I'm a new resident in Kentucky: what do I do with my license?

Compare with the state you moved from

Choose the state you came from to see the main differences from Kentucky. Every value comes from that state's official manual (with the page number) or from its license guide. Where a manual does not state a rule, we say so instead of guessing.

Key rules in Kentucky

Each rule comes from the Kentucky driver manual or from the license guide, with its source.

Licensing and paperwork

• Deadline to switch your license

  30 days after establishing residence

  What the manual says

  • Persons moving into Kentucky must obtain a Kentucky driver’s license within 30 days of establishing residence.

  Source: Kentucky Driver Manual (Updated July 23, 2026), page 13

• Tests when you transfer a license

  No tests for a valid out-of-state license or one expired under 1 year; older: written and vision tests.

  What the manual says

  • If you have a valid license from another state

    No testing is required for a valid out-of-state license or one that expired less than one year ago. You transfer your credential in person at any Driver Licensing Regional Office. If you are not a U.S. citizen, see “If you are not a U.S. citizen”.

  • If your other license expired more than one year ago

    Bring a certified Driver History Record or clearance letter from the previous state, dated within the last 30 days, and pass the written knowledge test and the vision screening.

  Source: [1] [2]

• Liability insurance

  Required: $25,000 injury per person, $50,000 injury per accident, $25,000 property damage minimum liability coverage.

  What the manual says

  • Kentucky requires liability coverage of $25,000.00 for all claims for bodily injury damages sustained by any one person.
  • The required minimum is not less than $50,000.00 for all bodily injury damages sustained by all persons as a result of an accident.
  • The minimum includes $25,000.00 for all property damage as a result of any one accident.

  Source: Kentucky Driver Manual (Updated July 23, 2026), page 19

• Change of address

  Update the address on your credential within 10 days of a move.

  What the manual says

  • Changing your address

    After a move, you must update the address on your Kentucky credential within 10 days, and the agency says to update your address with the U.S. Postal Service first. You can update your address online if your account is connected and you upload valid proof of your new Kentucky address. A police officer may cite a driver who does not change an address or name.

  • You may be cited by a police officer for not changing your address or name.

  Source: Kentucky Driver Manual (Updated July 23, 2026), page 16

  Source: [2] [3]

• How long the license lasts

  4 years or 8 years

  What the manual says

  • A Kentucky operator’s license is valid for four (4) years or eight (8) years.

  Source: Kentucky Driver Manual (Updated July 23, 2026), page 16

Road rules

• Teen driving hours

  Permit holders under 18 and intermediate drivers: no driving midnight-6:00 a.m. without good cause, such as emergencies, school, work.

  What the manual says

  • Permit holders under 18 may not drive between midnight and 6:00 a.m. unless they can demonstrate good cause for driving.
  • Good causes for driving between 12:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. include emergencies, school, or work-related activities.

  Source: Kentucky Driver Manual (Updated July 23, 2026), page 5, 6

• Passengers for teen drivers

  One unrelated passenger under 20 (permit holders; intermediate license holders under 18).

  What the manual says

  • The permit passenger restriction limits the driver to one unrelated person under 20 years of age.
  • The passenger restriction for intermediate license holders applies if the driver is under 18.

  Source: Kentucky Driver Manual (Updated July 23, 2026), page 5, 7

• Alcohol limit under 21

  Drivers under 21 are in violation at an alcohol concentration of 0.02 or more.

  What the manual says

  • The manual says a driver under twenty-one is in violation of the law with an alcohol concentration of 0.02 or more.

  • Alcohol limit for drivers under 21

    All drivers under age 21 are subject to a blood alcohol concentration limit of .02.

  Source: Kentucky Driver Manual (Updated July 23, 2026), page 26

  Source: [4]

• Refusing a chemical test

  Must take any lawfully requested test; refusal can be DUI evidence in court; a DUI conviction after refusal brings suspension.

  What the manual says

  • The manual says that under Kentucky's implied consent law a driver is required to take any test lawfully requested by a law enforcement officer.
  • The manual says a refusal may be used against you in court as evidence of your violation of the DUI law.
  • The manual says that if you are convicted of violating KRS 189A.010 (DUI) after a refusal, your license will be suspended by the Transportation Cabinet.

  Source: Kentucky Driver Manual (Updated July 23, 2026), page 26

• Seat belts

  Driver and all passengers in vehicles made after 1981; primary law, so police can stop you for it.

  What the manual says

  • Kentucky law states that a person shall not operate a motor vehicle manufactured after 1981 unless the driver and all passengers wear a properly adjusted and fastened seat belt.
  • The manual says the primary law means drivers can be stopped by officers if observed driving while not wearing seat belts.

  Source: Kentucky Driver Manual (Updated July 23, 2026), page 29, 30

• Child safety seats

  40 inches or less: child restraint; under 8 and 40-57 inches: booster seat; over 57 inches: no booster needed.

  What the manual says

  • The law requires a child of forty inches in height or less to be secured in a child restraint system meeting federal standards.
  • Kentucky law requires a child under 8 years who is between 40 and 57 inches tall to be in a child booster seat.
  • The manual says a child of any age greater than fifty-seven inches in height is not required to be in a booster seat.

  Source: Kentucky Driver Manual (Updated July 23, 2026), page 31

• Phone use while driving

  The manual says you should not talk or text on a cell phone when driving.

  What the manual says

  • The manual says that when driving you should not talk or text on a cell phone.

  Source: Kentucky Driver Manual (Updated July 23, 2026), page 23

• School buses

  Stop arm and lights on: all directions stop; not opposite traffic on 4+ lanes with elevated barrier or unpaved median.

