How to Fight a Speeding Ticket in Kentucky
If you got a speeding ticket in Kentucky, you can usually pay it, contest it in court, or pursue a dismissal/mitigation option. Specific fine amounts by mph tier are set in KRS 189.394.
How to fight a speeding ticket in Kentucky, step by step
Decide how to plead
Paying the fine is a guilty plea and immediately records the conviction on your driving record, with points assessed. Before paying, check whether the County Attorney Traffic Safety Program (diversion) is available in your county — it can result in a full dismissal with no points and no insurance impact.
Check Kentucky's dismissal & mitigation options
Traffic school (KRS 186.574) is a state-approved driver improvement course that can be ordered by the court as an alternative penalty. Completing traffic school does NOT dismiss the citation, does NOT remove the conviction from your record, and does NOT prevent points from being assessed.
Request the evidence in your case
Ask the court for the officer's notes and any photos, device records, or calibration logs relied on to issue your speeding citation — you have a right to review what the case against you is built on.
Know exactly what you're contesting
Specific fine amounts by mph tier are set in KRS 189.394.
Show up prepared
Specific fine amounts by mph tier are set in KRS 189.394. Arrive early, dress neatly, and bring your documents plus a short, factual statement of your side.
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Start my free court prep →Kentucky Speeding ticket — frequently asked questions
What is the statute for speeding in Kentucky?
Speeding in Kentucky is governed by KRS 189.390 (basic speed rule — driving at a reasonable and prudent speed) and KRS 189.394 (specific fines for exceeding posted speed limits). Work zone fines are addressed in KRS 189.2327.
How many points does a speeding ticket add in Kentucky?
Under 601 KAR 13:025 (Kentucky's point system regulations): speeding 15 mph or less over the posted limit = 3 points; speeding 16–25 mph over the limit = 6 points; speeding 26 mph or more over the limit = automatic 90-day license suspension (no point assessment — the suspension is direct). Points accumulate over a 2-year moving window.
What happens if I get 12 points in Kentucky?
Under KRS 186.570 and 601 KAR 13:025, accumulating 12 or more points within any 2-year period results in a license suspension or probation for drivers 18 and older. Drivers under 18 face suspension or probation at 7 or more points within 2 years. A hearing officer may offer probation in lieu of suspension, which lasts twice the suspension period.
What is the fine for speeding in Kentucky?
Specific fine amounts by mph tier are set in KRS 189.394. NOT CONFIRMED — the exact dollar schedule was not accessible in our research; verify the current fine schedule at courts.ky.gov or with the court listed on your citation. Work zones: fines are doubled under KRS 189.2327 when warning signs are posted and workers are present or a lane is closed. School zones: fines are doubled. Do not pay any fine without first considering whether to contest or request a diversion program.
What is the County Attorney Traffic Safety Program and does it apply to speeding?
The County Attorney Traffic Safety Program (authorized under House Bill 480, 2012) is Kentucky's primary first-offender diversion option. Upon successful completion of the program, your citation is DISMISSED — no conviction, no points, and no insurance impact. Speeding citations are eligible (the program is NOT available only for DUI under KRS 189A.010 or driving without insurance under KRS 304.39-080). Availability and specific requirements vary by county — contact your county attorney's office or the court on your citation. This is the most powerful outcome available for a first-time speeding citation.
What is traffic school in Kentucky and how is it different from the diversion program?
Traffic school (KRS 186.574) is a state-approved driver improvement course that can be ordered by the court as an alternative penalty. Completing traffic school does NOT dismiss the citation, does NOT remove the conviction from your record, and does NOT prevent points from being assessed. It serves as a penalty in place of a fine. It is fundamentally different from the County Attorney Traffic Safety Program (diversion), which results in a full dismissal with no points. Traffic school is a last resort; the diversion program is the preferred option.
What is the penalty for speeding 26 mph or more over the limit in Kentucky?
Speeding 26 mph or more over the posted speed limit triggers an automatic 90-day license suspension under 601 KAR 13:025. This is a direct administrative action — points are not added because the suspension is automatic. Consult an attorney if you are facing this threshold.
Are work zone speeding fines higher in Kentucky?
Yes. Under KRS 189.2327, fines for speeding violations in highway work zones are doubled. The doubled fine applies when official warning signs are posted AND bona fide workers are present or a lane is closed. If no workers were present and no lane was closed, the work zone enhancement may not apply.
Should I just pay the speeding ticket?
Paying the fine is a guilty plea and immediately records the conviction on your driving record, with points assessed. Before paying, check whether the County Attorney Traffic Safety Program (diversion) is available in your county — it can result in a full dismissal with no points and no insurance impact. Contact the county attorney's office or the court on your citation to ask about diversion eligibility. If diversion is not available, consult an attorney before deciding whether to contest.
Zigpon is an educational self-help guide, not a law firm — this is general information, not legal advice. Laws change and every case is different; verify details with your court or a licensed attorney before acting.