Kei trucks in Kentucky, plated where the county opens the road and at work on the farm

Read from Kentucky's own statutes and motor vehicle office.

Kentucky names the kei truck in two laws. Since June 2025 a minitruck is a special purpose vehicle that a county or city can open its highways to by ordinance, and a truck equipped to the state's street-legal list, inspected by a certified inspector and insured as a motorcycle takes a motorcycle plate from the county clerk. Everywhere else the mini-truck law still lets a kei truck work private land with the owner's consent, cross two lane highways and run on them for farm, construction, road maintenance and snow removal, in daylight with its lights on. A newer truck imported as off road equipment and governed to 25 mph is the same class in the statute.

Road use with limitsNewer trucks, utility terrain vehicleFrom Port of Savannah, Georgia Ports Authority

Check your state Your lane

Roads openTowns onlyTo confirmEvery county opens its own page.

Your lane

Which truck are you buying?

Kentucky treats the two kinds of kei truck differently. Pick yours and this answers for it.

A truck 25 years or older is a mini-truck under KRS 189.517 and the minitruck of KRS 186.077. In a county or city whose ordinance allows special purpose vehicles, it can be equipped, inspected, registered, insured as a motorcycle and plated for the road. Everywhere else it has only the crossing, farm and work road rights of KRS 189.517. The federal 25 year exemption lets it in and the county clerk decides the title.

Road use with limits

Title. County clerk, on form TC 96-182, after an inspection by a certified inspector the county sheriff designates. A foreign titled truck brings customs papers and an English translation of its ownership papers. KRS 186A.097 also lists federal bond release letters for a vehicle not made for sale in the United States, and how a clerk applies that to a 25 year truck was not found.

Registration. Street-legal special purpose vehicle registration with the county clerk under KRS 186.020, a motorcycle plate, renewed every year. A truck kept off the highway is titled and registered only when it is to be operated on a highway.

Road use only where the county or city has allowed special purpose vehicles by ordinance (KRS 186.077(2)(a) and 186.078)
Not on an interstate, a parkway or any highway built under a federal highway program (186.077(2)(b) and (5))
No more than twenty miles on a highway with a centerline, and not where the United States Department of Agriculture prohibits special purpose vehicles (186.077(2)(c) and (4))
Inspected on form TC 96-365 and equipped to the list in 186.077(1)(c)1, which includes a roll bar or roll cage and a seatbelt for each designated seating position of a multi-passenger vehicle
Insured as a motorcycle under KRS 304.39-110 and plated with a motorcycle plate (186.077(6) and (7))
Without an ordinance, only the crossing, farm, construction, road maintenance and snow removal rights of KRS 189.517, in daylight, with a licensed operator and two headlights and two taillights lit

The rule for a 25 year truckapps.legislature.ky.gov, read 29 October 2026

Read from a secondary source or an older page. Confirm it with the office before you rely on it.

Can I drive a 25 year old kei truck on Kentucky roads?

Yes, where the county or city has allowed special purpose vehicles by ordinance. The truck is equipped to the state's street-legal list, inspected by a certified inspector, registered with the county clerk, insured as a motorcycle and plated with a motorcycle plate. It stays off interstates, parkways and highways built under a federal highway program and runs no more than twenty miles on a highway with a centerline. Without an ordinance it crosses two lane highways and works on them only for farm, construction, road maintenance or snow removal.

A newer truck imported as off road equipment and governed to 25 mph is the same minitruck. Kentucky's special purpose vehicle law lists the minitruck beside the all-terrain vehicle and the utility terrain vehicle, so the same ordinance, inspection and motorcycle plate route is written for it, but no source read says the Transportation Cabinet or a clerk plates a governed nonroad import for the road. On private land and on the farm and work roads of KRS 189.517 it has the same rights as any kei truck.

Utility terrain vehicle

Where it can run

Private land with the consent of the landowner, tenant or person responsible. Public property the responsible agency has approved. Two lane highways to cross, and to work on in farm, construction, road maintenance or snow removal. Highways the state, a city or a county designates. Under a local ordinance, the highways that ordinance allows.

Title. County clerk title, within 15 days of buying it (KRS 186A.070(1)). Registration comes only when the truck is to be operated on a highway.

Registration. None for a truck kept off the highway. Street-legal special purpose vehicle registration with a motorcycle plate only where a local ordinance allows special purpose vehicles and the truck meets the state's equipment list. No separate off road or ATV registration for a minitruck was found, and Kentucky titles ATVs without registering them.

Cross a two lane highway as close to a right angle as is practical and safe, for no more than two tenths of a mile (KRS 189.517(5)(a))
On a highway under 189.517 the operator holds a valid operator's license, obeys traffic rules, keeps at least two headlights and two taillights lit and drives in daylight except for snow removal or emergency road maintenance (189.517(5)(d) to (g))
A vehicle designed to operate at no more than 25 mph as certified by the manufacturer is a low-speed vehicle under KRS 186.010(16), which the special purpose vehicle law excludes. A low-speed vehicle needs the federal standard in 49 CFR 571.500, a 17 character VIN and a posted limit of 35 mph or less (189.282). Whether a governed kei truck is a low-speed vehicle was not found
A truck used for recreation off road may also fit KRS 189.010(24), which defines an all-terrain vehicle as any motor vehicle used for recreational off-road use, and an ATV is titled and cannot be registered under KRS 186.020 (186A.070(2))

The rule for a newer off road truckapps.legislature.ky.gov, read 29 October 2026

Read from a secondary source or an older page. Confirm it with the office before you rely on it.

A newer truck comes in only as nonroad equipment, permanently governed to a top speed and with a nonroad engine certified by EPA before import. It pays the same 25 percent truck duty. What that engine needs.

What about a newer truck imported as off road equipment and governed to 25 mph?

Kentucky's statute puts it in the same minitruck class as any other kei truck, so it has the private land, crossing and farm and work road rights of KRS 189.517. Whether the Cabinet and your county clerk will register a governed nonroad import for the road under the special purpose vehicle law was not found, so we confirm with the clerk before a truck ships.

Owning one

Owning one in Kentucky.

For a 25 year road truck. The first title step by step, the papers, every fee the statute sets, tax, insurance, emissions and the rest. Each line carries its cite, read 29 October 2026.

The first title

To confirm

The county clerk's office in the county where the owner lives, or where the truck is mostly operated for an owner who lives elsewhere, KRS 186.020(1), working for the Transportation Cabinet's Department of Vehicle Regulation. The inspection is by a certified inspector the Department certifies and the county sheriff designates, KRS 186A.115(2)(a). No statewide phone number for the Division was read.

Keep the federal entry papers and the Japanese ownership papers. The Cabinet asks for customs papers and a sheriff's inspection for a vehicle purchased or titled in a foreign country, with form TC 96-182. A registration document not in English needs translation papers from the vehicle manufacturer or a certified translator.
KRS 186A.097 lists more for a vehicle not manufactured for sale in the United States: the original ownership documents of the country of purchase, or the documents assigned after a cancellation for export, with a complete English translation verified by the translator's affidavit, and a federal Department of Transportation bond release letter, a federal Environmental Protection Agency bond release letter, a gas guzzler tax receipt and copies of the records behind the bond release. A truck 25 years or older enters under the federal age exemptions without bond release letters, and no source read says how a clerk applies the section to it. Ask the county clerk before purchase.
Insure the truck. Proof of Kentucky insurance issued within 45 days goes with the application. A street-legal special purpose vehicle is insured in the motorcycle form and amounts.
For the road, confirm that the county or city where the truck will run has allowed special purpose vehicles by ordinance, then equip the truck to the list in KRS 186.077(1)(c).
Take the truck, the application and the papers to a certified inspector the county sheriff designates, in the county where the application will be filed. The inspector compares the VIN with the papers, records the odometer and signs the inspection electronically. For a street-legal special purpose vehicle the inspector also checks the equipment on form TC 96-365.
File form TC 96-182 with the county clerk in the county where you live, within 15 days of buying the truck (KRS 186A.070(1)). The form has application types for first time and for title only. The clerk collects the title fee and the motor vehicle usage tax.
For road use the clerk registers the truck as a street-legal special purpose vehicle and issues a motorcycle registration plate. A truck kept off the highway is titled and is registered only when it is to be operated on a highway (KRS 186A.070(1)).

