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Test your knowledge forthe Kentucky permit test

The Kentucky permit test has 40 multiple-choice questions and you need 80% to pass: 32 correct answers, so you can miss up to 8.

10 questions from your state's handbook. Instant results, and every answer explained.

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The Kentucky permit test at a glance

Updated October 2026

Questions on the real test
40
Score needed to pass
80%32 of 40 correct
Kentucky practice questions on GetMyPermit
499

What's on the Kentucky permit test

Every question comes from the Kentucky driver handbook. These are its topics, with how many of our Kentucky practice questions cover each one.

  • Be in shape to Drive67
  • Before you Drive60
  • The Driver's License59
  • Rules of the Road52
  • Sharing the Road49
  • General Information47
  • Special Driving Situations44
  • Safe Driving Tips40
  • General Driving36
  • Emergency Situations and Avoiding Crashes25
  • Basic Driving20

Kentucky permit test sample questions and answers

  1. 1. What is hydroplaning?

    • A. Tires gripping the road better in rain
    • B. Steering tires riding up on pooled water so they no longer contact the roadway surface
    • C. Braking harder on dry roads
    • D. Using cruise control in rain

    Answer: Steering tires riding up on pooled water so they no longer contact the roadway surface

    Hydroplaning occurs when steering tires start to ride up on pooled water and are not contacting the roadway surface.

  2. 2. For a driver under age 21, when does a Kentucky license expire?

    • A. On their 18th birthday
    • B. On their 19th birthday
    • C. On their 21st birthday
    • D. 90 days after their 21st birthday

    Answer: 90 days after their 21st birthday

    Under “Renewals and Duplicate Licenses,” it says that if the driver is under 21, the license expires 90 days after the driver’s 21st birthday.

  3. 3. Which driving behavior is recommended to help reduce pollution and improve fuel economy?

    • A. Quick starts and hard braking
    • B. Driving at very high speeds
    • C. Planning trips to avoid rush hours and driving smoothly at moderate speeds
    • D. Leaving the engine idling when stopped

    Answer: Planning trips to avoid rush hours and driving smoothly at moderate speeds

    It advises to plan driving, avoid rush hours, avoid quick starts and stops, drive smoothly and at moderate speeds, and combine trips.

  4. 4. When leaving a parked vehicle, the law requires you to…

    • A. leave the engine idling.
    • B. leave the key in the ignition.
    • C. turn off the engine, remove the key, and lock the vehicle.
    • D. leave windows open.

    Answer: turn off the engine, remove the key, and lock the vehicle.

    The manual notes that the law requires you to turn off the engine and remove the key when you leave a vehicle, and it advises always locking it.

  5. 5. When moving the vehicle from a stop, what should you do before pressing the accelerator?

    • A. Honk the horn twice
    • B. Shift to “D” and immediately accelerate
    • C. Keep your foot on the brake, check forward and to the sides and behind, signal, and then move your foot to the accelerator if safe
    • D. Release the parking brake only

    Answer: Keep your foot on the brake, check forward and to the sides and behind, signal, and then move your foot to the accelerator if safe

    The manual instructs to move the gear selector to “D” while keeping your foot on the brake, check forward and for traffic to the sides and behind, signal, and if safe, move your foot to the accelerator and press gently.

  6. 6. If your vehicle is disabled on the roadway, one way to warn other roadway users is to…

    • A. leave all doors open.
    • B. place emergency flares 200–300 feet behind the vehicle.
    • C. stand behind the vehicle waving your arms.
    • D. roll the vehicle backward.

    Answer: place emergency flares 200–300 feet behind the vehicle.

    The manual recommends placing emergency flares about 200 to 300 feet behind the vehicle so other drivers have time to change lanes or stop.

  7. 7. When driving at night, when must you dim your headlights for oncoming vehicles?

    • A. Within 100 feet
    • B. Within 300 feet
    • C. Within 500 feet
    • D. Only when flashed

    Answer: Within 500 feet

    The manual instructs drivers to dim lights whenever they come within 500 feet of oncoming vehicles and within 300 feet of any vehicle they are following.

  8. 8. Which children are required by Kentucky law to be properly secured in a child restraint system (not a booster seat)?

    • A. Any child under 12 years old
    • B. Any child under 8 years old regardless of height
    • C. Any child 40 inches in height or less
    • D. Any child who weighs under 100 pounds

    Answer: Any child 40 inches in height or less

    Kentucky law requires that a child of 40 inches in height or less be properly secured in a child restraint system.

Kentucky permit test FAQ

How many questions are on the Kentucky permit test?

The Kentucky permit test (the DMV knowledge test) has 40 multiple-choice questions.

What score do you need to pass the Kentucky permit test?

You need 80% to pass: at least 32 of the 40 questions right, so you can miss up to 8.

What is on the Kentucky permit test?

Questions come from the Kentucky driver handbook. The main topics are be in shape to drive, before you drive, the driver's license, rules of the road and sharing the road.

How should I study for the Kentucky permit test?

Read the Kentucky driver handbook, then practice with questions written from it until you score well above the pass mark every time. GetMyPermit has 499 Kentucky practice questions, explains every answer and shows which topics you still miss.

Is this Kentucky permit practice test free?

Yes. The 10-question Kentucky practice test on this page is free, with instant results and every answer explained. The GetMyPermit app has the full question bank and a study plan.

Want the full Kentucky question bank and a study plan? Get GetMyPermit on the App Store.