Suspended license in Kentucky: points, other causes, and how to reinstate
In Kentucky, the first points threshold is 6 points within 2 years: Warning letter (age 18 and older). A Kentucky State Traffic School (STS) can keep a ticket off the record, once every 12 months. The fee to reinstate after a suspension that is not alcohol-related is $40.
A DUI is only one of the ways a license gets suspended. Points from ordinary tickets, an unpaid ticket, a lapse in insurance, unpaid child support or a missed court date each carry their own suspension and their own path back. The rules below are the ones the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, Division of Driver Licensing states, each quoted from its page or from the statute.
How the points system works
Most states assign points to moving violations and suspend the license when the total inside a set window crosses a threshold. The threshold, the window and how long each violation keeps counting are all set by the state.
The Kentucky Point System identifies persons who may be habitually negligent drivers: a driver starts with no points and accumulates points for offenses, and upon the accumulation of 12 points (7 if under 18) within a two-year period the privilege to operate a motor vehicle may be suspended after a hearing, or the driver may be placed on probation and sent to State Traffic School.
| Points | Within | Consequence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 points | 2 years | Warning letter (age 18 and older) | apps.legislature.ky.gov |
| 12 points | 2 years | Hearing; first accumulation: suspension of no less than 90 days and no more than six months (six months if the driver fails to appear for the hearing), or probation in lieu of suspension | apps.legislature.ky.gov |
| 12 points | 2 years | Second accumulation: one-year suspension | drive.ky.gov |
| 12 points | 2 years | Additional or subsequent accumulation within two years: two-year suspension | apps.legislature.ky.gov |
Points period stated by the agency: 2 years. Points expire two years from the date of conviction; the conviction entry remains on the driver's record for five years from the conviction date. Drivers under 18 are suspended or probated at 7 points.
“If a person of eighteen (18) years of age or older accumulates six (6) or more penalty points within a two (2) year period, the Transportation Cabinet shall send a letter to the address shown on the driving history record advising the person of the number of penalty points”
“Points assessed under the Kentucky Point System expire two (2) years from the date of conviction. However, the conviction entry remains on the driver's record for five (5) years from the conviction date.”
| Violation | Points |
|---|---|
| 15 mph or less over speed limit on any non-limited access highway | 3 |
| 11-15 mph over speed limit on limited access highway | 3 |
| 16-25 mph over speed limit on any road or highway | 6 |
| Reckless Driving | 4 |
| Improper Passing | 5 |
| Failure to Stop for School or Church Bus | 6 |
Check points or the driving record: drive.ky.gov
The statute: 601 KAR 13:025 (Point system), under KRS 186.570(1)(d)
“Section 6. Suspension. (1) The cabinet may, in accordance with Sections 7 or 9 of this administrative regulation, suspend or probate the driving privilege of a person: (a) Eighteen (18) years of age or older who accumulates twelve (12) or more penalty points within a period of two (2) years”
Traffic school and point reduction
| Course | Kentucky State Traffic School (STS) |
|---|---|
| Effect | Keeps the ticket off the record |
| How often | once every 12 months |
The District Court where the citation was received may, in the judge's sole discretion, sentence an eligible driver to State Traffic School in lieu of any other penalty except court costs; under KRS 186.574(2) the Transportation Cabinet does not assess points against a person who satisfactorily completes it. A driver is not eligible if the violation carries mandatory suspension, if the license was suspended or invalid at the time, or more than once in a one-year period. The statutory fee is $15 for the classroom course; the cabinet's online option costs $39, and enrollment must occur within 30 days of the referral or the license is suspended. Attendance is not shown on the 3-year public record but is on the 5-year record.
“The Transportation Cabinet shall not assess points against a person who satisfactorily completes state traffic school. However, if the person referred to state traffic school holds or is required to hold a commercial driver's license, the underlying offense shall appear on the person's driving”
Other reasons a license is suspended, and what ends each one
These are the causes the licensing agency itself lists on its suspension pages, with what it requires to lift each one. Court-imposed suspensions and DUI suspensions are covered on the state's DUI pages.
