Drivers face Kentucky driving license suspensions when they disobey state rules and regulations while operating motor vehicles on public roads. The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) offers a revoked or suspended drivers license reinstatement procedure to drivers who want to restore their driving privileges.

The reinstatement process and applicable fees vary depending on the type of offense committed. Find out more information about how to reinstate driving licenses in Kentucky by reading the sections below.

Reinstating a Kentucky Suspended License

A Kentucky suspended driving license reinstatement process is needed in order to continue operating motor vehicles on public roadways. Drivers may receive a KY drivers license suspension or revocation for various offenses, such as:

• Driving Under the Influence (DUI) of alcohol and other substances
• Reckless driving
• Failing to maintain liability car insurance
• Leaving the scene of an accident
• Operating a motor vehicle without a valid license
• Failing to satisfy a court citation
• Failing to pay child support
• Refusing to take a chemical test

How to Reinstate a Kentucky Suspended Drivers License

Drivers can get suspended drivers license reinstatements in Kentucky by using one of the methods: online, by mail or in person at a nearby DMV office. A suspension notice containing the exact amount of reinstatement fees and requirements will be sent to drivers by the Kentucky Division of Driver Licensing. Both the in-person and mail-in methods take a processing time of one week, which is why the DMV encourages drivers to reinstate drivers licenses online using the Kentucky Driver License Reinstatement System.

This online system requires drivers to provide the driver’s full name, license number and date of birth, and pay the required reinstatement fee using one of the following types of credit or debit cards: Visa, Discover, American Express and MasterCard. Using the online service can update your driving record immediately, unlike the in person or by mail method which requires you to wait a period of one week before reinstating your drivers licenses.

Suspension Periods in Kentucky

Kentucky drivers license suspension or revocation periods may vary, depending on the type of offense or violation you have committed while operating a motor vehicle on public roads within the state. Drivers are encouraged to contact their local DMV office to check drivers license suspension periods.

Kentucky Point System

Drivers license suspensions in Kentucky can often be issued to drivers who have accumulated demerit points on their driving records. The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet’s Division of Driver Licensing has established a point system, which determines the number of points for traffic violations and other offenses:

• Failure to stop for a school/church bus – 6 points.
• Driving with 16 to 25 mph over the limit – 6 points.
• Moving hazardous violation involving collision – 6 points.
• Combination of two hazardous violations in one occurrence – 6 points.
• Improper passing – 5 points.
• Reckless driving – 4 points.
• Following too closely – 4 points.
• Careless driving – 3 points.
• Texting while driving – 3 points.

Note that some violations will bring you no demerit points on your KY driving record. Such violations include driving with 10 or less mph over the speed limit on a limited access highway, or operating a commercial vehicle with 15 mph or more over the allowed limit. For complete and detailed information about the Kentucky suspended driving license point system, contact a local DMV branch.

Traffic School in Kentucky

Motorists facing suspended driving licenses in Kentucky may prevent the accumulation of points on their driving records by attending state-approved traffic schools. You may attend the program as a stipulation of being placed on probation, or after you have been referred by a court for violation which does not require a mandatory drivers license suspension.

Successful completion of a KY traffic school will help you avoid assessment of demerit points for the committed violation. In addition, drivers will learn how to become safer and more responsible operators of motor vehicles and insurance companies will not be permitted to gain access to the information about the violations.

Note: You are only allowed to enroll in a traffic school program in Kentucky only once a year.

Types of Kentucky Drivers License Suspensions

Motorists may get a revoked or suspended driving license in Kentucky for a variety of reasons. The most common reasons for a driving license suspension or revocation are the following:

• Driving Under the Influence (DUI) offence.
• Reckless driving (if you commit three violations within 12 months).
• Failing to maintain liability car insurance.
• Leaving the scene of an accident.
• Operating a motor vehicle without a valid license.
• Failing to satisfy a court citation.
• Failing to pay child support.
• Refusing to take a chemical test.
• Evading the police.
• Stealing a motor vehicle or any other felony connected with the operation of a vehicle.
• Other offenses.

