In Kentucky, all drivers, regardless of age, must obtain a learner’s permit before applying for a driver’s license. One crucial requirement to obtain a learner’s permit is to pass two official tests: a vision test and an official written permit test on safe driving. You must take these tests at a KSP regional testing site, not online. To obtain a learner’s permit or license if you’re under 18, you must also provide written consent from your parent or guardian and proof that you are either enrolled in or have graduated from high school or the equivalent. A driver’s education course is not required for a learner’s permit. However, a course is required for a full unrestricted license if you obtained your permit at age 16 or 17 (i.e., you’re in the Graduated Driver Licensing program). You have three options to meet this requirement: a high school driver’s education course, a classroom defensive-driving course offered by Alive at 25, or an online defensive-driving course offered by RightLane.
As a convenience, we have made available the official Kentucky KSP driver’s 2025 handbook (Kentucky DMV Handbook (KY Driver's Manual) 2025). This manual is currently available in English and Spanish versions. Each version is in PDF format and can be easily downloaded from this webpage.
The KSP written permit test is based on information contained in the official manual. You should study this manual, but consider doing even more to be sure of passing this test. Our permit test preparation program goes beyond studying the official driver’s handbook by providing a graduated series of practice tests accompanied by our AI assistant. It can give you hints and explanations and answer your questions to help you learn.
We have also created an audiobook of the English version of the official driver’s handbook. It’s formatted as a downloadable series of 16 MP3 files, one for each chapter of the handbook: graduated licensing laws, obtaining a Kentucky driver’s license, commercial driver’s licenses, and so on. The longest chapter is Chapter 10: Sharing Space, whose running time is 24 minutes and 38 seconds. The total running time of this audiobook is approximately 2 hours, 46 minutes, and 48 seconds, so you can go through it once in a few days.
In addition to the official handbook, we also offer our own permit test study guide (available elsewhere on this website) to help you get ready for the day of your Kentucky knowledge test. It covers what documents to take to the KSP, what fees you may have to pay, frequently missed knowledge test questions, and other last-minute knowledge test tips.
If you’re under 18, be glad for Kentucky’s driver education requirement. Not many other states accept an online course to fulfill their driver’s education requirements!