Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 186.077 – Street-legal special purpose vehicles -- Requirements -- Prohibitions -- Registration, inspection, and renewal -- Administrative regulations. (Effective until July 15, 2026)

(1) As used in this section:
1. (a) "Local government" means a city, county, charter county government, urban- county government, consolidated local government; local government, or unified
2. (b) 1. 2.
3. (c) 1. "Special purpose vehicle" means an all-terrain vehicle, utility terrain vehicle, minitruck, pneumatic-tired military vehicle, or full-size special purpose-built vehicle, including a vehicle that is self-constructed or built by the original equipment manufacturer and a vehicle that has been modified. "Special purpose vehicle" does not include a low-speed vehicle as defined in KRS 186.010; and "Street-legal special purpose vehicle" means a special purpose vehicle that meets the requirements of this section and is equipped with all of the following: a. One (1) or more headlamps; b. One (1) or more tail lamps; c. One (1) or more brake lamps; d. A trail lamp or other lamp constructed and placed to illuminate the registration plate with a white light; e. One (1) or more red reflectors on the rear of the vehicle; f. An amber electric turn system, one (1) on each side of the front of the vehicle; g. Amber or red electric turn signals on the rear of the vehicle; h. A braking system, other than a parking brake; i. j. k. Rearview mirrors on the right and left side of the driver; l. A horn or other warning device; A working muffler; A windshield, unless the operator of the vehicle wears eye protection while operating the vehicle; m. A speedometer, illuminated for nighttime operation; n. A roll bar or roll cage; o. For multi-passenger vehicles, a seatbelt assembly that conforms to the federal motor vehicle safety standard provided in 49 C.F.R. sec. 571.209 for each designated seating position; and Tires that have at least two thirty-seconds (2/32) of an inch or greater tire tread. p. 2. "Street-legal special purpose vehicle" does not include a low-speed vehicle as defined in KRS 186.010 or a vehicle primarily used for farm or agricultural activities.
(2) A person shall not operate a street-legal special purpose vehicle on a highway if:
1. (a) The highway is located within the jurisdictional boundaries of a local government where the operation of special purpose vehicles has not been allowed by local ordinance;
2. (b) The highway is a controlled-access system, including but not limited to an interstate or parkway; or
3. (c) The United States Department of Agriculture prohibits special purpose vehicles where the highway is located.
(3) Nothing in this section authorizes the operation of a street-legal special purpose vehicle in an area that is not open to motor vehicle use.
(4) Street-legal special purpose vehicles are prohibited from traveling a distance greater than twenty (20) miles on a highway displaying centerline pavement markings.
(5) Minitrucks shall not be operated as street-legal special purpose vehicles on a highway that has been constructed pursuant to a federal highway program.
(6) Except as otherwise provided in this section, a street-legal special purpose vehicle shall:
1. (a) Be registered in accordance with KRS 186.020;
2. (b) Be insured by the owner or operator for the payment of tort liabilities in the same form and amounts as set forth in KRS 304.39-110 for motorcycles; and
3. (c) Comply with all other requirements in this chapter.
(7) Upon registration of any street-legal special purpose vehicle under KRS 186.020, the county clerk shall issue the owner a motorcycle registration plate for the vehicle.
(8) Street-legal special purpose vehicles shall have an inspection completed by a certified inspector as required by KRS 186A.115.
(9) An applicant renewing his or her registration for a street-legal special purpose vehicle pursuant to KRS 186.020 shall certify that the street-legal special purpose vehicle still meets all of the equipment requirements in subsection (1)(c)1. of this section.
(10) The Transportation Cabinet shall promulgate administrative regulations in accordance with KRS Chapter 13A to implement this section.

Effective: June 27, 2025

History: Created 2025 Ky. Acts ch. 89, sec. 1, effective June 27, 2025.