The statutes that control Kentucky DUI cases
DUI in Kentucky is defined by KRS 189A.010, and the chemical-testing rules sit in KRS 189A.103. Both are published in the official state code at apps.legislature.ky.gov, which is the only version that governs — summaries elsewhere, including ours, can lag amendments.
Statutory text, definitions, BAC thresholds and sentencing ranges.
What refusing a breath, blood or urine test costs you.
Statute at a glance
Kentucky DUI law at a glance
Sourced from the Kentucky code and state agency sites. Verify current text before relying on it.
- Offense name
- DUI (Kentucky)
- Controlling statute
- KRS 189A.010
- Implied consent
- KRS 189A.103
- Per se BAC limit
- 0.08 (0.04 CDL, 0.02 or lower under 21)
- Licence hearing deadline
- 30 days after arrest
- Prior-offense lookback
- 10 years
- First-offense fine
- $200–$500
- First-offense jail exposure
- up to 30 days
- Licence suspension
- 4 months
- Ignition interlock
- Required on a first offense in most cases
- Trial court
- the District Court
- High-risk filing
- SR-22 for 2 years
A first offense carries a fine, possible jail, suspension, and interlock eligibility.
First-offense exposure under KRS 189A.010: $200–$500, up to 30 days of jail exposure, and a 4 months licence suspension. A first offense carries a fine, possible jail, suspension, and interlock eligibility.
What KRS 189A.010 actually says
- KRS 189A.010(1)(a) — operating or being in physical control of a motor vehicle with an alcohol concentration of 0.08 or more, measured within two hours of driving.
- KRS 189A.010(1)(b) — operating or being in physical control of a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol.
- KRS 189A.010(1)(f) — a 0.02 alcohol concentration threshold for drivers under twenty-one.
- KRS 189A.010(3) — statutory presumptions about impairment based on alcohol concentration below 0.08.
Charging documents cite the exact subsection, so check which one appears on your citation. The posted text on apps.legislature.ky.gov carries an effective date — amendments passed after it are not yet reflected.
Kentucky ZIP codes covered
These Kentucky ZIP-code pages carry the local court, filing and licensing detail for the area, and each one links back to this resource page.
Counties and cities using these Kentucky resources
Counties
Other Kentucky official resources
Frequently asked questions
- What statute defines DUI in Kentucky?
- KRS 189A.010 is the controlling DUI statute in Kentucky. You can read the current text on the official code site at apps.legislature.ky.gov.
- What is the Kentucky implied-consent law?
- KRS 189A.103 is the implied-consent provision. It sets out the consequences of refusing a chemical test after a lawful DUI arrest.