's Law (HB 452, enacted 2020) applies to ALL DUI offenses where a passenger under 12 is in the vehicle — including first-time offenders. Without a child passenger, a first DUI is a misdemeanor. With a passenger under 12, it becomes a minimum Class D felony (1–5 years imprisonment). This makes the charge felony-level from the very first offense — not just for repeat offenders. Additionally, IID installation is required upon any reinstatement after a Brent's Law conviction. The law has been praised by child safety advocates and cited in similar legislation in other states.

Kentucky's three-stage GDL: (1) Instruction Permit at 16 — supervised by licensed adult 21+ in front seat at all times, 180-day minimum hold, 60 hours supervised (10 night); (2) Intermediate License — obtained by passing the road skills test, curfew midnight–6AM without adult 21+ (except work/school/emergency), max 1 non-family passenger under 20; (3) Full Unrestricted License — issued after holding the intermediate license for a full 180 days AND completing an approved driver training program (required before the 18th birthday for those under 18). There's no separate fixed age for the full license — it's earned by completing all three steps, which for most 16-year-old starters lands around age 17-18. If a permit holder under 18 is convicted of certain moving or DUI violations, an additional 180 days is added before intermediate-license eligibility.

Kentucky's SB 332 (effective July 8, 2022) permits hands-free GPS navigation. A phone mounted on the dashboard or windshield in a holder where the driver doesn't need to hold or touch it is legal. Voice-activated navigation apps are fully permitted. The law prohibits only physically holding the device or manually touching the screen while driving. Using a mounted phone as a GPS (looking at the map, not touching the screen while moving) is legal. The key question is: is the driver touching or holding the device? If yes, it's prohibited. Mounted, hands-free use for GPS: permitted.

Kentucky requires minimum liability coverage of 25/50/25: $25,000 bodily injury per person, $50,000 per accident, and $25,000 property damage. Kentucky is also a no-fault state — drivers are required to carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) of at least $10,000. PIP covers your own medical expenses regardless of who caused the accident. Kentucky drivers may choose to opt out of the no-fault system with a signed form, accepting the right to sue and be sued. This opt-out is a significant decision — drivers who stay in the no-fault system cannot sue for pain and suffering in minor accidents. Proof of insurance must be in the vehicle at all times.

Kentucky DUI reinstatement requires: (1) serving the full suspension period (90 days for first DUI, longer for subsequent); (2) completing a court-ordered alcohol treatment or education program; (3) filing an SR-22 certificate of financial responsibility with the Division of Driver Licensing; (4) paying reinstatement fees; (5) IID installation if required by Brent's Law or aggravating factors. SR-22 must be maintained for 3 years. A second DUI in Kentucky requires a minimum 18-month license revocation and mandatory IID upon reinstatement. Third DUI: 3-year revocation.

Kentucky's Appalachian region (eastern Kentucky, including the Cumberland and Pine Mountains) presents specific driving challenges that the DMV test addresses. Kentucky law requires drivers to: (1) use lower gears on steep downgrades to reduce brake reliance; (2) use pullouts when 5 or more vehicles are backed up behind you on mountain roads; (3) drive at speeds appropriate for mountain road conditions (basic speed rule applies — posted limit may not reflect safe speed on curves). Kentucky doesn't have as many runaway truck ramps as Colorado, but the mountain driving principles are addressed in the driver manual because eastern Kentucky highways include grades on US 23, US 119, and KY 15 that require specific driving technique.

Kentucky is a choice no-fault state. If you remain in the no-fault system (default), your own PIP coverage pays for your medical expenses up to $10,000 regardless of who caused the accident — you cannot sue the other driver for pain and suffering unless the accident causes death, permanent injury, or medical bills exceeding $1,000. If you file to opt out of no-fault (by signing a form with the state), you keep the right to sue and be sued for any accident. The opt-out is irrevocable for 3 years. Drivers who opt out face greater litigation risk but retain full tort rights. The knowledge test may include basic questions about Kentucky's no-fault insurance requirement.

Kentucky requires a minimum visual acuity of 20/200 in at least one eye (with or without corrective lenses) for a standard Class D license. If your best-corrected vision is 20/60 or better in at least one eye, no restriction is placed on the license. If vision is 20/60 to 20/200 in the better eye, a daylight-only restriction is placed on the license. Kentucky also requires adequate field of vision. The vision screening is conducted at the Division of Driver Licensing office when applying for a permit or renewing a license. If you wear glasses or contacts, bring them to the vision test — your prescription may determine whether a corrective lens restriction is noted on your license.