Kentucky Traffic Violation Records

Traffic violation records are official documentation of the traffic offenses committed by motorists in the state. These records are maintained by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) and courts in the state. Traffic violations commonly recorded in the state include DUI, reckless driving, and speeding. 7.24% of motorists in the state have a prior speeding violation on their driving record. This puts Kentucky in the top ten states with the lowest proportion of its drivers with a prior speeding violation on record.

In order to reduce the traffic violation numbers in the state, Kentucky employs a point system to monitor and deter motorists from being careless on the roads. Under the point system, drivers accumulate points for various offenses. Accumulating 12 points within two years may lead to the suspension of driving privileges.

Are Traffic Violations Records Public in Kentucky?

Under the Kentucky Open Records Act, certain information from driving records is available to the public, but full driving records are not openly accessible under the Driver Privacy Protection Act (DPPA). Full driving records may be obtained by the persons named on the records, employers, insurance companies, and government agencies.

In addition, records relating to traffic offenses handled in the court, such as DUI and reckless driving, are maintained by the clerk of the district court. These records are also open to the public and may be requested by members of the public.

How To Look Up Traffic Tickets in Kentucky?

You may look up traffic tickets in Kentucky via the Kentucky Court of Justice website. To start, visit the CourtNet search resource page of the website, select the "Search by Citation" link on the left-hand side, and provide required information such as the year of the citation, control number, and type of citation. Note that the year number must be four characters in length, and the control number must be seven characters in length.

Where Do I Pay Traffic Violations?

Traffic fines may be paid in the following ways:

• Online Payment: You may pay a traffic fine online via the ePay service on the Kentucky Court of Justice Website.
• By Mail: If instructed on your citation, you may be able to pay a traffic fine by mail directly to the district court listed on your ticket.
• In person at the county district court: You may also pay in person at the district court clerk's office in the county where the violation occurred.
• Over the Phone: Some courts accept payments by phone. Hence, you should check with the district court clerk's office listed on your ticket to see if this option is available.

How Much Does It Cost To Request Your Driving Records Online?

Anyone may obtain a driving record containing no personal information (such as Social Security Number and address) from the Division of Driver Licensing of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. However, the Division only issues a full driving record to the record owner or agencies such as law enforcement, insurance, and employers under specific, limited conditions.

A Kentucky driving record may be purchased online, in person, or by mail. An online purchase costs $6 (inclusive of a $3 electronic access fee) and may be completed via the Kentucky DHR Online portal using an AMEX, DISCOVER, MasterCard, or VISA credit or debit card.

If you want to purchase a Kentucky driving record in person, visit any driver licensing regional office in the state. All offices are limited on walk-in slots; hence, scheduling an appointment is advised. An in-person request costs $3 and may be paid with a debit or credit card, money order, or cashier's check. Note that a processing fee applies for using a debit or credit card.

To complete a request by mail, submit a completed TC 94-195 DHR Request Form and a $3 payment using a certified cashier's check or money order to:

A five-year Kentucky driving record includes detailed personal information such as the driver's name, address, date of birth, sex, and Social Security number. Due to the sensitive nature of this information, only the driver can request this record, and it must be done in person at a Driver Licensing Regional Office.

On the other hand, a three-year Driving History Record (DHR) is considered a public record under Kentucky law (KRS 186.018). It includes information such as the status of the driver's license, its expiration date, any driving restrictions, and recorded traffic violations. This record does not include personal details like address, sex, date of birth, Social Security number, or any crash history.

What Are Moving and Non-Moving Violations in Kentucky?

In Kentucky, traffic violations are generally classified into two categories: moving violations and nonmoving violations. Moving violations occur in the state when a driver breaks Kentucky traffic laws while the vehicle is in motion. Common examples of moving violations are:

• Speeding
• Running a red light or stop sign
• Failing to yield
• Making illegal turns
• Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (DUI)

Moving violations are considered more serious than non-moving violations and may lead to penalties such as fines, increased insurance premiums, and even license suspension.

Nonmoving violations, on the other hand, typically involve issues when the vehicle is stationary or not in motion. These include:

• Parking in restricted areas
• Expired tags
• Broken headlights or taillights, cracked windshields, or illegal window tints

In Kentucky, nonmoving violations typically result in fines but do not add points to offenders' driving records. Some non-moving violations may be dismissed if corrected within a certain time and proper proof is shown to the court.

How Long Does a DUI Stay on Your Record in Kentucky?

A DUI conviction will remain on your driving and criminal record for at least 10 years. However, if the record remains unexpunged by the court, the DUI conviction record will remain on your record indefinitely.

DUI offenses are punished severely in Kentucky. Despite this, the state records 366 DUI arrests and 5.9 DUI road fatalities per 100,000 records. The following are the penalties for DUI convictions in Kentucky:

• A first-time DUI offense: The penalties include a fine between $200 and $500, 2 to 30 days in jail, and a license suspension ranging from 30 to 120 days. Offenders are also required to complete a 90-day alcohol or substance abuse education program. In many cases, community labor (48 hours to 30 days) may be ordered in place of or in addition to jail time. Installation of an ignition interlock device (IID) is optional for first offenses but can reduce the suspension period. However, if the offense involved aggravating factors, such as a very high blood alcohol concentration (0.15 or higher), excessive speeding, or having a child in the car, mandatory minimum jail time may apply.
• A second DUI offense within 10 years: The penalties include 7 days to 6 months in jail, fines between $350 and $500, and a license suspension of 12 to 18 months. Offenders must also perform 10 days to 6 months of community labor, attend a one-year substance abuse treatment program, and install an IID if they seek a hardship license.
• A third DUI offense: Jail time ranges from 30 days to 12 months, with fines from $500 to $1,000, and a license suspension of 24 to 36 months. The court may also mandate additional substance abuse treatment, and the use of an IID becomes mandatory.

