Minors’ Rights & Restrictions
You might be a finely responsible young man or woman, but statistics don't lie. You have too many minor brethren that make up the majority of motor vehicle crashes.
So, to protect everyone from your relatively high odds of crashing, we rein you in, especially during your teenage years.
You'll first get this piece of paper that says "Learner's Permit" on it. You're permitted to drive, but you have to have a licensed driver who's 21 years of age or older in the front passenger seat at all times. And you can only drive during the hours of 6:00AM and midnight. And you can only drive one other person under the age of 20 who isn't in your family.
This bears repeating. You can't drive alone. Anywhere. This is huge. If a cop catches you driving alone with only a Learner's Permit, it's likely that you won't get your real license until you're at least 18.
Think you're cool because you're 16 and have your Intermediate License? You still can't drive between the hours of midnight and 6:00AM unless you're driving to or from work, school or the hospital. And you still can't drive more than one other person under the age of 20 who isn't in your family.
The belief is that in this probationary time, you'll be extra super extra extra cautious. And if you're not, then you aren't ready to be inflicted on everyone else who has to use the same roads as you.
And while we're on the subject, anyone under 18 who accumulates six or more points on their license may have their driving privileges suspended. Bet you want to know what kind of stuff will result in points on your license, eh? Check out our "Why Should I Care About This Driver Record Baloney?" article.
Already feeling antsy? Want to upgrade your Learner's Permit to an Intermediate License? Let's play a little game to see if you're eligible.
Learner's Permit: Choose Your Own Adventure (As Long As It Sticks to State Rules)
Let's say you've had your Learner's Permit for a while now and want to upgrade:
A. Are you 21 or older? If YES, go to B. If NO, go to C.
B. Congrats! None of this applies to you.
C. Have you had your Learner's Permit for at least 180 days? If YES, go to D. If NO, go to E.
D. Have you successfully avoided incurring a moving traffic violation within the last 180 days? If YES, go to F. If NO, go to E.
E. Sorry kid, you're gonna have to wait a while.
F. Has a parent, legal guardian, or responsible adult driver aged 21 or older certified that you have had at least 60 hours of driving practice, of which at least ten were at night? If YES, go to G. If NO, go to E.
G. Have you passed a driving test? If YES, go to H. If NO, go to E.
H. Congrats! You're the proud owner of a shiny new Class D Intermediate Kentucky Driver's License.