The inspection. A certified inspector personally and physically inspects the vehicle. The inspector compares the VIN on the VIN plate and on the federal safety standards label with the application and its papers. The inspector examines the primary odometer and records the reading, then signs an electronic certificate of inspection under penalty of forgery, KRS 186A.115(7). The inspector refuses to sign if there is reason to believe the VIN has been altered, if the papers are missing, inconsistent or appear fraudulent or if there is probable cause to believe the vehicle is stolen, 186A.115(8). Under 601 KAR 9:090 section 2(3), if the federal safety standard label on the door is missing or illegible the inspector documents the discrepancy on the application and certifies the inspection from the VIN plate and the corresponding number on the title document. A 25 year Japanese truck has no federal label. The inspector does not sign or date the application until the title is surrendered for examination, section 2(2), and how that reads for a truck with only foreign papers was not found. A street-legal special purpose vehicle is also checked item by item against the equipment list on form TC 96-365 and costs a separate inspection fee. For a vehicle brought in, an inspection in one county is honored by every other county, 186A.115(2)(f).

Sources, 10

The papers

Tick them off as you gather them. Nothing here is sent.

Kentucky photo ID
Application for Kentucky Certificate of Title or Registration, TC 96-182
The Japanese ownership papers with a complete English translation verified by the translator's affidavit (KRS 186A.097(1))
Customs papers (the Cabinet's foreign titles instruction)
The certified inspector's inspection, and for a street-legal special purpose vehicle form TC 96-365, Street-Legal Special Purpose Vehicle Inspection
Proof of Kentucky insurance issued within 45 days
The price, stated in the total consideration section of TC 96-182 and sworn by seller and buyer before a notary, with a bill of sale (KRS 138.460(7))
The federal bond release letters and gas guzzler receipt that KRS 186A.097(2) lists, which a 25 year truck does not carry

The frame numberKentucky asks the inspector to compare the VIN on the VIN plate and..To confirm

Kentucky asks the inspector to compare the VIN on the VIN plate and the federal label with the papers, 186A.115(7)(a), and it asks for a VIN on a street-legal special purpose vehicle application, 601 KAR 23:070 section 2(6)(a). The inspector certifies from the VIN plate and the corresponding number on the title document and documents a missing federal label on the application, 601 KAR 9:090 section 2(3). A vehicle with no legitimate VIN affixed by a manufacturer regularly engaged in the original manufacture of that type of vehicle, or one built from parts, must first get a VIN plate from the Department of Vehicle Regulation, 186A.090(1). The Cabinet's pages ask for a 17 character VIN for an ATV and for a low-speed vehicle and say a motor number is not accepted. No page read says what the Cabinet does with a Japanese frame number such as DA63T-123456 on a street-legal special purpose vehicle or an imported truck, whether it titles the truck under that number or issues a state VIN plate. The Cabinet says insurers send it a monthly report of insured VINs, so whichever number the title carries must be on the insurance policy exactly.

Sources, 8

Fees set by statuteTitle $9Registration $10

The state's own amounts, as its code read on 29 October 2026. The first figure in each line is the one that applies at title.

Fee	Amount	What the statute says
Title	$9	$9 for each application for a certificate of title, of which the county clerk keeps $6 and the Transportation Cabinet receives $3, KRS 186A.130(1)(a) as in effect until 1 January 2027, read 29 October 2026. From 1 January 2027 the fee is set by the Cabinet by administrative regulation under KRS 186.017, 2026 Ky. Acts ch. 135 sec. 36, and the new amount was not found. The Cabinet's page for ATVs lists a $15 title fee, KRS 186A.130(3), and its page for low-speed vehicles lists $9.
Registration	$10	$10 a year for a street-legal special purpose vehicle, KRS 186.050(2)(b) and 601 KAR 23:070 section 2(3), read 29 October 2026. For comparison an ordinary motor vehicle such as a pickup pays $11.50 and a motorcycle $9, 186.050(1) and (2)(a). A truck titled and kept off the highway need not be registered, 186A.070(1).
Plates	see note	No separate plate fee was found. The county clerk is paid $6 for each registration and $3 more is collected at registration, KRS 186.040(1)(c) and (6)(a) as in effect until 1 January 2027, read 29 October 2026. A version of 186.040 effective 1 January 2027 exists and was not read.
Inspection of a street-legal special purpose vehicle	see note	Inspection of a street-legal special purpose vehicle, $25 payable to the sheriff's office, KRS 186A.115(1)(c), and $20 more per trip when the inspector travels to the truck, 186A.115(2)(c) and form TC 96-365. Read 29 October 2026.
Inspection of a vehicle brought into Kentucky	see note	Inspection of a vehicle brought into Kentucky, $15 for an individual and $15 or $30 for a dealer, KRS 186A.115(2)(b). Whether a street-legal special purpose vehicle pays the $25 in place of the $15 or both was not found. Read 29 October 2026.
Motor vehicle usage tax	see note	Motor vehicle usage tax, 6 percent of the retail price with a $6 minimum, collected by the county clerk when the truck is first titled or registered, KRS 138.460(1), (2) and (8). Read 29 October 2026.
Registration renewal by mail	$2	Registration renewal by mail, a $2 fee to the county clerk until 1 January 2027, KRS 186.020(5), after which the amount is set by Cabinet regulation under KRS 186.017. Read 29 October 2026.

Sources, 13

Tax at title6 percent state rate at title

Motor vehicle usage tax of 6 percent of the retail price, with a $6 minimum at first titling, collected by the county clerk when the truck is first offered for titling or registration, KRS 138.460(1), (2) and (8). The clerk asks for the seller's notarized affidavit of the price paid when one is available and otherwise follows the procedures of KRS 138.450, which was not read, 138.460(7). A credit equal to the tax paid in another state applies when that state levied a substantially identical tax and gives a similar credit, 138.460(6)(a). The statute names no credit for tax paid in a foreign country. An owner who signs an affidavit of nonhighway use does not pay the usage tax and pays the sales and use tax of KRS Chapter 139 in its place, 138.460(3), whose rate was not read here. Read 29 October 2026.

Sources, 4

InsuranceSplit limits of $25,000 for bodily injury to one person, $50,000 for..

The minimums. Split limits of $25,000 for bodily injury to one person, $50,000 for all persons injured in one accident and $25,000 for property damage, KRS 304.39-110(1)(a), read 29 October 2026. The alternative is a single limit of $60,000. A street-legal special purpose vehicle is insured in the same form and amounts as a motorcycle, KRS 186.077(6)(b), and 304.39-110(3) limits motorcycle security to the liability coverage and territory of subsections (1)(a) and (1)(b), so no basic reparation benefits are required. The Cabinet's insurance page says the policy must provide basic reparation benefits unless the insured vehicle is a motorcycle.

When it is required. Registration as a street-legal special purpose vehicle, which needs proof of insurance with the application, KRS 186.020(1)(g) and 601 KAR 23:070 section 2(5). Every owner or operator of a motor vehicle registered or operated in Kentucky keeps security continuously while it is present or registered in the state, and an owner without it has the registration revoked, KRS 304.39-080(5). The Cabinet says an owner may not operate a vehicle in Kentucky until insurance has been obtained and asks for proof of Kentucky insurance dated within 45 days when a vehicle is titled. Whether a titled truck kept only on private land has any insurance duty was not found, and KRS 189.517 sets none.

A truck registered for the road is insured as a motorcycle and the proof goes to the county clerk with the application. The Cabinet checks monthly reports from insurers against registrations and mails an uninsured notice when a registered vehicle shows no policy. The Cabinet will not accept a surplus lines carrier for auto liability to complete a registration. If a registered truck goes uninsured, the registration is revoked under KRS 186A.040.

