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Kentucky Permit Practice Test
20 real questions from our handbook-verified Kentucky bank · Updated July 12, 2026
The official Kentucky knowledge test has 30 questions — you can miss 6 and still pass (80%). That 80% bar ties Kentucky with 35 other states at #7 strictest of the 50 states. Kentucky offers the real exam in Spanish — practica en español aquí.
The real Kentucky exam format — this practice test scores you against the same 80% bar.
Answer each question to see the explanation. Your score is tallied against the real passing bar at the end.
1. According to the manual, impairment from alcohol starts:
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Correct answer: With the first drink
The best advice is not to drive at all if you have consumed alcohol or drugs. Impairment starts with the first drink — even one drink can affect a person’s ability to drive.
2. You have three options to avoid a crash or reduce its impact. They are:
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Correct answer: Braking, steering, or accelerating
All drivers have the responsibility to prevent crashes. You have three options to avoid a crash or reduce its impact: braking, steering, or accelerating.
3. Which Kentucky license is the basic Operator’s License that most drivers hold to drive an ordinary car?
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Correct answer: Class D
The Class D license is the basic Operator’s License and is the class most commonly held by Kentucky drivers. Class A, B, and C are commercial licenses; Class E is for mopeds; Class M is for motorcycles.
4. When you park your vehicle, you are responsible for making sure that it:
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Correct answer: Is not a hazard and is left in a designated area
You are responsible for making sure your vehicle is not a hazard when it is parked. Always park in a designated area.
5. At a four-way intersection controlled by stop signs, if you and another driver arrive at the same time, who has the right of way?
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Correct answer: The driver on your right
When two drivers reach a four-way stop at the same time, you must yield to the driver on your right. No one should ever simply assume they have the right of way.
6. If you are required to wear corrective lenses to drive, you should:
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Correct answer: Always wear them when driving, and avoid dark or tinted lenses at night
If you are required to wear corrective lenses, always wear them when driving. Avoid using dark or tinted corrective lenses at night, since they reduce your vision.
7. You must yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian who is crossing in a crosswalk:
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Correct answer: Even if the crosswalk is unmarked
You must yield when a pedestrian is in a crosswalk, even if it is unmarked, including mid-block crosswalks marked by warning signs and pavement markings.
8. On a standard vertical traffic signal, what is the order of the lights from top to bottom?
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Correct answer: Red, yellow, green
On a standard signal the lights are red, yellow, and green from top to bottom. On horizontal signals the red light is on the left, yellow in the middle, and green on the right.
9. Ideally, how far ahead should you try to look while driving?
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Correct answer: At what is happening 20 to 30 seconds in front of your car
Looking well down your planned path — ideally at what is occurring 20 to 30 seconds in front of your car — gives you time to see problems and adjust before you are forced into emergency braking or steering.
10. If you plan to turn at an intersection, how far before the turn should you signal?
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Correct answer: At least 100 feet before the turn
If you plan to turn at an intersection, signal 100 feet before the turn. Searching all corners and signaling your intentions early helps other road users react.
11. About what share of fatal traffic crashes each year involve alcohol or other impairing drugs?
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Correct answer: About 40%
Alcohol and other impairing drugs are involved in approximately 40% of all traffic crashes in which someone is killed each year.
12. To stop quickly in a vehicle with anti-lock brakes (ABS), you should:
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Correct answer: Press hard on the brake pedal and keep applying pressure — you can still steer
With ABS, press on the brake pedal as hard as you can and keep applying pressure. ABS will work only if you keep pressure on the pedal, and you can still steer your vehicle.
13. Which class of Kentucky license do you need to legally operate a motorcycle?
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Correct answer: Class M
The Class M license (or a motorcycle instruction permit) is required to operate a motorcycle. A Class D Operator’s License does not cover motorcycles.
14. When parking along a roadway that has a curb, you should park:
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Correct answer: As far from the flow of traffic as possible, and as close to the curb as you can
When parking along the roadway, park as far away from the flow of traffic as possible. If there is a curb, park as close to it as you can.
15. When you are making a left turn, you must yield to:
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Correct answer: Oncoming traffic, including vehicles turning right
When making a left turn you must yield to drivers in the opposing traffic lane, including vehicles turning right. Turning on a green light does not give you the right of way over through traffic.
16. Why is good hearing important to safe driving?
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Correct answer: It can warn you of danger, such as a horn, a siren, or screeching tires
Hearing is more important to driving than many people realize. Your hearing can warn you of danger — the sound of a horn or siren, screeching tires, and so on. Sometimes you can hear vehicles you cannot see.
17. A pedestrian is in the intersection when your traffic light turns green. You should:
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Correct answer: Yield to the pedestrian even though your light is green
You must yield the right-of-way to all pedestrians in the intersection even if the traffic light is green.
18. What does a steady yellow traffic light mean?
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Correct answer: The signal is about to turn red — stop if you can do so safely
A yellow light means the signal is about to turn red. Stop if you can do so safely. It is against the law to enter an intersection after the light turns red.
19. To keep a good picture of what is around your vehicle, you should:
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Correct answer: Keep your eyes moving and avoid staring
Avoid staring. Keep your eyes moving and searching for possible problems ahead, to the sides, and behind you, using your mirrors to check the rear.
20. When making a right turn, you should turn from:
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Correct answer: The right-most portion of your lane, without swinging wide left first
Always turn right from the right-most portion of your lane, and avoid swinging wide to the left before making the turn.
📱 These 20 questions are a warm-up. PermitPal for iPhone and iPad drills the full handbook-verified Kentucky bank of 232 questions with spaced repetition, and runs mock exams in the real 30-question format — plus motorcycle and CDL tracks. Free to start, $29.99 once.
Kentucky test facts
How many questions are on the Kentucky permit test?
30 questions. You need 24 correct (80%) — you can miss 6. Full details in the passing-score calculator.
What happens if I fail?
You can retake it the next day.
Can I take the Kentucky test in Spanish?
Yes — Kentucky offers the knowledge test in Spanish. Try the Spanish practice test. See which states test in Spanish.
What age can I get my permit in Kentucky?
The minimum learner's permit age is 15. You'll need 60 supervised practice hours (10 at night) before the license stage. Full ladder in the permit-age lookup.