DUI Offenses & Penalties

Kentucky imposes increasingly severe penalties for DUI convictions. Understanding the consequences you face is the first step toward building an effective defense. Attorney Ashley Larmour helps clients navigate the complexities of Kentucky DUI law and works to achieve the best possible outcome at every stage.

License Suspension Periods

Your driving privileges are at immediate risk following a DUI arrest. Kentucky imposes the following suspension periods:

• 1st Offense — 30 to 120 days license suspension
• 2nd Offense — 12 months license suspension
• 3rd Offense — 24 months license suspension
• 4th+ Offense — 60 months license suspension (felony DUI)

Fines & Financial Penalties

DUI fines in Kentucky start at $200 for a first offense and increase substantially with each subsequent conviction. Additional costs include court fees, substance abuse treatment programs, and increased insurance premiums that can last for years.

Jail Time

Even a first-offense DUI in Kentucky carries a minimum of 48 hours in jail. Penalties increase with each subsequent offense:

• 1st Offense — Minimum 48 hours, up to 30 days
• 2nd Offense — Minimum 7 days, up to 6 months
• 3rd Offense — Minimum 30 days, up to 12 months
• 4th+ Offense — Class D felony; 1 to 5 years in state prison

Ignition Interlock Device

Kentucky courts may order installation of an ignition interlock device (IID) as a condition of regaining driving privileges. The IID requires you to pass a breath test before your vehicle will start:

• Duration — 4 to 30 months depending on the offense and circumstances
• Cost — Installation and monthly monitoring fees paid by the defendant
• Benefit — May allow you to drive during your suspension period with the device installed

Six Aggravating Factors

Kentucky law identifies six aggravating factors that significantly enhance DUI penalties: excessive speed (30+ mph over the limit), traveling the wrong direction on a highway, causing injury or death, BAC of 0.15% or higher, refusing chemical testing, and transporting a child under 12. The presence of any aggravating factor results in mandatory minimum sentences and additional penalties.