Behind-the-Wheel & ELDT Training
Finish Entry-Level Driver Training with an FMCSA-registered provider if you're a first-time Class A/B applicant.
Find an ELDT providerKentucky CDL Prep
Kentucky CDL Permit Practice Tests & Study Guide
Everything you need to get your Kentucky commercial learner's permit — the steps, the DOT medical exam, training requirements, and realistic practice tests aligned with the Kentucky CDL manual.
How to Get a CDL Permit in Kentucky
In Kentucky, commercial learner's permits and CDLs are issued by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. Use the facts and steps below for ages, hold times, and what to do next.
50Test questions
80%Passing score
14 daysCLP hold period
- Minimum age
- 18 intrastate / 21 interstate
- CLP validity
- 180 days
- Retest wait
- 24 hours
Age, validity & retest
- Minimum age
- 18 intrastate / 21 interstate
- CLP validity
- 180 days
- Retest wait
- 24 hours
Step-by-step process
Confirm you're eligible
Hold a valid base license and meet Kentucky age rules — 18 in-state, 21 for interstate or hazmat.
Pass the DOT medical exam
Get a DOT physical from a certified examiner and get your medical certificate on file with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet.
Study the CDL manual
Read the official Kentucky CDL manual and practice until you're ready for the written exams.
Pass the written tests and get your CLP
Pass the required knowledge tests (80% to pass) at the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and get your CLP.
Hold your CLP for 14 days
Practice with a qualified CDL holder for 14 days before you can take the skills test.
Complete ELDT if required
Finish Entry-Level Driver Training with an FMCSA-registered provider if you're a first-time Class A/B applicant.
Pass the skills test and get your CDL
Pass the pre-trip, basic controls, and road test to upgrade your CLP to a full CDL.
Choose Your CDL Class: A, B, or C
The class you need depends on the vehicle you plan to drive in Kentucky. Pick your class to see the tests and study material that apply to you.
CDL
Class A CDL
Tractor-trailers, 18-wheelers, and large combination vehicles with a GCWR over 26,001 pounds.
CDL
Class B CDL
Straight trucks, dump trucks, box trucks, and large buses over 26,001 pounds GVWR.
CDL
Class C CDL
Passenger vehicles and hazmat loads that do not fit Class A or B but still require a CDL.
Health requirement
DOT Medical Card / DOT Physical
Before the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet issues your CDL, you must pass a DOT physical — a medical exam performed by a certified examiner that confirms you're fit to operate a commercial vehicle.
The examiner checks your vision, hearing, blood pressure, and general health, then issues a Medical Examiner's Certificate (often called a "DOT medical card"). You file this with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, and it must be renewed periodically to keep your CDL valid.
- Required for most CDL applicants before a permit or license is issued
- Performed by an examiner listed on the FMCSA National Registry
- Results in a Medical Examiner's Certificate (DOT medical card)
- Must be kept current — typically renewed every 24 months or sooner
Behind-the-Wheel CDL Training & DOT Medical Examiners
Two federal requirements you'll handle outside the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet testing office.
Finding a DOT Medical Examiner
Your DOT physical must be done by an FMCSA-certified examiner. Use the National Registry to find one near you.
Find a certified medical examinerKentucky CDL Permit Study Plan
A simple order to study in so you're ready for every test section on your permit exam.
Start with the general knowledge test
Every Kentucky CDL applicant takes this test. Study it first, then take full-length practice tests until you consistently score above 80%.
Practice core testsAdd the tests for your class
Study Air Brakes if your vehicle has them, and Combination Vehicles if you're going for a Class A. Focus on one section at a time.
See class testsLayer in your endorsements
If your job needs hazmat, tanker, passenger, school bus, or doubles/triples, study those sections once your core tests feel solid.
Browse endorsements- Before test day
Review missed questions before test day
Retake practice tests, review every explanation for questions you miss, and only schedule your exam once you pass consistently.
Try a sample quiz
Core tests · Steps 01–02
CDL test sections to study
Add-ons · Step 03
Optional endorsements
Prepare with PrepCDL
Study smarter, practice faster, and walk into your CDL exam prepared.
1000+ Practice Questions
Practice with exam-style questions covering CDL rules, safety, inspections, endorsements, and real test topics.
State-Specific CDL Prep
Study material tailored to your state's CDL manual so you focus on the rules that matter for your test.
Realistic Exam Practice
Build confidence with practice tests, randomized questions, progress tracking, and detailed answer explanations.
Question 1 of 5
What is the most important reason for doing a vehicle inspection?
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions from CDL applicants in Kentucky.
Do I need Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) in Kentucky?
Yes. Kentucky requires ELDT before the road test for first-time Class A or B applicants, upgrades from Class B to Class A, and first-time school bus, passenger, or hazmat endorsements. First-time hazmat applicants must complete TSA fingerprinting and hazmat ELDT before the hazmat knowledge test.
Do I need a DOT medical certificate for a CDL in Kentucky?
Yes for interstate commercial drivers over 10,000 pounds GVWR. Have a certified Medical Examiner complete your Medical Examiner's Certificate and upload it to the FMCSA National Registry, then complete self-certification at a Regional Office or through myDrive. Kentucky also offers Intrastate Medical Waivers for drivers who do not meet federal physical standards and operate only in Kentucky.
What do I need to bring to apply for a CDL permit in Kentucky?
Plan to bring your valid driver's license and be ready to complete self-certification and the $3 NCIC check at a Driver Licensing Regional Office. Provide a list of all states where you held a driver's license in the last 10 years if applicable. Your Medical Examiner's Certificate should already be uploaded to the National Registry. A CLP costs $11 ($14 for REAL ID).
Do I need a background check for a hazmat endorsement in Kentucky?
Yes. First-time hazmat applicants must complete KSP fingerprinting ($138.25) and a TSA security threat assessment before the endorsement test, then finish hazmat ELDT and pass the $5 hazmat knowledge test with KSP. Assessments renew every five years; TWIC cards can be submitted to [email protected] as proof of assessment.
How much does a Kentucky CLP cost?
A Kentucky Commercial Learner's Permit costs $11, or $14 for a REAL ID. You also pay a $3 NCIC background check fee at the Regional Office before written testing. A temporary paper permit is issued until your permanent credential arrives by mail.
Who gives Kentucky CDL written and skills tests?
Kentucky State Police administer written, vision, and skills tests. Visit a Driver Licensing Regional Office first for paperwork and fees, test with KSP, then return to the Regional Office for your CLP or CDL. Schedule skills tests by calling 1-800-542-5990 (press 1).
Can military members get a Kentucky CDL skills waiver?
Yes. Active-duty members or those discharged within the past 12 months seeking an initial CDL may apply for a skills test waiver (endorsements that require skills testing are not covered). Commanding officers submit applications to [email protected] or through myDrive.
What is a Kentucky Farm-Related Restricted CDL?
A restricted Class B CDL for farm retail outlets, suppliers, agri-chemical businesses, custom harvesters, and livestock feeders. It is valid for 60, 120, or 180 days within any 12-month period and only within 150 miles of the farm being serviced. Applicants must be 18+, U.S. citizens or permanent residents, and have held a Kentucky license for at least one year. The license costs $15.
Does PrepCDL cover Kentucky?
Yes. PrepCDL includes state-specific study guides and practice questions aligned with the Kentucky CDL manual, plus prep for every class and endorsement.