Free · 30 short lessons · Quoted from the manual
Kentucky Driver Handbook, Chapter by Chapter
Start with lesson 1Every chapter of the Kentucky Driver Manual that matters for the written test, cut down to the rules and exact numbers you need. Each point links to the manual text it comes from, with the page, and ends with questions from our free Kentucky practice test.
30 lessons in handbook order
Read one lesson, answer its 3 check questions, then drill that topic in the practice test. Most lessons take about 5 minutes.
- Lesson 1Section One: The Driver's LicenseLaws and paperwork
License classes and the tests
Kentucky's basic license is the Class D operator's license, and applicants must be at least 16. First time applicants pass a vision screening, a written test scored at 80 percent and a road test.
10 key points · 6 numbers · Handbook pp. 1 to 13
- Lesson 2Section One: The Driver's LicenseLaws and paperwork
The learner's permit phase for teens
Teens under 18 move through a learner's permit, an intermediate license and a full license. The permit must be held at least 180 days with 60 logged practice hours, a supervisor 21 or older, one young passenger and no driving from midnight to 6 a.m.
10 key points · 9 numbers · Handbook pp. 5 to 6
- Lesson 3Section One: The Driver's LicenseLaws and paperwork
The intermediate license and full license
After 180 days on a permit, teens pass the road test for an intermediate license that bars driving from midnight to 6 a.m. without good cause. After 180 more days and a driver education course, they can get a full unrestricted license.
9 key points · 8 numbers · Handbook pp. 6 to 7
- Lesson 4Section Two: General InformationLaws and paperwork
Renewal, registration and insurance
New residents need a Kentucky license within 30 days, and an address change requires a duplicate within 10 days. Every registered vehicle must carry at least $25,000/$50,000 bodily injury liability, and driving uninsured can bring a $500 to $1,000 fine.
10 key points · 9 numbers · Handbook pp. 13 to 19
- Lesson 5Section One: The Driver's LicenseLaws and paperwork
The point system and losing your license
Kentucky can suspend a license for reasons from reckless driving to unpaid child support. Twelve points in two years, or seven for a driver under eighteen, can bring a suspension, and points expire after two years.
10 key points · 7 numbers · Handbook pp. 16 to 18
- Lesson 6Section Four: Before You DriveLaws and paperwork
Required equipment, safety belts, air bags and child seats
Your headlights, taillights and windshield must meet Kentucky's equipment rules, and everyone in a vehicle built after 1981 must wear a seat belt. Children 40 inches or shorter need a child restraint, and children under 8 between 40 and 57 inches need a booster seat.
10 key points · 7 numbers · Handbook pp. 12 to 31
- Lesson 7Section Three: Be in Shape to DriveSafe driving
Fatigue, distraction and emotions
Fatigue affects your vision and slows decisions, so sleep 7 to 9 hours and stop about every 100 miles or 2 hours. Texting takes your eyes off the road for about 4.6 seconds, and anger belongs off the road until it passes.
10 key points · 5 numbers · Handbook pp. 22 to 24
- Lesson 8Section Three: Be in Shape to DriveAlcohol and DUI
Alcohol, other drugs and the BAC limits
Alcohol and other impairing drugs are involved in about 40 percent of fatal crashes, and impairment starts with the first drink. Kentucky's DUI limit is 0.08, or 0.02 for drivers under 21, and you can be charged below 0.08 if you are impaired.
10 key points · 5 numbers · Handbook pp. 25 to 26
- Lesson 9Section Three: Be in Shape to DriveAlcohol and DUI
Implied consent and DUI penalties
By driving in Kentucky you have agreed to a lawfully requested blood, breath or urine test, and a refusal can be used against you in court. A first DUI within 10 years brings a $200 to $500 fine, 48 hours to 30 days in jail and a 4 to 6 month suspension.
10 key points · 7 numbers · Handbook pp. 26 to 27
- Lesson 10Section Six: Rules of the RoadRight of way
Yielding the right of way
No driver should assume they automatically have the right of way. Yield to whoever arrives first, to oncoming traffic when turning left, to the driver on your right at a four-way stop, and to anyone still in the intersection.
