In Kentucky, teenagers compose just 6% of the driving population but they're involved in 20% of highway accidents. To help keep young drivers safe, Kentucky has implemented a graduated licensing program. Here are the steps you'll need to follow to get your Kentucky drivers license.

Step One: Get Your Permit

Getting your permit will allow you to practice driving, as long as there's a licensed driver who is 21 or older in the front seat. You must be at least 16 to apply for your permit, which will require a visit to your local Circuit Clerk's office to take a written knowledge exam. You'll be expected to bring along:

• Your birth certificate
• Your social security card
• Proof of your Kentucky residence
• A School Compliance Verification Form
• A parent or guardian to sign your application

Your written knowledge exam will cover Kentucky's driving regulations and highway signs. You must answer at least 80 percent of questions correctly to pass. Luckily, the state offers a helpful online practice test.

Step Two: Start Driving

After passing your written knowledge exam, you'll receive your permit. Permit holders can only drive between 6 a.m. and midnight, expect in emergencies. It's very important that you follow this and all Kentucky driving laws, as you'll need to hold your permit for at least 180 days without a violation before you can get your provisional license.

Before getting your Kentucky drivers license, you'll also need to complete at least 60 hours of supervised driving practice, including at least 10 at night, as well as a driver's education program. To meet the latter qualification, the state offers a free, four-hour graduated license course, or you can enroll in a more comprehensive drivers ed course.

Step Three: Get Your Provisional License

After you've had your permit for at least 180 days and completed your required driving practice, you can take your road skills exam.

You should check with your local Circuit Clerk's office to see when it offers the exam and if you need an appointment. When you take the test, you'll need to bring along your ID documents, your supervised driving log and your Verification Form, which signifies that you're eligible to receive your provisional license.

You'll also need to bring a registered vehicle with proof of insurance in which to take the test. Make sure you're familiar with the car as you may be asked to demonstrate that its safety features are in working order.

Before your road skills test, be sure to review the Kentucky Driver Manual and prepare to exhibit the following skills:

• The ability to drive safely in normal traffic conditions
• Accelerating and braking smoothly
• Vehicle control and correct posture
• Parallel parking
• Backing in a straight line
• Stopping and starting on a hill

If you pass the exam, you'll receive your provisional license!

Step Four: Apply for an Unrestricted License

At this point, you've nearly earned your unrestricted Kentucky drivers license. All you need to do to get it is drive safely and follow the rules.

You must have your provisional license for at least 180 days before you're eligible for an unrestricted license. During that time, you cannot:

• Drive between midnight and 6 a.m., unless going to or from work
• Drive with more than one passenger who is under 20, unless it occurs during a driver's education class
• Commit any moving violations

If you follow those rules, you'll automatically receive your unrestricted license when you turn 18. If you're under 18, you can apply to upgrade your provisional license to an unrestricted license as long as you've completed a drivers ed course.