Ky. Rev. Stat. » Chapter 186
Kentucky Revised Statutes

Ky. Rev. Stat. § 186.470 (2026)

Application of minor -- Renewal of minor's license or permit -- Consent to

✓ current as of May 2026
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release of academic information to cabinet -- Cancellation. (1) (a) Except as provided in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this subsection, the application of any minor under the age of eighteen (18) for an operator's license, motorcycle operator's license, intermediate license, or any instruction permit shall not be granted unless the application is signed by a parent or legal guardian of the applicant. Regardless of which parent signs the application, both parents shall be responsible as provided in KRS 186.590. (b) The application of a minor who is under the age of eighteen (18) and in the custody of the Cabinet for Health and Family Services shall be signed by: 1. The applicant's parent, legal guardian, grandparent, adult sibling, aunt, or uncle if the parental rights have not been terminated in accordance with KRS Chapter 625; 2. The foster parent with whom the applicant resides; 3. Another person who is at least age eighteen (18) and is willing to assume responsibility for the applicant pursuant to KRS 186.590; or 4. The applicant, without another person, upon verification by the Cabinet for Health and Family Services in accordance with KRS 605.102 that shall include proof of financial responsibility in accordance with KRS 186.590(2). (c) If the minor does not have a father, mother, or guardian, and has not applied under paragraph (b) of this subsection, an operator's license, intermediate license, or instruction permit shall not be granted to the minor unless his or her application is signed by a person willing to assume the obligation imposed by KRS 186.590 upon a person signing the application of a minor. (d) A signature shall not be required in the case of the renewal of a minor's license but the signature on the original application shall continue to make the parent, guardian, or other person liable under the provisions of KRS 186.590 on all renewals of the minor's license until he or she reaches the age of eighteen (18) unless the license, or any renewal thereof, is canceled as provided in subsection (3) of this section. (2) The application shall include parental consent or the minor's consent for the receipt and release of the information as set forth in KRS 159.051 regarding the attendance and academic requirements for a minor to acquire and keep an operator's license, intermediate license, instructional permit, or privilege to operate a motor vehicle. (3) (a) A parent or a guardian of a minor applicant, or a person who signed for a minor applicant under subsection (1)(b) or (c) of this section, may file with the cabinet a verified written request that the license of the minor be canceled. A minor's foster parent shall share a request made in accordance with this paragraph with the Cabinet for Health and Family Services. (b) A representative of the Cabinet for Health and Family Services may file with the cabinet a verified written request that the license of a minor child in the custody of the Cabinet for Health and Family Services be canceled. (c) Upon the filing of a request under paragraph (a) or (b) of this subsection, the license of the minor shall be canceled and any person who signed the application shall be relieved as to subsequent acts of the minor from the liability imposed by subsection (1) of KRS 186.590. (4) Upon receipt of satisfactory evidence of the death of the person who signed the application of a minor for a license, the cabinet shall have the license canceled and no new license shall be issued to the minor until a new application, signed and verified, is made as required by this section. Effective: June 29, 2017 History: Amended 2017 Ky. Acts ch. 11, sec. 2, effective June 29, 2017. -- Amended 2007 Ky. Acts ch. 36, sec. 2, effective June 26, 2007. -- Amended 2006 Ky. Acts ch. 65, sec. 5, effective July 12, 2006. -- Amended 1996 Ky. Acts ch. 198, sec. 7, effective October 1, 1996. -- Amended 1994 Ky. Acts ch. 503, sec. 3, effective July 15, 1994. -- Amended 1990 Ky. Acts ch. 234, sec. 4, effective July 13, 1990. -- Amended 1974 Ky. Acts ch. 286, sec. 1; and ch. 386, sec. 33. -- Amended 1970 Ky. Acts ch. 22, sec. 4. -- Amended 1946 Ky. Acts ch. 127, sec. 5. -- Recodified 1942 Ky. Acts ch. 208, sec. 1, effective October 1, 1942, from Ky. Stat. sec. 2739m-41.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 10 cases (1 in the last 5 years), 1943–2026 · leading case: Thompson v. Oklahoma, 487 U.S. 815 (1988).
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Thompson v. Oklahoma, 487 U.S. 815 (1988). · cites it 2× “Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 186.470 (1980) La. La.”
Estes v. Gibson, 257 S.W.2d 604 (Ky. Ct. App. 1953). · cites it 2× “590, and KRS 186.470 qualify the right of a minor under eighteen years of age to have an operator's license, and KRS 186.”
Sizemore v. Bailey's Adm'r, 293 S.W.2d 165 (Ky. Ct. App. 1956). · cites it 2× “Shafter Bailey at the time of the accident was 17 years of age and was driving under a permit signed by his father pursuant to KRS 186.470. It is not argued on this appeal that the driver of appellants’ truck was without fault.”
Commonwealth v. Duncan, 939 S.W.2d 336 (Ky. 1997). “560(7); suspension of the license of a minor upon the death of the parent or guardian who signed the minor’s license application, KRS 186.470(3); suspension of the license of individuals against whom a civil judgment, involving an automobile accident, remains unsatisfied, KRS…”
Robinson v. Hardaway, 169 S.W.2d 823 (Ky. Ct. App. 1943). “’ ’ The action is based on sections '2739m-41 and 2739m-53 of the Kentucky Statutes (now KRS sections 186.470 and 186.590). Section 2739m-41 forbids the granting of a motor vehicle operator’s license to a minor under the age of 18 unless the application is signed by his father…”
Cambron v. Bartlett, 333 S.W.2d 764 (Ky. Ct. App. 1960). “KRS 186.470 and 186.590. Appellant sought to affix liability on the Bartletts by virtue of KRS 186.”
Ogren v. Miller, 373 F. Supp. 980 (W.D. Ky. 1973). “It appears to the Court that if equal protection of the laws is applicable to KRS 186.470, then the proper party to assert the right would be the unwilling victim of a minor child’s negligence.”
Bryan ex rel. Bryan v. Bear, 560 S.W.2d 827 (Ky. Ct. App. 1977). “The record discloses that Logan has liability insurance on his vehicle and that the appellee, as father of Walter, had signed the application for his son’s driver’s license pursuant to KRS 186.470. Appellants filed their complaint against Walter Bear, Logan and appellee with…”
Beardon v. Derry, 645 S.W.2d 356 (Ky. Ct. App. 1983). · cites it 3× “It is her contention that Edward Derry is liable to her by reason of KRS 186.470 and KRS 186.590. These statutes impute the negligence of a minor to other persons under certain circumstances.”
Stephanie Renea Walker, Co-Adm'x of the Est. of Tamara Rachelle Mefford v. Jeffrey Cross (Ky. Ct. App. 2026). “590 provides: (1) Any negligence of a minor under the age of eighteen (18) who has been licensed upon an application signed as provided by KRS 186.470, when driving any motor vehicle upon a highway, shall be imputed to the person who signed the application, if required, of the…”
— Ky. Rev. Stat. § 186.470(3) — 1 case
Commonwealth v. Duncan, 939 S.W.2d 336 (Ky. 1997). “560(7); suspension of the license of a minor upon the death of the parent or guardian who signed the minor’s license application, KRS 186.470(3); suspension of the license of individuals against whom a civil judgment, involving an automobile accident, remains unsatisfied, KRS…”
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