Kentucky Traffic Violations

Traffic violations are crimes committed or mistakes made when driving a vehicle. In Kentucky, offenses range from non-criminal violations (like routine speeding) to misdemeanors and felonies.

Every state resident needs to understand all mechanisms underlying legal, financial, and civil violations. They must be familiar with common offenses and penalties, and then demonstrate how to search and obtain Kentucky records (online or offline).

What Is Considered a Traffic Violation in Kentucky?

Kentucky’s traffic laws are primarily located in KRS Chapters 186, 189, and 189A. These laws regulate and safeguard all road users while assisting drivers in avoiding legal issues and their consequences.

Any breach of these laws results in a traffic violation and may lead to misdemeanors, felonies, or DUIs. DUI is defined as per se at 0.08 BAC for adults, 0.02 for drivers under 21years, and 0.04 for commercial drivers. It attracts severe penalties that are enhanced by prior convictions within the past ten years.

Types of Traffic Violations in Kentucky

Here are some of the significant traffic violations in Kentucky:

• Speeding. Kentucky setsstatutory and posted limits for all drivers on its roads. Excessive speed may trigger suspension for drivers.
• Running a red light/stop sign. All drivers must obey all traffic controls and police officers on the road, including signals and stop signs.
• Driving without a license. Operating without a valid license, or while suspended/revoked, violates the traffic laws.
• Driving without insurance. Drivers or individuals must ensure their vehicle has insurance while operating on the road.
• Reckless/careless driving.KRS 189.290 classifies reckless driving as a violation of the traffic laws.
• Hit-and-run / leaving the scene. Under KRS 189.580, drivers must stop, render aid, and give information after crashes to the authorities.
• Failure to yield.Right-of-way rules apply at intersections, turns, and entries.Drivers who break this order may be charged with traffic violations.
• Distracted driving. It is illegal for drivers to text while driving. Drivers under 18 years are not permitted to use personal communication devices while operating a vehicle.

Traffic Violation Penalties in Kentucky

Drivers who violate Kentucky's traffic laws may face various penalties, such as fines, demerit points, or suspension or revocation of their driving privileges. The severity of the consequences depends on the offense and history:

• Fines and court costs. The amount of fines varies by statute and local schedule. For example, driving without insurance may result in a fine of $500–$1,000 for a first offense (plus consequences for registration).
• Points and administrative action. The Kentucky Point System assigns points for moving traffic violations, such as 3 points for excessive speed ≤15 mph or more over the speed limit, 6 points for 16–25 mph over, and 4 points for reckless driving. Accumulating 12 points in 2 years (or 7 points if under 18years) may lead to suspension. Excessive speed, defined as 26 mph or more over the limit, is treated as a serious violation, resulting in a 90-day suspension.
• License suspension/probation and traffic school. Under KRS 186.574, courts may order eligible minors who have committed moving violations to attend State Traffic School. Some counties provide County Attorney Traffic Safety (CATS) diversion, which may result in dismissal and the avoidance of points.
• DUI-specific penalties. DUI uses a 10-year lookback. Recently, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC)administers static suspension periods (6 months for a first offense). The KYTC also offers the Kentucky Ignition Interlock Program (KIIP) to reduce suspension upon violation-free use of an interlock device. Certain factors may aggravate traffic violations, such as BAC ≥0.15, exceeding 30+ mph, or driving the wrong way on a limited-access highway.

Repeat offenders also face harsher suspensions under the point regulation and enhanced DUI penalties within the lookback period.

How to Search for Traffic Violation Records in Kentucky.

In Kentucky, individuals may search for court records or driver records (KYTC history) through:

• Court cases & dockets Individuals may search for court records via the KYeCourts public portal. They may search statewide by name or case number for District and Circuit Court dockets. Typical results include names of parties, charges, events, and dispositions.
• Background Check The Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) allows individuals to run a background check on offenders for a fee (currently $25).
• Driver History Record (DHR). Individuals may request a Driving History Record (DHR) from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet(KYTC). They may purchase the DHR online for a $6 fee or in person at a Driver Licensing Regional Office. They may also submit a Driver License History Record Request Form by mail, accompanied by a $3 fee (payable to the Kentucky State Treasurer), to the KYTC.

Court records may contain case numbers, charges, filings, hearing dates, and dispositions. Moving violations, points, suspensions, and accidents recorded on a license are found on a DHR.

How Long Do Traffic Violations Stay on Record in Kentucky?

Points may only be removed two years from the date of conviction (not the citation date).

KRS 186.018 requires KYTC to maintain driver history for five years. However, KYTC offers 3-year and full DHR products to the public. Even after points drop, the underlying conviction may remain visible to the public within retention windows.

Prior DUI convictions of offenders within the past 10 years may enhance new DUI penalties.

The law permits some misdemeanor/violation traffic convictions to be expunged by petition five years after sentence completion, provided certain statutory criteria are met.