The learner's permit phase for teens

Key points

1. Drivers under 18 go through three phases: learner's permit, intermediate license, then full unrestricted license.

   Source: Handbook p. 5

   “Drivers under 18 must go through three phases of licensing: a Learner's Permit, an Intermediate License, and then a Full Unrestricted License.”
   Kentucky Driver Manual, Handbook p. 5

2. You must be at least 16 to take the vision and knowledge tests and apply for a permit.

   Source: Handbook p. 5

   “Drivers must be at least 16 years of age to take the vision and written knowledge tests and apply for a permit.”
   Kentucky Driver Manual, Handbook p. 5

3. Permit holders ages 16 to 20 must hold the permit at least 180 days.

   Source: Handbook p. 5

   “Permit holders ages 16 - 20 must hold the driving permit for a minimum of 180 days.”
   Kentucky Driver Manual, Handbook p. 5

4. For an intermediate license you need a practice log of at least 60 hours, with 10 at night.

   Source: Handbook p. 5

   “a driver must complete a Practice Driving Log with a minimum of 60 hours of practice driving. 10 hours must be completed at night.”
   Kentucky Driver Manual, Handbook p. 5

5. A licensed driver 21 or older must ride in the front passenger seat whenever you drive.

   Source: Handbook p. 5

   “Permit holders may only drive when accompanied (in the front passenger seat) by a licensed driver 21 years of age or older”
   Kentucky Driver Manual, Handbook p. 5

6. You may carry only 1 unrelated passenger under 20.

   Source: Handbook p. 5

   “Passenger restriction - limited to 1 (one) unrelated person under 20 years of age.”
   Kentucky Driver Manual, Handbook p. 5

7. Permit holders under 18 may not drive from midnight to 6:00 a.m. without good cause.

   Source: Handbook p. 5

   “Permit holders under the age of 18 may not drive between the hours of midnight and 6:00 a.m. unless the person can demonstrate good cause for driving.”
   Kentucky Driver Manual, Handbook p. 5

8. No credit toward the 180 day permit period is earned while suspended under the No Pass/No Drive law.

   Source: Handbook p. 5

   “The driver will not receive credit toward the 180-day permit period while suspended for not complying with the No Pass/No Drive Law”
   Kentucky Driver Manual, Handbook p. 5

9. A violation adds at least 180 days before you may apply for an intermediate license.

   Source: Handbook p. 6

   “it will add an additional minimum of one hundred eighty (180) days from the date of the violation before the driver may apply for an intermediate license.”
   Kentucky Driver Manual, Handbook p. 6

10. A driver under 18 with more than six points may be suspended.

    Source: Handbook p. 6

    “A driver under the age of 18 who accumulates more than six points may have their driving privilege suspended.”
    Kentucky Driver Manual, Handbook p. 6

Numbers to know

3 questions from the Kentucky practice test

1. 1. Who must accompany a Kentucky permit holder while the permit holder is driving?

   1. Any passenger at least 18 years old in the back seat
   2. A licensed driver at least 21 years old in the front passenger seat
   3. A parent only, regardless of age or seat
   4. A licensed driver at least 16 years old in another vehicle
   Show answer

   A licensed driver at least 21 years old in the front passenger seat. A permit holder must be accompanied by a person with a valid operator’s license who is at least 21 years old and occupies the front passenger seat beside the operator. A younger passenger, a person in the back seat, or a parent who fails the age and seating conditions does not satisfy the rule. Use a simple pre-drive check: verify the supervising driver’s license, age, and front-seat position before moving the vehicle.

2. 2. How many unrelated passengers under 20 may a Kentucky permit holder carry?

   1. None
   2. 1 (one)
   3. 2 (two)
   4. 3 (three)
   Show answer

   1 (one). Kentucky limits a permit holder to 1 (one) unrelated person under 20 years of age as a passenger, and the permit holder must always drive with a licensed driver 21 or older in the front passenger seat. None is stricter than the rule. Two and three unrelated young passengers exceed it. The same one unrelated passenger limit continues on the intermediate license while the driver is under 18.

3. 3. When may a Kentucky permit holder under 18 drive between midnight and 6:00 a.m.?

   1. Any time with a friend who is 18
   2. Never, with no exceptions
   3. Only on weekends
   4. Only if the person can demonstrate good cause for driving
   Show answer

   Only if the person can demonstrate good cause for driving. Permit holders under the age of 18 may not drive between midnight and 6:00 a.m. unless they can demonstrate good cause for driving. The intermediate license has the same hours and gives emergencies, school and work-related activities as examples of good cause. An 18 year old friend is not a qualified supervisor, since permit holders need a licensed driver 21 or older. A total ban ignores the good cause exception, and weekends are not an exception.

Source: the Kentucky Driver Manual, Section One: The Driver's License. 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.