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Kentucky driving laws: What you can and can’t do on the road

Stories by Lexington Herald-Leader journalists, with AI summarization

This collection of stories explains what drivers in Kentucky can and cannot do under current driving laws.

New rules now allow some windshield tinting with 70% light transmittance, and REAL ID enforcement has begun at Kentucky airports, which affects required identification for flights.

The stories outline how drivers must display license plates without any frames or covers that obscure letters or decals, and warn that certain local parking restrictions in Lexington can result in tickets or towing.

Drivers will also learn about restrictions on flashing headlights to warn others of police, the legal aspects of passing Amish buggies, and regulations affecting all-terrain vehicles on public roads.

Read the stories below.

Traffic moves at the intersection of Tates Creek and Armstrong Mill despite the traffic light having no power Saturday, March 4, 2023 after a strong wind storm knocked out power to much of Lexington the night before.

NO. 1: CAN KY DRIVERS LEGALLY RUN THROUGH A RED LIGHT THAT WON’T TURN GREEN? WHAT THE LAW SAYS

Been stuck at that light a while? Here’s what the law allows drivers to do about it. | Published December 13, 2023 | Read Full Story by Aaron Mudd

Traffic is backed up on the northbound side of I-75 before the Winchester exit in Lexington, Ky., on Tuesday, June 13, 2023.

NO. 2: IS IT ILLEGAL TO DRIVE SLOW IN THE LEFT LANE IN KENTUCKY? HERE’S WHAT STATE LAW SAYS

Got a tailgater in your rearview mirror? It may be time to move over. | Published August 2, 2023 | Read Full Story by Aaron Mudd

Two companies have received licenses to provide electric scooters in Lexington. Lime and Spin can begin offering dockless electric scooters beginning Oct. 21.

NO. 3: GOLF CARTS AREN’T ALLOWED ON LEXINGTON CITY STREETS, BUT WHAT ABOUT BIKES AND SCOOTERS?

Golf cart complaints are on the rise in Lexington, with some reporting young children are behind the wheel. | Published April 27, 2023 | Read Full Story by Aaron Mudd

Horse and buggies parked outside the WeCare Clinic in Pembroke, Kentucky, in early December. By Silas Walker

NO. 4: IS IT ILLEGAL TO PASS A HORSE AND BUGGY WHILE DRIVING IN KENTUCKY? WHAT STATE LAW SAYS

Kentucky is one of the most populous states when it comes to Amish communities. | Published July 18, 2023 | Read Full Story by Aaron Mudd

A Bibb County man died Monday, days after crashing into a deer while driving an all-terrain vehicle.

NO. 5: CAN YOU DRIVE YOUR ATV, FOUR-WHEELER ON KENTUCKY ROADS? HERE’S WHAT STATE LAW SAYS

Just how old do ATV drivers need to be? The answer might surprise you. | Published August 10, 2023 | Read Full Story by Aaron Mudd

Young adult drinking beer while driving, she is going to a party.

NO. 6: CAN YOU DRINK ALCOHOL IN A CAR IN KY WHILE SOMEONE ELSE DRIVES? HERE’S WHAT THE LAW SAYS

Responsible drivers know driving under the influence is a crime. But what about your passengers? | Published September 11, 2023 | Read Full Story by Aaron Mudd

Drinking and driving concept. Car key on a wooden table, pub background

NO. 7: TRANSPORTING ALCOHOL IN KENTUCKY? HERE’S WHAT STATE LAW SAYS YOU CAN AND CAN’T DO

Here’s what to know if you’re carrying alcohol in Kentucky — whether it’s on foot or in your vehicle. | Published October 25, 2023 | Read Full Story by Aaron Mudd

A dog may like to stick its head out the window on car trips, but it’s a safety risk.

