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186.430 Exemptions from Kentucky operator's license requirement.
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
Except as provided in subsection (2) or (6) of this section, a person over the age of
sixteen (16) who is a United States citizen and who is not a resident of Kentucky
may drive in Kentucky for a period of time not to exceed one (1) year from the date
the person enters Kentucky if:
(a) The person possesses a valid license issued by the person's home state;
(b) The person has the license in his or her immediate possession at all times
when operating a vehicle on the highways; and
(c) The person's home state accords similar privileges to licensed residents of
Kentucky.
A person who is a United States citizen but who is not a resident of Kentucky who
is enrolled as a full-time or part-time student at a university, college, or technical
college located in Kentucky may drive in Kentucky on a valid license issued by the
person's state of domicile, and shall not be required to obtain a Kentucky operator's
license under this chapter if the person has a student identification card from a
university, college, or technical college located in Kentucky in his or her immediate
possession at all times when driving in Kentucky.
A person over the age of sixteen (16) who is not a United States citizen and who is
legally visiting this country for less than one (1) year may drive in Kentucky on a
valid domestic license issued by the person's country of domicile and shall not be
required to obtain a Kentucky driver's license.
A person over the age of sixteen (16) who is not a United States citizen, who has
not been granted status as a permanent resident of the United States, but is a
resident of Kentucky, shall be issued a Kentucky operator's license if the person
complies with the requirements of KRS 186.4121. The cabinet may at any time
refuse or discontinue the exemptions authorized in this section for any grounds and
may deny, cancel, suspend, or revoke an instruction permit or operator's license
issued under this chapter.
A person whose operator's license or privilege to operate a motor vehicle,
motorcycle, or moped in this state has been denied, withdrawn, canceled,
suspended, or revoked as provided in KRS 186.400 to 186.640 shall not operate a
motor vehicle, motorcycle, or moped in this state under a license, permit, or
registration certificate issued by any other jurisdiction during the period of denial,
withdrawal, cancellation, suspension, or revocation.
The following persons may drive in Kentucky on a valid operator's license issued by
the person's state or United States territory of domicile and shall not be required to
obtain a Kentucky operator's license under this chapter if the person is:
(a) A member of the Armed Forces of the United States stationed in Kentucky
who maintains a home of record for military purposes outside of Kentucky;
(b) The member's spouse; or
(c) The member's child or stepchild who is sixteen (16) years of age or older and
a dependent or under guardianship of the member.
Effective: June 29, 2021
History: Amended 2021 Ky. Acts ch. 65, sec. 1, effective June 29, 2021. -- Amended
2017 Ky. Acts ch. 100, sec. 15, effective January 1, 2019. -- Amended 2002 Ky. Acts
ch. 264, sec. 5, effective July 15, 2002. -- Amended 1996 Ky. Acts ch. 198, sec. 6,
effective October 1, 1996. -- Amended 1946 Ky. Acts ch. 127, sec. 2. -- Recodified
1942 Ky. Acts ch. 208, sec. 1, effective October 1, 1942, from Ky. Stat. sec. 2739m36.
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