Kentucky Legal Ages

Legal ages in Kentucky

1. Age 6

   • Must be enrolled in school

     Kentucky requires children to attend school, or approved private or home instruction, from age 6.

     A child who has entered the primary school program must also attend.

     Kentucky law · KRS 159.010(1)(a)

2. Age 8

   • Car seat or booster age requirement ends

     The child car seat or booster requirement ends at age 8; after that a seat belt can be used.

     A booster is required under 8 for children between 40 and 57 inches; earlier exit once taller than 57 inches.

     Kentucky law · KRS 189.125(3)(b)

3. Age 14

   • Can work limited hours in non-hazardous jobs (federal rule)

     Federal law lets 14- and 15-year-olds work in permitted non-hazardous jobs, outside school hours and within weekly hour limits.

     Limits: no more than 3 hours on a school day and 18 hours in a school week; 8 hours a day and 40 hours a week when school is out; only between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. (9 p.m. from June 1 through Labor Day) (29 C.F.R. 570.35).

     Federal rule, applies in every state · 29 CFR 570.2(a)(1)

   • Can work (state minimum age)

     Kentucky bars work in any gainful occupation by minors under 14.

     School-approved work programs are exempt, and caddies may work from 11.

     Kentucky law · KRS 339.220

4. Age 15

   • Can get a learner's permit

     Kentucky issues an instruction permit for supervised driving at 15.

     A parent or legal guardian must sign the application for an applicant under 18.

     Kentucky law · KRS 186.450(1)

5. Age 16

   • Can work any non-hazardous job (federal rule)

     At 16, the general federal minimum working age applies: any job except those the Labor Department declares hazardous.

     Federal rule, applies in every state · 29 CFR 570.2(a)(1)

   • Can get a first license to drive alone

     An intermediate license for driving alone is available at 16 after 180 days on a permit.

     A parent must attest to 60 hours of supervised driving, 10 at night.

     Kentucky law · KRS 186.452(1)

   • Can get a tattoo with a parent's consent

     A state health regulation allows tattooing from 16 with a custodial parent's or guardian's notarized consent.

     This floor is set by administrative regulation (902 KAR 45:065), not by statute. Under 16 cannot be tattooed.

     Kentucky law · 902 KAR 45:065, Section 7 (regulation); KRS 211.760(3)(d)

6. Age 17

   • Lowest marriage age with parent or court consent

     With a district court order, the lowest age to marry is 17.

     Under 17 cannot marry.

     Kentucky law · KRS 402.020(1)(f); 402.205; 402.210(2)-(3); Acts 2018 ch. 36 eff. July 14, 2018 (SB 48)

   • Can pre-register to vote

     Kentucky lets 17-year-olds pre-register to vote; they must be 18 by the next general election to vote.

     Kentucky law · KRS 116.045 (State Board of Elections)

   • Can vote in a primary if 18 by the general election

     Kentucky lets 17-year-olds vote in a primary if they will be 18 by the general election.

     Kentucky law · KRS 116.055(5)

7. Age 18

   • Can leave school (compulsory attendance ends)

     Kentucky's compulsory attendance requirement ends at the 18th birthday.

     The statute sets 16 unless districts adopt 18; once 55% of districts did, all had to. KDE's 2026-27 attendance manual lists compulsory attendance as age 6 to 18.

     Kentucky law · KRS 159.010(1)(b)-(c); KDE Pupil Attendance Manual

   • Can work in jobs federal law calls hazardous

     At 18, the federal bar on jobs the Labor Department declares hazardous for minors ends for non-farm work.

     Federal rule, applies in every state · 29 CFR 570.2(a)(1)

   • Teen license limits end (varies, see rule)

     Intermediate license holders under 18 may not drive midnight to 6 a.m. or carry more than one unrelated passenger under 20.

     At 17, after 180 days on an intermediate license with no listed violations and a driver training program, a teen may apply for a full operator license (KRS 186.454).

     Kentucky law · KRS 186.452(4)-(5); 186.454

   • Can get a tattoo without a parent's consent

     From 18, a person can be tattooed without a parent's consent.

     Kentucky law · KRS 2.015 (age of majority); 902 KAR 45:065, Section 7

   • Becomes a legal adult (age of majority)

     State law makes a person a legal adult, with full rights to contract and sue, at 18.

     The statute makes exceptions for buying alcohol, sports wagering and care of children with disabilities.

     Kentucky law · KRS 2.015

   • Can make a will

     A person of sound mind can make a valid will at 18.

