(1) The Department of Kentucky State Police shall examine every applicant for an operator‘s license as identified in KRS § 186.635, except as otherwise provided in this section. The examination shall be held in the county where the applicant resides unless:
(a) The applicant is granted written permission by the Transportation Cabinet to take the examination in another county; or

Terms Used In Kentucky Statutes 186.480 v2

  • Autocycle: means any motor vehicle that:
    (a) Is equipped with a seat that does not require the operator to straddle or sit astride it. See Kentucky Statutes 186.010
  • Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
  • Highway: means every way or place of whatever nature when any part of it is open to the use of the public, as a matter of right, license, or privilege, for the purpose of vehicular traffic. See Kentucky Statutes 186.010
  • Instruction permit: includes both motor vehicle instruction permits and motorcycle instruction permits. See Kentucky Statutes 186.010
  • Motor vehicle: means in KRS §. See Kentucky Statutes 186.010
  • Motorcycle: means any motor driven vehicle that has a maximum speed that exceeds fifty (50) miles per hour, has a seat or saddle for the use of the operator, and is designed to travel on not more than three (3) wheels in contact with the ground, including vehicles on which the operator and passengers ride in an enclosed cab. See Kentucky Statutes 186.010
  • Operator: means any person in actual control of a motor vehicle upon a highway. See Kentucky Statutes 186.010
  • Resident: means any person who has established Kentucky as his or her state of domicile. See Kentucky Statutes 186.010
  • State: when applied to a part of the United States, includes territories, outlying possessions, and the District of Columbia. See Kentucky Statutes 446.010
  • Year: means calendar year. See Kentucky Statutes 446.010

(b) The applicant is tested using a bioptic telescopic device.
(2) The examination shall include a test of the applicant’s eyesight to ensure compliance with the visual acuity and visual field standards set forth in KRS
186.577. The vision testing outlined in this subsection shall be administered under the provisions established in KRS § 186.577 at, or prior to, the time of application. The examination shall also include a test of the applicant’s ability to read and understand highway signs regulating, warning, and directing traffic, the applicant’s knowledge of traffic laws, and an actual demonstration of the applicant’s ability to exercise ordinary and reasonable control in the operation of a motor vehicle. The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to an applicant who:
(a) At the time of application, holds a valid operator’s license from another state, provided that state affords a reciprocal exemption to a Kentucky resident;
(b) At the time of application for a motorcycle instruction permit or motorcycle operator’s license, presents evidence of successful completion of an approved rider training course under KRS § 176.5062; or
(c) Is a citizen of the Commonwealth who has been serving in the United States military and has allowed his or her operator’s license to expire.
(3) In addition to the requirements of subsection (2) of this section, an applicant for a motorcycle operator’s license who does not present evidence of successful completion of an approved rider training course under KRS § 176.5062 shall be required to show his or her ability to operate a motorcycle. An applicant who successfully completes the skills portion of the test under this subsection on a:
(a) Three (3) wheeled motorcycle shall be issued a motorcycle operator’s license restricted to the operation of three (3) wheeled motorcycles under KRS
186.447; or
(b) Two (2) wheeled motorcycle shall be issued a motorcycle operator’s license without the restriction identified in KRS § 186.447, and may operate both two (2) and three (3) wheeled motorcycles.
(4) Any person whose intermediate license or operator’s license is denied, suspended, or revoked for cause shall apply for reinstatement at the termination of the period for which the license was denied, suspended, or revoked by submitting to the examination. The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to any person whose license was suspended for failure to meet the conditions described in KRS § 186.411 when, within one (1) year of suspension, the driving privileges of such individuals are reinstated.
(5) An applicant shall not use an autocycle for road skills testing administered under the provisions of this section.
Effective: July 1, 2024
History: Amended 2023 Ky. Acts ch. 17, sec. 3, effective July 1, 2024. — Amended
2021 Ky. Acts ch. 126, sec. 2, effective July 1, 2024; and ch. 188, sec. 2, effective
June 29, 2021. — Amended 2020 Ky. Acts ch. 51, sec. 17, effective March 27, 2020.
— Amended 2017 Ky. Acts ch. 69, sec. 3, effective June 29, 2017; and ch. 100, sec.
37, effective January 1, 2019. — Amended 2007 Ky. Acts ch. 85, sec. 195, effective June 26, 2007. — Amended 2006 Ky. Acts ch. 65, sec. 6, effective July 12, 2006. — Amended 2002 Ky. Acts ch. 264, sec. 9, effective July 15, 2002. — Amended 2000
Ky. Acts ch. 396, sec. 5, effective January 1, 2001. — Amended 1994 Ky. Acts ch.
86, sec. 2, effective July 15, 1994. — Amended 1986 Ky. Acts ch. 122, sec. 1, effective July 15, 1986; and ch. 123, sec. 3, effective July 15, 1986. — Amended
1976 (1st Extra. Sess.) Ky. Acts ch. 36, sec. 6. — Amended 1970 Ky. Acts ch. 22, sec. 5. — Amended 1968 Ky. Acts ch. 63, sec. 8, effective June 13, 1968. — Amended 1948 Ky. Acts ch. 208, sec. 6. — Recodified 1942 Ky. Acts ch. 208, sec. 1, effective October 1, 1942, from Ky. Stat. sec. 2739m-33, 2739m-67.