Pro tip: Venturing through Kentucky's bluegrass regions and metropolitan areas calls for sharp driving acumen. Our step-by-step guides for manual driving and parallel parking will serve you well. Master the techniques for parking in reverse and three-point turns. It's essential to have your mirrors positioned correctly for visibility. Our Online Driving Simulator offers excellent practice, and for international drivers, make sure to understand Kentucky's international driver's license rules.
I’m 18+ (Intermediate License or Instruction Permit Holders)No copies or laminated documents are acceptable.
If you are a non-US citizen, check here for other documents you are required to bring depending upon your status in the US.
You will be issued a permit or a distinctive "under 21" permit if you are younger than 21.
Applicants under the age of 21 must hold the driving permit for a minimum of 180 days.
Applicants older than 21 must hold the permit for at least 30 days.
If you are under 18 years of age, your next step is applying for the intermediate driver's license.
If you are over 18 years of age, your next step is applying for the full driver's license.
Carry your learner’s permit for at least 180 days
Everybody under the age of 21 must hold the permit for 180 days before proceeding.
Complete a Practice driving log
You parents/guardians should log at least 60 hours of practice driving, 10 hours of which must be completed at night. Your parent is also required to sign a verification form.
Print your eligibility letter
Check your eligibility here, print the letter and take it to your Kentucky State Police License Examiner.
Take a driving skills test
Testing times and locations are available from the Circuit Clerk’s Office in your county of residence. Call your office to find out if an appointment is necessary. You are required to bring your own vehicle. If you fail the test you will have to wait at least 7 days before retaking it.
When you pass the driving skills test, the examiner will place an "Intermediate License" sticker on your permit. After holding the intermediate license for 180 days or once you turn 18, you will be eligible for a full license, provided that the required driver education course has been completed.
Before you apply for your Kentucky full driver's license. You are required to get a driver's permit. Check this guide to get a driver's permit in Kentucky.
Intermediate license holder under 18 years of age? Hold your license for 180 days, complete a driver education course, print your eligibility letter and visit the Circuit Clerk's Office in your county of residence.
Permit holder? Start from Step 1.
If your permit was issued under the age of 18, you are required to complete a Driver Education program. The course offered by the Transportation Cabinet is a free, 4-hour course on driver safety. Other possible methods of completing the course are an online course or an approved private school. If you have already completed a high school driver's education course or Driver License approved driver training school course, provide a copy of the completion to:
ATTN: Driver Education
Division of Driver Licensing
200 Mero St
Frankfort, KY 40622
OR fax to (502) 564-0839
Make sure that your driver license number, name and date of birth are on the completion.
You must bring a vehicle with proper registration and insurance confirmation. If you pass the test, the examiner will record your result and send you to the Circuit Clerk’ Office. If you fail the road skills test, you will have to wait at least 7 days before trying it again.
The exam will check your ability to drive safely in traffic, encountering normal situations.
Most counties require appointments for road tests. Check with your local Examiner or Circuit Court Clerk regarding the schedule and appointment system in your county.
You must be accompanied by a licensed driver of at least 21 years of age who won’t be permitted to ride with you during the test but will wait to ride with you home if you fail the test.
The vehicle you bring to the test must have the following:
The following equipment must be in good condition:
Avoid the following:
You must demonstrate to the examiner that you know how to operate the following:
Your job is to follow the examiners instructions, drive safely and demonstrate overall vehicle control. The following maneuvers will be evaluated during the test:
You will be disqualified automatically if you
Good news! If either of the following applies to you, you do not require to transfer your driver’s license.
If you become a resident of Kentucky, you must transfer your out-of-state license within 30 days of establishing residence.
You must transfer your license in person in the Circuit Clerk’s Office of your county of residence. Note that all non-U.S. citizens (excluding permanent residents and resident aliens) must apply at a Division of Driver Licensing Regional Field Office.
Note that if you are a non-U.S. citizen with an out-of-state driver’s license, you will have to take vision, written and road skills tests in Kentucky (It doesn’t apply to permanent residents and resident aliens, though).
Once you have met all the requirements, the Circuit Clerk’s office will issue you a license. Your new Kentucky driver’s license will be valid for 4 years. Starting from 2019 new REAL ID cards will be valid for 8 years.
If you are a non U.S. citizen, you may drive in Kentucky on your valid foreign license and International Permit for up to one year from the date of admission into the U.S. if your home country is part of the Foreign License Reciprocity. Drivers from non-Foreign License Reciprocity Countries or US citizens must obtain a Kentucky license within 30 days of establishing residency in Kentucky.
To transfer a foreign driver’s license, non U.S. citizens (excluding permanent residents and resident aliens) must first apply at a Division of Driver Licensing Regional Field Office. Permanent residents and resident aliens may apply directly at the Circuit Clerk’s Office of their county of residence.
Provide the following documentation if issued to you:
Check here for other documents you are required to bring depending upon your status in the US. No copies or laminated documents are acceptable.
Testing times and locations are available from the Circuit Clerk’s Office in your county of residence. Call your office to find out if an appointment is necessary. You are required to bring your own vehicle. If you fail the test you will have to wait at least 7 days before retaking it.
The Circuit Clerk’s Office will issue a license for you, which will be valid for 4 years or till your legal stay in the U.S. ends. After 2019 Real ID licenses will be valid for 8 years.