     Kentucky law · KRS 394.020

   • Can marry without a parent's consent

     A person can marry without a parent's or court's consent at 18.

     Kentucky law · KRS 402.020(1)(f)

   • Can vote

     The U.S. Constitution guarantees the right to vote at 18 in every federal, state and local election.

     Federal rule, applies in every state · U.S. Const. amend. XXVI, § 1

   • Must register with Selective Service (men)

     Men 18 through 25 who are U.S. citizens or live in the United States must register with the Selective Service System.

     Men admitted on a nonimmigrant visa are exempt while they keep that status (50 U.S.C. 3802(a)).

     Federal rule, applies in every state · 50 U.S.C. § 3802(a)

   • Can be called for state jury service

     A person can be called for state jury service from age 18.

     Kentucky law · KRS 29A.080(2)(a)-(d)

   • Can be called for federal jury service

     Federal courts may call U.S. citizens 18 or older who have lived in the judicial district for a year.

     Federal rule, applies in every state · 28 U.S.C. § 1865(b)(1)

   • Charged as an adult by default (juvenile court age ends)

     Kentucky tries people charged with a crime in adult court by default from age 18; younger defendants start in juvenile court.

     A juvenile court can transfer some younger defendants to adult court for serious offenses.

     Kentucky law · KRS 600.020(9)

   • Can buy a lottery ticket

     State law bars selling lottery tickets to anyone under 18.

     Kentucky law · KRS 154A.110

8. Age 21

   • Can drive a commercial truck across state lines

     Federal rules require drivers of commercial vehicles in interstate commerce to be at least 21.

     Federal rule, applies in every state · 49 C.F.R. § 391.11(b)(1)

   • Can buy tobacco or vapes

     Federal law bars any retailer from selling cigarettes, vapes or other tobacco products to anyone under 21, in every state.

     Federal rule, applies in every state · 21 U.S.C. § 387f(d)(5)

   • Can buy alcohol

     Federal highway funding law withholds funds from any state that lets anyone under 21 buy alcohol or possess it in public, so every state sets 21.

     Federal rules let states exempt possession (not purchase) for a religious purpose, with a parent, spouse or legal guardian 21 or older, for medical use, in private clubs, or in lawful employment (23 C.F.R. 1208.3).

     Federal rule, applies in every state · 23 U.S.C. § 158(a)

   • Under-21 credit card limits end (no cosigner or independent income needed)

     Under 21, a card issuer may open a credit card only with a cosigner or proof that you can repay on your own.

     Federal rule, applies in every state · 15 U.S.C. § 1637(c)(8)

9. Age 25

   • Can serve in the U.S. House

     The Constitution sets 25 as the minimum age for the U.S. House of Representatives.

     Federal rule, applies in every state · U.S. Const. art. I, § 2, cl. 2

10. Age 30

    • Can serve as governor

      Kentucky's constitution requires the governor to be at least 30 years old.

      Kentucky law · Ky. Const. § 72

    • Can serve in the U.S. Senate

      The Constitution sets 30 as the minimum age for the U.S. Senate.

      Federal rule, applies in every state · U.S. Const. art. I, § 3, cl. 3

11. Age 35

    • Can serve as President

      The Constitution sets 35 as the minimum age for President.

      Federal rule, applies in every state · U.S. Const. art. II, § 1, cl. 5

12. Age 62

    • Can start Social Security retirement benefits (reduced)

      Social Security retirement benefits can start at 62, permanently reduced.

      Federal rule, applies in every state · SSA, Retirement Benefits: Benefit reduction for early retirement

13. Age 65

    • Eligible for Medicare by age

      Medicare hospital insurance by age begins at 65 for people entitled, or who would be entitled, to Social Security or Railroad Retirement benefits.

      Federal rule, applies in every state · 42 U.S.C. § 426(a)

14. Age 67

    • Full Social Security retirement age (born 1960 or later)

      Full Social Security retirement age is 67 for anyone born in 1960 or later.

      Federal rule, applies in every state · SSA, Full Retirement and Age 62 Benefit By Year Of Birth

15. Age 70

    • Can ask to be excused from jury service because of age

      From age 70, a person can ask to be excused from jury service because of age.

      Kentucky treats it as a disqualification the person requests on the qualification form.

      Kentucky law · KRS 29A.080(2)(h)

16. Age 73

    • Retirement-account minimum withdrawals begin

      Required minimum distributions from traditional retirement accounts begin at 73 for people who turn 72 after 2022.

      Federal rule, applies in every state · 26 U.S.C. § 401(a)(9)(C)(v)

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