Updated for 2026

Kentucky KSP (Kentucky State Police) / KYTC (Kentucky Transportation Cabinet)

Comprehensive study guide for the 2026 driver's knowledge exam. Everything you need to know about laws, fees, and requirements.

Total Questions

40

Passing Score

32

Standard Fee

$15.00 (Standard Permit) / $24.00 - $48.00 (License, varies by 4 or 8-year term)

Testing System

touchscreen computer

Critical Failure Factors

A primary reason for failure in Kentucky is the 'Rolling Stop'—failing to come to a complete halt at stop signs. Additionally, many applicants fail due to 'Striking an Object' (hitting the curb during parallel parking results in an automatic fail) and failing to yield properly at roundabouts.

Legal Statutes & Driving Codes

Kentucky traffic laws are enforced under the Kentucky Revised Statutes (KRS), with a strong emphasis on integrating academic responsibility with driving privileges. The most distinct and frequently tested regulation for teenagers is the 'No Pass/No Drive' Law (KRS 159.051). This statute mandates that any student aged 16 or 17 applying for a permit or license must present a 'School Compliance Verification Form' signed by their school administrator. If a student drops out of school or has 9 or more unexcused absences in a semester, or fails 3 or more classes, their driver's license is revoked by the Transportation Cabinet until they return to compliance. Kentucky also enforces a rigorous Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) program. The permit phase requires a 180-day holding period for drivers under 21. During this time, they must complete 60 hours of supervised driving, with 10 hours specifically at night. Once an Intermediate License is obtained, the driver is subject to a strict curfew: driving is prohibited between 12:00 AM (Midnight) and 6:00 AM, unless for a documented emergency, school, or work activity. Furthermore, passenger restrictions limit the driver to only one unrelated person under the age of 20 for the first 180 days of the intermediate phase. Another critical safety law is the expanded 'Move Over Law'. While originally for police, it now requires drivers to change lanes away from ANY stationary vehicle displaying flashing lights—including tow trucks, utility vehicles, and highway maintenance crews. If changing lanes is unsafe, the driver must reduce their speed to a 'safe speed' for the conditions (Kentucky leaves the exact MPH reduction to driver discretion, unlike some states, but 'safe' implies significantly slower). Seat belt usage is a primary law in Kentucky, meaning police can pull you over solely for not wearing one. Additionally, texting while driving is banned for all drivers, and for drivers under 18, the use of a cell phone is prohibited entirely, even with hands-free technology.

Statistical Realities

Kentucky's driving environment is diverse, ranging from the urban loops of Louisville to the winding mountain roads of Appalachia, creating unique hazards. A specific hazard often mentioned in local safety guides involves 'Coal Trucks' and heavy machinery in the eastern counties. These vehicles have massive blind spots and require longer stopping distances; drivers are taught never to cut in front of them on a downgrade. Another culturally specific hazard is the presence of horse-drawn buggies, particularly in rural areas like Hart and Christian counties. Drivers must treat buggies as slow-moving vehicles and pass only when explicitly safe, giving them a wide berth to avoid spooking the horses. In terms of infrastructure, Kentucky has aggressively adopted 'Roundabouts' to replace 4-way stops. The golden rule for testing is: yield to traffic already IN the circle (coming from your left), and once you are in the circle, you have the right of way—do NOT stop to let others in. The testing process itself has been modernized with the introduction of the 'Voluntary Travel ID'. This is Kentucky's version of the federal Real ID. Drivers can now choose between a standard 4-year license, an 8-year standard license, or the 8-year Voluntary Travel ID (which has a black star). The standard license is no longer valid for air travel as of the federal enforcement date. Regarding the test score, you need 32 out of 40 questions to pass (80%). The questions are pulled from a pool that heavily favors road signs and specific numbers (like stopping distances and blood alcohol limits). A unique Kentucky legal fact is that while the legal intoxication limit is 0.08%, you can be arrested for DUI with a BAC of lower than 0.08% if the officer determines your ability to drive is impaired (often called 'DUI per se'). Also, be aware of the 'Turnabout' rule. On narrow roads where a U-turn is unsafe, Kentucky drivers may be tested on a 'Three-Point Turn' to reverse direction. Finally, remember that headlights must be on not just at night, but whenever windshield wipers are in use—a law designed for the sudden, heavy rainstorms common in the Ohio Valley.