Kentucky Driving & Vehicles Laws (2026)
A comprehensive legal reference for driving & vehicles in the state of Kentucky. This guide covers current statutes, penalties, and restrictions for 8 different categories.
Driving Barefoot
LEGALKentucky does not have any laws that prohibit driving barefoot. The Kentucky Revised Statutes do not mention footwear requirements for drivers.
State Law
None
Practical Considerations
None
Penalties
N/A
Lane Splitting (Motorcycles)
ILLEGALKentucky Revised Statutes §189.290 prohibits motorcycles from lane splitting or lane sharing. Motorcycles must operate within a single lane and may not pass between lanes of stopped or moving traffic.
Lane Splitting Rules
No specific rules related to lane splitting possession.
Lane Filtering Rules
No specific rules related to lane splitting sale or purchase.
Penalties
Violations may result in fines and points on the operator's license.
License Requirements
None
License Plate Covers
RESTRICTEDLicense Plate Covers are legal with restrictions in Kentucky. No significant legislative changes since 2023, but there is a continued emphasis on ensuring that plates are not obstructed.
Usage Rules
Legal if plate remains legible
Purchase & Sale
Legal to sell
Penalties
Plates must still be readable.
Age Restriction
N/A
Radar Detectors
LEGALRadar Detectors are legal in Kentucky. Kentucky law prohibits radar detectors only in commercial vehicles over 10,000 pounds.
Passenger Vehicle Use
Legal in private passenger vehicles; illegal in commercial vehicles over 10,000 pounds.
Commercial Vehicle Rules
No restrictions on sale or purchase.
Penalties
N/A for private vehicles; fines for commercial vehicle violations.
Age Restriction
None
Radar Jammers
ILLEGALRadar jammers are federally illegal in all states including Kentucky under FCC regulations. There have been no recent legislative changes in Kentucky regarding laser jammers.
State Law
Radar jammers: federally illegal. Laser jammers: legal
Federal Law
Laser jammers may be sold; radar jammers illegal
Penalties
Federal penalties for radar jammers. Laser jammers are unregulated.
Age Restriction
N/A
Right Turn on Red
LEGALRight turn on red is legal in Kentucky after coming to a complete stop and yielding to pedestrians and cross traffic, unless a sign prohibits it at a specific intersection. No significant statewide changes have been made in 2023-2024, but local ordinances may restrict right turns on red.
General Rule
Legal after complete stop
Exceptions & Restrictions
N/A
Penalties
Traffic violation if sign prohibits it at specific intersection.
Driver Requirements
N/A
Studded Snow Tires
LEGALStudded snow tires are legal year-round in Kentucky with no seasonal restrictions. There have been no recent changes to Kentucky's law on studded tires, which has been in effect for many years.
Usage Rules
Legal year-round
Seasonal Restrictions
Legal
Penalties
N/A
Age Restriction
N/A
Window Tinting
RESTRICTEDKentucky requires front side windows to have at least 35% VLT, rear side and back windows may be tinted darker. Windshield tinting is allowed only above the AS-1 line. These rules are in Kentucky Revised Statutes § 189.125.
Tint Limits (VLT %)
Possession of illegal tint is not prohibited but vehicles must comply when driven.
Medical Exemptions
Sale of non-compliant tint films is prohibited.
Penalties
Fines and orders to remove illegal tint.
Age Restriction
None