As a Kentucky driver, you likely know that every time you receive a traffic conviction, points become added to your driver’s license. But do you know how Kentucky’s point system actually works?
The Kentucky Office of Highway Safety explains that points stay on your license for two years after each conviction date. If you accumulate 12 points in any two-year period, the state likely will suspend your driver’s license for six months. Drivers between the ages of 16 and 18 can accumulate only seven points in a two-year period before facing suspension.
Three-point offenses
Each traffic violation carries its own number of points. Examples of three-point violations include the following:
- Texting while driving
- Speeding 1-14 mph above the limit on a nonlimited access highway
- Speeding 11-15 mph above the limit on a limited access highway
- Failing to stop at a stop sign, traffic signal or railroad crossing
- Failing to yield
- Driving the wrong way on a one-way street
Higher point offenses
Other traffic violations carry a higher number of points. Examples include the following:
- Speeding 16-25 mph over the limit on any road or highway – 6 points
- Failing to stop for a school or church bus – 6 points
- Passing improperly – 5 points
- Following too closely – 4 points
- Driving recklessly – 4 points
- Driving on the wrong side of the road – 4 points
Keep in mind that paying a ticket means you plead guilty to the offense. You will receive the points just as though the judge convicted you in court. Given that your auto insurance rates almost invariably go up any time you get points on your license, you may want to think twice before simply paying a ticket in order to dispose of it.
