Traffic citations in Kentucky may bring drivers serious consequences on their driver’s licenses, car insurance rates and driving records. Drivers can choose to either appeal by pleading innocent, or admit guilt and pay the associated fines. Find out more information about traffic ticket defense options and about how to pay a speeding ticket in Kentucky by reviewing the sections below:


Fighting a Kentucky Ticket

Drivers can fight traffic tickets in Kentucky if they consider themselves innocent of the offense they are charged with. Drivers are required to visit a traffic violation court in person on the due date and plead “not guilty” in front of a judge.

Motorists will be able to dismiss traffic citations if they are innocent of the offense. However, drivers who try to beat a traffic ticket in KY and are found guilty will face payment of fines and fees as well as appropriate penalties.

Paying a Kentucky Ticket

When paying traffic fines in Kentucky, drivers admit their guilt to the committed offense. Drivers can pay traffic citations online, by mail, by phone or in person. Paying traffic tickets online is the most convenient and fastest method and can be used more than four days before the due date written on your citation.

Note: An online payment is not available to drivers who live in the following counties: Harlan, Logan, or Menifee.

Lost Tickets in Kentucky

Regardless of whether drivers decide to dispute traffic tickets in Kentucky or to pay the fine, they must have the tickets in their possession. Drivers will be prevented from contesting a traffic citation if they lose the ticket. Therefore, they may find information about their tickets either online on the KY Court of Justice, or by contacting the court handling the case.

When using the online system, you must provide the year, type and control number of your citation. You may also find your ticket by choosing one of the party options and by providing your full name, driver’s license number and the county where you received the citation. Once you obtain the citation information, you may handle the imposed fines and appropriate penalties.

Kentucky Fines and Penalties

Failure to dismiss traffic tickets in KY will require you to pay applicable fines and to face additional penalties. The ticket violation payments may vary depending on the offense or misdemeanor committed:

  • Class A misdemeanor – $500
  • Class B misdemeanor – $250
  • Violation – $250

In addition to paying driving fines, drivers who want to challenge speeding tickets in Kentucky may also face additional penalties such as driver’s license suspensions.

Points in Kentucky

Different KY traffic tickets may incur as a result of accumulating too many demerit points on a Kentucky driving record. The number of demerit points for each traffic violation will vary depending on the type of offense committed. The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet’s Division of Driver Licensing has established a point system, which determines the number of points for the following traffic violations:

  • Driving 16 to 25 mph over the limit – 6 points
  • Combination of two hazardous violations in one occurrence – 6 points
  • Improper passing – 5 points
  • Reckless driving – 4 points
  • Following too closely – 4 points
  • Careless driving – 3 points
  • Texting while driving – 3 points

Note: Some Kentucky traffic violations will bring you no demerit points on your driving record. Such violations include driving 10 or less mph over the speed limit on a limited access highway. Others will result in points as well as the possibility of jail time such as a DUI.

How Tickets Affect a Kentucky Drivers License

Failure to respond to a traffic citation in Kentucky may result in a driver’s license suspension. In addition, committing too many violations will bring you a high number of demerit points on your driving record. Accruing 12 demerit points within two years will suspend your driving privileges.

Motorists can prevent the accumulation of points by attending a state-approved Kentucky traffic school. Drivers will avoid assessment of demerit points for the committed Kentucky traffic violation by successfully completing a traffic school.

A Kentucky traffic attorney can also assist you in reducing the impact of a violation on your driving record. A lawyer can assist you in having the fines reduces or may be able to have your case dismissed.

Kentucky Car Insurance Fines and Violations

Motorists with a high number of traffic violations in KY may have their car insurance premiums increased. Drivers looking to save money on their auto insurance can benefit from enrolling in a state traffic school. In addition, drivers who are required to attend traffic school by state courts will avoid the usual surge in insurance rates a traffic citation can cause.

Last updated on Wednesday, October 14 2020.