| Cause | What the agency states | To reinstate | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Point accumulation (habitually reckless or negligent driver) | Accumulating 12 or more points (7 if under 18) within two years leads to a hearing before a driver improvement hearing officer; the outcome is a suspension of 90 days to six months for a first accumulation, one year for a second and two years for a subsequent accumulation, or probation in lieu of suspension with State Traffic School. | Serve the suspension (or complete probation and the driver improvement clinic) and pay the $40 reinstatement fee; vision and written tests apply if suspended more than a year. | $40 |
| Serious violations (racing, speeding 26 mph or more over, eluding) | Under 601 KAR 13:025 Section 3, conviction of racing, speeding 26 mph or more over the limit, or attempting to elude a law enforcement officer carries a 90-day suspension or probation after an informal hearing; the KYTC point table lists these as 'Hearing – Possible Suspension' and failure to stop for a school or church bus as 'Hearing – Immediate Suspension'. | Appear at the informal hearing; serve the suspension or probation ordered; $40 reinstatement fee. | $40 |
| Failure to appear pursuant to a citation or summons; failure to pay a fine | Under KRS 186.570(1)(i) the cabinet may suspend the license of a person who failed to appear pursuant to a citation or summons from any jurisdiction; KYTC states a suspension for failure to pay a fine on a ticket remains in effect until all requirements are met, with no statute of limitations. | Pay the fine directly to the court in the county of the ticket and pay the $40 reinstatement fee to the Transportation Cabinet; the license is not active until all requirements are met. | $40 |
| Child support arrearage (KRS 186.570(2)) | On written notice from the Office of the Attorney General that a person has a child support arrearage equal to six months of nonpayment, or failed to comply with a paternity or child support subpoena or warrant, the cabinet denies or suspends the license until the arrearage is eliminated, payments are being made under a court or administrative order, or the person complies. | Proof of elimination of the arrearage or compliance with the subpoena or warrant from the court or the Office of the Attorney General, received by the Transportation Cabinet. | — |
| Failure to produce proof of security; habitual violator of KRS 304.39-080 | Under KRS 186.570(1)(j)–(k) the cabinet may suspend a person who failed to appear under a court order to produce proof of the security required by KRS 304.39-010 with a receipt for a six-month premium, or who operated a vehicle without the required security three or more times within five years. | Proof of security and compliance with the court order; the $40 reinstatement fee applies to suspensions generally. | $40 |
| Failure to attend State Traffic School | Once a court refers a driver to State Traffic School the referral is a court order; a driver who does not enroll within 30 days of the referral, misses the scheduled class, or fails to complete it is suspended under KRS 186.574(3) until attendance is rescheduled or the school completed. | Contact the Division of Driver Licensing to reschedule and complete the class; the denial or suspension is rescinded on completion. | — |
| Mental or physical disability making driving unsafe (KRS 186.570(1)(c)) | The cabinet may deny or suspend when a person has a mental or physical disability that makes driving unsafe; the Medical Review Board provides technical assistance in reviewing the person's driving ability. | Review by the Medical Review Board and the informal hearing available under KRS 186.570(4). | — |
Source quotes for each cause
Point accumulation (habitually reckless or negligent driver)
“Upon the accumulation of twelve (12) or more points against a driver age eighteen (18) or older or 7 points against a driver under age 18, the Transportation Cabinet conducts a hearing concerning the driver's privileges to operate a motor vehicle.”
Serious violations (racing, speeding 26 mph or more over, eluding)
“(a) Racing - ninety (90) days; (b) Speeding twenty-six (26) MPH or more over limit - ninety (90) days; or (c) Attempting to elude law enforcement officer by use of motor vehicle - ninety (90) days.”
Failure to appear pursuant to a citation or summons; failure to pay a fine
“In addition to paying your fine to the court, you must pay a reinstatement fee to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. You cannot be reinstated if you have paid your fine but have not paid your reinstatement fee.”
Child support arrearage (KRS 186.570(2))
“The denial or suspension shall continue until the arrearage has been eliminated, payments on the child support arrearage are being made in accordance with a court or administrative order, or the person complies with the subpoena or warrant relating to paternity or child support.”
Failure to produce proof of security; habitual violator of KRS 304.39-080
“(k) That person is a habitual violator of KRS 304.39-080. For purposes of this section, a "habitual violator" means any person who has operated a motor vehicle without security on the motor vehicle as required by Subtitle 39 of KRS Chapter 304 three (3) or more times within a five (5) year period”
Failure to attend State Traffic School
“Once referred to Kentucky State Traffic School, it becomes a court order. If the driver does not comply with the court order to attend traffic school, the driver's driving privileges will be suspended.”
Mental or physical disability making driving unsafe (KRS 186.570(1)(c))
“(c) That person has a mental or physical disability that makes it unsafe for him or her to drive upon the highways. The medical review board established in KRS 186.444 shall provide technical assistance in the review of the driving ability of these persons;”
Reinstating after a non-DUI suspension
Reinstatement fee: $40. KYTC states a $40 reinstatement or re-licensing fee may be required any time driving privileges are suspended, payable online through myDrive, in person at a Driver Licensing Regional Office, by mail to the Division of Driver Licensing, or by phone; paying the fee alone does not restore privileges until all suspension requirements are satisfied.
“Any time your driving privilege is suspended, a $40.00 reinstatement/re-licensing fee may be required. If you currently hold an active ID card, it must be canceled before you can pay your reinstatement fee.”
Satisfy all suspension requirements
All requirements of the suspension (for example, paying the court fine, completing State Traffic School or probation, or providing child-support compliance proof) must be met; the Transportation Cabinet does not accept fine payments.
“Paying the reinstatement fee alone does not automatically restore your driving privileges. All suspension requirements must be fully satisfied before reinstatement can occur.”
