Kentucky Driver's Permit PDF

• • • • More than three extra driving lights or fog lights. Vehicles equipped with a louvered rear window must have side view mirrors. A person shall not operate any motor vehicle required to be registered in the Commonwealth upon any public highway, road, or street, on which vehicle the rear win...

• • • • More than three extra driving lights or fog lights. Vehicles equipped with a louvered rear window must have side view mirrors. A person shall not operate any motor vehicle required to be registered in the Commonwealth upon any public highway, road, or street, on which vehicle the rear window is composed of, covered by, or treated with any material which has the effect of making the window nontransparent, unless the vehicle is equipped with side mirrors on both sides. Heavily-tinted windows in excess of legal standards. A person shall not operate any motor vehicle, required to be registered in the Commonwealth, on any public highway, road, or street on which vehicle the side wings and side windows on either side forward of or adjacent to the operator’s seat are composed of, covered by, or treated with any sunscreening material or other product or covering which has the effect of making the window nontransparent or which would alter the window’s color, increase its reflectivity, or reduce its light transmittance, except as expressly permitted. A sun-screening material may be applied to such windows if, when tested on one-eighth (1/8) inch clear glass, the material has a total solar reflectance of visible light of not more than twenty-five (25%) percent as measured on the non film side and a light transmittance of at least thirty-five (35%) percent in the visible light range. If your vehicle is equipped with a back up camera, you will not be allowed to use it during the road test. WHAT WILL BE INSPECTED ON MY VEHICLE? • • • • • • • • • Each applicant must demonstrate that he knows how to operate the following on his vehicle: Headlights. Dimmer Switch. Horn. Windshield Wipers. Turn Signals. Emergency Brake. Emergency Flashers. Brake Lights. WHAT THE ROAD TEST WILL CONSIST OF? • • • • The Examiner will inspect the vehicle and examine insurance documents. Rental vehicles are allowed only if the applicant’s name appears on the rental contract as an operator of the vehicle. An Examiner will accompany you on the road test and will occupy the passenger side of the front seat. Therefore, the passenger compartment, seat, and floor area must be clean or the vehicle may be rejected. Both driver and Examiner must wear seat belts, if the vehicle was factory equipped with seat belts. The seat belts must be clean and in working order. Applicants will be required to drive in traffic, encountering normal situations. The Examiner will not play tricks during the road test, and you will not be required to do anything unlawful or illegal. WHAT WILL BE SCORED ON THE ROAD TEST? You must be accompanied by a licensed driver who is at least 21 years of age. This licensed driver will not be permitted to ride with you during the road test. He must wait to drive the motor vehicle or ride with you if you do not pass the road test. • The test will consist of stops, backing, turning the car around, stopping and starting on a hill, parallel parking, intersection approaches, clutch use (if vehicle is so equipped), speed, turns, lane use, right-of-way use, and overall vehicle control. • Any collision, traffic violation, or dangerous act may result in automatic failure, and the test will not be completed. • Failure to follow the Examiner’s instructions two times during the test will result in being disqualified. • The applicant will be given a score sheet at the completion of the test, indicating whether he passed or failed. A minimum score of 80% is required for passing the test. • You will be advised whether you passed or failed, but will not be provided with a numerical score. • Should you not pass the road test, you must wait at least seven days before taking the test again. Practice during this time is recommended. 6 HOW DO I TRANSFER MY OUT-OF-STATE LICENSE TO KENTUCKY? • • • Apply at your local Circuit Court Clerk’s Office (within 30 days of establishing residence). Present a social security card and typed proof of residence. If the applicant’s out-of-state license is expired at least one day, the written and vision tests will be required. I AM NOT A U.S. CITIZEN. HOW DO I OBTAIN A KENTUCKY LICENSE? • • Applicants who have a Permanent Resident or Resident Alien Card will begin the process by applying at their local Circuit Court Clerk’s Office. All other non-U.S. applicants will begin the process by visiting their local Department of Transportation (DOT) Field Office. Applicable documents will be examined and, if documents are in order, permission will be granted to receive testing. COMMERCIAL DRIVER’S LICENSE In 1990, in