Kentucky bans nearly all phone use while driving for drivers in which age group?
- Under 21
- Under 25
- Under 16
- Under 18
Show the answer
Under 18
The ban covers drivers under 18 with a permit, intermediate license or operator's license.
Kentucky Phones & Distraction practice test
Practice phone rules and other distractions: 18 questions based on the Kentucky Driver Manual, 9 of them on Kentucky's own rules.
Key Kentucky facts: Phones & Distraction
- A driver under 18 with an instruction permit, intermediate license or operator's license may not use a personal communication device while driving, except to call for medical, police or public safety help in an emergency. KRS 189.294(2)
- For drivers under 18, an integrated or stand-alone navigation system does not count as using a device, but manually entering information into a phone's GPS does. KRS 189.294(3)
- The texting ban does not cover using a GPS feature, or reading, selecting or entering a phone number or name to make a call; an adult driver may also write a text to report illegal activity, summon medical help or police, or prevent injury. KRS 189.292(3)
- Sending or receiving a text takes the eyes off the road for about 4.6 seconds, which at 55 mph is like driving the length of a football field. Section Three, Driver Distractions, PDF p. 31
- Visual-manual tasks with hand-held phones, such as reaching, dialing and texting, were found to triple crash risk. Section Three, Driver Distractions, PDF p. 31
Sample Phones & Distraction questions
An adult driver in Kentucky enters a contact's name on a phone to place a call while moving. Does the texting law ban this?
- Only on interstates
- No, it is an exception
- Yes, unless the car is stopped
- Yes, all phone use is banned
Show the answer
No, it is an exception
The texting ban also does not cover a GPS feature. Talking or texting while driving is still a distraction to avoid.
About how long does a text take your eyes off the road?
- About 4.6 seconds
- About half a second
- About 1 second
- About 30 seconds
Show the answer
About 4.6 seconds
At 55 mph, that equals driving the length of a football field.
Source: Kentucky Driver Manual, Section Three, Driver Distractions, PDF p. 31
Under Kentucky's texting law, when may an adult driver write a text while the car is moving?
- To report illegal activity or summon help
- To reply to a friend at low speed
- Never, with no exceptions
- On any road with light traffic
Show the answer
To report illegal activity or summon help
The law also allows texting to prevent injury to a person or property. Pulling off the road first is still the safer choice.
A 17-year-old with an intermediate license wants to make a phone call while driving. Is it allowed in Kentucky?
- Yes, on roads with light traffic
- No, only emergency calls for help
- Yes, with a hands-free device
- Yes, if the call is short
Show the answer
No, only emergency calls for help
Drivers under 18 may not use a phone while driving except to call medical, police or public safety help in an emergency.
What is a distraction, according to the Kentucky Driver Manual?
- Anything that pulls attention from driving
- Only using a cell phone while moving
- Only things happening outside the car
- Only loud music in the car
Show the answer
Anything that pulls attention from driving
Eating, grooming and talking with passengers can all be distractions.
How do tasks like reaching for, dialing or texting on a hand-held phone affect crash risk?
- They raise it slightly
- They cut it in half
- They triple it
- They have no effect
Show the answer
They triple it
A study cited in the Driver Manual found three times the risk.
Source: Kentucky Driver Manual, Section Three, Driver Distractions, PDF p. 31
Thinking about something other than driving is which type of distraction?
- Mechanical
- Cognitive
- Manual
- Visual
Show the answer
Cognitive
Texting is especially risky because it combines visual, manual and cognitive distraction.
Source: Kentucky Driver Manual, Section Three, Driver Distractions, PDF p. 31
A 16-year-old driver types an address into a phone map app while driving. Is that allowed?
- Yes, if the phone is in a mount
- Yes, if driving under 25 mph
- Yes, navigation is always exempt
- No, typing it in counts as phone use
Show the answer
No, typing it in counts as phone use
A built-in or stand-alone navigation system is not covered, but typing into a phone's GPS is.
Why should a pet ride in a carrier or be secured while you drive?
- Pets are not allowed in cars
- It lowers your insurance rate
- A loose pet can distract you
Show the answer
A loose pet can distract you
An unsecured pet can climb on you or draw your attention away from the road.
Source: Official Florida Driver License Handbook, Distracted Driving, PDF p. 42; New York State Driver's Manual, Defensive Driving: Be Prepared and Look Ahead, PDF p. 45; Georgia Drivers' Manual, Section 5: Traffic Laws, Distracted Driving; California Driver's Handbook, Section 8, Safe Driving (continued): Distracted Driving; Missouri Driver Guide, Chapter 16, Are you being driven to distraction, PDF p. 94; Wisconsin Motorists' Handbook 2026, Section 9.B Distracted Driving, p. 50; Louisiana Class D & E Driver's Guide, Chapter 8, Driving Hazards and Emergencies, Distracted Driving (secure pets before you begin), PDF p. 116; Kentucky Driver Manual, Section Three, Driver Distractions, PDF p. 31; South Carolina Driver's Manual, Section 3, Be in Shape to Drive, Driver Distractions, p. 3-4 (PDF p. 35); Colorado Driver Handbook (DR 2337), Careless/Reckless Driving, Tips to prevent distracted driving, printed p. 24 (PDF p. 27); Connecticut Driver's Manual, Chapter 3, Driving Behaviors, Driver Distractions, p. 27; MDPS Driver's License Manual, Emotional Distractions, PDF p. 24; Kansas Driving Handbook, Section 3, Driver Distractions, PDF p. 22; Idaho Driver's Handbook, Ways to Keep From Getting Distracted, PDF p. 92; Delaware Driver Manual (July 2026), Section Two, Distracted Driving, PDF p. 53; Maine Driver's License Manual (Rev 4/24), Section 3, Driver Distractions (pets in a carrier), PDF p. 25; Rhode Island Driver's Manual (April 2024), Distracted Driving, PDF p. 18; South Dakota Driver License Manual (revised 11/2024), Be in Shape to Drive, Driver Distractions, PDF p. 19; DC DMV Automobile Driver Manual (published Dec. 2023), Driver Manual, p. 23; New Hampshire Driver's Manual (DSMV 360, Rev. 11/25), Driver Distractions, PDF p. 14 (printed p. 8); Vermont Driver's Manual (VN-007, 2025 edition), Ch. 7, Distracted Driving, PDF p. 56; Alaska Driver Manual (REV. 10/2025), Distracted driving, PDF p. 29
More Kentucky practice
- Full practice testAll topics, as in the knowledge test
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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.