Kentucky transportation laws

What it would do: Requires the cabinet to promulgate emergency and ordinary administrative regulations to extend the allowable time length of a limited CDL to the maximum length allowed under 49 C.F.R. sec. 383.3, which permits 210 days of usage within a 12-month period.

What it would do: Establishes the Commercial Motor Vehicle Task Force to study and make recommendations regarding driver-related CMV crash causes, mechanical failures, motor carrier negligence, enforcement tools, and safety partnerships, with findings due by December 1, 2026.

What it would do: Allows vehicles transporting fluid milk from a farm to first market to travel on any Kentucky state highway with gross weight up to 90,000 pounds without a special permit, with a 10 percent weight tolerance off interstate highways.

What it would do: Allows trucks transporting primary forest products within 100 miles of origin to operate at 90,000 pounds (two rear axles) or 100,000 pounds (three rear axles) on state-maintained highways, excluding interstates and bridges with lower weight limits. Establishes penalties for violating these weight provisions.

What it would do: Permits business entities to operate personal delivery devices on sidewalks and roadways with specified safety requirements including speed limits of 10 mph in pedestrian areas and 20 mph elsewhere, weight limits of 500 pounds, and mandatory insurance of at least $100,000. Excludes personal delivery devices from motor vehicle definitions.

What it would do: Amends motor carrier safety regulation to require the Department of Vehicle Regulation to apply federal motor carrier safety regulations and establish state safety requirements, while specifying exemptions from certain federal regulations for agricultural vehicles and farm equipment under defined weight and operational limits.

What it would do: Amends Kentucky's traffic code definitions to add a definition of 'nondivisible load' for state highways not on the national truck network and to include electric vehicle batteries as nondivisible loads on any state-maintained highway.

What it would do: Establishes a state rail safety inspection program under the Transportation Cabinet with certified inspectors to inspect railroad infrastructure, equipment, and operations. Creates a seven-member Railroad Transportation Advisory Board to advise on rail transportation matters and rail safety initiatives.

What it would do: Requires trains and light engines used for freight movement to have a crew of at least two individuals in the operating cab, with exceptions for yard movements, en route switching, and certain conductor duties. Establishes civil penalties of $1,000-$2,000 for first violations, $5,000-$7,500 for second violations within three years, and $10,000-$15,000 for subsequent violations within three years.

What it would do: Permits fully autonomous vehicles to operate on Kentucky highways without a human driver if the automated driving system meets safety standards, except vehicles over 62,000 pounds require a human driver until July 31, 2026. Prohibits school districts from operating autonomous school buses and requires operators to submit law enforcement interaction plans.

What it would do: Allows vehicles hauling building materials to homes to travel on state roads without permits and weight limit fines if within registration and axle limits, subject to width, bridge weight, and routing restrictions, with permit requirements for developers constructing more than ten homes within one mile.

What it would do: Permits fully autonomous vehicles to operate on Kentucky highways without human drivers if the automated driving system is engaged and meets safety conditions, except vehicles over 62,000 pounds must have a human driver until July 31, 2031, and requires $5,000,000 liability insurance coverage.

What it would do: Amends Kentucky's commercial driver's license requirements by specifying license markings, required information, classifications, endorsements, restrictions, and expiration periods, including provisions for drivers under age twenty-one.

What it would do: Requires railroad companies to remove vegetation within 600 feet or a reasonably safe distance from railroad-highway intersections. Allows the Transportation Cabinet or local government to remove vegetation and recover costs if the railroad fails to comply within 10 days of written notice.

What it would do: Permits fully autonomous vehicles to operate on Kentucky highways without a human driver if the automated driving system meets safety standards, except vehicles over 62,000 pounds require a human driver until July 31, 2026. Prohibits school districts from operating autonomous school buses and requires operators to submit law enforcement interaction plans.

What it would do: Requires trains and light engines used for freight movement to have a crew of at least two individuals in the operating cab, with exceptions for yard movements, en route switching, and certain conductor duties. Establishes civil penalties of $1,000-$2,000 for first violations, $5,000-$7,500 for second violations within three years, and $10,000-$15,000 for subsequent violations within three years.

What it would do: Allows vehicles hauling building materials to homes to travel on state roads without permits and weight limit fines if within registration and axle limits, provided they follow the most direct route within 15 miles of classified state roads and comply with width and bridge limits.