What a Kentucky speeding ticket is

This page quotes the Kentucky Revised Statutes as posted by the Kentucky Legislative Research Commission (apps.legislature.ky.gov, retrieved 29 Oct 2026): KRS 189.394, headed “Fines for speeding -- Doubling of fines in school areas with flashing lights.”, parts of KRS 189.999, headed “Prepayment of fines subject to certain conditions.”, and parts of five sections of KRS Chapter 24A on court costs and fees, each in its own section below. It also quotes parts of 601 KAR 13:025, headed “Point system.”, from the same site. It also quotes all of KRS 189.2327 and KRS 189.2326, on highway work zones, from the same site, retrieved 3 Nov 2026. All are listed under Sources below. It does not apply them to any notice. Read any court, charge, statute or ordinance, speed limit, alleged speed, appearance date, and amount shown on your notice. Confirm what your notice says.

The statute and regulation text below is quoted from the Legislative Research Commission documents as shown when retrieved on 29 Oct 2026, except KRS 189.2327 and KRS 189.2326, which are quoted as shown when retrieved on 3 Nov 2026. Chart cells are quoted cell by cell as printed.

What KRS 189.394 lists for speeding

KRS 189.394(1): “The fines for speeding in violation of KRS 189.390 shall be:”

	“15”	“20”	“25”	“30”	“35”	“40”	“45”	“50”	“55”	“60”	“65”	“70”	“Fine”
“1”	“16”	“21”	“26”	“31”	“36”	“41”	“46”	“51”	“56”	“61”	“66”	“71”	“$1”
“2”	“17”	“22”	“27”	“32”	“37”	“42”	“47”	“52”	“57”	“62”	“67”	“72”	“2”
“3”	“18”	“23”	“28”	“33”	“38”	“43”	“48”	“53”	“58”	“63”	“68”	“73”	“3”
“4”	“19”	“24”	“29”	“34”	“39”	“44”	“49”	“54”	“59”	“64”	“69”	“74”	“4”
“5”	“20”	“25”	“30”	“35”	“40”	“45”	“50”	“55”	“60”	“65”	“70”	“75”	“5”
“6”	“21”	“26”	“31”	“36”	“41”	“46”	“51”	“56”	“61”	“66”	“71”	“76”	“16”
“7”	“22”	“27”	“32”	“37”	“42”	“47”	“52”	“57”	“62”	“67”	“72”	“77”	“17”
“8”	“23”	“28”	“33”	“38”	“43”	“48”	“53”	“58”	“63”	“68”	“73”	“78”	“18”
“9”	“24”	“29”	“34”	“39”	“44”	“49”	“54”	“59”	“64”	“69”	“74”	“79”	“19”
“10”	“25”	“30”	“35”	“40”	“45”	“50”	“55”	“60”	“65”	“70”	“75”	“80”	“20”
“11”	“26”	“31”	“36”	“41”	“46”	“51”	“56”	“61”	“66”	“71”	“76”	“81”	“22”
“12”	“27”	“32”	“37”	“42”	“47”	“52”	“57”	“62”	“67”	“72”	“77”	“82”	“24”
“13”	“28”	“33”	“38”	“43”	“48”	“53”	“58”	“63”	“68”	“73”	“78”	“83”	“26”
“14”	“29”	“34”	“39”	“44”	“49”	“54”	“59”	“64”	“69”	“74”	“79”	“84”	“28”
“15”	“30”	“35”	“40”	“45”	“50”	“55”	“60”	“65”	“70”	“75”	“80”	“85”	“30”
“16”	“31”	“36”	“41”	“46”	“51”	“56”	“61”	“66”	“71”	“76”	“81”		“32”
“17”	“32”	“37”	“42”	“47”	“52”	“57”	“62”	“67”	“72”	“77”	“82”		“34”
“18”	“33”	“38”	“43”	“48”	“53”	“58”	“63”	“68”	“73”	“78”	“83”		“36”
“19”	“34”	“39”	“44”	“49”	“54”	“59”	“64”	“69”	“74”	“79”	“84”		“38”
“20”	“35”	“40”	“45”	“50”	“55”	“60”	“65”	“70”	“75”	“80”	“85”		“40”
“21”	“36”	“41”	“46”	“51”	“56”	“61”	“66”	“71”					“43”
“22”	“37”	“42”	“47”	“52”	“57”	“62”	“67”	“72”					“46”
“23”	“38”	“43”	“48”	“53”	“58”	“63”	“68”	“73”					“49”
“24”	“39”	“44”	“49”	“54”	“59”	“64”	“69”	“74”					“52”
“25”	“40”	“45”	“50”	“55”	“60”	“65”	“70”	“75”					“55”

