Driving Tests

Kentucky Intermediate License: Road Test at 16 and the 180-Day Rules

informational·how to guide·Published September 4, 2026

When can you take the Kentucky road test for an intermediate license?

You can take the Kentucky road test at 16 after you hold your instruction permit at least 180 days without permit violations or point-bearing convictions. A parent or guardian must sign your Practice Driving Log for 60 hours of supervised driving, 10 of them at night. Kentucky State Police give the test by appointment, and the intermediate license is valid for 2 years.

Where the Kentucky intermediate license facts come from

The age, hours, validity, curfew and passenger rules come from Kentucky Revised Statutes 186.452, 186.450, 186.454 and 189.294. The booking, vehicle and scoring rules come from the Kentucky State Police driver testing page, the Kentucky Driver Manual (updated 7-23-26) and the KSP Practice Driving Log. The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet issues licenses. This guide is current as of 2026. Confirm the rules with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (drive.ky.gov) and the Kentucky State Police before you drive.

How to get a Kentucky intermediate license at 16

1
Hold your instruction permit for at least 180 days
Under 18, you must hold the permit at least 180 days before you apply for an intermediate license. You can apply for the permit at 15.
2
Keep the 180 days free of violations
The 180 days must be free of permit-rule violations and of convictions for a moving violation that carries points, a texting or phone offense, or DUI. A permit-rule violation, a points conviction or a DUI conviction adds at least 180 days from the date of the violation.
3
Log 60 hours of supervised driving
The Practice Driving Log needs 60 hours: 50 by day and 10 at night. The supervising person must be 21 or older, hold a valid operator's license and sit in the seat beside you. Our free question on the supervised practice hours checks this rule.
4
Get the log signed
You and your parent or guardian both sign the log. The law also requires a statement to Kentucky State Police, signed by a parent or guardian, that you completed the 60 hours.
5
Book and pass the road skills test
Kentucky State Police give the test. The sections below explain the booking and the car check.
6
Get your intermediate license
If you pass the required examinations, Kentucky State Police put an intermediate license sticker on your instruction permit.

Are you ready for the road test?

You are 15

You can apply for an instruction permit. The intermediate license comes at 16 at the earliest.

You are 16 or 17 and have held the permit fewer than 180 days

Wait. The minimum is 180 days. Our free question on the permit holding period uses this rule.

You had a permit-rule violation, a points conviction or a DUI conviction

Add at least 180 days from the date of the violation.

Your log shows fewer than 60 hours, or fewer than 10 at night

Keep practicing. You must show the completed log to the examiner before the skills test.

You have the 180 days, the 60 hours and the signed log

Book the road test.

How to book the Kentucky road test

All testing is by appointment only. You book online with the Kentucky State Police scheduler, at any regional testing location, whatever your home county. Appointments are released Monday to Friday at 8 a.m. and fill quickly; if an office shows No Availability, check again the next morning at 8 a.m. The booking is complete only when you get a confirmation email. Our guide to the Kentucky State Police testing appointment covers each booking step.

What to bring to the Kentucky road test

The Practice Driving Log, signed by you and your parent or guardian, with 60 hours and 10 at night. You show it to the examiner before the test.
The Graduated Driver License Skills Test Eligibility Letter. The Kentucky Driver Manual says the letter must be within seven days of its print date.
A properly registered car and proof of liability insurance: an insurance card from the insurer, or a written binder from an insurance agent that says insurance is in force.
For a rental car, the rental agreement. It must list you and show that you are insured.
A licensed driver who is 21 or older to ride with you. You must not drive yourself to the test.

How the examiner checks your car

The examiner first checks the registration and insurance documents. Then you show that you can work the headlights, dimmer switch, horn, wipers, turn signals, emergency brake, emergency flashers and brake lights. The examiner sits beside you, so the passenger seat and floor must be clean. Both of you wear seat belts if the car came with them, and the belts must be clean and work. Excessive window tint, extra flashing lights or items that block the windshield can get the car rejected.

What ends a Kentucky road test early

What ends a Kentucky road test early
What happens	Result
Any collision, traffic violation or dangerous act	May be an automatic failure, and the test is not completed
You do not follow the examiner's instructions two times	You are disqualified
You arrive without a licensed driver 21 or older, or break another traffic law at the test site	The test is rescheduled
The car has missing or broken equipment that makes it unlawful or unsafe	The test may be canceled or rescheduled

What the Kentucky road skills test covers

The test covers stops, backing, turning the car around, stopping and starting on a hill, parallel parking, intersection approaches, speed, turns, lane use, right-of-way and overall vehicle control. You drive in normal traffic, and the examiner does not play tricks. The score sheet shows pass or fail, with no numerical score.

What if you fail the road test?

You must wait at least one week from the date of the failure before you take the road test again. Use the week to practice the maneuvers above, then book a new appointment.

Kentucky intermediate license rules

Kentucky intermediate license rules
Rule	What it says
Validity	2 years, and it may be renewed
Carrying it	You must have the license with you every time you drive
Curfew under 18	No driving from 12 midnight to 6 a.m. unless you can show good cause, such as an emergency, school activities or work
Passengers under 18	No more than one unrelated passenger under 20, except with a driver training instructor
Phone under 18	No phone use while the car moves, except to call for medical help or police in an emergency
Penalty	A violation of the carry, curfew or passenger rule, or a conviction for a points violation or DUI, adds at least 180 days before you may apply for an operator's license

What comes after the intermediate license

Under 18, you may apply for an operator's license at 17, after you hold the intermediate license at least 180 days without a curfew, passenger, carry, points, phone or DUI conviction, and complete a driver training program. Our guide to the full license and driver education explains the course.

Key takeaways

At 16 you can take the road test after 180 days on your permit without violations or points convictions.
Your parent or guardian signs the Practice Driving Log for 60 hours, 10 at night, and you show it to the examiner.
Bring a registered, insured, clean car with working equipment, and a licensed driver who is 21 or older.
Under 18 with the intermediate license: no driving from midnight to 6 a.m. without good cause, one unrelated passenger under 20 at most, and no phone while the car moves.
Next step: practice on the free Kentucky Class D practice test.

Kentucky road test: common questions

Can I use my backup camera during the Kentucky road test?

Yes. Kentucky State Police allow the backup camera, but you should not depend on it alone. When you back up, you must still check your mirrors and look over your shoulder. Practice backing with the camera and your own checks together before test day.

Can I use parking assist for parallel parking on the road test?

No. Kentucky State Police say you must complete the parallel parking maneuver without assistance. If your car has a parking assist feature, practice parallel parking with it switched off, so that test day feels the same as your practice.

Can I take the road test in a car with temporary tags?

Yes, if the temporary tag matches the car that you test in and is valid at the time of the test. The car still needs proof of liability insurance, and the examiner checks the registration and insurance documents first.

Can police pull me over just for having too many friends in the car?

No. Kentucky law says an officer may not stop you or write a citation only for the passenger limit when there is no other reason for the stop. The limit still applies, and a violation adds at least 180 days before you can apply for your full license.

Does a texting ticket on my permit delay my road test?

Yes. Kentucky law requires 180 permit days without a conviction under the texting law or the phone law for drivers under 18. Under 18, you may not use a phone while the car moves, except to call for help in an emergency. A navigation system built into the car is not phone use.