Motorcycle Insurance Requirements in Kentucky

Kentucky is one of the most relaxing places to ride. You can ride around the many lakes or up in the mountains in the eastern end of the state. You will find more curvy, hilly roads than you can handle in a weekend trip. Kentucky does have rules that you need to abide by to stay safe while riding, including registration, insurance and safety equipment rules.

Safety Requirements

Kentucky requires that those who are new to riding, those under the age of 21 and those with an instructional permit to wear a helmet. Experienced riders over the age of 21 do not need a helmet. There are no restrictions on helmet speakers. Eye protection is required for people of all ages and experience levels. If the owner/operator is carrying a passenger, the bike must have a passenger seat and passenger foot pegs. Kentucky law requires that a bike must have at least one mirror; and there are no handlebar restrictions.

Kentucky also requires riders to get a rider education waiver and take a skill test. If you have a motorcycle endorsement from another state or have a RiderEd Completion Card from another state, Kentucky will accept that. While Kentucky doesn’t have a law that says an insurance company cannot cover you if you do not abide by the safety requirements, the company may not pay the claim or may drop you if it finds that you were in an accident and the violation contributed to the accident.

Minimum Insurance Requirements

The state of Kentucky requires that an owner/operator carry compulsory liability motorcycle insurance. While you are required to have minimum coverage, depending on the type of bike you have and other factors, you may want to have more than the minimum coverage.

The minimum coverage covers the owner/operator for $25,000 for the injury or death of one person in any one accident, $50,000 for the injury or death of more than one person in any one accident and $10,000 for property damage. You can also opt to have $60,000 coverage for single limit.

Driving Without Insurance — Penalties

If you drive without motorcycle insurance coverage, you may face several penalties including license revocation, registration revocation, a ticket, and fines. What you receive as a penalty depends on the officer and whether it is your first or subsequent offense.

So that you don’t mistakenly let your insurance lapse, you can pay your insurance premiums for the year in one lump sum payment. Some insurance companies will also automatically transfer funds electronically or automatically charge your debit or credit card.

If you need to cancel your insurance because of extensive repairs on the bike or you sold the bike, notify your insurance company. If you just stop paying, the insurance company will notify the Department of Motor Vehicles, which could cause you some grief next time you register a motor vehicle, including a motorcycle.

Moped License

In the State of Kentucky, you must have a license to drive a moped. You must be at least 16 years of age to get a moped license. If you are under 18 years of age, a parent must sign for you. Further, you must have a driver’s permit to get a moped license. If you already have a license, you do not need to get a moped license. Mopeds are not permitted on roads with speed limits over 30 mph.

Kentucky defines a moped as having an automatic transmission, an engine that is smaller than 50 cc and it must not be able to travel faster than 30 mph. The State of Kentucky requires you to register and insure the moped if you are going to drive it on public streets. If you have a scooter, you do not have to register or insure it.

Off Road Rules

If you are riding a dirt bike or other off road motorcycle, you must wear a helmet. Eye protection is not required, though it is a good idea to use it. If you are under the age of 16, your off road bike’s engine cannot be larger than 90 cc. If you are under 12, the bike’s engine cannot be more than 70 cc and you must have parental supervision. You are not required to have a license, register or title the off road motorcycle, though titling is a good idea so that you can prove ownership.