What are Kentucky Traffic Tickets?

Kentucky traffic tickets are legal documents given to road users after a traffic violation. Law enforcement agencies in the state typically issue these notices, and they reveal the severity of the offense and the penalties or fines associated with it. Some of these traffic violations include reckless driving, illegal u-turn, racing on a highway, improper passing, drinking & driving violations, and other acts as contained in Kentucky Revised Statutes §189. The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) is in charge of driving-related violations and records. As such, issues concerning traffic tickets in the state can be resolved by contacting the department or law enforcement agency in the county.

Records of traffic violations and all other public records may be accessible from some third-party websites. These websites are not limited geographically and their search engines are conveniently suited for searching specific or multiple records.To use a third-party search engine, interested parties usually are expected to provide:

• The name of the person involved in the record, unless said person is a juvenile
• The location or assumed location of the document or person involved

Third-party sites operate independently of government agencies. Thus, the accuracy and/or validity of these records cannot be guaranteed.

What Does a Traffic Citation Mean?

A traffic citation is a legal notice given to motorists who have violated traffic laws in the state. Offenders who are given a traffic citation may be required to appear in court to resolve their case. These offenders may then opt to contest the citation or pay the fines associated with it. Traffic offenders are usually required to sign the traffic citation at the time of issuance. Signing a summons may connote that the violator acknowledges receipt of the citation and commits to showing up in court. The terms ‘traffic citations’ and ‘traffic tickets’ are often used interchangeably, but they are different. While a traffic ticket allows an offender to resolve the issue after payment, a traffic citation may require the offender to make a court appearance.

How Do I Pay a Traffic Ticket in Kentucky?

District Courts in Kentucky are tasked with hearing traffic violation cases. As such, offenders can contact the county’s district court clerk to pay their ticket fines in person or via mail. Fines should be paid within the specified date indicated on the ticket. Failure to do so may lead to stiffer penalties, which may include driver’s license suspension. However, accepting to pay the ticket fine automatically may be considered admitting wrongdoing. An alternative method of resolving traffic violations is to appear in court to challenge the traffic ticket.

Can You Pay Kentucky Traffic Tickets Online?

Yes, Kentucky traffic tickets can be paid online. The Kentucky Court of Justice operates a unified online payment system for motorists seeking to resolve their traffic ticket fines. Motorists who have been issued a ticket may choose to pay online or contact the county court clerk to challenge the ticket. Some online third-party providers provide platforms where motorists can resolve and respond to tickets. The information required to use these sites include:

• The violator’s full name
• The violator’s location/state
• Birth information if the violator
• The date and location of the offense
• The offender’s license information
• The citation number of the ticket or the DL number

How Do I Pay a Ticket Online in Kentucky?

In Kentucky, payment of court fines and fees can be done online via the Kentucky Court of Justice web page. Details such as court date on the citation, the citation number, and the county where the citation was issued are typically needed to use the online payment system. Offenders are expected to make online payments three business days before the court date on the citation.

What is the Kentucky Traffic Ticketing System?

The Kentucky traffic system is maintained by the Department of Vehicle Regulation and Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC). It is known as the Driver Point System; the ticketing system which is implemented by the state’s various law enforcement agencies. The system is similar to the federal driving point system, and it reveals persistent traffic violators. Also, it is used to determine the different fines for specific driving offenses.

Some examples of points assigned to traffic violations are listed below:

• Six points for failing to stop for a school (or church) bus
• Six points for tickets issued to drivers speeding from 16 to 25 mph over the speed limit
• Four points for following another vehicle too closely
• Three points for careless driving
• Three points for speeding tickets issued to motorists driving between 11 and 15 mph over the limit.
• Three points are given for texting while driving.

Generally, motorists above 18 years old who have accumulated 12 points within a year may be notified of proposed license suspension. Motorists below 18 years who have accumulated six points on their record may also be notified of proposed license suspension. In Kentucky, points may be reduced when the offender pleads guilty at an administrative hearing. At the hearing, defendants may be offered the option of avoiding license suspension by choosing to attend the State Traffic School. Types of offenses and their point values included in the Kentucky Driver Point System provided by the Department of Vehicle Regulation.

How Do I Know if I Have a Traffic Ticket in Kentucky?

In Kentucky, motorists who have been issued a ticket can expect to receive a notification mail at their residence. However, residents who miss this mail may find out if they have unresolved traffic tickets by requesting their driving record. The Kentucky driving record, also known as the driver history record, can be obtained online, via mail, or by visiting a driver licensing regional field office located in Kentucky.

Online access to an individual’s DHR (driver history record) costs $3.50. Being a public record under KRS §186.018, only a three-year driver history record is available to any requester. The report is accessible following a search with details such as the driver’s name, birth date, and driver’s license number. Requesters can also obtain the information via mail, for a fee of $3. To use the mail-in service, interested persons can send a request, including the driver’s name, date of birth, social security number or license number, and current residence address to:

Kentucky Transportation Cabinet
Division of Driver Licensing
Attn: Driver History Records / Fees Section
200 Mero Street
Frankfort, KY 40622

Interested persons may also use online case citation search tools owned to view any unresolved traffic ticket. These online resources are managed independently by aggregation sites and may not be entirely accurate. Requesters may contact the General sessions or municipal court of the jurisdiction where they are resident.

How Can I Find a Lost Traffic Ticket in Kentucky?

Residents in Kentucky may find lost traffic tickets and citations by contacting the traffic court clerk located in the county where the ticket was issued. Information such as the ticket citation number, fine, and deadline may be required to facilitate ticket search. As such, offenders are advised to memorize the citation number, place of the ticket, and the issuing officer’s name and the violation for which they were charged.

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

A traffic ticket can remain on an offender’s driving history for up to two years in Kentucky. However, speeding tickets can be removed one year from the date of conviction. Other severe violations may stay for five years or ten years for commercial drivers. However, the national average is three.

Is a Summons Worse Than a Ticket in Kentucky?

Court summons are given to a traffic offender who may be expected to appear at any district court, as stated on the ticket. On the other hand, tickets can be resolved through payments made in person, via mail, or online. In Kentucky, a court summons is issued for severe traffic violations while traffic tickets are given to offenders who commit less serious traffic offenses.