Kentucky driver's license
Get your first license in Kentucky after moving to the US.
The short answer
The Kentucky State Police runs the testing for a first Kentucky driver's license.1 A standard license costs $21.50 for a four-year term and $43.00 for an eight-year term.2 If you fail the written test, you may return the next available day to retake it.3 A licensed driver aged 21 or older must come with you to the testing site on road test day.4
How it goes
- 1You arriveYou have moved to Kentucky and you want to drive here.
- 2Your permitYou practice on the road with a learner permit.
- 3The written testYou take the written test.
- 4Behind the wheelYou take the drive test behind the wheel.
- 5Your licenseYou pass the tests, and the license is yours.
What it costs
| What you pay | Amount |
|---|---|
| Standard driver's license, eight-year card2 | $43.00 |
| Standard driver's license, four-year card2 | $21.50 |
| REAL ID driver's license, eight-year card2 | $48.00 |
| REAL ID driver's license, four-year card2 | $24.00 |
If you just arrived in the US
Your immigration status
A license or ID card issued to a non-US citizen expires with their USCIS documents.5
You are issued only a standard operator's license or instruction permit.6
If your license from another state has expired
If it expired more than one year ago, bring a certified Driver History Record or clearance letter dated within the last 30 days and pass the written knowledge test and vision screening.7
Documents you need
- Documents that are still validPassports and immigration documents issued by DHS or USCIS must be valid and unexpired with a photograph, and non-expiring civil records such as birth certificates must be originals or certified copies with an official seal.8
Your Social Security Number
Giving your number, and who may see it
You must give your Social Security number, or a letter from the Social Security Administration declining to issue one, and the Transportation Cabinet electronically scans and keeps your application, supporting documents, and photograph.9
Tests you take
Eye test
You must show visual acuity of 20/40 or better, corrected or uncorrected, before taking the written test; if you do not meet that standard, you are referred to a vision specialist, and after the referral an acuity of 20/60 or better makes you eligible to test.10
Drive test
No testing is required to transfer a valid out-of-state license, or one expired less than one year.11
Tries you get on the written test
If you fail the written test, you can return the next available day to retake it.3
Practice questions for the written test
The official study book is the Kentucky Driver Manual, hosted by the Kentucky State Police at https://wp.kentuckystatepolice.ky.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Kentucky-Driver-Manual-10-11-2023.pdf. The posted edition is dated October 2023.12
Practising with your permit
Who can sit with you while you practise
A learner permit holder must be accompanied at all times by a driver with a valid operator license who is at least 21 years old and sits in the front passenger seat.13
What to bring to the drive test
Who comes with you
A licensed driver who is 21 or older must come with you to the testing site.4
The car and its insurance
A rental car is allowed if you are listed as the renter, you bring the rental agreement, and the agreement shows you are insured. The car must also meet all other requirements.14
A car with temporary tags is allowed if the tag is valid on test day and matches the car.15
You can use a backup camera during the road test, but you must still show proper backing skills and not rely on the camera alone.16
You cannot use parallel park assist during the road test. You must complete the parallel parking maneuver without assistance.17
The test car must be registered and insured. Proof of insurance can be an insurance card, a current insurance policy, or an insurance binder from an agent.18
The front passenger area, seat, and floor must be clean, or the car can be rejected. The car needs clean, working factory-installed seat belts for you and the examiner.19
Where to go
Who gives the tests
The Kentucky State Police oversees and conducts all driver testing in Kentucky.1
Other states
U
Sources
Every numbered fact above is quoted from the page that publishes it, in the words it uses.
- 1
“The Kentucky State Police oversees all testing for Kentucky.”
drive.ky.gov/Drivers/Pages/New-To-Kentucky.aspxChecked July 26, 2026
- 2
“Driver’s License: Standard 4 Year $21.50, Standard 8 Year $43.00, REAL ID 4 Year $24.00, REAL ID 8 Year $48.00”
drive.ky.gov/Drivers/Pages/New-To-Kentucky.aspxChecked July 26, 2026
- 3
“If you fail the written test, you may return the next available day to retake it.”
drive.ky.gov/Drivers/Pages/Over-21.aspxChecked July 26, 2026
- 4
“A licensed driver age 21 or older must accompany you to the testing site.”
drive.ky.gov/Drivers/Pages/Over-21.aspxChecked July 26, 2026
- 5
“A license or ID card issued to a non-U.S. citizen will expire with their USCIS documents.”