What the insurer will ask. The Cabinet says insurers report the VINs they insure to it each month, so the VIN on the policy and the VIN on the title need to match exactly. For a kei truck that is the frame number as titled, or a state assigned number if the Cabinet issues one. An insurer will also need to know how Kentucky registers the truck, as a street-legal special purpose vehicle with a motorcycle plate or as titled only, and in which county it is kept. That is a reading of the Cabinet's page and the statute, not an insurer's rule.

Sources, 7

EmissionsNo emissions testing program was found in effect in any Kentucky..To confirm

A kei truck. No emissions testing program was found in effect in any Kentucky county. The Louisville area program was ended in 2003 and the Northern Kentucky program was directed out of the state implementation plan by a 2004 joint resolution, which also bars denying a registration for a failed test under the cancelled program, 2004 Ky. Acts ch. 115. No current Energy and Environment Cabinet or Transportation Cabinet page was read, so this stays unconfirmed. Read 29 October 2026.

Sources, 1

apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/acts/04RS/documents/0115.pdf

Safety inspectionNo periodic safety inspection was found in the statutes or Cabinet..To confirm

No periodic safety inspection was found in the statutes or Cabinet pages read. A vehicle brought into Kentucky is inspected once by a certified inspector before title, KRS 186A.115(1)(a). A street-legal special purpose vehicle is inspected before title against the equipment list, 186A.115(1)(c) and form TC 96-365, and 601 KAR 23:070 section 4(2) requires that it pass a safety inspection by a Kentucky certified inspector. The regulation's current text does not say annual. A proposed amendment adds the word annual and was shown by the Legislative Research Commission as not yet current. At renewal an owner is considered to have certified that the equipment list is still met, KRS 186.077(9) as amended by 2026 Ky. Acts ch. 135 sec. 16. Law enforcement officers verify compliance on the road, 601 KAR 23:070 section 5(1). Read 29 October 2026.

Sources, 6

Licence, equipment and renewalA Kentucky operator's license before operating a motor vehicle on a..

The licence

A Kentucky operator's license before operating a motor vehicle on a highway, KRS 186.410(1). A mini-truck on the roads KRS 189.517 allows needs a valid operator's license, 189.517(5)(d). A street-legal special purpose vehicle follows the traffic laws, 186.077(6)(c) and 601 KAR 23:070 section 3(2). The statutes read do not call a street-legal special purpose vehicle a motorcycle for licensing, and whether the Cabinet asks for a motorcycle endorsement because of the motorcycle plate was not found.

On the road

One or more headlamps (KRS 186.077(1)(c)1.a)
One or more tail lamps (1.b)
One or more brake lamps (1.c)
A tail lamp or other lamp placed to illuminate the registration plate with a white light (1.d)
One or more red reflectors on the rear (1.e)
An amber electric turn system, one on each side of the front, and amber or red electric turn signals on the rear (1.f and 1.g)
A braking system other than a parking brake (1.h)
A horn or other warning device (1.i)
A working muffler (1.j)
Rearview mirrors on the right and left side of the driver (1.k)
A windshield, unless the operator wears eye protection (1.l)
A speedometer illuminated for nighttime operation (1.m). The section does not say it must read in miles per hour
A roll bar or roll cage (1.n)
For multi-passenger vehicles, a seatbelt assembly that conforms to 49 CFR 571.209 for each designated seating position (1.o)
Tires with at least 2/32 inch of tread (1.p)
A local government may require more safety equipment and rules of operation than this list, KRS 186.078(2)
On the roads KRS 189.517 allows, at least two headlights and two taillights, lit at all times the mini-truck is in operation, 189.517(5)(f)

Plates and renewal

The county clerk issues a motorcycle registration plate to a registered street-legal special purpose vehicle, KRS 186.077(7). Under 601 KAR 23:070 section 5 the plate is the same size as a Kentucky motorcycle plate and the truck may carry a motorcycle temporary tag. Registration is annual, KRS 186.050(2)(b), and the owner is notified at least 45 days before it expires, 186.020(5). A renewing owner is considered to have certified that the vehicle still meets the equipment list, 186.077(9). A truck titled and kept off the highway has no plate. Repeat failures to comply can bring suspension or revocation of the registration, 601 KAR 23:070 section 5. Read 29 October 2026.

The off highway decalNo decal, permit or off-highway registration for a minitruck was foundTo confirm

The decal. No decal, permit or off-highway registration for a minitruck was found. Kentucky titles an all-terrain vehicle and does not register it, KRS 186A.070(2), and the Cabinet's ATV page says the same.

The course. No operator education rule for a minitruck was found. The ATV rules of KRS 189.515 bar a child under 6, require direct parental supervision for an operator under 16 and approved headgear for an operator 16 or older on public property, with exceptions for farm, mining, logging, business use and private property. No source says those rules reach a minitruck.

On private land a kei truck runs with the consent of the landowner, tenant or person responsible, KRS 189.517(3), and on public land only where the responsible agency has approved mini-trucks, 189.517(4). A truck kept off the highway is titled within 15 days and is registered only when it is to be operated on a highway, 186A.070(1).

Sources, 6

Questions

Can a kei truck be registered for the road in Kentucky?

Yes, as a street-legal special purpose vehicle, where a county or city has allowed special purpose vehicles by ordinance. It is equipped to the state's list, passes an inspection by a certified inspector, is registered with the county clerk, is insured in the motorcycle form and amounts and takes a motorcycle plate.

Where can it run once it is registered?

Only on highways inside a county or city that has allowed it. It may not use an interstate, a parkway or a highway built under a federal highway program, and it may not run more than twenty miles on a highway marked with a centerline. The United States Department of Agriculture can also bar special purpose vehicles where a highway lies.

What papers does the county clerk need for a truck from Japan?

Form TC 96-182, a Kentucky photo ID, the Japanese ownership papers with a complete English translation, customs papers, the certified inspector's inspection and proof of Kentucky insurance dated within 45 days. The import statute also lists federal bond release letters, which a 25 year truck does not carry, so ask the clerk before you buy.

My truck has a frame number, not a 17 character VIN. Can Kentucky title it?

The inspector compares the number on the truck with the papers, and a vehicle with no legitimate manufacturer VIN must get a VIN plate from the Department of Vehicle Regulation. The Cabinet's ATV and low-speed vehicle pages ask for 17 characters. No page read says what is done for a kei truck, so confirm with the clerk. The insurance policy must carry the same number as the title.

What insurance does it need?

For the road, liability insurance in the motorcycle form and amounts: $25,000 for one person, $50,000 for all persons and $25,000 for property, or as an alternative a single limit of $60,000. No basic reparation benefits are required. Proof goes to the county clerk with the application, and the Cabinet checks insurers' monthly reports of insured VINs against registrations.

Does a kei truck need a safety inspection or an emissions test?

There is no periodic safety inspection or emissions test in what was read. A certified inspector inspects a vehicle brought into Kentucky once before title, and a truck registered for the road is also checked against the equipment list on form TC 96-365.

What does it cost to register one?

The statutes set a $9 title fee until 1 January 2027, a $10 yearly registration fee, a $25 inspection fee paid to the sheriff's office and a 6 percent motor vehicle usage tax with a $6 minimum. The clerk collects $6 for each registration and $3 more. After 1 January 2027 the title fee is set by Cabinet regulation.

Can I just use it on my farm and drive it between fields?

Yes. With the owner's consent it works private land, and under KRS 189.517 it may run on any two lane public highway while the operator is engaged in farm or agricultural work, with a licensed operator, two headlights and two taillights lit, in daylight. A truck primarily used for farm work is outside the street-legal registration.

The official pages

Private land and the farm

On your own ground in Kentucky.

On private land

KRS 189.517(3) and (4) ask for the consent of the landowner, tenant or person responsible on private property and the approval of the responsible agency on public property. Neither section registers a mini-truck or an ATV for use off the road.