9 key points · 1 numbers · Handbook p. 34
- Lesson 11Section Six: Rules of the RoadSignals and markings
Traffic lights and arrows
A yellow light means the signal is about to turn red, so stop if you can do it safely, and never enter after it turns red. A flashing red light means a full stop, and a flashing yellow light means slow down and watch for others.
10 key points · 0 numbers · Handbook pp. 35 to 43
- Lesson 12Section Six: Rules of the RoadSignals and markings
Pavement markings, crosswalks and lane use
Pavement markings divide lanes, show where you may pass and mark where you must stop. Stop at the stop line before the crosswalk, and never pass when the solid line is on your side.
9 key points · 1 numbers · Handbook pp. 38 to 47
- Lesson 13Sections Eight and Eleven: Communicating and Night DrivingSignals and markings
Headlights, turn signals and night driving
Headlights must be on from a half hour after sunset to a half hour before sunrise, and you must signal 100 feet before a turn. Dim your high beams within 500 feet of oncoming vehicles and 300 feet of a vehicle ahead.
10 key points · 5 numbers · Handbook pp. 42 to 67
- Lesson 14Section Seven: General DrivingRight of way
Roundabouts and traffic circles
Traffic moves counterclockwise around a roundabout's center island, and entering traffic yields to traffic already circulating. Slow down to enter, then signal and exit at your street.
5 key points · 0 numbers · Handbook p. 44
- Lesson 15Section Ten: Sharing the RoadRight of way
Pedestrians and blind pedestrians
You must yield to pedestrians in any crosswalk, marked or not, and to pedestrians in the intersection even on a green light. Blind pedestrians with a white cane or assistance dog always get the right of way, and failing to yield can cost up to $250.
10 key points · 2 numbers · Handbook pp. 58 to 59
- Lesson 16Section Eleven: Special Driving SituationsRight of way
Funeral processions
A funeral procession led by an escort with flashing yellow, red or blue lights has the right of way at intersections. Do not cut into or pass a procession unless an officer directs you, or you risk a $250 fine or 90 days in jail.
6 key points · 1 numbers · Handbook pp. 67 to 68
- Lesson 17Sections Seven and Ten: School Buses and Emergency VehiclesEmergencies
Emergency vehicles and school buses
For any vehicle with a flashing red or blue light or a siren, pull to the right, clear of intersections, and stop until it passes. Stop for a school or church bus loading passengers, unless it is across a highway of four or more lanes.
8 key points · 3 numbers · Handbook pp. 44 to 64
- Lesson 18Section Ten: Sharing the RoadEmergencies
The move over law and traffic stops
When passing an emergency vehicle stopped on the roadside, slow down and move to a lane not next to it if it is safe. If police pull you over, stop calmly off the travel lanes, keep your belt on and never run.
8 key points · 2 numbers · Handbook pp. 64 to 65
- Lesson 19Section Six: Rules of the RoadEmergencies
Railroad crossings
The round yellow advance sign means slow down, look and listen, and flashing red lights at a crossing mean stop until they stop flashing. If you stall on the tracks, get out and run toward the train, away from the tracks, then call the number on the crossbuck.
10 key points · 2 numbers · Handbook pp. 35 to 63
- Lesson 20Section Nine: Emergency Situations and Avoiding CrashesEmergencies
Brake failure, blowouts and other vehicle failures
If your brakes fail, apply the parking brake slowly, and if the accelerator sticks, turn off the engine and shift to neutral. After a blowout, grip the wheel, keep straight and let the car slow without hard braking.
10 key points · 1 numbers · Handbook pp. 56 to 57
- Lesson 21Section Nine: Emergency Situations and Avoiding CrashesSafe driving
Skids, pavement drop offs and collisions
In a skid, release the brake or gas and look where you want to go, and steer toward the direction the back of the car is sliding. After a non-injury crash, move the vehicles to the shoulder, and report damage over $500 within 10 days if no officer investigated.