drive.ky.gov/Drivers/Pages/Non-US-Citizen.aspxChecked July 28, 2026
- 6
“(d) An applicant under this section shall only be issued a standard operator's license or instruction permit.”
web.archive.org/…/statute.aspxChecked August 9, 2026
- 7
“Out-of-state license expired more than one year ago? Bring a certified Driver History Record or clearance letter dated within the last 30 days and pass the written knowledge test and vision screening.”
drive.ky.gov/Drivers/Pages/New-To-Kentucky.aspxChecked August 1, 2026
- 8
“Passport documents A Kentucky post office box address is not sufficient Veteran/military document, you must show legal Valid and unexpired with photograph”
drive.ky.gov/Drivers/Documents/ValidProofDocuments.pdfChecked August 1, 2026
- 9
“Social Security number or a letter from the Social Security Administration declining to issue a Social Security number”
web.archive.org/…/statute.aspxChecked August 1, 2026
- 10
“If the applicant does not meet the minimum visual acuity standards, they will be referred A proof-of-insurance card furnished by to a vision specialist for further examination. the insurance company. After the referral has been completed, applicants whose visual acuity is 20/60 or A current insurance policy for that better shall be eligible to test for an vehicle. instruction permit or operator’s license.”
wp.kentuckystatepolice.ky.gov/…/Kentucky-Driver-Manual-10-11-2023.pdfChecked August 1, 2026
- 11
“No testing is required for a valid out-of-state license or a license expired less than one year.”
drive.ky.gov/Drivers/Pages/New-To-Kentucky.aspxChecked July 28, 2026
- 12
“Study the Driver Manual (opens in a new tab) [URL: https://wp.kentuckystatepolice.ky.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Kentucky-Driver-Manual-10-11-2023.pdf]”
drive.ky.gov/Drivers/Pages/Over-21.aspxChecked July 26, 2026
- 13
“Kentucky law requires that a licensed driver 21 years of age or older must occupy the passenger at all times when a permit holder is operating a vehicle.”
kentuckystatepolice.ky.gov/driver-testingChecked July 26, 2026
- 14
“Rental cars may only be used for testing if the applicant provides the rental agreement and the applicant is listed as the renter. The agreement must show that the applicant is insured, and the vehicle must meet all other requirements.”
kentuckystatepolice.ky.gov/driver-testingChecked July 26, 2026
- 15
“As long as the tag matches the testing vehicle and is valid at the time of the test.”
kentuckystatepolice.ky.gov/driver-testingChecked July 26, 2026
- 16
“Yes. However, the applicant should not be completely reliant upon this technology.”
kentuckystatepolice.ky.gov/driver-testingChecked July 26, 2026
- 17
“The applicant must complete this maneuver without assistance.”
kentuckystatepolice.ky.gov/driver-testingChecked July 26, 2026
- 18
“Vehicles used during testing must be properly registered and insured. One of the following is accepted as proof: Insurance card Current insurance policy Insurance binder from an agent Rental cars must have the driver's name listed on the rental contract as an operator.”
drive.ky.gov/Drivers/Pages/Over-21.aspxChecked July 26, 2026
- 19
“Vehicles used during testing must be properly registered and insured. One of the following is accepted as proof: Insurance card Current insurance policy Insurance binder from an agent Rental cars must have the driver’s name listed on the rental contract as an operator.”
drive.ky.gov/Drivers/Pages/Over-21.aspxChecked July 31, 2026
- 20
“SCHEDULE APPOINTMENT [URL: https://telegov.egov.com/KSP]”
kentuckystatepolice.ky.gov/driver-testingChecked July 26, 2026
- 21
“Schedule an appointment [URL: https://driveky.qmatic.io/booking/singlebooking/serviceselection]”
drive.ky.gov/Pages/Find-an-Office.aspxChecked July 26, 2026
- 22
“Click a button below to find the nearest office based on your location, or select an office from the dropdown list.”
drive.ky.gov/Pages/Find-an-Office.aspxChecked July 26, 2026
- 23
“TESTING LOCATIONS [URL: https://wp.kentuckystatepolice.ky.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Regional-Testing-Locations-Hours-5-29-26.pdf]”
kentuckystatepolice.ky.gov/driver-testingChecked July 26, 2026
Applying for a driver's license in Kentucky?
Answer a few questions and see the steps that apply to you.