DUI law — Kentucky Permit Test

In Kentucky a person shall not operate or be in physical control of a motor vehicle with an alcohol concentration of 0.08 or above.

Being in physical control counts, so sitting in the driver's seat with the keys is enough.

In Kentucky, a person shall not operate or be in physical control of a motor vehicle while having an alcohol concentration of 0.08 or above

A Kentucky driver can still be in violation of the DUI law with an alcohol concentration under 0.08 if there is evidence of impaired driving.

The number is not a safe harbor. Evidence of impairment is enough on its own.

However, you could still be in violation of the law with an alcohol concentration under 0.08 if there is evidence of impaired driving while under the influence of alcohol or other substances.

Kentucky's DUI law also covers driving under the influence of a controlled substance or any other substance that impairs driving ability.

Alcohol is only one way to break this law. Anything that impairs driving counts.

In Kentucky, a person shall not operate or be in physical control of a motor vehicle while having an alcohol concentration of 0.08 or above, or while under the influence of alcohol, a controlled substance, or other substance which impairs driving ability.

A first Kentucky alcohol violation conviction within ten years carries a fine of not less than $200 nor more than $500 plus court costs.

The court costs are on top, and they are often larger than the fine itself.

Kentucky law states in KRS 189A.010 if you are found guilty of an alcohol violation and it is your first conviction within a ten (10) year period, you will be fined not less than $200 nor more than $500 plus court costs

A first Kentucky DUI conviction within ten years carries imprisonment of not less than forty-eight hours nor more than thirty days.

Two days in the county jail is the minimum, and it is not suspended.

Kentucky law states in KRS 189A.010 if you are found guilty of an alcohol violation and it is your first conviction within a ten (10) year period, you will be fined not less than $200 nor more than $500 plus court costs, imprisoned in the county jail for not less than forty-eight (48) hours nor more than thirty (30) days

A first Kentucky DUI conviction within ten years carries a license suspension of four to six months.

Half a year is the usual outcome, and for a driver under eighteen it can be longer.

your license suspended for four (4) to six (6) months.

For a Kentucky person under the age of eighteen, the DUI license suspension may be longer.

The youngest drivers lose the license for the longest, which is the opposite of what most expect.

For a person under the age of eighteen (18), the license suspension may be longer.

At what alcohol concentration is a Kentucky driver in violation of the DUI law?

0.08 or above. Being in physical control counts, so sitting in the driver's seat with the keys is enough. Kentucky Driver Manual, p.26: “In Kentucky, a person shall not operate or be in physical control of a motor vehicle while having an alcohol concentration of 0.08 or above”