KRS 189.394(1) prints this chart with a first column headed “Mph.”, “Over”, and “Limit”, speed columns from “15” to “70” under the heading “Prima Facie or Maximum Speed”, and a last column headed “Fine”. This page shows each row’s cells as printed; cells left blank in the chart are blank above.

KRS 189.394(2): “For speeding in excess of the speeds shown on the specific fine schedule the fine shall be not less than sixty dollars ($60) nor more than one hundred dollars ($100).”

KRS 189.394(3): “For any violation shown on the chart for which a specific fine is prescribed, the defendant may elect to pay the fine and court costs to the circuit clerk before the date of his trial or to be tried in the normal manner. Payment of the fine and court costs to the clerk shall be considered as a plea of guilty for all purposes.”

KRS 189.394(4): “If the offense charged shows a speed in excess of the speeds shown on the specific fine schedule the defendant shall appear for trial and may not pay the fine to the clerk before the trial date.”

KRS 189.394(5): “If the offense occurred in an area near a school where flasher lights have been installed and are flashing, and a speed limit has been set pursuant to KRS 189.336, the fine established by subsection (1) or (2) of this section shall be doubled.”

That is the statute’s statement. This page does not say how that statement applies to a particular citation, license, or insurance policy. This page quotes all of section 189.394, subsections (1) to (5). It does not quote KRS 189.390 or KRS 189.336. KRS 189.2327, quoted below, states the fine if a violation of KRS 189.2326, 189.290 to 189.575, or 189.910 to 189.960 occurred in a highway work zone, subject to the requirements of its subsection (2). This page does not say whether a particular citation was issued in a highway work zone. The Legislative Research Commission document for KRS 189.394 prints “Effective: June 27, 2019”. This page does not list the speed limits posted on particular roads.

What KRS 189.999 says about prepayment

KRS 189.999(1): “All offenses under this chapter classified as violations shall be prepayable, except for:”

(c) “When the defendant is speeding more than twenty-five (25) miles per hour over the posted speed limit under KRS 189.394;”

That is the statute’s statement. This page does not say how that statement applies to a particular citation, license, or insurance policy. Subsection (1) has other paragraphs, (a), (b), and (d) to (g), and section 189.999 has another subsection, (2), that this page does not cover. KRS 189.2327(1)(a)1, quoted below, states that the fine under that paragraph is prepayable notwithstanding the provisions of KRS 189.999; this page does not say how the two sections apply to a particular citation.

What KRS 189.2327 says about fines in a highway work zone

KRS 189.2327 is headed “Fines in highway work zone -- Highway work zone safety fund.”

KRS 189.2327(1): “Subject to the requirements of subsection (2) of this section, if a violation of KRS 189.2326, 189.290 to 189.575, or 189.910 to 189.960 occurred in a highway work zone, the fine shall be:”

(a)1. “Five hundred dollars ($500) if no person is physically injured or dies as a result of the violation. Notwithstanding the provisions of KRS 189.999, the fine under this paragraph is prepayable; and”
(a)2. “A driver may attend a state traffic school or a county attorney-operated traffic safety program established pursuant to KRS 186.574 for a violation of KRS 189.2326; and”
(b) “Not less than five hundred dollars ($500) nor more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000) if the violation results in physical injury to or death of any person.”

KRS 189.2327(2)(a): “In order for an increased fine to be imposed under this section, the highway work zone must have:”

1. “Signs displayed informing drivers of the existence of a highway work zone and that fines are increased in it; and”
2. “At least one (1) bona fide worker is present in the highway work zone.”

KRS 189.2327(2)(b): “If a violation of any of the offenses identified in subsection (1) of this section can be classified as a misdemeanor, those penalties shall apply in addition to the penalties in subsection (1) of this section.”