The codeapps.legislature.ky.gov, read 28 October 2026

On the farm

KRS 189.515(7)(b) and 189.517(5)(b) let an ATV and a mini-truck run on any two lane public highway while the operator is engaged in farm or agricultural related activities, construction, road maintenance or snow removal, with a valid operator's licence, the lights lit and in daylight except for snow removal and emergency road maintenance. A vehicle used primarily for farm or agricultural activities is left out of the street-legal class of KRS 186.077.

Barren County's fiscal court was reported to have passed an ordinance on 21 October 2025 allowing special purpose vehicles on roads in the county, with Park City reported to have acted and Glasgow and Cave City not found to have. The text was not read, so the routes are to be confirmed.

In town To confirm

To confirm Park City. Reported to have acted. The city's ordinance was not read. not read, read 28 October 2026
To confirm Cave City. Reported to have asked its city attorney on 13 October 2025 to draft an ordinance. No adoption was found. not read, read 28 October 2026
To confirm Glasgow. No city ordinance was found.

County roads Open

Reported: roads within the county, by an ordinance passed 21 October 2025 on a second reading after a first on 3 October, modelled on Hart County's. Glasgow was not found to have acted, Park City was reported to have acted and Cave City asked its attorney to draft one on 13 October 2025. The text was not read. Barren County Fiscal Court ordinance, reported passed 21 October 2025, read 28 October 2026

State highways Closed

Closed to OHVs.

KRS 186.077: a street-legal special purpose vehicle registered with a motorcycle plate, insured in the motorcycle form and amounts, inspected by a certified inspector and equipped as the statute listsKRS 186.077(4): no more than twenty miles on a highway with centerline markings; (2) no interstate, parkway or other controlled-access highway

Bath County To confirm

No act of Bath County or of its cities allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on their roads was found or read, so the routes are to be confirmed.

In town To confirm

No town street opening was found in the codes read.

County roads To confirm

No fiscal court ordinance of Bath County allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on county roads under KRS 186.078 or designating them for mini-trucks was found, and the county's own code and its cities' codes were not read.

State highways Closed

Closed to OHVs.

Bell County To confirm

No act of Bell County or of its cities allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on their roads was found or read, so the routes are to be confirmed.

In town To confirm

No town street opening was found in the codes read.

County roads To confirm

No fiscal court ordinance of Bell County allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on county roads under KRS 186.078 or designating them for mini-trucks was found, and the county's own code and its cities' codes were not read.

State highways Closed

Closed to OHVs.

Boone County To confirm

Boone County's fiscal court was reported to have held a public hearing on 24 September 2026 on allowing street-legal UTVs on some public roads. No ordinance was found, so the routes are to be confirmed.

In town To confirm

No town street opening was found in the codes read.

County roads To confirm

Reported: the fiscal court asked staff in June 2026 to study street-legal UTVs on county roads, and a public hearing on allowing them on some public roads was held on 24 September 2026. No ordinance was found. Boone County, study and hearing reported June and September 2026, read 28 October 2026

State highways Closed

Closed to OHVs.

Bourbon County To confirm

No act of Bourbon County or of its cities allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on their roads was found or read, so the routes are to be confirmed.

In town To confirm

No town street opening was found in the codes read.

County roads To confirm

No fiscal court ordinance of Bourbon County allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on county roads under KRS 186.078 or designating them for mini-trucks was found, and the county's own code and its cities' codes were not read.

State highways Closed

Closed to OHVs.

Boyd County Roads open

Boyd County opens every highway in the unincorporated county that the state law permits to street-legal special purpose vehicles, a class that includes the kei truck as a minitruck, and its ordinance names minitrucks to keep them off highways built under a federal highway program. City streets are left to each city.

In town To confirm

No town street opening was found in the codes read.

County roads Open

All highways within the jurisdictional limits of the unincorporated county, to the extent KRS 186.077 permits, with controlled-access highways and any highway where the Department of Agriculture bars them excluded. It does not reach city streets. Boyd County Ordinance No. 2025-03, first reading 3 June 2025, second reading 26 June 2025, published 30 June 2025, read 28 October 2026

State highways Segments open

Every highway in the unincorporated county that KRS 186.077 permits, state highways among them, except a controlled-access highway. A minitruck is never allowed on a highway built under a federal highway program, KRS 186.077(5). Boyd County Ordinance No. 2025-03, sections 2 and 3, read 28 October 2026

Ordinance 2025-03 section 4: registered under KRS 186.020 with a motorcycle plate, insured as a motorcycle under KRS 304.39-110 and inspected by a certified inspector under KRS 186A.115Ordinance 2025-03 section 3: no more than twenty miles on a highway with centerline markings, and a minitruck never on a highway built under a federal highway program

Boyle County To confirm

No act of Boyle County or of its cities allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on their roads was found or read, so the routes are to be confirmed.

In town To confirm

No town street opening was found in the codes read.

County roads To confirm

No fiscal court ordinance of Boyle County allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on county roads under KRS 186.078 or designating them for mini-trucks was found, and the county's own code and its cities' codes were not read.

State highways Closed

Closed to OHVs.

Bracken County To confirm

Bracken County's fiscal court was reported to have failed in August 2025 to give a first reading to an ordinance on street-legal UTVs. No later act was found, so the routes are to be confirmed.

In town To confirm

No town street opening was found in the codes read.

County roads Closed

Reported: a motion to give a first reading to a street-legal UTV ordinance failed on a split roll call in August 2025 after the court tabled it in June. No later act was found. Bracken County fiscal court vote of August 2025, news report only, read 28 October 2026

State highways Closed

Closed to OHVs.

Breathitt County To confirm

No act of Breathitt County or of its cities allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on their roads was found or read, so the routes are to be confirmed.

In town To confirm

No town street opening was found in the codes read.

County roads To confirm

No fiscal court ordinance of Breathitt County allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on county roads under KRS 186.078 or designating them for mini-trucks was found, and the county's own code and its cities' codes were not read.

State highways Closed

Closed to OHVs.

Breckinridge County To confirm

No act of Breckinridge County or of its cities allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on their roads was found or read, so the routes are to be confirmed.

In town To confirm

No town street opening was found in the codes read.

County roads To confirm

No fiscal court ordinance of Breckinridge County allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on county roads under KRS 186.078 or designating them for mini-trucks was found, and the county's own code and its cities' codes were not read.

State highways Closed

Closed to OHVs.

Bullitt County To confirm

No act of Bullitt County or of its cities allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on their roads was found or read, so the routes are to be confirmed.

In town To confirm

No town street opening was found in the codes read.

County roads To confirm

No fiscal court ordinance of Bullitt County allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on county roads under KRS 186.078 or designating them for mini-trucks was found, and the county's own code and its cities' codes were not read.

State highways Closed

Closed to OHVs.

Butler County To confirm

No act of Butler County or of its cities allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on their roads was found or read, so the routes are to be confirmed.

In town To confirm

No town street opening was found in the codes read.

County roads To confirm

No fiscal court ordinance of Butler County allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on county roads under KRS 186.078 or designating them for mini-trucks was found, and the county's own code and its cities' codes were not read.

State highways Closed

Closed to OHVs.

Caldwell County To confirm

Caldwell County's fiscal court was reported to have passed a first reading of an ordinance on street-legal special purpose vehicles for the unincorporated county. A second reading was not found, so the routes are to be confirmed.

In town To confirm

No town street opening was found in the codes read.

County roads To confirm

Reported: the fiscal court passed a first reading unanimously, for the unincorporated county only. A second reading was not found. Caldwell County ordinance, first reading reported 2025, read 28 October 2026

State highways Closed

Closed to OHVs.

Calloway County Roads open

Calloway County opens every county road and every state highway in the unincorporated county posted 55 mph or less to street-legal special purpose vehicles, a class that includes the kei truck as a minitruck, with a licensed driver, a sheriff's inspection, registration and insurance. City streets are left to each city.

In town To confirm

No town street opening was found in the codes read.

