Kentucky

GHSA maintains data on state laws surrounding a number of highway safety issues. Below is information regarding laws in the state of Kentucky. For more information, consult the State Highway Safety Office.

Kentucky
Motorcycle Helmet Required?

Helmets required for riders under 21 or who have been licensed less than one year. Universal helmet law repealed 1998.

Kentucky
Length of Regular Renewal Cycle

8 years

Kentucky
Provisions for Mature Drivers

None

Kentucky
DUID Zero Tolerance or Per se Laws for Some Drugs

Zero tolerance for some drugs

Kentucky
Marijuana Possession and Use

Illegal

Kentucky
Marijuana Impaired Driving

None

Kentucky
Rural Interstates: Trucks (MPH)

65 (70 on specific segments based on an engineering and traffic investigation)

Kentucky
Urban Interstates: Cars (MPH)

65

Kentucky
Urban Interstates: Trucks (MPH)

65

Kentucky
Other Limited Access Roads: Cars (MPH)

65

Kentucky
Other Limited Access Roads: Trucks (MPH)

65

Kentucky
Rural Interstates: Cars (MPH)

65 (70 on specific segments based on an engineering and traffic investigation)

Kentucky
Increased penalty for high BAC

0.15

Kentucky
Administrative license suspension on first offense

30-120 days

Kentucky
Limited driving privileges during suspension

Yes

Kentucky
Ignition Interlocks

Mandatory for all convictions

Kentucky
Open container laws

Yes

Kentucky
Repeat Offender Laws

Yes

Kentucky
Child Restraint Required

40" or shorter in child restraint 7 yrs or under and between 40" and 57" tall in booster seat

Kentucky
Adult Safety Belt Permissible

Taller than 57"

Kentucky
Full Privilege Minimum Age

17 years

Kentucky
Learner Stage: Minimum Age (Years/Months)

16

Kentucky
Learner Stage: Minimum Duration (Months)

6

Kentucky
Learner Stage: Supervised Driving Hours (Night Hours in Parenthesis)

60 (10)

Kentucky
Intermediate Stage: Minimum Age (Years/Months)

16 / 6

Kentucky
Intermediate Stage: Nighttime Driving Restriction

Midnight - 6 a.m.

Kentucky
Intermediate Stage: Passenger Restrictions (Except Family, Unless Noted)

No more than 1 under 20 unless supervised by instructor (secondary enforcement)

Kentucky
Type of Law

Primary

Kentucky
Who is Covered?

7 and under and more than 57 inches 8 and over

Kentucky
In What Seat?

All

Kentucky
Hand-Held Ban?

No

Kentucky
All Cell Phone Ban? School Bus Drivers

Yes. Primary law.

Kentucky
All Cell Phone Ban? Novice Drivers

Drivers under 18. Primary law.

Kentucky
Text Messaging Ban?

All drivers. Primary law.

Kentucky
Speed Cameras: State Law

None

Kentucky
Speed Cameras: Where Permitted

n/a

Kentucky
Red Light Cameras: State Law

None

Kentucky
Red Light Cameras: Where Permitted

n/a

How a 'Traffic Garden' Could Be a Solution to Teaching Kids About Pedestrian Safety

There’s a new way to learn about pedestrian safety in Northern Kentucky. A "traffic garden," essentially a miniature version of a roadway for kids, now sits in Gil Lynn Park. There are roundabouts, railroad crossings, bus stops and bike lanes. The nonprofit bike trail group secured a $25,000 grant for the project from the Governors Highway Safety Association through the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet.

GHSA and National Road Safety Foundation Provide Grants for Safe Youth Mobility in Underserved Areas

GHSA has awarded grants totaling $75,000 from the National Road Safety Foundation to State Highway Safety Offices in CO, KY and MN to work with community-based groups representing underserved populations to provide safe youth mobility options like walking, biking or riding a scooter.

GHSA and National Road Safety Foundation Provide Grants for Safe Youth Mobility in Underserved Areas

GHSA has awarded grants totaling $75,000 from the National Road Safety Foundation to State Highway Safety Offices in CO, KY and MN to work with community-based groups representing underserved populations to provide safe youth mobility options like walking, biking or riding a scooter.

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