  What the manual says

  • The operator of a vehicle approaching such a bus from any direction must bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
  • The operator of a vehicle approaching such a bus from any direction must bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
  • A stop is not required only when traveling in the opposite direction on a roadway with four or more lanes separated by an elevated barrier or an unpaved median.

  Source: Kentucky Driver Manual (Updated July 23, 2026), page 44

• Move Over law

  Use due caution; four-lane highway: slow, move left if safe; two-lane highway: approach slowly, pass with caution.

  What the manual says

  • Kentucky law requires drivers to exercise due caution when approaching police or other emergency vehicles stopped on the shoulder of the roadway.
  • On four-lane highways Kentucky law says to approach slowly and move into the left lane if it is safe to do so.
  • On two-lane highways Kentucky law says to approach slowly and pass with caution.

  Source: Kentucky Driver Manual (Updated July 23, 2026), page 66

• Headlights

  From one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise.

  What the manual says

  • Kentucky requires headlights to be illuminated from one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise.

  Source: Kentucky Driver Manual (Updated July 23, 2026), page 54

• Right turn on red

  Allowed after stopping if no traffic approaches, unless a sign prohibits it.

  What the manual says

  • You may turn right on red after stopping if there is no approaching traffic, unless a sign is posted prohibiting such turns.

  Source: Kentucky Driver Manual (Updated July 23, 2026), page 35

• Speed limits

  When unposted: 65 mph interstates and parkways, 55 mph other state highways, 35 mph business or residential districts.

  What the manual says

  • Kentucky sets 65 miles per hour as the speed limit on interstate highways and parkways when no limit is posted.
  • Fifty-five miles per hour is the unposted speed limit on all other state highways.
  • Thirty-five miles per hour is the unposted speed limit in a business or residential district.

  Source: Kentucky Driver Manual (Updated July 23, 2026), page 49

• Left lane and keeping right

  With two lanes one way, the left lane is for passing; staying there on limited access highways is illegal.

  What the manual says

  • On a road with two lanes in one direction, the right lane generally has the smoothest traffic flow, and the left lane is reserved for passing.
  • Remaining in the left lane on a limited access highway is illegal.

  Source: Kentucky Driver Manual (Updated July 23, 2026), page 46

• Points and suspension

  12 points in two years (7 if under 18) may bring suspension; points expire after two years.

  What the manual says

  • Upon the accumulation of 12 points within a two-year period, a driver’s privilege to operate a motor vehicle may be suspended.
  • The threshold is 7 points within a two-year period for a driver under age eighteen.
  • Points expire two (2) years from the date of conviction.

  Source: Kentucky Driver Manual (Updated July 23, 2026), page 17

Official steps for moving to Kentucky

• Get a Kentucky license within 30 days

  If you move to Kentucky, you must get a Kentucky driver’s license within 30 days of establishing residency to legally drive on Kentucky roads. Licenses and ID cards are issued at any Driver Licensing Regional Office. If you need any testing, schedule it with KSP.

  Source: [2] [1]

• If you have a valid license from another state

  No testing is required for a valid out-of-state license or one that expired less than one year ago. You transfer your credential in person at any Driver Licensing Regional Office. If you are not a U.S. citizen, see “If you are not a U.S. citizen”.

  Source: [1]

• If your other license expired more than one year ago

  Bring a certified Driver History Record or clearance letter from the previous state, dated within the last 30 days, and pass the written knowledge test and the vision screening.

  Source: [2] [1]

• If you lost your out-of-state license

  Bring a Driver History Record or clearance letter from the previous state.

  Source: [2] [1]

• What to bring when you transfer

  You need:

  • proof of legal presence in the United States;
  • your Social Security card;
  • proof of Kentucky residency dated less than one year (two proofs for a REAL ID);
  • your out-of-state credential, or a clearance letter from the previous state, territory or country of residence;
  • proof of a name or gender change, if it applies to you.

  Source: [2] [1] [5]

• If you are under 18

  Applicants under 18 may be issued a permit, an intermediate license or a full operator license, depending on their age and the type of out-of-state credential they hold. You must be at least 15 years old to transfer a driving permit or license to Kentucky. A permit holder transfers the permit and is issued a Kentucky permit first. If you are under 18, you must present a School Compliance Verification Form signed by your out-of-state school.

  Source: [2] [1]

• College students

  A U.S. citizen enrolled as a full- or part-time student at a Kentucky college, university or technical college may drive with a valid out-of-state license and a student identification card.

  Source: [1]

• If you are not a U.S. citizen

  A non-U.S. citizen who establishes residency in Kentucky must apply for a Kentucky driver’s license within 30 days. All eligible non-U.S. citizens and permanent residents may apply at any Regional Office, and permanent residents should bring their Permanent Resident Card. The testing rules for non-U.S. citizens are on the agency’s Non-US Citizen page, so check it before you go.

  Source: [6] [7]

• Registering your vehicle

  A person who brings a motor vehicle into Kentucky must apply for registration in the county where they live.

  Source: [1]

Sources

1. New To Kentucky (drive.ky.gov) (drive.ky.gov) — Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (drive.ky.gov)
2. Kentucky Driver Manual (updated 7-23-26) (wp.kentuckystatepolice.ky.gov) — Kentucky State Police
3. Update or Replace a Driver’s License or Permit (drive.ky.gov) (drive.ky.gov) — Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (drive.ky.gov)
4. Under 18 Permit Restrictions (drive.ky.gov) (drive.ky.gov) — Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (drive.ky.gov)
5. Valid Proof Documents (PDF, 11/21/2025) (drive.ky.gov) — Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (drive.ky.gov)
6. First Issuance (drive.ky.gov) (drive.ky.gov) — Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (drive.ky.gov)
7. Non-US Citizen (drive.ky.gov) (drive.ky.gov) — Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (drive.ky.gov)