County roads Open

Any public road or highway maintained by or under the control of the fiscal court or the Kentucky Department of Highways in the unincorporated county, where the speed limit does not exceed 55 mph. The operator must be licensed and the vehicle inspected by the sheriff's office, registered and insured. No highway where state or federal law bars them is open. Calloway County Ordinance No. 25-0716-A, first reading 16 April 2025, second reading and passed 16 July 2025, read 28 October 2026

State highways Segments open

Every state highway maintained by the Department of Highways in the unincorporated county that is posted 55 mph or less. A minitruck is never allowed on a highway built under a federal highway program, KRS 186.077(5). Calloway County Ordinance No. 25-0716-A, section B, read 28 October 2026

Ordinance 25-0716-A: inspection by the Sheriff's Office under KRS 186A.115, registration under KRS 186.020 and 186.050 and insurance under KRS 304.39-110Ordinance 25-0716-A: a licensed operator, KRS 186.410Ordinance 25-0716-A: no road or highway where the speed limit exceeds 55 mphOrdinance 25-0716-A: no more than twenty miles on a highway with centerline markings

Campbell County To confirm

No act of Campbell County or of its cities allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on their roads was found or read, so the routes are to be confirmed.

In town To confirm

No town street opening was found in the codes read.

County roads To confirm

No fiscal court ordinance of Campbell County allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on county roads under KRS 186.078 or designating them for mini-trucks was found, and the county's own code and its cities' codes were not read.

State highways Closed

Closed to OHVs.

Carlisle County To confirm

No act of Carlisle County or of its cities allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on their roads was found or read, so the routes are to be confirmed.

In town To confirm

No town street opening was found in the codes read.

County roads To confirm

No fiscal court ordinance of Carlisle County allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on county roads under KRS 186.078 or designating them for mini-trucks was found, and the county's own code and its cities' codes were not read.

State highways Closed

Closed to OHVs.

Carroll County To confirm

No act of Carroll County or of its cities allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on their roads was found or read, so the routes are to be confirmed.

In town To confirm

No town street opening was found in the codes read.

County roads To confirm

No fiscal court ordinance of Carroll County allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on county roads under KRS 186.078 or designating them for mini-trucks was found, and the county's own code and its cities' codes were not read.

State highways Closed

Closed to OHVs.

Carter County To confirm

No act of Carter County or of its cities allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on their roads was found or read, so the routes are to be confirmed.

In town To confirm

No town street opening was found in the codes read.

County roads To confirm

No fiscal court ordinance of Carter County allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on county roads under KRS 186.078 or designating them for mini-trucks was found, and the county's own code and its cities' codes were not read.

State highways Closed

Closed to OHVs.

Casey County To confirm

No act of Casey County or of its cities allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on their roads was found or read, so the routes are to be confirmed.

In town To confirm

No town street opening was found in the codes read.

County roads To confirm

No fiscal court ordinance of Casey County allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on county roads under KRS 186.078 or designating them for mini-trucks was found, and the county's own code and its cities' codes were not read.

State highways Closed

Closed to OHVs.

Christian County Roads open

Christian County opens all highways within its limits that the state act permits to street-legal special purpose vehicles, a class that includes the kei truck as a minitruck, and its ordinance names minitrucks to keep them off highways built under a federal highway program. Hopkinsville was reported to allow them on its streets posted 35 mph or less.

In town Some

Some Hopkinsville. Reported: street-legal special purpose vehicles on city highways posted 35 mph or less. The ordinance text was not read. Hopkinsville city ordinance of 2025, news report only, read 28 October 2026

County roads Open

All highways within the jurisdictional limits of Christian County, to the extent the state act permits, with controlled-access highways and any highway where the Department of Agriculture bars them excluded. The ordinance does not say whether it reaches city streets. Hopkinsville was reported to have passed its own, limited to highways posted 35 mph or less. Christian County Ordinance No. 2025-06, first reading 10 June 2025, second reading in June 2025 with the day left blank on the posted copy, effective 27 June 2025, read 28 October 2026

State highways Segments open

Every highway within the county's limits that the state act permits, state highways among them, except a controlled-access highway. A minitruck is never allowed on a highway built under a federal highway program, KRS 186.077(5). Christian County Ordinance No. 2025-06, sections 2 to 4, read 28 October 2026

Ordinance 2025-06 section 4(a): no more than twenty miles on a highway with centerline markingsOrdinance 2025-06 section 4(b): a minitruck never on a highway built under a federal highway programOrdinance 2025-06 section 3: no controlled-access highway and no highway where the Department of Agriculture prohibits them

Clark County To confirm

The City of Winchester was reported to have adopted an ordinance in October 2025 under the state's special purpose vehicle law. No Clark County act was found, so the routes are to be confirmed.

In town To confirm

To confirm Winchester. Reported to have adopted an ordinance under the 2025 state law. The city's file on the League of Cities site did not open, so the text was not read. Winchester city ordinance, reported October 2025, read 28 October 2026

County roads To confirm

No Clark County act was found. The City of Winchester is reported to have adopted its own ordinance under the state law in October 2025, from a Kentucky League of Cities page whose file could not be opened.

State highways Closed

Closed to OHVs.

Clay County To confirm

No act of Clay County or of its cities allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on their roads was found or read, so the routes are to be confirmed.

In town To confirm

No town street opening was found in the codes read.

County roads To confirm

No fiscal court ordinance of Clay County allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on county roads under KRS 186.078 or designating them for mini-trucks was found, and the county's own code and its cities' codes were not read.

State highways Closed

Closed to OHVs.

Clinton County To confirm

No act of Clinton County or of its cities allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on their roads was found or read, so the routes are to be confirmed.

In town To confirm

No town street opening was found in the codes read.

County roads To confirm

No fiscal court ordinance of Clinton County allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on county roads under KRS 186.078 or designating them for mini-trucks was found, and the county's own code and its cities' codes were not read.

State highways Closed

Closed to OHVs.

Crittenden County To confirm

No act of Crittenden County or of its cities allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on their roads was found or read, so the routes are to be confirmed.

In town To confirm

No town street opening was found in the codes read.

County roads To confirm

No fiscal court ordinance of Crittenden County allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on county roads under KRS 186.078 or designating them for mini-trucks was found, and the county's own code and its cities' codes were not read.

State highways Closed

Closed to OHVs.

Cumberland County To confirm

No act of Cumberland County or of its cities allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on their roads was found or read, so the routes are to be confirmed.

In town To confirm

No town street opening was found in the codes read.

County roads To confirm

No fiscal court ordinance of Cumberland County allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on county roads under KRS 186.078 or designating them for mini-trucks was found, and the county's own code and its cities' codes were not read.

State highways Closed

Closed to OHVs.

Daviess County To confirm

No act of Daviess County or of its cities allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on their roads was found or read, so the routes are to be confirmed.

In town To confirm

No town street opening was found in the codes read.

County roads To confirm

No fiscal court ordinance of Daviess County allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on county roads under KRS 186.078 or designating them for mini-trucks was found, and the county's own code and its cities' codes were not read.

State highways Closed

Closed to OHVs.

Edmonson County To confirm

No act of Edmonson County or of its cities allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on their roads was found or read, so the routes are to be confirmed.

In town To confirm

No town street opening was found in the codes read.

County roads To confirm

No fiscal court ordinance of Edmonson County allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on county roads under KRS 186.078 or designating them for mini-trucks was found, and the county's own code and its cities' codes were not read.

State highways Closed

Closed to OHVs.

Elliott County To confirm

No act of Elliott County or of its cities allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on their roads was found or read, so the routes are to be confirmed.

In town To confirm

No town street opening was found in the codes read.

County roads To confirm

No fiscal court ordinance of Elliott County allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on county roads under KRS 186.078 or designating them for mini-trucks was found, and the county's own code and its cities' codes were not read.

State highways Closed

Closed to OHVs.

Estill County To confirm

No act of Estill County or of its cities allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on their roads was found or read, so the routes are to be confirmed.

In town To confirm

No town street opening was found in the codes read.

County roads To confirm

No fiscal court ordinance of Estill County allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on county roads under KRS 186.078 or designating them for mini-trucks was found, and the county's own code and its cities' codes were not read.

State highways Closed

Closed to OHVs.

Fayette County To confirm

No act of Fayette County or of its cities allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on their roads was found or read, so the routes are to be confirmed.