KRS 189.2327(3): “All fines collected for violations in a highway work zone under this section shall be deposited into a separate trust and agency account within the Transportation Cabinet known as the highway work zone safety fund. The highway work zone safety fund shall be used exclusively by the Transportation Cabinet to hire or pay for enhanced law enforcement of traffic laws within highway work zones.”

That is the statute’s statement. This page quotes all of the text of section 189.2327, subsections (1) to (3). Subsection (1) is subject to the requirements of subsection (2), which states when an increased fine may be imposed. Subsection (1)(a)2 states that a driver may attend a state traffic school or a county attorney-operated traffic safety program for a violation of KRS 189.2326. Subsection (1)(a)1 states that the fine under that paragraph is prepayable “Notwithstanding the provisions of KRS 189.999”; this page does not say how that sentence and the KRS 189.999 text quoted above apply to a particular citation. Subsection (2)(b) states that misdemeanor penalties apply in addition to the penalties in subsection (1). This page does not say whether a particular citation was issued in a highway work zone, whether the conditions in subsection (2) were met, or whether a violation can be classified as a misdemeanor. It does not quote KRS 189.290 to 189.575, KRS 189.910 to 189.960, or KRS 186.574, which section 189.2327 names, and it does not quote a definition of a highway work zone. The Legislative Research Commission document for KRS 189.2327 prints “Effective: June 27, 2025”. This page does not add the amounts in section 189.2327 to the KRS 189.394 chart or to any court cost quoted on this page, and does not total any amount. This page does not say how that statement applies to a particular citation, license, or insurance policy.

What KRS 189.2326 says about automated speed enforcement in a highway work zone

KRS 189.2326 is headed “Automated speed enforcement devices in highway work zone -- Definitions -- Procedures -- Administrative regulations.”

KRS 189.2326(1): “As used in this section:”

(a) “"Automated speed enforcement device" means a photographic, radar, lidar, laser, or other device with one (1) or more vehicle sensors that transmits a vehicle's speed and an image of the rear license plate of a vehicle exceeding the speed limit; and”
(b) “"Images" means images transmitted by an automated speed enforcement device showing the speed and rear license plate of a motor vehicle.”

KRS 189.2326(2): “A peace officer may issue a citation at the time of an offense in a highway work zone based on images transmitted by an automated speed enforcement device if:”

(a) “A motor vehicle is detected traveling in excess of ten (10) miles per hour over the posted speed limit;”
(b) “At least one (1) bona fide worker is present in the highway work zone; and”
(c) “There is a peace officer certified under KRS 15.380 to 15.404 present in or near the end of the highway work zone in a marked vehicle.”

KRS 189.2326(3): “The cabinet shall:”

(a)1. “Install signage in highway work zones notifying the public that vehicle speed within the work zone may be enforced by an automated speed enforcement device; and”
(a)2. “Require the signage to be affixed with lights that shall be flashing at all times when the automated speed enforcement device is active; and”
(b) “Calibrate the automated speed enforcement device on an annual basis.”

KRS 189.2326(4): “An image transmitted by an automated speed enforcement device under this section shall not be disclosed to anyone other than the driver of the vehicle.”

KRS 189.2326(5): “The cabinet shall promulgate administrative regulations in accordance with KRS Chapter 13A relating to any matters necessary for the efficient administration of automated speed enforcement under this section.”

That is the statute’s statement. This page quotes all of the text of section 189.2326, subsections (1) to (5). Subsection (2) describes a citation issued by a peace officer at the time of an offense in a highway work zone, when the conditions in paragraphs (a) to (c) are met, including a peace officer present in or near the end of the highway work zone in a marked vehicle. This page does not say that any citation under this section is sent by mail, it does not say that any automated speed enforcement device is in use in any highway work zone, and it does not quote any administrative regulation promulgated under subsection (5). The Legislative Research Commission document for KRS 189.2326 prints “Effective: June 27, 2025”. This page does not say how that statement applies to a particular citation, license, or insurance policy.

What KRS 24A.175 says about court costs

KRS 24A.175(1): “Court costs for a criminal case in the District Court shall be one hundred dollars ($100), regardless of whether the offense is one for which prepayment is permitted.”

