Kentucky State Police
Kentucky motorcycle permit test
How the Kentucky motorcycle endorsement works, plus free rider practice on the same questions used nationwide.
- Full rider practice test25 question practice run drawn from 130, pass with 20
- Cornering, braking and swerving19 questions, every answer explained
- Lane position and being seen22 questions, every answer explained
- Surface hazards21 questions, every answer explained
- Gear and the pre ride check22 questions, every answer explained
Rider drills
Riding technique does not change at a state line, so these drills are the same wherever you ride. What changes is the paperwork below.
Controls and basic operation
Clutch, throttle, both brakes, the friction zone and starting on a hill.
Gear and the pre ride check
Helmets, eye protection, what to wear, and the checks before you set off.
Lane position and being seen
The three lane positions, following distance and staying out of blind spots.
Surface hazards
Gravel, paint, metal, rail crossings and everything that matters more on two wheels.
Cornering, braking and swerving
Countersteering, entry speed, braking in a curve and choosing swerve over brake.
Passengers, groups and impairment
Carrying a passenger or cargo, staggered formation, alcohol, fatigue and weather.
The format on file, and what is confirmed
Kentucky lets one certificate do double duty: finishing a Kentucky Office of Highway Safety approved rider course clears both the written knowledge test and the skills test at once, and it can also revive a motorcycle instruction permit that has already expired without repeating either test.
Format not published by the agency
Kentucky State Police does not publish the motorcycle test format anywhere we could confirm, so the 30 question count and pass mark of 24 are the best available figures rather than verified facts. The riding knowledge below is the same either way. Confirm the format with the agency before your appointment.
Does a course skip the test?
Presenting proof of completing a Kentucky Office of Highway Safety approved rider training course exempts an applicant from both the written knowledge test and the skills test for a motorcycle license
Kentucky State Police, Kentucky Driver Manual, checked 2026-08-28.