Kentucky Point System

Kentucky runs a numerical point system that adds points to the driver record for each moving-violation conviction. Drivers who accumulate 12 or more points within 2 years face a license suspension. Drivers under 18 face a mandatory administrative hearing at 7 points. Knowing the point value of each violation can help a driver decide whether to fight a ticket, take traffic school, or simply pay the fine.

How the system works

When a Kentucky District Court reports a moving-violation conviction to KYTC, the agency adds the corresponding point value to the driver's record. Points stay on the record for 2 years from the conviction date for active suspension calculations, although the underlying conviction itself remains on the lifetime driving record for insurance and employment pulls. After 2 years, the points "fall off" the active count even though the conviction stays visible on the abstract.

Point values by violation

Kentucky's point schedule under 601 KAR 13:025:

• 3 points — speeding 6-10 mph over the limit, improper passing, failure to yield right of way, following too close, improper use of turn signal, failure to obey a traffic control device.
• 4 points — speeding 11-15 mph over the limit, careless driving, failure to stop for a school bus.
• 5 points — speeding 16-25 mph over the limit, reckless driving, drag racing.
• 6 points — speeding 26+ mph over the limit, leaving the scene of an accident, driving on the wrong side of the road, driving on the wrong side of a divided highway.
• 6 points — first DUI conviction (additional administrative consequences also apply — see Kentucky DUI laws).

12-point suspension

Drivers 18 and older who accumulate 12 or more points within 2 years receive a notice from KYTC scheduling an administrative hearing. The hearing officer reviews the driving record and can:

• Suspend the license for 6 months for a first-time 12-point accumulation.
• Order completion of a state traffic school as a condition of avoiding suspension.
• Impose probationary driving privileges with restrictions.
• Schedule an additional review at a later date.

The driver can request a hearing in person or in writing. KYTC's hearing officer has discretion to balance the driver's history, mitigating circumstances, and the seriousness of the recent violations.

7-point hearing for drivers under 18

Drivers under 18 face a mandatory hearing when their point total reaches 7 or more in any rolling 2-year window. The threshold is much lower because of Kentucky's GDL framework — the same 7 points that would barely register for an adult triggers an administrative review for a teen. The hearing officer can:

• Suspend the license for 90 days to 1 year.
• Require completion of state traffic school as a probation condition.
• Add restrictions like a driving curfew or passenger limit.
• Refer the case for additional driver education.

This is in addition to any GDL restrictions still in force during the intermediate license stage.

Kentucky State Traffic School

Kentucky offers a 4-hour state traffic school course that drivers can take voluntarily or as ordered after a points hearing. Successful completion:

• Removes 3 points from the driving record (one-time benefit, available once every 12 months).
• May satisfy a court-ordered traffic school requirement after a moving violation conviction.
• Is recognized by some Kentucky insurers for a small premium discount.

The course can be taken in classroom format at a state-approved provider or online through KYTC-licensed online programs. The cost runs $25-$50.

Out-of-state convictions

Kentucky is a full member of the Driver License Compact. Convictions from other member states are reported to KYTC and added to the Kentucky driving record. They count toward the 12-point threshold the same as in-state convictions. The Compact does not transmit minor non-moving violations like parking tickets, but it does report all moving violations and DUIs.

Insurance impact

Kentucky insurers pull the three-year driving record and use both the point total and the underlying convictions to set premiums. Point reductions through state traffic school don't necessarily reduce insurance impact because insurers see the underlying conviction directly on the abstract. Major violations and any DUI typically raise premiums by 30-90% for three years. Minor speeding (3 points) often doesn't move rates much on a clean record but can push premiums sharply with a recent prior on the abstract.

Pulling your point total

The Kentucky Driver History Report (TC 94-176) shows the current 2-year point total directly on the abstract. Drivers approaching the 12-point threshold (or 7 points for under-18 drivers) should pull the record before the next ticket to assess the suspension risk. The Kentucky traffic tickets page covers options for fighting or diverting a citation that would otherwise add points to the record.