Overview of Kentucky Traffic tickets: how to pay traffic tickets in Kentucky. How to Respond to Kentucky Traffic Ticket. Traffic school in Kentucky.
Kentucky Traffic Tickets
A traffic ticket is the last thing any driver would wish for. It’s a clear indication of paying fines or facing the law. However, traffic tickets happen to every motorist sometime in their lifetime. Kentucky State traffic laws help keep the roads safe. The state uses the point system to monitor motorist road behaviours. However, the demerit point system creates a terrible image for the driver’s records. It’s a significant process to keep everyone safe. Majority of drivers try to follow the rules to avoid the bad records or license suspension. Negative records don’t just demand paying fines but influence your insurance rates.
Kentucky Traffic Violations
Kentucky state violations are divided into two categories, moving and non-moving violations. The driver should understand the type of ticket offered before taking action. However, all traffic tickets have limited time and require reactions before the due dates.
Moving Violations
A moving violation is an offence which occurs when the vehicle is in motion. The offence is regarded as severe and might have serious penalties. The traffic officer will offer a fine according to the violation, court and county.
- Speeding and reckless driving
- Driving slowly without proper reason.
- Failure of using the right signals
- Preventing another driver from passing or passing incorrectly.
- Not stopping a stop sign or red light.
- Driving under the influence of drugs.
If the offence causes bring about an accident or injury, the offender will face more charges. The moving violations are dealt with by the court and DOL (department of licensing).
Non-Moving Violations
Non-moving violations are related to parking faulty. They are minor violations which are punishable by fines. The non-moving violation occurs when the vehicle is moving. The difference between the two violations is what the law states about violations. Non-moving violations are not presented to court or DOL. The law also restricts some violations from being addressed by the court, DOL or insurance companies.
The Kentucky traffic fines and penalties vary according to the county, court, and violation committed. Drivers issued with a ticket should either pay or fight the ticket in court. The ticket has information about the due date, fine amount and court details if you must appear in court.
Traffic school in Kentucky
Drivers eligible to take state traffic school STS should start the course and present the certificate of completion. STS helps drivers keep their records clean and also learn more about safe driving. The course takes four hours covering the following.
- Road signs and signals
- Current Kentucky state traffic laws.
- Information about the point system.
- The risk and dangers on roads and how to handle each issue.
- Defensive driving.
Note drivers will require a court referral before taking the STS course. You can request from your county court. The district court of the county or area you received the ticket will inform the Division of driver license DDL. The DDL will then send a notification instructing how to enrol to the STS. After the process, you are under the court order to complete the course. Failure to complete will lead to license suspension and other extra charges.
Eligibility Criteria
- The driver should have a valid driving license.
- You should not have another STS class within the past 12 months.
- The traffic violation should be minor.
Kentucky Driving record and out of state drivers
After successful completion of the traffic school course, the violation will not appear on the 3-year driving record. These help keep the records clean, no increase in insurance rates and also add more knowledge about road safety—request for your driving course certificate copy for reference. The traffic school off happens even out-of-state driver. The DMV will report the ticket to your state where you can complete the course. However, you’re responsible for paying the fine in the state you committed the violation. The ticket is sent to your home state where they determine if you’re eligible to take the traffic course.
How to Respond to Kentucky Traffic Ticket
Pleading not guilty
Drivers have the right to plead not guilty to the violation and request for contest hearing. Tick the appropriate section on the ticket and mail it to the respective court. Once granted the hearing, you can hire a lawyer to present the case or prepare evidence and appear before the judge. The judge will give the verdict according to the details provided. If found guilty, you have to pay the fine and extra charges. In some cases, the demerit points might be added on your records. If found not guilty, no points or fines are charged or added to your records.
- Paying the fine
Paying traffic signs means you’re guilty of the offence; the laws have the right to add points on your records. These also increase the rate on your insurance, you can pay using the online process, phone, by mail or in person.
- Requesting mitigation
A driver with a traffic ticket can request for mitigation. These the driver is guilty but ask for a more straightforward way to pay the fine. The court can provide three options:
- A monthly payment plan
- Community service
- Reduce the fine.
After the verdict, the offender cannot appeal the judgment.