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Frequently Asked Questions - Graduated Licensing Program
(Please note that answers are provided for both permits issued before October 1, 2006 and after October 1, 2006. If only one answer is provided then it applies to all permit holders.)
1. What is Graduated Licensing?
2. I am under 18, How Long Must I Keep My Permit?
3. Am 17 and have My Driver's License, how does this law affect me?
4. Are There Night Time Driving Restrictions?
5. If I Am Under 18, What Happens If I Get 7 or More Points Against My Permit or License?
6. If I Am Convicted of a Serious Traffic Offense, Such as Hit and Run, Driving While Suspended or Driving Without a License, What Is the Penalty?
7. If I Am Under 21, Will I Lose My License If I Am Driving With .02 BAC?
8. Who Must Attend the Graduated Licensing Education Course?
9. How Much Does the Graduated Licensing Education Course Cost?
10. Will the Driver Education class  at My High School Satisfy the GLP Education Requirement?
11. What Will be Taught in the Safety Course?
12. How Long Do I Have to Complete the Course?
13. I was 17 when I received my license but I am 18 now, Do I still have to take the GLP course?
14. Where Will the Education Course be Conducted?
15. Does Completion of the Course Reduce My Insurance Rates?
16. When Is the Best Time to Take the Education Course?
17. How Do I Get More Information About Graduated Licensing?
18. I am under 18 and transferring my license from another state, Will I have any restrictions on my license?
19. Is there a passenger restriction?
20. How long do I have to hold the intermediate license?
21. How many hours of practice driving must be completed?
22. I am under 18 and my permit was issued before October 1, 2006, how will the new law affect me?
23. If I still have my permit when I turn 18, will I have to complete the intermediate phase?
   
1. Q:
What is Graduated Licensing?
  A:

A graduated driver licensing system is a program designed to ease young novice drivers into experienced motorists by gradually exposing them to increasingly demanding driving experiences and licensing stages.

Enhanced driving skills and JUDGEMENT, combined with education and tougher laws are the tools used to reduce Kentucky's high vehicular teen-age accident and fatality rate.

     
2. Q: I am under 18, How Long Must I Keep My Permit?
  A:

BEFORE 10/1/06 - Permits will be issued for 12 months and must be kept for 180 days before applying for the driving skills test. Permits must  be renewed after one year.  All permit holders must drive with a licensed adult at least 21 years of age.

AFTER 10/1/06 - Permits will be issued for 3 years and must be kept for 180 days without any moving violations before applying for the driving skills test. Permits may be renewed after three years. All permit holders must drive with a licensed adult at least 21 years of age.

     
3. Q: Am 17 and have My Driver's License, how does this law affect me?
  A:
Yes. You are subject to provisions of the law concerning the zero alcohol tolerance level of .02 Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC), the lower points system, and longer suspension for serious offenses.  The GLP course must be completed within 1 year of your license issue date.
   
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4. Q: Are There Night Time Driving Restrictions?
  A:
All permit holders issued under age 18 are restricted from driving between 12 midnight and 6:00 AM.
     
5. Q: If I Am Under 18, What Happens If I Get 7 or More Points Against My Permit or License?
  A:
Before 10/1/06 - You will be scheduled for a hearing conducted by the Transportation Cabinet. Your license could be suspended or you may be placed on probation.

After 10/1/06 - You will be scheduled for a hearing conducted by the Transportation Cabinet. Your license could be suspended or you may be placed on probation. Permit or Intermediate License holders receiving a moving traffic violation conviction under KRS 186, 189, 189A will have to restart the 180 day waiting period.

     
6. Q: If I Am Convicted of a Serious Traffic Offense, Such as Hit and Run, Driving While Suspended or Driving Without a License, What Is the Penalty?
  A:
Persons under 18 will lose their license until their 18th birthday or the appropriate suspension period, whichever is longer. Persons over 18 will be suspended for six months, one year, and two years for first, second and third or subsequent offenses.
   
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7. Q: If I Am Under 21, Will I Lose My License If I Am Driving With .02 BAC?
  A:
You will lose your license for a period of time between 30 days and six months. In addition, you may be fined and ordered to complete at least 20 hours of community service. .02 BAC is "zero tolerance", meaning it is NOT acceptable to drink any alcohol and drive. Persons suspended will also pay a reinstatement fee and take the written and vision test to be re-licensed.
   
