Kentucky Online Driver Education and Kentucky Licensing Procedures
Congratulations on starting the process of applying for your Kentucky learner's permit or first Kentucky driver's license. Kentucky has a Graduated Driver License Program for Kentucky teen drivers, and there are a few things to keep in mind to make sure that applying for your Kentucky driving license goes as smoothly as possible. So let's get started.
Kentucky Instructional Permit or Kentucky Learner Permit
When you're 16, you can apply for a Kentucky learner's permit. You'll need to make an appointment at your local Circuit Court Clerk's office and bring the following:
- Social security card
- Birth certificate
- Proof of residence
- A school compliance verification form (if under 18)
- Also, your parent/guardian must sign a financial responsibility waiver (if under 18)
At your local Circuit Court Clerk's office, you'll have to pass a Kentucky permit test. If you survived, then congratulations! You just earned your Kentucky learner's permit. Remember that with your Kentucky learner's permit, you can only practice driving with another licensed driver over 21. After you've had your Kentucky learner permit for 180 days, you'll be ready to apply for your Kentucky intermediate driver's license.
Your First Kentucky Driver's License
In order to apply for your Kentucky intermediate driver's license, you'll need to make sure you follow a few Kentucky State requirements:
- Have your Kentucky learner's permit in good standing for 180 days
- Complete at least 60 hours of practice time
- 10 hours must be at night
- You'll have to fill out a Practice Driving Log and Verification Form
- If you're under 18, you'll have to complete either a Graduate License Course (4 hours, free), High School Drivers Education Course, or Private Driver Training course
So when you've had your Kentucky learner's permit for at least 180 days, and have satisfied these conditions, head on down to your local Circuit Court Clerk's office where you'll have to pass the dreaded road exam. Survive? Then congratulations again. You've just earned your Kentucky intermediate driver license! However, you'll still have to drive with a few restrictions until you've had your Kentucky intermediate driver's license for another 180 days.
Kentucky Teen Driver License Restrictions and Penalties
There are several restrictions you need to keep in mind regarding your Kentucky intermediate driver's license:
- you must hold your Kentucky intermediate driver's license for 180 days before becoming eligible to receive an unrestricted license
- you cannot drive between 12AM and 6AM unless you have good cause (emergencies, school or work related activities)
- you can only drive with 1 unrelated person under 20
- if you accumulate more than 6 points on your Kentucky driver's license, it will be suspended
- make sure to abide by the Kentucky zero tolerance rule, (which is defined as a Blood Alcohol Concentration of .02)
If you've driven without incident for 180 days, then congratulations. You can now apply for your Indiana unrestricted license.
Kentucky Auto Insurance Kentucky Financial Responsibility Laws
Once you receive your Kentucky drivers license, you're ready to drive--or are you? Any vehicle registered in Kentucky must be covered by liability insurance. The minimum coverage is:
- $25,000 per person for bodily injury
- $50,000 per accident for bodily injury
- $10,000 for property damage, and $50,000 for under insured motorists.
If you are caught driving without Kentucky mandatory liability insurance, your Kentucky learner's permit or Kentucky restricted driver license could be suspended and you could be fined.
Kentucky Drunk Driving, Cell Phone, and Text Messaging Laws
As a new Kentucky driver, it's important for you to learn the Kentucky drunk driving, cell phone, and text messaging laws. First of all, Kentucky has a zero tolerance law, so if you're under 21 and are caught with a Blood Alcohol Content of .02, you'll face fines as well as Kentucky driver's license suspension.
Upon your first conviction of a Kentucky DUI (0.08), you'll face the following penalties:
- Jail sentence of 2-30 days
- $200-$500 fine
- Kentucky license suspension 30-120 days
- Alcohol or Drug Treatment Program for 90 days
- Community service of 48 hours to 30 days
And of course, further Kentucky DUI convictions will result in increased jail time, community service, fines, and Kentucky license suspension or even Kentucky license revocation.
Currently, Kentucky prohibits teen drivers who have a Kentucky learner's permit or Kentucky intermediate license from driving while using a cell phone.
Kentucky Online Driver Education
For information about approved Kentucky online driver education courses, you can find more information here.