Roadwise States Kentucky Driving lessons BAC limits & implied consent Kentucky driving lesson · Fit to Drive
BAC limits & implied consent A 3-minute lesson from the Kentucky course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
Read time 3 minutes
Course unit Fit to Drive
Checkpoint questions 6
Source pages 32, 33 Kentucky's DUI law covers anyone who operates or is in physical control of a vehicle while impaired by alcohol or another substance. And by driving, you've agreed in advance to chemical testing if an officer lawfully asks.
Implied consent By operating a vehicle, you've implicitly consented to a lawfully requested test of your blood, breath, urine, or any combination, to find alcohol or impairing substances.
Handbook p. 32 ↗ Know the rule
Implied consent law applies based on the state where you're arrested, not the state where you got your license.
Handbook p. 32 ↗ If you refuse a requested test: The court may suspend your license If you're convicted of DUI, the Transportation Cabinet suspends your license Your refusal can be used against you in court as evidence of DUI On a 2nd+ DUI within 10 years, refusing breath or urine is aggravating: double the minimum jail time Handbook p. 32 ↗ If you take the test: The results can be used against you in court as evidence of DUI You may get your own blood test within a reasonable time, at your expense It can be done by a physician, RN, phlebotomist, medical technician or medical technologist Handbook p. 32 ↗ Know the rule
Although your license will be suspended, you may be immediately eligible for an ignition interlock license to drive during the suspension, with credit toward any later interlock requirement if convicted.
Handbook p. 33 ↗ 10–15 minutes Time you're given to try to contact an attorney before any test
Handbook p. 33 ↗ Ignition interlock device A device a court may order installed on a DUI violator's vehicle. It prevents the driver from operating that vehicle if breath-alcohol concentration exceeds .02.
Handbook p. 33 ↗ Put it into practice
You're 20 and blow 0.03 at a traffic stop. That's far below 0.08, but drivers under 21 violate the law at 0.02 or more—so you're in violation.
A useful reminder Refusing doesn't help: it can cost your license, be used as evidence, and double mandatory jail time on a repeat DUI.
Check your understanding Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.
In Kentucky, it is illegal for a driver 21 or older to operate a vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration of: 0.02 or above 0.05 or above 0.08 or above 0.10 or above Answer: 0.08 or above
A driver 21 or older violates DUI law with a BAC of 0.08 or above.
Handbook p. 32 ↗ For a driver under 21, Kentucky's DUI law is violated at a BAC of: 0.08 or more 0.04 or more 0.05 or more 0.02 or more Answer: 0.02 or more
Drivers under 21 are in violation of the law with an alcohol concentration of 0.02 or more.
Handbook p. 32 ↗ Under Kentucky's implied consent law, when you operate a vehicle you have already agreed to: A lawful blood, breath, or urine test A mandatory ignition interlock Random roadside interviews A blood test only, never breath or urine Answer: A lawful blood, breath, or urine test
Implied consent means operating a vehicle implies consent to a lawfully requested blood, breath, or urine test.
Handbook p. 32 ↗ Kentucky's implied consent law applies based on: Your state of permanent residence The state where you are arrested Whichever state has stricter penalties The state where you obtained your license Answer: The state where you are arrested
Although implied consent laws vary by state, the law that applies is that of the state where you are arrested.
Handbook p. 32 ↗ Before administering a chemical test, how long must you be given to try to contact an attorney? No time is required by law At least 30 minutes Exactly 5 minutes 10 to 15 minutes Answer: 10 to 15 minutes
You are afforded at least 10 but not more than 15 minutes to attempt to contact an attorney.
Handbook p. 33 ↗ If you submit to a police-requested chemical test, you also have the right to: Have the test repeated by the officer Refuse to sign the citation Have your own blood test done, at your expense Refuse any later breath test Answer: Have your own blood test done, at your expense
You have the right to have an additional test of your blood performed by a person of your choosing, at your own expense.
Handbook p. 32 ↗ Previous lesson Alcohol, drugs & your body Next lesson DUI penalties & aggravating circumstances About the source Roadwise’s Kentucky course uses the driver handbook edition supplied with this study pack. This lesson cites source pages 32, 33. The linked PDF is a third-party mirror of the handbook, rather than a government-hosted page.
Open the handbook source PDF · View the source edition
For current application requirements, fees, appointments, and the format that applies to your age or license type, check Kentucky’s KYTC. Roadwise provides study material and does not issue permits or licenses.