AN ACT relating to testing of applicants for instruction permits and operator's licenses.

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AN ACT relating to testing of applicants for instruction permits and operator's 1
licenses. 2
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky: 3
SECTION 1. A NEW SECTION OF KRS CHAPTER 186 IS CREATED TO 4
READ AS FOLLOWS: 5
(1) All written examinations and road skills tests administered to applicants for an 6
instruction permit or operator's license shall be in English only. 7
(2) An applicant shall not use the following during a written examination: 8
(a) A translation dictionary; 9
(b) An electronic device; or 10
(c) An interpreter. 11
Section 2. KRS 186.480 is amended to read as follows: 12
(1) The Department of Kentucky State Police shall examine every applicant for an 13
operator's license as identified in KRS 186.635, except as otherwise provided in this 14
section. The examination shall be held in the county where the applicant resides 15
unless: 16
(a) The applicant is granted written permission by the Transportation Cabinet to 17
take the examination in another county; or 18
(b) The applicant is tested using a bioptic telescopic device. 19
(2) (a) The examination shall include a test of the applicant's eyesight to ensure 20
compliance with the visual acuity and visual field standards set forth in KRS 21
186.577. The vision testi ng outlined in this subsection shall be administered 22
under the provisions established in KRS 186.577 at, or prior to, the time of 23
application. 24
(b) The examination shall also include a test of the applicant's ability to read and 25
understand highway signs re gulating, warning, and directing traffic, the 26
applicant's knowledge of traffic laws, and an actual demonstration of the 27
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applicant's ability to exercise ordinary and reasonable control in the operation 1
of a motor vehicle. 2
(c) All examinations and skills te sting required by this section shall be 3
administered in accordance with Section 1 of this Act. 4
(d) The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to an applicant who: 5
1.[(a)] At the time of application, holds a valid operator's license from 6
another stat e, provided that state affords a reciprocal exemption to a 7
Kentucky resident; 8
2.[(b)] At the time of application for a motorcycle instruction permit or 9
motorcycle operator's license, presents evidence of successful 10
completion of an approved rider training course under KRS 176.5062; 11
or 12
3.[(c)] Is a citizen of the Commonwealth who has been serving in the 13
United States military and has allowed his or her operator's license to 14
expire. 15
(3) In addition to the requirements of subsection (2) of this section, an app licant for a 16
motorcycle operator's license who does not present evidence of successful 17
completion of an approved rider training course under KRS 176.5062 shall be 18
required to show his or her ability to operate a motorcycle. An applicant who 19
successfully completes the skills portion of the test under this subsection on a: 20
(a) Three (3) wheeled motorcycle shall be issued a motorcycle operator's license 21
restricted to the operation of three (3) wheeled motorcycles under KRS 22
186.447; or 23
(b) Two (2) wheeled motor cycle shall be issued a motorcycle operator's license 24
without the restriction identified in KRS 186.447, and may operate both two 25
(2) and three (3) wheeled motorcycles. 26
(4) Any person whose intermediate license or operator's license is denied, suspended, 27
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or revoked for cause shall apply for reinstatement at the termination of the period 1
for which the license was denied, suspended, or revoked by submitting to the 2
examination. The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to any person whose 3
license was suspended for failure to meet the conditions described in KRS 186.411 4
when, within one (1) year of suspension, the driving privileges of the person are 5
reinstated. 6
(5) An applicant shall not use an autocycle for road skills testing administered under 7
the provisions of this section. 8
(6) The Department of Kentucky State Police shall include, in the educational materials 9
it produces for prospective drivers, information about the purposes, processes, and 10
benefits of the organ donation program. 11