NO. 8: IS DRIVING WITH YOUR DOG IN YOUR LAP ILLEGAL IN KENTUCKY? HOW STATE LAW ADDRESSES THIS

We get it, Fido likes to go for a ride. | Published January 11, 2024 | Read Full Story by Aaron Mudd

The intersection of KY 1006 and US 25 is photographed in London, Ky., on Tuesday, July 18, 2023. Cars are moving along KY 1006, the road that leads into the Greer Industrial Park where WB Transport is located.

NO. 9: ARE YOU ‘RAT RUNNING?’ WHAT KY LAW SAYS ABOUT CUTTING THROUGH PARKING LOTS TO SKIP A LIGHT

Is the practice legal? A few laws may apply. | Published February 5, 2024 | Read Full Story by Aaron Mudd

Speed limit sign for 35 mph on East Third St. near N. Martin Luther King Blvd. in Lexington, Ky., Friday, September 18, 2015. Lexington is considering a proposal to lower speed limit on downtown-area streets from 35 to 25 mph. Photo by Charles Bertram | Staff

NO. 10: CAN YOU DRIVE 10 MPH OVER THE SPEED LIMIT TO KEEP UP WITH TRAFFIC? WHAT KENTUCKY LAW SAYS

How many points on your license does a speeding ticket carry in Kentucky? Here’s a breakdown. | Published February 29, 2024 | Read Full Story by Aaron Mudd

Kansas judges and prosecutors will be on call this weekend so officers can quickly obtain warrants for blood tests for anyone who refuses a breath test after being stopped for drunk driving. By RICH SUGG rsugg@kcstar.com

NO. 11: CAN YOU REFUSE A BREATHALYZER TEST IN KY? HERE’S WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT THE CONSEQUENCES

Declining to take a field sobriety or breath test may not be wise. Here’s why. | Published March 6, 2024 | Read Full Story by Aaron Mudd

Tinted car windows. By Aleksandr Potashev

NO. 12: ARE TINTED WINDSHIELDS AND WINDOWS LEGAL IN KY? WHAT A NEW STATE LAW MEANS FOR DRIVERS

How much can you tint your vehicle’s windshield? A new law made some changes. | Published April 29, 2024 | Read Full Story by Aaron Mudd

The misconception that it’s OK to leave a dog alone in a car if the windows are slightly open has often proved deadly. As temperatures rise, we must watch for dogs left in parked cars, because they can’t escape when those cars heat up like ovens. By JaromIr Chalabala

NO. 13: WHAT CAN YOU LEGALLY DO IN KY IF YOU FIND A DOG LOCKED IN A HOT CAR? HERE’S WHAT THE LAW SAYS

What can you legally do in Kentucky if you find a dog locked in a hot car? Here’s what the law says. | Published June 5, 2024 | Read Full Story by Aaron Mudd

Traffic crossing an interstate highway four lane on a bridge over the Ohio River, Louisville, Kentucky, USA. By catnap72

NO. 14: IS IT OK TO DRIVE WITH EXPIRED VEHICLE REGISTRATION TAGS IN KY? HERE’S WHAT STATE LAW SAYS

Can you be ticketed for expired tags — even if they’re one day past their expired date? Here’s what Kentucky law says. | Published June 6, 2024 | Read Full Story by Aaron Mudd

Outbound traffic on Tates Creek Road was bumper to bumper for almost 9 miles on Tuesday as fans of Luke Bryan tried to get to his concert at Talon Winery & Vineyards. It took hours for many concertgoers to get there; some turned around and went home.

