Get your first driver's license in Kentucky

By · checked

How a first-time driver gets a Kentucky license: pass the Kentucky State Police written and vision tests, get a permit at a Regional Office, hold it (180 days under 21, 30 days at 21 or older), then pass the KSP road test.

Your situation

How old are you?
Online or in person
Start online with a myDrive pre-application · At least two tripsYou can fill out a pre-application in myDrive before your testing appointment, and you book the written, vision and road tests with the Kentucky State Police online. The tests, permit and license are in person. KSP written and vision tests, then the permit at a Regional Office; after the holding period, the KSP road test, then the license at a Regional Office. Regional Offices recommend appointments and welcome walk-ins.
Cost
$15 permit ($18 REAL ID)The agency's page for your age group does not list the license fee.
You leave with
Permit, then a driver's license

Your plan

  1. Gather your documents

    • Show accepted documents (bring 1)
      • U.S. birth certificate (Hospital-issued certificates are not valid.)
      • U.S. Consular Report of Birth Abroad
      • U.S. passport or passport card (Valid and unexpired.)
      • Permanent Resident Card (I-551)
      • Certificate of Naturalization (N-550 or N-570)
      • Certificate of Citizenship (N-560 or N-561)
    • Show accepted documents (bring 1)
      • Social Security card
    • Show accepted documents (bring 1)
      • Utility or telephone bill (Dated less than 1 year.)
      • Bank statement (Dated less than 1 year.)
      • Pay slip or salary statement (Dated less than 1 year.)
      • Kentucky voter registration card
      • Lease or rental agreement
      • Mortgage statement
      • Insurance policy
      • Record from a Kentucky school showing enrollment
    • Show accepted documents
      • Registered vehicle
      • Proof of insurance (Insurance card, current policy or an agent's binder.)

  2. Take a free practice test

    Before the knowledge test, try our Kentucky Permit Practice Test: 40 questions like the real exam, based on the official handbook, with every answer explained.

    Start the Kentucky practice test

  3. Schedule the written and vision tests

    All testing is scheduled and given by the Kentucky State Police. Fill out the myDrive pre-application before the appointment and bring all your documents. If you fail the written test, you can retake it the next available day.

    New driver steps ↗

  4. Get your permit at a Regional Office

    After you pass, a Regional Office issues the permit ($15, or $18 for REAL ID). You get a temporary paper permit until the card arrives.

    Find an office ↗

  5. Practice for at least 30 days

    Hold the permit 30 days before the road test. A licensed driver 21 or older must ride in the passenger seat.

    Steps for 21 and older ↗

  6. Pass the KSP road skills test

    Schedule it with the Kentucky State Police and go straight to the test site with a licensed driver 21 or older and a registered, insured vehicle. If you fail, wait seven days before retaking it.

  7. Get your license

    After passing, return to a Driver Licensing Regional Office. Bring one proof of residency if your address changed. A temporary paper license is issued until the card arrives.

Common reasons people get turned away

  • The road test cannot be taken before the permit holding period ends: 180 days under 21, 30 days at 21 or older.
  • Teens cannot apply without a parent or guardian listed on the birth certificate, or court custody papers.
  • First-time applicants must bring the Social Security card; photocopies are not accepted for any document.
  • The test vehicle must be registered and insured, and a rental must list you as an operator.
  • If you fail the road test, you must wait seven days to retake it.
  • Teens need an approved driver education course before the full, unrestricted license.

Offices for permits, tests and first licenses

The Kentucky State Police schedule and give all written, vision and road tests; you get the permit and the license at a Driver Licensing Regional Office after passing. Regional Offices recommend appointments and welcome walk-ins. Agency source.

35 offices where you can apply for a permit or first licenseSee them on a map, search by county or show the ones open now

Largest cities with them: Louisville (5) · Lexington (2)

Results show offices where you can apply for a permit or first license or may be able to, nearest first, each labelled.

Read more

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Sources · checked November 4, 2026

We wrote this plan ourselves from the official pages above on the date shown. Agencies change rules without notice: the official page always wins. DMV Decoded is independent and not a government agency; we don't book appointments or take payments.