Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet announced Monday in-person state traffic school and graduated driver licensing courses are being halted immediately, instead holding them virtually through the end of February 2021.

“Since March, when the COVID-19 pandemic began in the commonwealth, I have asked all of our Cabinets and state agencies to find innovative ways to keep Kentuckians healthy and to make our services more convenient,” said Gov. Andy Beshear.  “I’m proud that KYTC has done just that; these virtual classes are not only the safest option right now, but they’re the easiest option for many students.”

Eighty of Kentucky’s 120 counties are considered red zone counties this week, following the release of the COVID incidence map last Thursday, and the move is due to the red zone recommendations which were developed in conjunction with the White House and state public health officials.  Last week, saw the highest number of new cases of the coronavirus in Kentucky since the first one was reported March 6.

“This action is being taken in keeping with Gov. Beshear’s recommendations for containing and combatting the spread of COVID-19,” said Matt Cole, commissioner of the KYTC Department of Vehicle Regulation, which includes the Division of Driver Licensing, the agency which oversees the programs.

Gov. Beshear’s administration has issued specific guidelines for containing the spread of COVID-19 in “red zone” counties – those with a daily incidence rate of 25 or more new cases per 100,000 people. The guidelines, which aim to reduce Kentuckians’ total contacts to stop the spread of the virus, include virtual operation of government offices not engaged in critical services.

“We are fully supportive of the governor’s guidelines,” Cole said.

If sufficient progress against the virus is made, in-person traffic school and graduated driver licensing classes will resume March 1, 2021, Cole said.