Pay the $40 reinstatement fee
Online through a myDrive account linked with a Letter ID (in-state license holders), in person at any Driver Licensing Regional Office, by certified check or money order mailed to the Division of Driver Licensing, Central Section, 200 Mero Street, Frankfort, KY 40622, or by card by phone at 502-564-1257.
“Pay by Mail Include your name, driver's license number, and a certified check/money order made payable to the “Kentucky State Treasurer.” Mail payment to: Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Division of Driver Licensing Attn: Central Section 200 Mero Street Frankfort, KY 40622”
Test if the suspension exceeded one year
No testing is required for a suspension under one year; vision and written tests, scheduled with the Kentucky State Police after the fee is paid, are required after a suspension of more than one year; after more than five years the driver starts over with a permit.
“No testing is required for drivers suspended for less than one year. Vision and written tests are required before a license can be reinstated for drivers suspended for more than one year. The $40 reinstatement or re-licensing fee must be paid prior to your testing appointment.”
Wait for the notice of reinstatement
The suspension remains in effect until all requirements are met and the Division of Driver Licensing issues a notice of reinstatement.
“There is no statute of limitations on driver suspensions, as they remain in effect until all requirements are met and the Driver Licensing Division has issued a notice of reinstatement.”
Official page: drive.ky.gov
After a DUI the steps are different: how to get a license back after a DUI in Kentucky.
Driving during a non-DUI suspension
Available in some cases · Probation in lieu of suspension (driver improvement hearing). Kentucky's points procedure offers probation rather than a restricted license: a driver who holds a valid license not suspended in any state and appears at the informal hearing may be placed on probation in lieu of suspension by the driver improvement hearing officer, for double the length of the applicable suspension, on condition of completing the driver improvement clinic (State Traffic School); a further conviction or failure to complete the clinic triggers the suspension, and probation is not available again within two years of a prior probation period.
“a driver improvement hearing officer may place the driver as referenced in paragraphs (a) through (c) of this subsection on probation in lieu of suspension if the person is: (a) Of eighteen (18) years of age or older who accumulates twelve (12) penalty points or more within a period of two (2) years”
For the privilege after a DUI, see driving after a DUI in Kentucky.
Questions about a suspended license in Kentucky
- How many points suspend a Kentucky license?
- Under 601 KAR 13:025, a driver 18 or older who accumulates 12 or more points within two years (7 if under 18) faces a hearing and a suspension of 90 days to six months for a first accumulation, one year for a second and two years for a subsequent one, or probation in lieu of suspension. KYTC states points expire two years from the conviction date.
- How many points is a speeding ticket in Kentucky?
- KYTC's Kentucky Point System table assigns 0 points for 10 mph or less over on a limited-access highway, 3 points for 11-15 mph over on a limited-access highway or 15 mph or less over elsewhere, 6 points for 16-25 mph over on any road, and a hearing with possible suspension for 26 mph or more over. Out-of-state speeding convictions are not assessed points under 601 KAR 13:025.
- Does Kentucky State Traffic School remove points?
- Under KRS 186.574, a District Court may sentence an eligible driver to State Traffic School in lieu of other penalties, and the Transportation Cabinet does not assess points for a satisfactorily completed referral. KYTC states a driver may attend only once every 12 months, not for an offense carrying mandatory suspension, and must enroll within 30 days of the referral; the classroom fee is $15 and the online course $39.
- What is the Kentucky reinstatement fee?
- KYTC's License Reinstatement page states a $40 reinstatement or re-licensing fee may be required any time driving privileges are suspended, payable online through myDrive, in person, by mail or by phone. Paying the fee alone does not restore privileges; all suspension requirements must be satisfied, and vision and written tests apply after a suspension of more than one year.
- Can a Kentucky driver avoid a points suspension?
- 601 KAR 13:025 Section 7 allows a driver improvement hearing officer to place a driver who appears at the informal hearing with a valid license on probation in lieu of suspension for double the suspension period, conditioned on completing the driver improvement clinic; an additional conviction or failure to complete the clinic results in suspension, and probation is not available again within two years.
Sources
- KYTC DRIVE — Kentucky Point System (point table, hearing, suspension periods)
- KYTC DRIVE — KY State Traffic School (eligibility, referral, fees)
- KYTC DRIVE — License Reinstatement ($40 fee, payment methods, testing)
- KYTC DRIVE — Driver History Record and Clearance Letter
- 601 KAR 13:025 — Point system (Kentucky Legislative Research Commission)
- 601 KAR 13:110 — Driver education programs / state traffic school standards
- KRS 186.570 — Denial or suspension of license; informal hearing; child support arrearage (PDF served by the LRC statute page)
- KRS 186.574 — State traffic school for new drivers and for traffic offenders; fees; procedures (PDF served by the LRC statute page)
Cite this page
Every state page quotes the statute or agency page each value comes from; when citing this page, include the verification date shown above.
WheelsBack. "Kentucky license suspension, points and reinstatement rules." Verified against primary sources August 29, 2026; sources re-checked September 4, 2026. https://wheelsback.com/kentucky/suspended-license/