In town To confirm

No town street opening was found in the codes read.

County roads To confirm

No fiscal court ordinance of Fayette County allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on county roads under KRS 186.078 or designating them for mini-trucks was found, and the county's own code and its cities' codes were not read.

State highways Closed

Closed to OHVs.

Fleming County To confirm

No act of Fleming County or of its cities allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on their roads was found or read, so the routes are to be confirmed.

In town To confirm

No town street opening was found in the codes read.

County roads To confirm

No fiscal court ordinance of Fleming County allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on county roads under KRS 186.078 or designating them for mini-trucks was found, and the county's own code and its cities' codes were not read.

State highways Closed

Closed to OHVs.

Floyd County To confirm

Floyd County's fiscal court was reported to have given final approval on 16 July 2025 to an ordinance allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles on county highways, with city streets left to each city. The text was not read, so the routes are to be confirmed.

In town To confirm

No town street opening was found in the codes read.

County roads Open

Reported: highways in the county, by an ordinance given final approval on 16 July 2025. Cities must pass their own ordinance for city streets. The text was not read. Floyd County ordinance, reported final approval 16 July 2025, read 28 October 2026

State highways Closed

Closed to OHVs.

Franklin County To confirm

No act of Franklin County or of its cities allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on their roads was found or read, so the routes are to be confirmed.

In town To confirm

No town street opening was found in the codes read.

County roads To confirm

No fiscal court ordinance of Franklin County allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on county roads under KRS 186.078 or designating them for mini-trucks was found, and the county's own code and its cities' codes were not read.

State highways Closed

Closed to OHVs.

Fulton County To confirm

No act of Fulton County or of its cities allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on their roads was found or read, so the routes are to be confirmed.

In town To confirm

No town street opening was found in the codes read.

County roads To confirm

No fiscal court ordinance of Fulton County allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on county roads under KRS 186.078 or designating them for mini-trucks was found, and the county's own code and its cities' codes were not read.

State highways Closed

Closed to OHVs.

Gallatin County To confirm

Gallatin County's fiscal court was reported to have given a first reading in mid 2025 to an ordinance allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles. No adoption was found, so the routes are to be confirmed.

In town To confirm

No town street opening was found in the codes read.

County roads To confirm

Reported: a first reading of an ordinance under the 2025 state law in mid 2025, to return for a final vote after the state's rules. No adoption was found. Gallatin County ordinance, first reading reported mid 2025, read 28 October 2026

State highways Closed

Closed to OHVs.

Garrard County To confirm

No act of Garrard County or of its cities allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on their roads was found or read, so the routes are to be confirmed.

In town To confirm

No town street opening was found in the codes read.

County roads To confirm

No fiscal court ordinance of Garrard County allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on county roads under KRS 186.078 or designating them for mini-trucks was found, and the county's own code and its cities' codes were not read.

State highways Closed

Closed to OHVs.

Grant County To confirm

A Boone County commissioner was reported in June 2026 to name Grant County as having passed an ordinance legalizing UTVs. Grant County's own act was not found, so the routes are to be confirmed.

In town To confirm

No town street opening was found in the codes read.

County roads Open

Reported only in a Boone County news story, in which a commissioner names Grant County as a neighbour that has passed an ordinance legalizing UTVs. Grant County's own act was not found. Grant County ordinance, named in a news report of Boone County, read 28 October 2026

State highways Closed

Closed to OHVs.

Graves County To confirm

No act of Graves County or of its cities allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on their roads was found or read, so the routes are to be confirmed.

In town To confirm

No town street opening was found in the codes read.

County roads To confirm

No fiscal court ordinance of Graves County allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on county roads under KRS 186.078 or designating them for mini-trucks was found, and the county's own code and its cities' codes were not read.

State highways Closed

Closed to OHVs.

Grayson County To confirm

No act of Grayson County or of its cities allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on their roads was found or read, so the routes are to be confirmed.

In town To confirm

No town street opening was found in the codes read.

County roads To confirm

No fiscal court ordinance of Grayson County allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on county roads under KRS 186.078 or designating them for mini-trucks was found, and the county's own code and its cities' codes were not read.

State highways Closed

Closed to OHVs.

Green County To confirm

No act of Green County or of its cities allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on their roads was found or read, so the routes are to be confirmed.

In town To confirm

No town street opening was found in the codes read.

County roads To confirm

No fiscal court ordinance of Green County allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on county roads under KRS 186.078 or designating them for mini-trucks was found, and the county's own code and its cities' codes were not read.

State highways Closed

Closed to OHVs.

Greenup County To confirm

No act of Greenup County or of its cities allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on their roads was found or read, so the routes are to be confirmed.

In town To confirm

No town street opening was found in the codes read.

County roads To confirm

No fiscal court ordinance of Greenup County allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on county roads under KRS 186.078 or designating them for mini-trucks was found, and the county's own code and its cities' codes were not read.

State highways Closed

Closed to OHVs.

Hancock County To confirm

No act of Hancock County or of its cities allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on their roads was found or read, so the routes are to be confirmed.

In town To confirm

No town street opening was found in the codes read.

County roads To confirm

No fiscal court ordinance of Hancock County allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on county roads under KRS 186.078 or designating them for mini-trucks was found, and the county's own code and its cities' codes were not read.

State highways Closed

Closed to OHVs.

Hardin County To confirm

No act of Hardin County or of its cities allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on their roads was found or read, so the routes are to be confirmed.

In town To confirm

No town street opening was found in the codes read.

County roads To confirm

No fiscal court ordinance of Hardin County allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on county roads under KRS 186.078 or designating them for mini-trucks was found, and the county's own code and its cities' codes were not read.

State highways Closed

Closed to OHVs.

Harlan County To confirm

No act of Harlan County or of its cities allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on their roads was found or read, so the routes are to be confirmed.

In town To confirm

No town street opening was found in the codes read.

County roads To confirm

No fiscal court ordinance of Harlan County allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on county roads under KRS 186.078 or designating them for mini-trucks was found, and the county's own code and its cities' codes were not read.

State highways Closed

Closed to OHVs.

Harrison County To confirm

No act of Harrison County or of its cities allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on their roads was found or read, so the routes are to be confirmed.

In town To confirm

No town street opening was found in the codes read.

County roads To confirm

No fiscal court ordinance of Harrison County allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on county roads under KRS 186.078 or designating them for mini-trucks was found, and the county's own code and its cities' codes were not read.

State highways Closed

Closed to OHVs.

Hart County To confirm

A news story on Barren County's ordinance says it follows a similar Hart County ordinance. Hart County's own act was not found, so the routes are to be confirmed.

In town To confirm

No town street opening was found in the codes read.

County roads Open

Reported only through a Barren County news story, which says Barren's ordinance is based on a similar Hart County ordinance. Hart County's own act was not found. Hart County ordinance, named in a news report of Barren County's, read 28 October 2026

State highways Closed

Closed to OHVs.

Henderson County To confirm

Henderson County's fiscal court was reported to have passed an ordinance in 2025 allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles on county highways posted 55 mph or less outside its cities. The text was not read, so the routes are to be confirmed.

In town To confirm

No town street opening was found in the codes read.

County roads Open

Reported: county highways in the unincorporated county where the speed limit is 55 mph or less, and nothing inside Henderson, Corydon or Robards. A newspaper of 16 August 2025 says it passed unanimously at a fiscal court meeting that week, and a search excerpt of the county's eCode360 copy quotes the 55 mph limit. The text itself was not read. Henderson County Fiscal Court ordinance, reported passed unanimously in August 2025, read 28 October 2026

State highways Closed

Closed to OHVs.

Henry County To confirm

No act of Henry County or of its cities allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on their roads was found or read, so the routes are to be confirmed.

In town To confirm

No town street opening was found in the codes read.

County roads To confirm

No fiscal court ordinance of Henry County allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on county roads under KRS 186.078 or designating them for mini-trucks was found, and the county's own code and its cities' codes were not read.

State highways Closed

Closed to OHVs.