That is the statute’s statement. This page does not say how that statement applies to a particular citation, license, or insurance policy. Section 24A.175 has other subsections, (2) to (5), that this page does not cover.

What KRS 24A.176 says

KRS 24A.176(2): “In criminal cases a fee of twenty dollars ($20) shall be added to the costs imposed by KRS 24A.175 that the defendant is required to pay.”

That is the statute’s statement. This page does not say how that statement applies to a particular citation, license, or insurance policy. Section 24A.176 has other subsections, (1) and (3) to (8), on definitions and on how the money is distributed, that this page does not cover.

What KRS 24A.1765 says

KRS 24A.1765: “In addition to the twenty dollar ($20) fee created by KRS 24A.176, in criminal cases a ten dollar ($10) fee shall be added to the costs imposed by KRS 24A.175 that the defendant is required to pay.”

That is the statute’s statement. This page does not say how that statement applies to a particular citation, license, or insurance policy. Section 24A.1765 has another sentence, on how the money is allocated, that this page does not cover.

What KRS 24A.179 says

KRS 24A.179: “In addition to the twenty dollar ($20) fee created by KRS 24A.176 and the ten dollar ($10) fee created by KRS 24A.1765, a ten dollar ($10) fee shall be added in misdemeanor cases to the costs imposed by KRS 24A.175.”

That is the statute’s statement. This page does not say how that statement applies to a particular citation, license, or insurance policy. Section 24A.179 has another sentence, on how the money is allocated, that this page does not cover. This page does not say whether a particular speeding citation is a misdemeanor case.

What KRS 24A.185 says

KRS 24A.185: “A fiscal court, by ordinance, may assess additional fees and costs for the purpose of paying expenses for courthouses, bonds related to them, and administration expenses of the District Court as follows:”

(1) “In all traffic offense cases, a fee of ten dollars ($10) may be added to the court costs;”

That is the statute’s statement. This page does not say how that statement applies to a particular citation, license, or insurance policy. Section 24A.185 has other subsections, (2) to (5), on probate, misdemeanor, small claim, and civil cases, that this page does not cover. This page does not say whether a particular fiscal court has adopted an ordinance under section 24A.185.

This page quotes each of these court-cost sections separately. It does not add the amounts in them together, it does not state a court-cost total for any case, and it does not say whether a particular speeding citation is a criminal case for these sections. Read any amount printed on your notice.

What 601 KAR 13:025 says about speeding

601 KAR 13:025, Section 3(1): “Conviction for one (1) of the serious violations, referenced in paragraphs (a) through (c) of this subsection, of the motor vehicle laws may, in accordance with Sections 7 or 9 of this administrative regulation, cause suspension or probation of the driving privilege for the period of time indicated:”

(b) “Speeding twenty-six (26) MPH or more over limit - ninety (90) days; or”

601 KAR 13:025, Section 4: “Conviction for one (1) of the moving traffic offenses, referenced in subsections (1) through (24) of this section, except for a speeding violation in another state, shall be cause for assessment of the penalty points indicated:”

(1) “Speeding fifteen (15) MPH or less over the limit - three (3) penalty points, except as established in KRS 186.572;”
(2) “Speeding sixteen (16) MPH or more, but less than twenty-six (26) MPH, over the limit - six (6) penalty points;”

That is the regulation’s statement. This page does not say how that statement applies to a particular citation, license, or insurance policy. Section 3 has other paragraphs, (a) and (c), and another subsection, (2), and Section 4 has other subsections, (3) to (24), that this page does not cover. 601 KAR 13:025 has other sections, 1, 2, and 5 to 11, that this page does not cover, including Sections 7 and 9, which this page does not quote. This page does not quote KRS 186.572.

Paths the notice describes (not which to choose)

Read which officer or agency issued your notice, the court named on it, the charge, the statute or ordinance it names, the date, the appearance date, any amount, and the response instructions printed on it. We do not tell you which path to choose or what step to take.

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Sources retrieved 29 Oct 2026 (KRS 189.2327 and KRS 189.2326 retrieved 3 Nov 2026):

Not legal advice. Not a law firm. Not affiliated with a government agency. Information Only.

Information on this page was last checked against official sources on November 8, 2026.