Kentucky Permit Practice Test

The Kentucky knowledge test

Passing score

32 of 40 (80%)

Practice test

40 questions

The Kentucky State Police sets the passing score at 80%. Kentucky publishes the 80% pass mark but not the number of questions, so 40 is our practice length, not the length of the real test.

Practice by topic

• Road SignsWhat signs mean and what to do when you see them
• Right-of-WayWho goes first at intersections, crosswalks and roundabouts
• Traffic SignalsLights, arrows and pedestrian signals
• Lanes & TurnsLane markings, turns, passing and merging
• Speed LimitsLimits and how to adjust your speed
• ParkingCurb colors, hills and where you can't park
• Safe DrivingFollowing distance, weather, night driving and sharing the road
• Alcohol & DrugsBlood alcohol limits, DUI rules and medication
• EmergenciesBreakdowns, emergency vehicles and railroad crossings
• License RulesPermits, restrictions for new drivers and points
• Insurance & CollisionsRequired coverage and what to do after a crash
• Phones & DistractionPhone rules and other distractions

Sample Kentucky practice questions

What does a round yellow sign with an X and the letters RR warn of?

• A railroad crossing ahead
• A road closing ahead
• A rest area ahead
• A roundabout ahead

Show the answer

A railroad crossing ahead

Slow down, look and listen, and be ready to stop.

Source: Kentucky Driver Manual, Section Six, Railroad Crossing Warning Signs, PDF p. 44

What lighting must a bicycle have at night in Kentucky?

• A white front light and a red rear reflector or light
• No lights, only bright reflective clothing
• Only a bell or horn mounted on the handlebars
• A red light on the front and nothing on the back

Show the answer

A white front light and a red rear reflector or light

This helps drivers see bicyclists after dark.

Source: Kentucky Driver Manual, Section Ten, Rules for Bicyclists, PDF p. 69

What is the speed limit in a public parking garage or lot in Kentucky?

• 5 mph
• 10 mph
• 15 mph
• 25 mph

Show the answer

15 mph

It applies whether the facility is publicly or privately owned.

Source: Kentucky Driver Manual, Section Eight, Kentucky Speed Limits, PDF p. 57

About how far does a loaded truck at 55 mph need to stop in ideal conditions?

• About 158 feet
• About 50 feet
• At least 335 feet
• About 100 feet

Show the answer

At least 335 feet

That is more than one and a half times what a car needs, so do not cut in front of trucks.

Source: Kentucky Driver Manual, Section Ten, The No Zone (Front No Zones), PDF p. 71

Which sign is a red and white triangle pointing down?

• Stop
• Railroad crossing
• Do Not Enter
• Yield

Show the answer

Yield

It means slow down and let traffic with the right-of-way go first.

Source: Kentucky Driver Manual, Section Six, Regulatory Signs, PDF p. 46

Who gives the vision, knowledge and road tests in Kentucky?

• A local driving school
• The county sheriff
• The county clerk
• The Kentucky State Police

Show the answer

The Kentucky State Police

The Transportation Cabinet handles the application and issues the credential; the State Police do the testing.

Source: Kentucky Driver Manual, Section One, Licensing Requirements, PDF p. 12

A 17-year-old has an intermediate license. How many unrelated passengers under 20 may they carry?

• Two
• Four
• None
• One

Show the answer

One

The one-passenger limit applies to intermediate drivers under 18.

Source: Kentucky Driver Manual, Section One, Intermediate License Driving, PDF p. 15

Kentucky bans nearly all phone use while driving for drivers in which age group?

• Under 25
• Under 21
• Under 18
• Under 16

Show the answer

Under 18

The ban covers drivers under 18 with a permit, intermediate license or operator's license.

Source: Kentucky Revised Statutes 189.294, KRS 189.294(2)

A driver got a license at 17. When does that license expire?

• On the 21st birthday
• 90 days after the 21st birthday
• On the 18th birthday
• 31 days after the 18th birthday

Show the answer

90 days after the 21st birthday

Licenses for drivers under 21 run until 90 days past the 21st birthday.

Source: Kentucky Driver Manual, Section One, Renewals and Duplicate Licenses, PDF p. 24

In the Kentucky Driver Manual's chart of sign shapes, what is the pentagon used for?

• School signs
• Railroad warnings
• Yield signs
• Guide signs

Show the answer

School signs

Yield signs use the triangle, and railroad advance warnings are round.

Source: Kentucky Driver Manual, Section Six, Standard Shapes, PDF p. 49

Take the full practice test

Next steps

• How to get your first driver's license in Kentucky
• Kentucky driver license and ID card: first license, renewal, replacement and REAL ID
• Kentucky DMV offices, hours and services

About these questions

We wrote these practice questions from the facts in the Kentucky Driver Manual (Updated 7-23-26 (file name; PDF created 2026-07-27), read 2026-11-09. Page numbers cited are PDF pages (PDF page = printed page + 8). Where the manual gives no value, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet's Graduated Driver Licensing page (drive.ky.gov) and Kentucky Revised Statutes 189.292 and 189.294 (apps.legislature.ky.gov, read 2026-11-09) are the source edition) and from official sources on road signs. Every answer links to its source, so you can check it and read more.

DMV Decoded is an independent guide, not a government agency. This practice test is not connected to the Kentucky State Police, and your actual test will have different questions. Study the handbook, and check the agency's website for current rules.