10 key points · 1 numbers · Handbook pp. 54 to 55
- Lesson 22Section Eight: Safe Driving TipsSpeed limits
Kentucky speed limits
When no limit is posted, Kentucky's limits are 65 mph on interstates and parkways, 55 mph on other state highways, 35 mph in business and residential districts and 15 mph in public parking lots. If rain, snow or fog limits your view to 100 feet, do not drive faster than 25 mph.
8 key points · 7 numbers · Handbook pp. 49 to 58
- Lesson 23Section Eight: Safe Driving TipsSafe driving
Looking ahead, stopping distance and following distance
Look 20 to 30 seconds ahead, and remember that braking from 50 mph on dry pavement takes about 158 feet. Keep at least a 4 second following distance, and more on slippery roads, at night or behind large vehicles.
10 key points · 4 numbers · Handbook pp. 49 to 52
- Lesson 24Section Eight: Safe Driving TipsSafe driving
Adjusting to darkness, curves and wet roads
Never drive faster than you can stop within the distance your headlights show, and slow down before hills and curves. Reduce speed at the first sign of rain, snow, sleet or ice, and never drive through standing water.
10 key points · 0 numbers · Handbook pp. 50 to 67
- Lesson 25Section Seven: General DrivingSafe driving
Turns, lane changes and passing
Turn from the edge of your lane nearest your new direction, and look left, right and left again before entering an intersection. Finish any pass before coming within 200 feet of an oncoming vehicle, and never start a pass near a hill or curve.
10 key points · 1 numbers · Handbook pp. 34 to 48
- Lesson 26Section Ten: Sharing the RoadSafe driving
Sharing the road with bicycles, motorcycles and trucks
Give bicyclists at least three feet when passing and motorcyclists a full lane with at least a 4 second following distance. Trucks need at least 335 feet to stop from 55 mph and have blind spots up to 200 feet behind them.
10 key points · 4 numbers · Handbook pp. 58 to 63
- Lesson 27Sections Ten and Eleven: Slow Moving Vehicles and Rural RoadsSafe driving
Rural roads, farm equipment and slow vehicles
An orange and red triangle means the vehicle ahead travels under 25 mph, and farm machinery operators cannot hear you coming. On rural roads, slow down for gravel, narrow lanes, single lane bridges and uncontrolled intersections.
9 key points · 2 numbers · Handbook pp. 65 to 69
- Lesson 28Section Eleven: Special Driving SituationsSafe driving
Work zones and towing a trailer
About 40,000 people a year are hurt in work zone crashes, so always slow down in a work zone, even with no workers present. When towing, load 60 percent of the weight in front, and if the trailer sways, steer straight and slow gradually without braking.
9 key points · 3 numbers · Handbook pp. 37 to 70
- Lesson 29Section Six: Rules of the RoadRoad signs
Regulatory signs
Regulatory signs state laws you must obey and are usually white with black, red or green letters, while a red circle with a slash prohibits an action. The eight sided stop sign means a full stop, and the downward triangle means yield.
9 key points · 1 numbers · Handbook pp. 35 to 38
- Lesson 30Section Six: Rules of the RoadRoad signs
Warning, work zone and guide signs
Warning signs are usually yellow diamonds that tell you to slow down and be ready to stop, and work zone signs are orange with black letters. Guide signs are green, brown or blue and point you to roads, towns and services.
8 key points · 0 numbers · Handbook pp. 35 to 41
Read, check, then practice
- Read a lesson. Open any point's source to see the exact manual wording and page.
- Answer the 3 check questions at the end without looking back.
- Drill that topic in the free Kentucky practice test, then take a full test when every lesson feels easy.
- Keep the Kentucky cheat sheet for a last look before test day.
Source: the Kentucky Driver Manual (September 2023). Lessons are plain English summaries, not the law itself; where they differ, the manual and the statute govern. Every quote on these pages is checked against our saved copy of the manual. Last checked 2026-09-27.