Kentucky's Transportation Cabinet applies the federal driver qualification rules to for-hire and private carriers alike, in-state or interstate, then makes a handful of in-state exceptions. Here is what every Kentucky driver file needs, and where the state's rules differ.
Source: FMCSA Company Census File, September 2026
State rules
601 KAR 1:005 § 2
Kentucky's regulation applies the federal motor carrier safety rules, Part 391 included, to every commercial motor vehicle that meets the federal definition, whether it runs for hire or in private carriage and whether it stays in Kentucky or not.
601 KAR 1:005 § 4(2)
A driver operating in intrastate commerce does not have to be 21, but must be at least 18. The exception does not cover hazmat transporters, and any trip into another state still requires a driver who is 21.
601 KAR 1:005 § 4(3) · 601 KAR 11:040
A driver who operates exclusively within Kentucky can apply for a state medical waiver of the Part 391 physical standards. The driver has to carry the waiver whenever operating a commercial vehicle, so keep a copy in the driver qualification file as well.
601 KAR 1:005 § 4(4)
A carrier that operates only within Kentucky must apply for an intrastate USDOT number and display it with a "KY" suffix, as "USDOT 1234567 KY". The only exception is farm-to-market vehicles of 26,000 lbs or less.
The checklist
| Document | Rule | When | Kentucky note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Employment application | §391.21 | At hire | Same as the federal rule |
| Driving record from each licensing state | §391.23 | Within 30 days of hire | Kentucky driver history record, plus Ohio, Indiana, Tennessee or any other state that licensed the driver in the past three years |
| Previous employers' safety history | §391.23 | Within 30 days of hire | Same as the federal rule |
| Road test certificate, or a CDL in its place | §391.31 · §391.33 | At hire | Same as the federal rule |
| Medical examiner's certificate | §391.43 | Up to every 24 months | In-state drivers may also hold a Kentucky medical waiver (601 KAR 11:040); file it and make sure the driver carries it |
| Annual driving record review | §391.25 | Every 12 months | Pull a fresh Kentucky driving record each year |
Keep each file for as long as the driver works for you, plus three years (§391.51).
Questions
Yes. 601 KAR 1:005 § 2 applies Part 391 to commercial motor vehicles operating for hire or in private carriage, interstate or intrastate. A construction company moving its own equipment around Kentucky is covered the same as a for-hire trucking company.
Yes. A driver who operates exclusively in intrastate commerce within Kentucky may apply for a medical waiver of the Part 391 requirements under 601 KAR 11:040, and must carry the waiver whenever driving a commercial vehicle (601 KAR 1:005 § 4(3)).
Mostly. Vehicles run by federal, state, county or city governments or a board of education are exempt from the adopted federal rules, but their CDL drivers still need a medical exam or waiver and must be in a drug and alcohol testing program (601 KAR 1:005 § 4(1)).
Kentucky State Police inspectors apply the CVSA out-of-service criteria. A driver placed out of service cannot drive again until qualified, the carrier may send a different driver for the truck, and driving in violation of the order is a separate violation (601 KAR 1:005 § 5).
Bring one real driver file to a 20-minute walkthrough. You'll leave with its score and the exact list of what's missing, whether you sign up or not.