an effort to improve highway safety, the Kentucky General Assembly passed the Kentucky Commercial Driver License Act. This law requires Kentucky to implement the Federal Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1986. The purpose of this act is to reduce or prevent commercial vehicle collisions, fatalities, and injuries by: • Permitting commercial drivers to hold only one (1) license. • Disqualifying commercial drivers who have committed certain serious traffic violations. • Strengthening commercial driver licensing and testing standards. • Sharing conviction and licensing information with other states. Effective June 26, 2007, as defined in KRS 281A.010, the use of cellular telephone is prohibited when operating a school bus to transport one (1) or more children. One effect of this act now requires Kentucky to have a classified license system. Those persons requiring a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) will hold a Class A, B, or C license. COMMERCIAL DRIVERS Commercial drivers are persons who operate commercial motor vehicles whether they are employed to do so or not. This means the Commercial Driver’s License requirements apply to volunteer drivers, such as church bus drivers, private and public school bus drivers, mechanics, salesmen, etc. Commercial drivers must have one of the following of the three classes of CDL: • Class A-Any combination of vehicles with a gross combination weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 pounds or more, provided that the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle(s) being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds. • Class B-Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds or any such vehicle towing a vehicle not in excess of 10,000 pounds GVWR. • Class C-Any single vehicle less than 26,001 pounds, which is placarded for hazardous materials or designed to transport more than sixteen (16) people including the driver. WHO DOES NOT NEED A COMMERCIAL DRIVER’S LICENSE (CDL)? • • • • • Operators of passenger trucks and cars, motorcycles, and mopeds. Non-civilian operators of military vehicles owned and operated by the military. Operators of emergency vehicles, such as firefighters. Operators of recreational vehicles. A driver of vehicles used exclusively in farm-to-market agricultural transportation, owned and operated by the farmer or his employees, and used within 150 miles of the point of origin. WHERE CAN I OBTAIN A CDL MANUAL? • A copy of Kentucky’s CDL Manual is available on the Internet at www.kentuckystatepolice.org. You can also call 800-542-5990 for more CDL information. NOTE: AN OUT-OF-STATE LICENSE ISSUED TO A PERSON UNDER THE AGE OF 16 IS NOT VALID ON 7 KENTUCKY STREETS AND HIGHWAYS. RULES OF THE ROAD Without traffic laws, rules, and controls, travel by a motor vehicle would be unsafe and impractical. Drivers are tested and licensed to operate motor vehicles in an effort to make travel safe for everyone. This section provides you with information on: Control of Traffic at Intersections Use of Lanes Traffic Signals Through Driving Traffic Signs Passing Right-of-Way Laws for Turning Parking CONTROL OF TRAFFIC AT INTERSECTIONS An intersection is any place where two roads meet. At an intersection there may be traffic signals, signs, or right-of-way rules to control traffic. TRAFFIC SIGNALS The three main colors that guide traffic are: RED means stop YELLOW means WARNING GREEN means GO, if safe RED: A red light means “stop” behind a crosswalk or stop line until the green light appears. You may turn right after stopping if there is no approaching traffic, unless a sign is posted prohibiting such right turns. Even though the light is red, a turn is permitted from a one-way street into the nearest lane of another one-way street running in the direction of that turn. YELLOW A yellow light means the traffic signal is about to turn red. Stop if you can do so safely. A vehicle may clear an intersection on a red light, if the vehicle entered the intersection while the signal was yellow; but it is against the law to enter an intersection after the light turns red. GREEN: If the way is clear, after yielding the right-of-way to other vehicles and pedestrians lawfully within the intersection, you may go straight or turn left or right, unless such turns are prohibited. Left turns on green must yield to through traffic coming from the opposite direction. FLASHING LIGHTS A flashing yellow light means you must slow down and watch for others. It is found at intersections, construction areas, and on some vehicles, like tow trucks. A flashing red light means you must come to a full stop and proceed only when the way is clear. When two flashing red lights mark a railroad crossing. Stop and proceed only after the lights stop flashing and you determine no train is approaching. The familiar cross-buck sign near the tracks is a regulatory