 
8. Q: Who Must Attend the Graduated Licensing Education Course?
  A:

Before 10/1/06 - Any person receiving a driver's license under the age of 18, should contact the Division of Driver Licensing and enroll in the Graduated Licensing Program immediately to insure your spot in a class in the county within which you live. Your license will be canceled if the course is not taken within 1 year of the license issuance date. It is your responsibility to enroll and complete the course.
After 10/1/06 – Persons who obtained a permit under the age of 18, must complete the Graduated Licensing Program before they will be eligible for the full unrestricted license. Permit holders under the age of 18 will be automatically enrolled in the GLP course and will receive a letter with the class date and location.

     
9. Q: How Much Does the Graduated Licensing Education Course Cost?
  A:
Drivers who obtained a permit under 18 are required to attend the course and will not be charged for courses provided by the Transportation Cabinet.  Courses may also be offered by Transportation Cabinet certified private driving schools, which may charge a fee.
   
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10. Q: Will the Driver Education class  at My High School Satisfy the GLP Education Requirement?
  A:
Yes. You will need to provide a copy of your certificate or request your school to mail a copy of your transcript to the Division of Driver Licensing.
     
11. Q: What Will be Taught in the Safety Course?
  A:
It will be a 4-hour course designed for new drivers and will deal largely with the responsibility and choices we make while driving. It covers the laws of driver licensing,   seat belt safety, drinking and driving, and driver attitude. It DOES NOT include any hands-on driving.
     
12. Q: How Long Do I Have to Complete the Course?
  A:
Before 10/1/06 - One year from the issuance date of the license. After one year, your license will be canceled until you do complete the course.

After 10/1/06 - You can complete the course anytime during the permit or intermediate license phase. You will not be eligible for the full unrestricted license until the course is complete.

   
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13. Q: I was 17 when I received my license but I am 18 now, Do I still have to take the GLP course?
  A:
Before 10/1/06 - Yes, the GLP course must be completed by any driver issued a drivers license under the age of 18.

After 10/1/06 – Any driver issued under the age of 18, must complete the GLP course before they will be eligible for a full unrestricted license.

     
14. Q: Where Will the Education Course be Conducted?
  A:
The Transportation Cabinet education course will be conducted in every Kentucky county.  In most counties, high schools will be used. Course scheduling will be determined by the school and the Transportation Cabinet.
     
15. Q: Does Completion of the Course Reduce My Insurance Rates?
  A:
Individual insurance companies make that determination.
   
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16. Q: When Is the Best Time to Take the Education Course?
  A:
Before 10/1/06 - While the course may be taken at any time during the permit period or first year of having a driver license, studies indicate that the best time is 90 to 180 days after obtaining a permit. According to studies, safety practices and driving techniques are better retained after acquiring some driving experience.

After 10/1/06 – While the course may be taken at any time during the permit or intermediate license phase, studies indicate that the best time is 90 to 180 days after obtaining a permit. According to studies, safety practices and driving techniques are better retained after acquiring some driving experience.

     
 17. Q:
How Do I Get More Information About Graduated Licensing? 
  A:
Call the Division of Driver Licensing at 502-564-0276, or contact your high school.
     
18. Q: I am under 18 and transferring my license from another state, Will I have any restrictions on my license?
  A:
Any restrictions on you previous state license will transfer to Kentucky. You are subject to provisions of the law concerning the zero alcohol tolerance level of .02 Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC), the lower points system, and longer suspension for serious offenses. You will have to complete the GLP course, unless you have completed a course previously.
     
19. Q: Is there a passenger restriction?
  A: Before 10/1/06 – No, there is no passenger restriction.

After 10/1/06 - Yes. Permit holders issued under 18 and Intermediate license holders can not operate a motor vehicle with more than 1 unrelated person under 20 years of age.

   
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20. Q: How long do I have to hold the intermediate license?
  A: Before 10/1/06 – There is not an intermediate phase in the licensing process.

After 10/1/06 - Intermediate license must be kept for 180 days without any moving violations before applying for a full unrestricted license.

     
21. Q: How many hours of practice driving must be completed?
  A: Before 10/1/06 – Verification of practice driving is not required.

After 10/1/06 - You must complete 60 hours of practice driving, 10 of which must be at night. You will not be permitted to take the skills test until the Driving Log is submitted certifying that the hours have been completed.

     
22. Q: I am under 18 and my permit was issued before October 1, 2006, how will the new law affect me?
  A:
If you received your permit before October 1, 2006, you will not be required to follow the new graduated licensing process. You will be required to hold the permit for 180 days before taking the skills test. Once you have passed the skills test, you will receive the full unrestricted license. You also, will have to complete the New Driver Education course within one year of getting the license.
     
23. Q: If I still have my permit when I turn 18, will I have to complete the intermediate phase?
  A: Before 10/1/06 - You are not required to complete the intermediate phase.

After 10/1/06 – Yes.

     
     
 
 
     
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