Title XXIV, Public Utilities

As used in this chapter: (1) "Alcohol" means: (a) Beer, ale, port, or stout and other similar fermented beverages, including sake or similar products, of any name or description containing one-half of one percent (0.5%) or more of alcohol by volume, brewed or produced from malt, …

(1) It is the purpose of this chapter to implement the Federal Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1986 (Title XII of Pub. L. No. 99-570) and reduce or prevent commercial vehicle accidents, fatalities and injuries by: (a) Permitting commercial drivers to hold only one (1) lice…

(1) The Transportation Cabinet shall, as expeditiously as practicable, develop and maintain an on-line automated computer record keeping system having as a minimum, the capabilities and functions described or needed as set forth in this chapter. The cabinet shall be responsible f…

The Transportation Cabinet shall have all necessary power and authority to promulgate regulations and institute those programs that are reasonably necessary to carry out the provisions of this chapter. Any other state agency vested with a specific responsibility shall have the ne…

The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to: (1) Drivers of firefighting and other emergency equipment; (2) Drivers of commercial motor vehicles if those persons are: (a) Military personnel; and (b) Operating the vehicles in pursuit of a military purpose; (3) Drivers of far…

regulation -- Administrative regulation. In accordance with 49 C.F.R. sec. 383.3(f)(3)(ii), as it existed on April 13, 2026, exemptions for restricted CDLs for certain drivers in farm-related service industries, the cabinet shall promulgate emergency and ordinary administrative r…

No person who drives a commercial motor vehicle may have more than one (1) driver's license.

or applying to be a commercial driver. (1) Any driver who holds a commercial driver's license or who is required to hold a commercial driver's license shall within thirty (30) days in the manner specified by the cabinet: (a) Notify the cabinet of any conviction of a state law or …

when -- Employer restriction on operation of commercial vehicles. (1) Each employer shall require the applicant to provide the information specified in KRS 281A.070. He shall inform the applicant that the information provided may be used or the applicant's previous employers may …

(1) Except when driving under a commercial learner's permit and accompanied by the holder of commercial driver's license valid for the vehicle being driven, no person shall drive a commercial motor vehicle on the highways of this state unless the person holds a valid commercial d…

regulations if federal deadlines are extended. (1) If the United States Department of Transportation extends the date by which all commercial drivers are required to have a commercial driver's license, the Transportation Cabinet shall by administrative regulation extend the effec…

(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, the Transportation Cabinet shall upon request furnish full information regarding the commercial driving history record of any person to the following: (a) The driver licensing administrator, court official, or police…

jurisdiction. Within ten (10) days after receiving a report from a Kentucky court of a conviction of a commercial driver whose license has been issued by another jurisdiction for any violation of state law or local ordinance relating to motor vehicle traffic control, other than p…

(1) A commercial learner's permit may be issued to an individual twenty-one (21) years and older who: (a) Has complied with the criminal history background check required by KRS 281A.300; (b) Holds a valid Kentucky Class D operator's license; (c) Is a citizen or permanent residen…

(1) A person shall not be issued a commercial driver's license unless that person: (a) Is a resident of this state; (b) Holds a valid operator's license; (c) Has complied with the provisions of KRS 281A.300; (d) Except as provided in KRS 281A.165, has passed the knowledge and ski…

Penalty. (1) The application for a commercial driver's license or commercial learner's permit shall include the following information: (a) The applicant's full legal name, any nicknames or other names by which he or she is known, and present Kentucky resident address. If the appl…

(1) Every person seeking a commercial driver's license or a commercial learner's permit shall first apply in person to the cabinet. The application shall be in the form prescribed by KRS 281A.140 as provided by the cabinet. Except as provided in KRS 281A.160(6), each time a perso…

fund -- Contract examiners -- Reinstatement -- Nonresidential CDL applicant permitted to take skills test -- Administrative regulations. (1) (a) Except as provided in subsection (4) of this section, the State Police shall be responsible for administering both the knowledge and sk…

(1) The cabinet may waive the written knowledge test, the driving skills test, or both, for an applicant on active or reserve military service, or who is a member of the National Guard, or within one (1) year of separation of service, who: (a) Is currently licensed; (b) Has exper…

on licenses -- Administrative regulations -- Expiration. (1) The commercial driver's license shall be marked "commercial driver's license" and "CDL" and shall be, to the maximum extent practicable, tamper proof. It shall include but is not limited to the following information: (a…

(1) An applicant for a school bus endorsement shall satisfy the following requirements: (a) Qualify for a passenger vehicle endorsement by passing the knowledge and skills test for obtaining a passenger vehicle endorsement; (b) Demonstrate knowledge of loading and unloading child…

(1) Every person applying for renewal or transfer of a commercial driver's license from another issuing jurisdiction, shall complete an application as required by KRS 281A.140, providing updated information, testing, and required certifications. (2) If a person applies for a rene…

violation of state or local traffic control law prohibited -- Exemptions -- Report of conviction. (1) The Commonwealth shall not mask, defer imposition of judgment, or allow an individual to enter into a diversion program that would prevent a CLP or CDL holder's conviction for an…

appeal. (1) A person who holds or is required to hold a CDL shall be disqualified from driving a commercial motor vehicle for a period of one (1) year if convicted of: (a) Driving or being in physical control of a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol or a controlled subst…

Exceptions. (1) As used in this section, "cellular telephone" means a cellular, analog, wireless, or digital telephone. (2) A person shall not operate a school bus, as defined in KRS 281A.010, on any highway while using a cellular telephone while the bus is in motion and transpor…

other controlled substance. (1) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, a person shall not drive a commercial motor vehicle within this state while having any measurable or detectable amount of alcohol or other controlled substances in his system. (2) A person who dr…

influence of alcohol. In addition to the penalties established by this chapter for driving a commercial motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol: (1) Any person convicted of driving a commercial motor vehicle while the alcohol concentration of the person's blood or breath is …

controlled substances. (1) A person who drives a commercial motor vehicle within this state shall be deemed to have given his consent to take a test or tests of his blood, breath, or urine for the purpose of determining alcohol concentration, or the presence of other drugs. (2) A…

(1) Law enforcement agencies may administer preliminary breath tests using devices or equipment which shall ensure an accurate determination of alcohol concentration. The tests may be administered in the field to a person suspected of operating a commercial vehicle in violation o…

jurisdiction -- Effect of foreign convictions. (1) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, a person may drive a commercial motor vehicle in this state if the person has a valid commercial driver's license or commercial learner's permit issued by any state, Canada, or Mexico in a…

The Commonwealth may enter into or make agreements, arrangements, or declarations to carry out the provisions of this chapter.

The Transportation Cabinet may adopt those federally mandated requirements set forth in 49 C.F.R. pt. 383, notwithstanding the fact that the provisions may conflict with other provisions of this chapter.

KRS 281A.010 to 281A.280 shall be known as the "Kentucky Commercial Driver's License Act."

employees for failure to hold commercial driver's license -- Exception -- Requirement for employment. (1) The Transportation Cabinet shall not terminate the services of any employee in a job classification which requires a valid commercial driver's license if: (a) The employee ha…

permits -- Administrative regulations -- Fees. (1) (a) Any person initially applying for, or renewing, a Kentucky CDL or CLP shall be required to undergo a state and national criminal history background check of state and federal wanted or "hot file" records conducted by the Stat…

licenses -- Information for criminal background check -- Fees. Any person initially renewing a commercial driver's license or adding an endorsement after September 30, 2002, shall apply for the renewal at least thirty (30) days prior to the expiration date of the license. The pur…