You are eligible to get a Learner’s Permit in Kentucky when you are 16 years old

A parental signature on the application is required if driver is under 18 years old

You are eligible for the Kentucky Graduated Driver Licensing program and hold an intermediary license when you are 16 and over

Applicants under the age of 18 requesting a permit or license must present the required documentation for a standard credential or REAL ID (to prove identity, the applicant's Social Security Number, and residency*), plus the following:

• A parent or legal guardian form
• A school compliance verification form
• A Cabinet for Health and Family Services Custody Verification Letter (only required for foster children)

An unlicensed driver wishing to obtain a driver’s license should follow the steps of Kentucky's Graduated Driver Licensing Program

Proof of residency documents may be in the parent or guardian's name if the applicant is under 18. Two proofs of residency are required for a REAL ID

Kentucky’s Graduated Driver Licensing program is only required for drivers obtaining their original permit at the age of 16 or 17

It uses an intermediary period of six months between the learner's permit and the full unrestricted driver license

During the intermediary phase, teenagers hold an intermediate license and are allowed to drive on their own, but with two restrictions on their driving privileges:

1) one restricting driving from 12:00am (midnight) to 6:00am, (except in the case of an emergency)

2) Restricting the driver to only one unrelated passenger under the age of 20

The details can be found here:

https://drive.ky.gov/driver-licensing/Pages/Graduated-Driver-Licensing-Program.aspx

Applicants requesting a first-time standard driver’s license will need to present documentation proving identity, such as a certified birth certificate, U.S. passport or Permanent Resident Card, social security number (such as a social security card or W-2 form), and proof of residency (such as a utility bill or lease; two proofs required for a REAL ID)

The Kentucky DMV phone number is 502-564-1257

Kentucky’s DMV website is:

https://drive.ky.gov/Pages/default.aspx

Kentucky DMV office locations can be found here:

https://drive.ky.gov/Pages/Find-An-Office.aspx

If you are under 18 years old, a parental signature on the application is required. If a parent is unavailable, you can bring a licensed driver over 21 years old

A vision test is required to obtain a Kentucky Learner’s Permit or Driver’s License

A physical exam is not required to obtain a Kentucky Learner’s Permit or Driver’s License

A photograph will be taken at the Kentucky DMV office

Permits are valid for three years.  After you pass the permit test, an ‘under 21’ permit will be issued. Applicants under the age of 21 must hold the driving permit for a minimum of 180 days and comply with the following requirements:

• Permit holders may drive only when accompanied (in the front passenger seat) by a licensed driver 21 years of age or older
• The driver must complete a Practice Driving Log a minimum of 60 hours of practice driving, 10 hours of which must be completed at night
• The driver is not permitted to drive between the hours of 12:00 A.M. (midnight) and 6:00 A.M., unless the driver can demonstrate a good cause for driving, such as emergencies, school-, or work-related activities.
• If the driver is convicted of a moving traffic violation as indicated in KRS 186, 189, and 189A, they will have to restart the 180 day waiting period.
• Except when accompanied by a driver training instructor affiliated with a driver training school licensed under KRS Chapter 332 or a public or nonpublic secondary school, a person with an instruction permit who is under the age of eighteen (18) years shall not operate a motor vehicle at any time when accompanied by more than one (1) unrelated person who is under the age of twenty (20) years