Kentucky State Law Regarding ATVs

189.515 Restrictions on operation of all-terrain vehicles

(1) Except for vehicles authorized to operate on a public highway as of July 15, 1998, and except as provided in subsection (6) of this section, a person shall not operate an all-terrain vehicle upon any public highway or roadway or upon the right-of-way of any public highway or roadway.

(2) A person shall not operate an all-terrain vehicle on private property without the consent of the landowner, tenant, or individual responsible for the property.

(3) A person shall not operate an all-terrain vehicle on public property unless the governmental agency responsible for the property has approved the use of all-terrain vehicles.

(4) Except for vehicles authorized to operate on a public highway, a person operating an all-terrain vehicle on public property shall wear approved protective headgear, in the manner prescribed by the secretary of the Transportation Cabinet, at all times that the vehicle is in motion. The approved headgear requirement shall not apply when the operator of any all-terrain vehicle is engaged in:
   (a) Farm or agriculture related activities;
   (b) Mining or mining exploration activities;
   (c) Logging activities;
   (d) Any other business, commercial, or industrial activity; or
   (e) Use of that vehicle on private property.

(5) (a) A person under the age of sixteen (16) years shall not operate an all-terrain vehicle with an engine size exceeding ninety (90) cubic centimeters displacement, and a person under the age of sixteen (16) years shall not operate an all-terrain vehicle except under direct parental supervision.

(b) A person under the age of twelve (12) years shall not operate an all-terrain vehicle with an engine size exceeding seventy (70) cubic centimeters displacement.

(6) (a) A person may operate an all-terrain vehicle on any two (2) lane public highway in order to cross the highway. In crossing the highway under this paragraph, the operator shall cross the highway at as close to a ninety (90) degree angle as is practical and safe, and shall not travel on the highway for more than two-tenths (2/10) of a mile.

(b) A person may operate an all-terrain vehicle on any two (2) lane public highway, if the operator is engaged in farm or agricultural related activities, construction, road maintenance, or snow removal.

(c) The Transportation Cabinet may designate, and a city or county government may designate, those public highways, segments of public highways, and adjoining rights-of-way of public highways under its jurisdiction where allterrain vehicles that are prohibited may be operated.

(d) A person operating an all-terrain vehicle on a public highway under this subsection shall possess a valid operator's license.

(e) A person operating an all-terrain vehicle on a public highway under this subsection shall comply with all applicable traffic regulations.

(f) A person shall not operate an all-terrain vehicle under this subsection unless the all-terrain vehicle has at least one (1) headlight and two (2) taillights, which shall be illuminated at all times the vehicle is in operation.

(g) A person operating an all-terrain vehicle under this subsection shall restrict the operation to daylight hours, except when engaged in snow removal or emergency road maintenance.

Effective: July 14, 2000
History: Amended 2000 Ky. Acts ch. 460, sec. 2, effective July 14, 2000. -- Amended 1998 Ky. Acts ch. 47, sec. 2, effective July 15, 1998. -- Created 1990 Ky. Acts ch. 400, sec. 2, effective July 13, 1990.