Kentucky DUI Suspensions

The DUI-related drivers license suspensions in KY are determined based on the type and number of offenses you have committed. A DUI conviction in Kentucky will result in the following penalties and requirements:

• Drivers who have been convicted of an initial DUI offense within a 10-year period will face a suspended driving license for 30 to 120 days, pay a fine of $200 to $500 and $250 service fee, spend 2 to 30 days in jail, as well as from 48 hours to 30 days of community labor. In addition, drivers must attend an alcohol or substance abuse education or treatment program for up to 90 days.
• Motorists convicted of a second DUI offense within 10 years will get drivers license suspension periods for 12 to 18 months, pay a fine of $350 to $500 and $250 service fee, spend seven days to six months in jail, as well as serve from 10 days to six months of community labor. Moreover, they must also attend an alcohol or substance abuse education or treatment program for up to one year.
• Drivers facing a third DUI conviction within a period of 10 years may get a suspended drivers license for 24 to 36 months, pay a fine of $500 to $1000 and $250 service fee, and spend 30 days to one year in jail. Additionally, drivers must attend an alcohol or substance abuse education or treatment program for one full year.
• License holders who commit a fourth and subsequent offense in a period of 10 years will have the violation treated as a Class D felony and will receive a driving license suspension period of 60 months. Hence, they will have to spend 120 days in prison without probation and pay a service fee of $250. In this case, drivers must attend an alcohol or substance abuse education or treatment program for one full year.

Car Insurance Suspensions

Kentucky issues possible driving license suspensions to drivers who failed to maintain minimum liability vehicle insurance coverage. According to the Kentucky insurance laws, drivers must pay $25,000 and $50,000 for bodily injury and $10,000 for property damage, as well as $10,000 for no-fault personal injury insurance. Drivers who have failed to purchase minimum liability insurance may face suspended or revoked drivers licenses in Kentucky.

Traffic Summons or Failure to Pay

A Kentucky suspended drivers license may be issued due to failure to pay traffic tickets or court fines. If you get a traffic ticket while operating a motor vehicle, you may be required to pay the fine and appear in court, if it is mandatory. You may pay the traffic ticket online, by mail or in person.

When paying online, you may use the “ePay” service through the Kentucky Court of Justice website up to four days before the scheduled date for appearance in court. Note that Harlan, Logan and Menifee counties do not accept payments via “ePay”. Drivers can also pay their citations by mailing a certified check or money order or submitting the money or check in person.

Kentucky Hardship Drivers License

Prior to reinstating suspended drivers licenses in Kentucky, motorists may obtain hardship licenses during your suspension period. Drivers are allowed to apply for a hardship license when they need to operate a motor vehicle for the following purposes:

• Driving to work or applying for a job.
• Getting medical care.
• Attending school.
• Attending an alcohol awareness course.
• Attending a driver improvement course.
• Attending a court-ordered program.

Offenders younger than 18 years of age and first-time offenders may apply for a hardship license. Moreover, drivers who are between 18 and 21 years of age and who have a driving license suspension due to a blood alcohol level of .02 to .08 may also be eligible for a hardship license.

Applying for A Kentucky Hardship License

While your drivers license suspension period is over, you may apply for a hardship license which will allow you to operate your vehicle in certain situations. You only need to complete an Application for Hardship Driver’s License and submit it to the court.

If the court grants you a hardship license after reviewing your specific situation, you must contact the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC). It is up to the KYTC discretion whether they will issue you a hardship license or not.

Drivers License Reinstatement Fees

When reinstating driving licenses in Kentucky, drivers are required to satisfy several requirements. One of those requirements is the payment of a $40 drivers license reinstatement fee.

You can pay this amount either in person at a Circuit Court Clerk’s office, at a regional DMV branch, or online through the Kentucky Driver License Reinstatement System. The payment may be submitted via a certified check or money order made payable to the Kentucky State Treasurer, or via the online service with a major credit card after providing the driver’s full name, license number and date of birth.

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