NO. 15: IS IT LEGAL TO BRAKE CHECK A DRIVER FOR FOLLOWING TOO CLOSELY? WHAT KENTUCKY LAW SAYS

Who is at fault if there’s a crash? | Published June 11, 2024 | Read Full Story by Aaron Mudd

License plate registration for car with documents. DMV. USA By Bill Oxford

NO. 16: ARE LICENSE PLATE FRAMES ON VEHICLES ILLEGAL IN KENTUCKY? IT ALL DEPENDS, THE LAW SAYS

Looking to add a plate frame to your car? Here’s what you should know first. | Published July 3, 2024 | Read Full Story by Aaron Mudd

Signal changes at the intersection of DuPont-Steilacoom Road and Interstate 5 have made the intersection a nightmare for some. By Jupiterimages

NO. 17: IS IT LEGAL IN KENTUCKY TO CHANGE LANES IN AN INTERSECTION? WHAT TRAFFIC LAWS REQUIRE

Improper lane usage could cost you points on your license in Kentucky. | Published August 7, 2024 | Read Full Story by Aaron Mudd

While other states pose more requirements on older drivers, Kentucky is not one of them. By Rike_

NO. 18: CAN YOU BE TOO OLD TO DRIVE IN KENTUCKY? HERE’S HOW THE STATE LICENSES MATURE DRIVERS

Can the state take your keys away? | Published August 30, 2024 | Read Full Story by Aaron Mudd

Traffic crossing an interstate highway four lane on a bridge over the Ohio River, Louisville, Kentucky, USA.

NO. 19: ARE VEHICLES WITH ALTERED EXHAUSTS OR LOUD MUFFLERS LEGAL TO DRIVE ON KENTUCKY ROADS?

Is there a muffler inspection when registering your vehicle? | Published October 22, 2024 | Read Full Story by Aaron Mudd

Traditional enforcement alone isn’t going to solve the problem of too-bright vehicle lights. A more practical approach might be annual vehicle safety inspections, which some states and many other countries do, according to Road Rules columnist Doug Dahl. By Bernhard Lang

NO. 20: IS IT ILLEGAL TO FLASH YOUR LIGHTS TO WARN OF POLICE IN KENTUCKY? WHAT STATE LAW SAYS

Can you get a ticket for flashing your high-beams at other drivers to warn of speed traps? | Published November 19, 2024 | Read Full Story by Aaron Mudd

A plow clears snow from New Circle Road near Newtown Pike in Lexington, Ky., on Friday, Feb. 4, 2022.

NO. 21: IS IT LEGAL TO PASS A WORKING SNOW PLOW IN KENTUCKY? FOLLOW THESE SAFETY GUIDELINES

Could passing a snow plow get you a ticket in Kentucky? | Published January 7, 2025 | Read Full Story by Aaron Mudd

Clarice McDowell, with Lexpark, took a photo of an expired meter as she issued a parking citation to a car parked on Boliver St. in Lexington Ky., Friday, March 22, 2013. The meter as well as the license plate is photographed as part of the ticketing process. Photo by Charles Bertram | Staff

NO. 22: CAN LEXINGTON TICKET DRIVERS PARKED IN FRONT OF THEIR HOME? SEE CITATION, TOWING RULES

LexPark is resuming enforcement after last week’s winter storm. Is your car parked illegally? | Published January 16, 2025 | Read Full Story by Aaron Mudd

Old Frankfort Pike cuts through farm land in Woodford County Ky., Tuesday, May 25, 2021. Old Frankfort Pike was selected as one of this year’s 34 National Scenic Byways by the Federal Highway Administration. Roads are chosen for beauty, archaeological, cultural and historical significance, recreational opportunities and natural landscape. By Alex Slitz

NO. 23: CAN YOU LEGALLY PASS AN AMISH BUGGY ON KENTUCKY ROADS? HOW TO SAFELY SHARE THE ROAD

Kentucky is one of the most populous states when it comes to Amish communities. | Published March 8, 2025 | Read Full Story by Aaron Mudd

Here’s what Kentucky residents need to know about getting a REAL ID, including the cost.

NO. 24: REAL ID ENFORCEMENT BEGINS TODAY. WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR KENTUCKY’S AIRPORTS?

On your way to an airport in Kentucky without a Real ID? Here’s what to expect. | Published May 7, 2025 | Read Full Story by Aaron Mudd

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.