KY Driving Instructor cheat sheet

KRS Chapter 189 governs traffic regulations and vehicle equipment; KRS Chapter 186 governs operator licensing.

KRS 189.290 requires drivers to operate vehicles with reasonable regard for the safety and convenience of others; it is the general careless-driving statute.

KRS 189.130 sets speed limits: 65 mph on interstate/limited-access highways unless posted otherwise, 55 mph on other rural highways, and 35 mph in residential/business districts unless posted lower.

KRS 189A.010 DUI per se thresholds: 0.08 BAC for drivers 21+, 0.02 for drivers under 21, and 0.04 for commercial motor vehicle operators.

KRS 189.580 requires a driver involved in a collision resulting in injury, death, or property damage to stop, exchange information, and report as required; hit-and-run is a criminal offense.

KRS 189.635 requires written collision reports to the Kentucky State Police within 10 days when damage exceeds the statutory threshold, injury, or death occurs.

KRS 186.560 authorizes license suspension or revocation for offenses including DUI, driving without required insurance, and point accumulation.

Kentucky's point system: 12 or more points within 2 years triggers suspension; points are assessed per KRS 186.570 for moving convictions.

KRS 304.39-080 requires every registered motor vehicle to carry minimum liability insurance (currently 25/50/10,000) and proof must be carried in the vehicle.

Following distance rule: use the 3-second rule in ideal conditions; add at least 1 second for rain, darkness, or heavy traffic, and more for ice or fog.

Total stopping distance = perception distance + reaction distance + braking distance; reaction distance grows linearly with speed, braking distance grows with the square of speed.

Space cushion principle: maintain at least a 2-second gap on each side and avoid traveling in others' blind spots; if a driver cannot see your mirrors, they cannot see you.

Lane-change sequence: mirror check, signal at least 3-5 seconds, shoulder check, then move only when the gap is confirmed.

Hydroplaning threshold: occurs when speed exceeds roughly 35 mph on wet pavement with standing water; response is to ease off the accelerator and avoid hard braking.

Right-of-way at uncontrolled intersections: the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right; a vehicle turning left yields to oncoming traffic going straight or right.

Distracted driving: texting or using a handheld device while driving is prohibited for all drivers under KRS 189.292; novice drivers face stricter limits.

Impaired driving: alcohol, cannabis, prescription, and over-the-counter drugs all impair; fatigue is treated as an impairment risk with microsleep episodes of 4-5 seconds at highway speed covering a football field.

Defensive driving formula: SEE (Search, Evaluate, Execute) - scan 12-15 seconds ahead in the city and 20-30 seconds on the highway.

Sign shape coding: octagon = STOP, inverted triangle = YIELD, diamond = warning, pennant = no-passing zone, round = railroad advance warning, pentagon = school zone.

Sign color coding: red = prohibition/stop/yield, yellow = warning, orange = construction/work zone, green = guide/distance, blue = services, brown = recreation/cultural, white = regulatory.

Flashing red signal = stop, then proceed when safe; flashing yellow = slow down and proceed with caution; solid red arrow = no movement in that direction.

Broken white line = lane change permitted; solid white line = discourage lane change; double solid yellow = no passing in either direction.

Broken yellow line on your side = passing permitted when safe; solid yellow on your side = no passing.

Edge lines: solid white marks the right edge of the roadway; solid yellow marks the left edge of divided highways and one-way roads.

Railroad crossbuck (X-shaped sign) means yield to trains; a white rectangular sign with black letters 'R R' plus a yellow circular advance warning sign indicates an approaching crossing.

Work zone signs are orange; speeding fines are doubled in active work zones when workers are present.

Pavement markings in a shared center left-turn lane are two-way left-turn arrows; that lane may not be used for passing or through travel.

Gagné's nine events of instruction: gain attention, state objectives, recall prior knowledge, present content, guide learning, elicit performance, provide feedback, assess, enhance retention.

Bloom's taxonomy hierarchy: remember, understand, apply, analyze, evaluate, create - driving skills target application and analysis levels.

Guided practice ratio rule: a novice needs supervised repetition across varied conditions (day, night, rain, highway) before solo driving; log at least 60 hours including 10 at night under KRS 186.450.

Feedback rule: correct errors immediately and specifically (name the behavior and the fix), then have the learner repeat the correct action within the same session.