sign that means the same as a yield sign. LIGHTED ARROWS Some intersection traffic lights have lighted arrows in addition to the regular lights. A green arrow means you may go in the direction of the arrow, if you are in the proper lane. A flashing yellow arrow means you may proceed with caution in the direction of the arrow. A green arrow pointed upward means you may go “straight ahead.” A red arrow means no turning in the direction of the arrow, until it turns green. When there is more than one traffic light, obey the one that is over your lane. 8 TURNS ON RED LIGHTS RIGHT TURNS: If not prohibited by signs, and you are in the proper lane, you must first STOP, and then turn right when the way is clear of vehicle or pedestrian traffic. LEFT TURNS: Left turns on Red are permitted ONLY when turning from a one-way street onto a one-way street. You must first stop then turn left when the way is clear of vehicle or pedestrian traffic. TRAFFIC SIGNS A stop sign is red with white letters and has eight sides. It means you must come to a complete stop in a safe position with regard to other traffic, then proceed when the way is clear. Stop at the pedestrian crossing area or stop line, if there is one; otherwise stop before moving into the intersection. When visibility is obstructed, a second stop may be necessary before entering the intersection. A yield sign is shaped like a triangle and is red and white. It means you should slow down and yield to traffic on the road you are entering or crossing. MINOR INTERSECTIONS Exit ramps and the beginning of one-way streets are also intersections and often have these signs: Upon approaching an intersection where a police officer is directing traffic, do what the officer instructs you to do regardless of traffic-control devices or signals. RIGHT-OF-WAY LAWS Where there are no signs, symbols, or police to tell you what to do, there are special right-of-way laws to follow. By law, drivers must yield to pedestrians under the following conditions: • When pedestrians are in a crosswalk or at an intersection and there is no traffic light. • When turning a corner and pedestrians are crossing with the light. • Other special right-of-way laws to follow are: • Drivers turning left must yield to oncoming vehicles that are going straight or turning right. • Drivers entering a traffic circle or roundabout must yield right-of-way to drivers already in the circle. • Drivers on a minor road must yield to drivers on a main road. 9 • • At a 4-way, 3-way, or 2-way stop, the driver reaching the intersection and stopping first should go first. When two cars reach an uncontrolled intersection at the same time, the car on the right should have the right-ofway. USE OF LANES Smooth driving allows you to keep more distance between yourself and other drivers and also helps improve fuel economy. If there are three or more lanes in one direction, the middle lane or lanes are for through traffic. The left lane is for drivers who want to pass or turn left. The right lane is used by drivers who want to go slower or who are entering or turning right. If a road has only two lanes in one direction, the right lane generally has the smoothest traffic flow, with the left lane being reserved for the passing of other vehicles. Remaining in the left lane on a limited access highway is illegal. LANES FOR PASSING In general, you should pass on the left. Passing on the right can be dangerous since other drivers do not expect it. Vehicles on the right side are also more difficult to see. The operator of a vehicle may overtake and pass another vehicle upon the right only under conditions permitting such movements safely. Such movement shall not be made by driving off the roadway, unless the vehicle being passed comes to a complete stop and such movement may be made safely. LANES FOR TURNING When turning into another street, turn into the lane nearest to you. If you are turning left from a street with two or more lanes, turn from the lane nearest the center line. If you are turning right, turn from the lane nearest the curb. If you need to change to another lane, do so only after you have finished your turn and when the traffic is clear. If you have already started through an intersection when the light changes, keep going. If you have started to make a turn, follow through. Last-second changes can cause collisions. If you miss your turn, go on to the next intersection and work your way back to where you want to go. SIGNS AND ROAD MARKINGS Many streets have signs that say what each of the lanes are to be used for: (a) vehicles in the left lane must turn left, (b) vehicles in the left lane may turn left or go straight, (c) vehicles in the center lane must go straight, (d) vehicles in the right lane may go straight or turn right, (e) vehicles in right lane must turn right. Similar markings are often painted on the highway. a b c 10 d e