Required equipment, safety belts, air bags and child seats

Key points

1. High beams must light a person 350 feet ahead, and low beams 100 feet ahead.

   Source: Handbook p. 12

   “Headlights on high beam must be strong enough to light the road sufficiently to reveal a person 350 feet ahead, and 100 feet ahead on low beam.”
   Kentucky Driver Manual, Handbook p. 12

2. The taillight must be red and visible from 500 feet behind.

   Source: Handbook p. 12

   “The rear light, or taillight, must be red and must be lighted and placed so it can be seen 500 feet behind your vehicle.”
   Kentucky Driver Manual, Handbook p. 12

3. Only legally required papers and a sun screening strip at the top are allowed on the windshield.

   Source: Handbook p. 12

   “Only certificates or papers required by law and sun screening material along a strip at the top of the windshield are acceptable.”
   Kentucky Driver Manual, Handbook p. 12

4. In a vehicle built after 1981, the driver and all passengers must wear a properly fastened seat belt.

   Source: Handbook p. 12

   “A person shall not operate a motor vehicle manufactured after 1981 on the public roadways unless the driver and all passengers are wearing a properly adjusted and fastened seat belt.”
   Kentucky Driver Manual, Handbook p. 12

5. Kentucky's seat belt law is primary: police can stop you just for not wearing one.

   Source: Handbook p. 30

   “Seat Belt Law is primary in Kentucky and drivers can be stopped by law enforcement officers if observed driving while not wearing seat belts.”
   Kentucky Driver Manual, Handbook p. 30

6. An air bag deploys in about 1/20th of a second, faster than a blink.

   Source: Handbook p. 30

   “The entire air bag deployment process takes about 1/20th of a second - faster than the blink of an eye.”
   Kentucky Driver Manual, Handbook p. 30

7. Children 12 and under should ride in the back seat.

   Source: Handbook p. 30

   “Children 12 years of age and under should ride in the back seat in a safety belt or child restraint system.”
   Kentucky Driver Manual, Handbook p. 30

8. A child 40 inches tall or less must be secured in a child restraint system.

   Source: Handbook p. 31

   “when transporting a child of forty (40) inches in height or less in a motor vehicle operated on the roadways, streets, and highways of this state, shall have the child properly secured in a child restraint system”
   Kentucky Driver Manual, Handbook p. 31

9. A child under 8 who is between 40 and 57 inches tall must ride in a booster seat.

   Source: Handbook p. 31

   “when transporting a child under the age of eight (8) years who is between forty (40) inches and fifty-seven (57) inches in height”
   Kentucky Driver Manual, Handbook p. 31

10. A child safety seat should ideally go in the middle of the rear seat, anchored so it cannot move.

    Source: Handbook p. 31

    “the middle of the rear seat and anchored to prevent any movement in the event of a collision.”
    Kentucky Driver Manual, Handbook p. 31

Numbers to know

3 questions from the Kentucky practice test

1. 1. How far must Kentucky headlights reveal a person ahead on high beam and on low beam?

   1. 100 feet on high and 50 on low
   2. 350 feet on high beam and 100 feet on low beam
   3. 1,000 feet on high and 500 on low
   4. 500 feet on both
   Show answer

   350 feet on high beam and 100 feet on low beam. Your vehicle must have two headlights and two taillights, and headlights on high beam must be strong enough to reveal a person 350 feet ahead and 100 feet ahead on low beam, without shining a glaring light into the eyes of an oncoming driver. Headlights must be on from one half hour after sunset to one half hour before sunrise. The examiner checks lights before the road test.

2. 2. Which vehicles does Kentucky's seat belt law cover?

   1. Only vehicles built after 2000
   2. Vehicles manufactured after 1981, with the driver and all passengers belted
   3. Only the front seat of any vehicle
   4. Only commercial vehicles
   Show answer

   Vehicles manufactured after 1981, with the driver and all passengers belted. A person shall not operate a motor vehicle manufactured after 1981 on public roadways unless the driver and all passengers are wearing a properly adjusted and fastened seat belt. Belts must be worn even in air bag equipped vehicles, since an air bag deploys in about one twentieth of a second and works with the belt, not instead of it. Both driver and examiner must buckle up on the road test.

3. 3. Where does the Kentucky manual say a child safety seat should ideally be placed?

   1. In the middle of the rear seat, anchored so it cannot move
   2. Behind the driver only
   3. Anywhere with the belt loose
   4. In the front passenger seat
   Show answer

   In the middle of the rear seat, anchored so it cannot move. The safety seat should ideally be placed in the middle of the rear seat and anchored to prevent any movement in a collision, and it will not give maximum protection if installed incorrectly. Help with installation is available at a Child Safety Seat Inspection Site at a Kentucky State Police post. A booster seat elevates an older child so the lap and shoulder belt fit properly.

Source: the Kentucky Driver Manual, Section Four: Before You Drive. This lesson is a plain English summary, not the law itself; where it differs, the manual and the statute govern. Last checked 2026-09-27.