Task analysis: break a maneuver (e.g., parallel parking) into observable steps with a checklist so performance can be scored objectively.

Questioning technique: use open questions ('What did you see?') to build scanning habits rather than closed yes/no questions.

Simulation and commentary driving: learner narrates hazards aloud to make scanning and decision-making visible to the instructor.

Error correction sequence: stop the behavior safely, describe the standard, model it, then re-practice; never correct by grabbing the wheel unless imminent collision.

Assessment rule: grade against a published rubric with pass/fail criteria per maneuver, not against other students.

Lesson plan components: objective, materials, prior knowledge check, instruction, guided practice, independent practice, assessment, closure.

SMART objective format: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound - e.g., 'execute a lane change with signal and mirror checks in 4 of 5 attempts.'

Kentucky requires a state-approved driver education course of at least 30 classroom hours plus 6 hours of behind-the-wheel and 6 hours of observation for students under 18.

Curriculum sequence: rules and signs, vehicle control, basic maneuvers, traffic integration, highway driving, hazard perception, emergency procedures, impairment and distractions.

Each lesson should include one primary objective and no more than two secondary objectives to avoid cognitive overload.

In-car lesson timing: limit behind-the-wheel sessions to about 50-60 minutes to maintain attention; schedule the most demanding tasks early.

Formative assessment occurs during lessons (checklists, observation); summative assessment occurs at the end (road test or skills test).

Lesson plans must include contingency plans for weather or equipment failure and a documented route with hazard notes.

Pre-trip inspection checklist: tires and pressure, lights, brakes, fluids, mirrors, seat belts, and dashboard warning lights.

Tire tread minimum: 2/32 inch legal wear bar; replace before hydroplaning risk rises; check pressure cold and monthly.

Brake failure response: pump the pedal, downshift, apply the parking brake gradually, and steer to a safe runoff area.

Tire blowout response: grip the wheel firmly, ease off the accelerator, avoid hard braking, and steer straight until speed drops.

Skid recovery: look and steer where you want to go, ease off the accelerator, and avoid sudden braking; for rear-wheel skids, steer into the skid.

Engine overheating: turn off the A/C, turn on the heater, pull over safely, and never open a hot radiator cap.

Seat belt law: KRS 189.125 requires all occupants to be restrained; children under 8 and under 57 inches must use an approved child restraint.

Emergency kit contents: first aid kit, flashlight, jumper cables, reflective triangles, blanket, water, and phone charger.

Collision scene protocol: stop, protect the scene, check for injuries, call 911, exchange information, and document with photos.

Permit stage: learner must be at least 16, pass the written and vision tests, and hold the permit at least 180 days before the road skills test.

Permit driving restrictions: only with a licensed driver 21 or older in the front passenger seat; no driving between midnight and 6 a.m. unless for school, work, or emergency.

Intermediate license: available at 16 years 6 months after holding the permit 180 days and completing driver education; restrictions ease after 6 months.

Full license: available at 17 with completion of the GDL requirements, or at 18 without the intermediate stage.

Supervised driving requirement: 60 hours of practice including 10 hours at night, certified by a parent or guardian.

Passenger restriction: intermediate license holders may carry no more than one unrelated passenger under 21 unless a licensed adult 21+ is present.

Night restriction for intermediate: no driving between midnight and 6 a.m. unless for school, work, or emergency.

Cell phone restriction: permit and intermediate holders may not use a personal communication device while driving, including hands-free.

Violations extend the GDL period: a moving violation within the first 6 months of intermediate licensing results in a 6-month extension of restrictions.

Instructor certification requires a clean driving record, background check, and completion of a state-approved instructor training course; certification is renewed periodically.

Confidentiality: student records, including driving records and test scores, are protected and may be released only with written consent or as required by law.

Prohibited conduct: no harassment, discrimination, or romantic relationships with students; no instruction while impaired.

Dual control vehicle requirement: instructor vehicles must have a passenger-side brake and mirror for safety.

Recordkeeping: maintain attendance, behind-the-wheel hours, observation hours, and skills assessments for each student; retain records per state requirements.

Grading ethics: score against a published rubric; never inflate results for pass rates or revenue.

Reporting: instructors must report suspected abuse or neglect of a minor student to the proper authorities.

Insurance and liability: instructors must verify current liability coverage and ensure students are covered while driving.

Professional development: maintain current knowledge of law changes and first-aid/CPR certification where required.