Hickman County To confirm

No act of Hickman County or of its cities allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on their roads was found or read, so the routes are to be confirmed.

In town To confirm

No town street opening was found in the codes read.

County roads To confirm

No fiscal court ordinance of Hickman County allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on county roads under KRS 186.078 or designating them for mini-trucks was found, and the county's own code and its cities' codes were not read.

State highways Closed

Closed to OHVs.

Hopkins County To confirm

Hopkins County's fiscal court was reported to have passed an ordinance in 2025 allowing special purpose vehicles on county roads. The text was not read, so the routes are to be confirmed.

In town To confirm

No town street opening was found in the codes read.

County roads Open

Reported: county roads, by an ordinance passed over one vote against in 2025. The text was not read. Hopkins County Fiscal Court ordinance, reported passed 2025, read 28 October 2026

State highways Closed

Closed to OHVs.

Jackson County To confirm

No act of Jackson County or of its cities allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on their roads was found or read, so the routes are to be confirmed.

In town To confirm

No town street opening was found in the codes read.

County roads To confirm

No fiscal court ordinance of Jackson County allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on county roads under KRS 186.078 or designating them for mini-trucks was found, and the county's own code and its cities' codes were not read.

State highways Closed

Closed to OHVs.

Jefferson County To confirm

No act of Jefferson County or of its cities allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on their roads was found or read, so the routes are to be confirmed.

In town To confirm

No town street opening was found in the codes read.

County roads To confirm

No fiscal court ordinance of Jefferson County allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on county roads under KRS 186.078 or designating them for mini-trucks was found, and the county's own code and its cities' codes were not read.

State highways Closed

Closed to OHVs.

Jessamine County To confirm

No act of Jessamine County or of its cities allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on their roads was found or read, so the routes are to be confirmed.

In town To confirm

No town street opening was found in the codes read.

County roads To confirm

No fiscal court ordinance of Jessamine County allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on county roads under KRS 186.078 or designating them for mini-trucks was found, and the county's own code and its cities' codes were not read.

State highways Closed

Closed to OHVs.

Johnson County To confirm

No act of Johnson County or of its cities allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on their roads was found or read, so the routes are to be confirmed.

In town To confirm

No town street opening was found in the codes read.

County roads To confirm

No fiscal court ordinance of Johnson County allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on county roads under KRS 186.078 or designating them for mini-trucks was found, and the county's own code and its cities' codes were not read.

State highways Closed

Closed to OHVs.

Kenton County To confirm

No act of Kenton County or of its cities allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on their roads was found or read, so the routes are to be confirmed.

In town To confirm

No town street opening was found in the codes read.

County roads To confirm

No fiscal court ordinance of Kenton County allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on county roads under KRS 186.078 or designating them for mini-trucks was found, and the county's own code and its cities' codes were not read.

State highways Closed

Closed to OHVs.

Knott County To confirm

No act of Knott County or of its cities allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on their roads was found or read, so the routes are to be confirmed.

In town To confirm

No town street opening was found in the codes read.

County roads To confirm

No fiscal court ordinance of Knott County allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on county roads under KRS 186.078 or designating them for mini-trucks was found, and the county's own code and its cities' codes were not read.

State highways Closed

Closed to OHVs.

Knox County To confirm

No act of Knox County or of its cities allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on their roads was found or read, so the routes are to be confirmed.

In town To confirm

No town street opening was found in the codes read.

County roads To confirm

No fiscal court ordinance of Knox County allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on county roads under KRS 186.078 or designating them for mini-trucks was found, and the county's own code and its cities' codes were not read.

State highways Closed

Closed to OHVs.

Larue County To confirm

No act of Larue County or of its cities allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on their roads was found or read, so the routes are to be confirmed.

In town To confirm

No town street opening was found in the codes read.

County roads To confirm

No fiscal court ordinance of Larue County allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on county roads under KRS 186.078 or designating them for mini-trucks was found, and the county's own code and its cities' codes were not read.

State highways Closed

Closed to OHVs.

Laurel County Towns only

The City of London opens every city street that is not a state or federal highway to side-by-side UTVs and golf carts with a permit, an inspection and insurance. No Laurel County act was found.

In town Open

Open London. Every city street and public road in the city that is not a state or federally funded highway, for golf carts and side-by-side UTVs with a city permit, an inspection by the county sheriff and insurance. UTVs and golf carts may not run on US 25 or State Highway 192 except to cross. The ordinance rests on the older KRS 189.515(7)(c) and 189.286 and names no minitruck. The posted copy leaves the reading dates blank. City of London Ordinance No. 2024-05, posted May 2024, read 28 October 2026

County roads To confirm

No Laurel County act was found. The City of London opens its streets that are not state or federally funded highways to side-by-side UTVs and golf carts by its own ordinance.

State highways Closed

Closed to OHVs.

City of London Ordinance 2024-05: a city permit and sticker, a sheriff's inspection and proof of insurance for each golf cart or UTVCity of London Ordinance 2024-05: no use on state or federally funded highways, among them US 25 and State Highway 192, except to cross

Lawrence County To confirm

Lawrence County's fiscal court was reported to have passed an ordinance in August 2025 allowing street-legal ATVs and special purpose vehicles on county roads. The text was not read, so the routes are to be confirmed.

In town To confirm

No town street opening was found in the codes read.

County roads Open

Reported: street-legal ATVs on county roads by an ordinance passed unanimously in August 2025. The text was not read. Lawrence County Fiscal Court ordinance, reported passed August 2025, read 28 October 2026

State highways Closed

Closed to OHVs.

Lee County To confirm

Lee County's fiscal court was reported to have adopted a resolution in 2025 permitting street-legal side-by-sides, where KRS 186.078 asks for an ordinance. The text was not read, so the routes are to be confirmed.

In town To confirm

No town street opening was found in the codes read.

County roads Open

Reported: the fiscal court unanimously adopted a resolution, and not an ordinance, to permit street-legal side-by-sides under the state law and directed the clerk and sheriff to set up registration and inspection. KRS 186.078 asks for an ordinance. The text was not read. Lee County resolution, reported adopted 2025, read 28 October 2026

State highways Closed

Closed to OHVs.

Leslie County To confirm

No act of Leslie County or of its cities allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on their roads was found or read, so the routes are to be confirmed.

In town To confirm

No town street opening was found in the codes read.

County roads To confirm

No fiscal court ordinance of Leslie County allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on county roads under KRS 186.078 or designating them for mini-trucks was found, and the county's own code and its cities' codes were not read.

State highways Closed

Closed to OHVs.

Letcher County To confirm

Letcher County's fiscal court was reported to have given a first reading to an ordinance on street-legal side-by-sides and then tabled final action in 2025. No adoption was found, so the routes are to be confirmed.

In town To confirm

No town street opening was found in the codes read.

County roads To confirm

Reported: a first reading of an ordinance to allow street-legal side-by-sides, then a vote to table final action amid questions about taxes, fees and enforcement. No adoption was found. Letcher County ordinance, first reading and tabling reported 2025, read 28 October 2026

State highways Closed

Closed to OHVs.

Lewis County To confirm

Lewis County's fiscal court was reported to have adopted Ordinance 25-03 in May 2025, effective 1 July 2025, opening county-maintained highways outside Vanceburg to street-legal special purpose vehicles. The text was not read, so the routes are to be confirmed.

In town To confirm

No town street opening was found in the codes read.

County roads Open

Reported: county-maintained highways outside Vanceburg, effective 1 July 2025. The ordinance text was not read. Lewis County Ordinance 25-03, reported adopted May 2025, read 28 October 2026

State highways Closed

Closed to OHVs.

Lincoln County To confirm

Lincoln County's fiscal court was reported to have passed a first reading in 2025 of an ordinance on street-legal ATVs and special purpose vehicles. No adoption was found, so the routes are to be confirmed.

In town To confirm

No town street opening was found in the codes read.

County roads To confirm

Reported: a first reading of an ordinance to regulate street-legal ATVs and special purpose vehicles in 2025. No adoption was found. Lincoln County ordinance, first reading reported 2025, read 28 October 2026

State highways Closed

Closed to OHVs.

