Kentucky ATV Law
Kentucky leads the nation on a per-capita basis in ATV deaths. In addition to deaths, many, many Kentuckians are seriously injured on ATVs each year, and a high percentage of those injured and killed on ATVs are children.
While following the ATV safety laws does not necessarily prevent death and serious injury, it can help. And all ATV users should be knowledgeable of Kentucky law. Here are the applicable laws applying to ATV usage in Kentucky:
An all-terrain vehicle (ATV) cannot be operated on any public highway, roadway or the right-of-way of any public highway or roadway. (KRS 189.515)
An ATV is allowed to cross a 2 lane public highway doing so at as close to a 90 degree angle as practical and safe but not traveling on the highway more than 2/10’s of a mile.
An ATV can only be operated on a 2 lane public highway if the operator is engaged in farm or agriculture related activities, construction, road maintenance, or snow removal. These operators must possess a valid operator’s license and comply with all applicable traffic regulations.
Approved protective headgear must be worn by the operator at all times that the ATV is used on any public property. This headgear requirement is only exempted when the operator is engaged in farm, mining, logging, or other commercial operations or use of the vehicle on private property.
An ATV cannot be operated on private property without the consent of the landowner, tenant, or individual responsible for the property.
A person under the age of sixteen (16) years must not operate an all-terrain vehicle with an engine size exceeding 90 cubic centimeters displacement, and cannot operate an all-terrain vehicle unless under direct parental supervision.
A person under the age of twelve (12) years cannot operate an all-terrain vehicle with an engine size exceeding 70 cubic centimeters displacement.