What Are the Penalties for Breaking the Speed Limit in Kentucky?

While Kentucky has a basic speed law, drivers are allowed to operate their vehicles at a safe speed based on current weather, traffic, and road surface conditions, even if lower than the posted speed limits. Except where otherwise posted, the following are the general speed limits in Kentucky:

• 15 mph in alleys or off-street parking facilities
• 35 mph in business and residential districts
• 55 mph on most two-lane highways
• 65 mph on interstate highways and parkways

Penalties for speeding in the state are outlined under Section 189.394 of the Kentucky Revised Statute. The penalties for speeding depend on how far over the posted limit a driver is traveling, the location, and any prior offenses. Typically, a speeding violation carries a base fine ranging from $20 to $100. However, this amount may increase significantly when court costs and administrative fees, typically exceeding $140, are added.

In addition to fines, speeding violations in the state result in points being added to the driver's record. The number of points ranges from 3 to 6, depending on the severity of the violation. Accumulating 12 or more points within two years may lead to a suspension of the driver's license.

Drivers caught speeding 26 mph or more over the limit may face an immediate license suspension, particularly if they are repeat offenders. Insurance premiums often rise after a speeding conviction as well, making the long-term financial impact greater than just the initial ticket.

Note that penalties for speeding violations are more severe in designated school or construction zones, where fines are increased regardless of whether children or workers are present at the time of the violation.

How Long Does a Speeding Ticket Stay on Your Record in Kentucky?

A speeding ticket typically stays on your Kentucky driving record for five years from the date of the conviction. However, while the violation remains on record for five years, the points assigned for a speeding ticket usually expire after two years.

How To Appeal A Traffic Ticket?

You may represent yourself in a traffic court in Kentucky when contesting a speeding ticket. In fighting the ticket, you may use the following defenses:

• Faulty Equipment: Argue that the radar or speed detection device was not properly calibrated or maintained.
• Mistaken Identity: Claim that your vehicle was not the one speeding, especially if there were multiple cars present.
• Justifiable Emergency: Explain that you were speeding due to a genuine emergency, such as a medical issue.
• Obstructed or Missing Speed Limit Sign: Argue that the speed limit sign was missing, unclear, or not visible due to weather or obstruction.
• Officer Error: Suggest that the officer made a mistake in visually estimating your speed or pulled over the wrong vehicle.

However, you should consider hiring an experienced traffic attorney in certain circumstances. Such situations include when:

• The ticket may result in license suspension
• You have a commercial driver's license and risk losing your job
• If you are accused of reckless driving or other serious charges, along with speeding

How To Resolve an Out-of-State Traffic Ticket?

If you are a visitor in Kentucky and have committed a traffic violation in the state, your home state may be notified of any unpaid or unresolved traffic violation in Kentucky since the state participates in the Non-Resident Violator Compact (NRVC) and the Driver License Compact (DLC). The NRVC and the DLC are driver reciprocity agreements in the United States, allowing member states to share traffic violation information.

You may resolve an out-of-state traffic ticket in the following ways:

• Check the County Court's Website: First, identify the county where you received the ticket by reviewing the information printed on it. Then, visit that county court's official website. Most courts provide instructions on how to handle traffic tickets, including how to pay fines or contest the violation, as well as contact details for the clerk's office.
• Contest the Ticket by Affidavit: Many courts allow drivers to contest a ticket by submitting a written affidavit instead of appearing in person. This affidavit should explain your reason for challenging the ticket and must be submitted before the court date listed on the citation. Check with the specific court for their procedures and deadlines.
• Do Not Miss the Deadline: It is important to respond to your traffic ticket by the deadline listed on it. Failing to act in time may limit your options for contesting the charge. Some courts may grant an extension if you request it properly before the deadline passes.
• Contact the Local Prosecutor's Office: Reaching out to the prosecutor in the county where you received the ticket may help resolve the issue more efficiently. In some cases, prosecutors can reduce the fine or allow you to avoid appearing in court, depending on the circumstances.
• Consult a Traffic Ticket Attorney: For more serious violations, consider hiring a traffic attorney with knowledge of the traffic laws in the jurisdiction where the citation was issued. An experienced attorney may help you understand local laws and provide guidance on how to handle the traffic ticket effectively.

How Do Kentucky Traffic Laws Differ From Other States?

Although Kentucky shares similar traffic laws with other states in the nation, some local traffic laws are unique, while others are only slight modifications of the common laws in the United States.

Some unique traffic laws in Kentucky include the following:

• In Kentucky, only white headlights are allowed on private vehicles. This rule is intended to reduce distractions and improve road safety. Colored headlights are only permitted on emergency vehicles.
• It is also illegal to use your horn in a residential area unless it is to warn others of immediate danger. Unnecessary use of the horn can result in a fine of up to $50.
• Drivers must also use their headlights from sunset to sunrise. This law helps ensure vehicles are visible at night and in low-light conditions. Failure to follow this rule may lead to a fine of up to $25.