Kentucky Commercial Drivers License
A commercial truck driving license in Kentucky is your ticket to gaining entry into a stable and growing industry. With this license, you will be able to drive intra or interstate depending on your age. Before you can acquire your truck driving license however, you need to pass the various qualifications required on a truck driver. This means that you have to fit the state and federal requirements in order to acquire this license.
The first step to getting the license is to pass the age requirement first. Applicants for a commercial driver’s license in Kentucky are required to be at least 18 years old during the time of the application. This is if you are planning to drive within the state only. If you will be driving interstate, you will need to be at least 21 years old. You also need to have a current driver’s license and have a clean driving record with no convictions of felonies and other serious traffic offenses. Having these convictions on your past record may disqualify you from acquiring the license.
The next step will be for you to take a written exam. To do this, you will need to submit a DOT medical form filled out by the appropriate physician; valid identifications such as your driver’s license, social security number, and others which shows your photo and your signature; and the corresponding fees for the test. It usually involves a general type of exam where you will need to answer questions relating to driving rules and road signs but may also include other things especially if you are applying for an additional endorsement.
If you want to prepare well for this exam, you will need to study the Kentucky CDL Manual first. This is available online or you can get it at your local Division of Driver Licensing office. It contains the basic ideas which are connected to truck driving and it also contains the various parts where you will be tested on during the actual road test. It therefore makes for a required reading if you want to pass the written test successfully.
If you pass the written test, you will then be given a CDL permit which allows you to drive commercial vehicles accompanied by a licensed individual. It is valid for six months and you should try your best to learn more about actual truck driving during this period.
Before your permit expires, you must be able to take the actual road test. This includes a test on pre-trip inspection, basic driving skills, and actual driving in various traffic conditions in order to assess your driving skills. The Kentucky State Police will be the one to conduct the test and you can visit any local office in order to schedule your road test. Passing all of the tests successfully will entitle you to a truck driving license in Kentucky which will be valid for several years. You can also apply for additional endorsements such as those for Double/Triple Trailers, Passenger, Tank and Hazardous Materials.
Visit this page to find where you can attend truck driving school in KY, if you are in need of help passing the exams.
Kentucky Transportation Cabinet
Driver Licensing
200 Mero Street
Frankfort, KY 40622
Phone: (502) 564-1257
Toll Free- 1-800-542-5990
Website: Commercial Licensing
CDL Testing Sites
KY CDL Manual