Texting while driving ticket in Kentucky
A texting ticket in Kentucky costs about $155 to $159 with court costs and fees, and carries 3 points.
FineAbout $155–$159estimate with court costs
Points3
Kentucky State Traffic SchoolYes
Add up my ticket All Kentucky rules
What does the Kentucky state schedule charge for a texting ticket?
The fine is only part of what you pay. Court costs and fees are added on top, and they are often more than the fine itself.
| Ticket | State fine | With court costs |
|---|---|---|
| Texting while driving (first offense)$25 first offense, $50 for each later offense. | $25[6] | $155–$159 |
With court costs is an estimate. $100 court costs plus $20 and $10 fees. Jefferson County lists $134.[9][10][11][18][6] Your notice shows the exact total.
How many points is it?
- Handheld phone use3 pts[2]
Will a texting ticket raise your insurance in Kentucky?
Probably, once it is on your record. Insurers rate a texting ticket as a moving violation. In Kentucky one speeding ticket raised a full-coverage premium about 15% on average[1], or about $1,123 over three years. A texting ticket usually lands in the same range.
Estimate based on the state's speeding average, not a quote.
How long do you have to respond to a texting ticket in Kentucky?
- Date on noticePay or respondset by the court[8][13]
Details
Appear in district court on the date on your citation, or prepay before it if the ticket is marked payable. If you miss it: Failing to appear is grounds for license suspension.
- 20daysAsk for an informal hearing after a suspension noticefrom the notice date[13]
Details
Ask for an informal hearing after a suspension notice. If you miss it: The hearing is waived and the suspension goes ahead.
- 30daysFinish traffic schoolfrom conviction[3][4]
Details
Finish the online State Traffic School course (or enroll in a classroom course). If you miss it: A missed course or class leads to license suspension until you complete it.
- Date on noticeLast day to appealset by the court
Details
File a notice of appeal from district court to circuit court
Can you keep a texting ticket off your Kentucky record?
Every way to handle a Kentucky ticket, from paying to contesting →
Texting tickets in other states →
Got a different ticket in Kentucky?
- Speeding
- School zone
- Work zone
- Red light
- Stop sign
- No insurance
- Seat belt
- School bus
- Failure to yield
- Parking
What else do people ask?
How many points is a texting ticket in Kentucky?
Handheld phone use: 3 points.
Will a texting ticket raise my insurance in Kentucky?
Probably, if it goes on your record. Insurers rate it as a moving violation. In Kentucky a speeding ticket raised full-coverage premiums about 15% on average (ValuePenguin State of Auto Insurance in 2026), and a texting ticket tends to land in the same range.
Sources
Kentucky law and DMV sources (6)
- Kentucky Point System, Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (DRIVE).
- KY State Traffic School, Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (DRIVE).
- KRS 186.574 State traffic school, county attorney-operated traffic safety program, Kentucky General Assembly (Legislative Research Commission).
- KRS 189.990 Penalties (traffic regulations), Kentucky General Assembly (Legislative Research Commission).
- KRS 431.452 Prepayment of fines subject to certain conditions, Kentucky General Assembly (Legislative Research Commission).
- KRS 186.570 Denial or suspension of license, informal hearing, appeal, Kentucky General Assembly (Legislative Research Commission).
Insurance sources (4)
- State of Auto Insurance in 2026, ValuePenguin (LendingTree).
- Car Insurance Rate Increases with a Speeding Ticket in 2026, ValuePenguin (LendingTree).
- How Does a DUI Affect Your Auto Insurance Rates in 2026?, ValuePenguin (LendingTree).
- How Much Will My Car Insurance Rates Go Up After a Crash in 2026?, ValuePenguin (LendingTree).