Livingston County To confirm

No act of Livingston County or of its cities allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on their roads was found or read, so the routes are to be confirmed.

In town To confirm

No town street opening was found in the codes read.

County roads To confirm

No fiscal court ordinance of Livingston County allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on county roads under KRS 186.078 or designating them for mini-trucks was found, and the county's own code and its cities' codes were not read.

State highways Closed

Closed to OHVs.

Logan County To confirm

Logan County's fiscal court was reported to have held a first reading in June 2025 of an ordinance on street-legal special purpose vehicles. No adoption was found, so the routes are to be confirmed.

In town To confirm

No town street opening was found in the codes read.

County roads To confirm

Reported: a first reading of a street-legal special purpose vehicle ordinance in June 2025, with questions raised on farm use and road scope. No adoption was found. Logan County ordinance, first reading reported June 2025, read 28 October 2026

State highways Closed

Closed to OHVs.

Lyon County To confirm

Lyon County's fiscal court was reported to be presenting an ordinance on street-legal special purpose vehicles and to have passed none. No adoption was found, so the routes are to be confirmed.

In town To confirm

No town street opening was found in the codes read.

County roads To confirm

Reported: the fiscal court had not passed an ordinance and was to present one. No adoption was found. Lyon County ordinance, to be presented, news report only, read 28 October 2026

State highways Closed

Closed to OHVs.

Madison County To confirm

No act of Madison County or of its cities allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on their roads was found or read, so the routes are to be confirmed.

In town To confirm

No town street opening was found in the codes read.

County roads To confirm

No fiscal court ordinance of Madison County allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on county roads under KRS 186.078 or designating them for mini-trucks was found, and the county's own code and its cities' codes were not read.

State highways Closed

Closed to OHVs.

Magoffin County To confirm

No act of Magoffin County or of its cities allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on their roads was found or read, so the routes are to be confirmed.

In town To confirm

No town street opening was found in the codes read.

County roads To confirm

No fiscal court ordinance of Magoffin County allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on county roads under KRS 186.078 or designating them for mini-trucks was found, and the county's own code and its cities' codes were not read.

State highways Closed

Closed to OHVs.

Marion County To confirm

No act of Marion County or of its cities allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on their roads was found or read, so the routes are to be confirmed.

In town To confirm

No town street opening was found in the codes read.

County roads To confirm

No fiscal court ordinance of Marion County allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on county roads under KRS 186.078 or designating them for mini-trucks was found, and the county's own code and its cities' codes were not read.

State highways Closed

Closed to OHVs.

Marshall County Roads open

Marshall County opens every county road and every state highway in the unincorporated county posted 55 mph or less to street-legal special purpose vehicles, a class that includes the kei truck as a minitruck, with a licensed driver, registration and insurance. City streets are left to each city.

In town To confirm

No town street opening was found in the codes read.

County roads Open

Any public road or highway maintained by or under the control of the fiscal court or the Kentucky Department of Highways in the unincorporated county, where the speed limit does not exceed 55 mph. It does not reach city streets. The operator must be licensed and the vehicle must meet every state safety, registration and insurance rule. Marshall County Ordinance No. 2025-03, first reading 15 April 2025, second reading and passed 6 May 2025, published 8 May 2025, read 28 October 2026

State highways Segments open

Every state highway maintained by the Department of Highways in the unincorporated county that is posted 55 mph or less. A minitruck is never allowed on a highway built under a federal highway program, KRS 186.077(5). Marshall County Ordinance No. 2025-03, section A, read 28 October 2026

Ordinance 2025-03: a licensed operator, and every federal and state safety, registration and insurance rule metKRS 186.077: registered with a motorcycle plate, insured in the motorcycle form and amounts, inspected by a certified inspector and equipped as the statute lists, with a roll bar or roll cageKRS 186.077(2) and (4): no interstate, parkway or other controlled-access highway, and no more than twenty miles on a highway with centerline markings

Martin County To confirm

No act of Martin County or of its cities allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on their roads was found or read, so the routes are to be confirmed.

In town To confirm

No town street opening was found in the codes read.

County roads To confirm

No fiscal court ordinance of Martin County allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on county roads under KRS 186.078 or designating them for mini-trucks was found, and the county's own code and its cities' codes were not read.

State highways Closed

Closed to OHVs.

Mason County To confirm

No act of Mason County or of its cities allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on their roads was found or read, so the routes are to be confirmed.

In town To confirm

No town street opening was found in the codes read.

County roads To confirm

No fiscal court ordinance of Mason County allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on county roads under KRS 186.078 or designating them for mini-trucks was found, and the county's own code and its cities' codes were not read.

State highways Closed

Closed to OHVs.

McCracken County To confirm

No act of McCracken County or of its cities allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on their roads was found or read, so the routes are to be confirmed.

In town To confirm

No town street opening was found in the codes read.

County roads To confirm

No fiscal court ordinance of McCracken County allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on county roads under KRS 186.078 or designating them for mini-trucks was found, and the county's own code and its cities' codes were not read.

State highways Closed

Closed to OHVs.

McCreary County To confirm

No act of McCreary County or of its cities allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on their roads was found or read, so the routes are to be confirmed.

In town To confirm

No town street opening was found in the codes read.

County roads To confirm

No fiscal court ordinance of McCreary County allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on county roads under KRS 186.078 or designating them for mini-trucks was found, and the county's own code and its cities' codes were not read.

State highways Closed

Closed to OHVs.

McLean County To confirm

No act of McLean County or of its cities allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on their roads was found or read, so the routes are to be confirmed.

In town To confirm

No town street opening was found in the codes read.

County roads To confirm

No fiscal court ordinance of McLean County allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on county roads under KRS 186.078 or designating them for mini-trucks was found, and the county's own code and its cities' codes were not read.

State highways Closed

Closed to OHVs.

Meade County To confirm

No act of Meade County or of its cities allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on their roads was found or read, so the routes are to be confirmed.

In town To confirm

No town street opening was found in the codes read.

County roads To confirm

No fiscal court ordinance of Meade County allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on county roads under KRS 186.078 or designating them for mini-trucks was found, and the county's own code and its cities' codes were not read.

State highways Closed

Closed to OHVs.

Menifee County To confirm

No act of Menifee County or of its cities allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on their roads was found or read, so the routes are to be confirmed.

In town To confirm

No town street opening was found in the codes read.

County roads To confirm

No fiscal court ordinance of Menifee County allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on county roads under KRS 186.078 or designating them for mini-trucks was found, and the county's own code and its cities' codes were not read.

State highways Closed

Closed to OHVs.

Mercer County To confirm

Harrodsburg's own minutes of 28 July 2025 report that Mercer County has approved special purpose vehicles on its roadways except US 127 and the Bluegrass Parkway, and that the commissioners held back on city streets. The county's ordinance was not read, so the routes are to be confirmed.

In town To confirm

To confirm Harrodsburg. The commissioners discussed an ordinance on 28 July 2025 and decided to look into it further before acting, with a Japanese pickup truck among the cases they named. No city ordinance was found. Harrodsburg Board of Commissioners minutes of 28 July 2025, not an act, read 28 October 2026

County roads Open

Reported by the city's own minutes of 28 July 2025, where the city attorney says the county has approved special purpose vehicles on its roadways except US 127, the Bluegrass Parkway and any place the Department of Agriculture bars them, and that the county's ordinance does not reach the city. The county's ordinance was not read. Mercer County ordinance, described in the Harrodsburg Board of Commissioners minutes of 28 July 2025, read 28 October 2026

State highways Segments open

US 127 is reported excluded from the county's ordinance, as are the Bluegrass Parkway and any highway where the Department of Agriculture bars special purpose vehicles Harrodsburg minutes of 28 July 2025, a report of the county's ordinance, read 28 October 2026

As reported in the minutes: a licence, registration, insurance and the statute's safety equipment, and no more than twenty miles on a highway with centerline markings

Metcalfe County To confirm

No act of Metcalfe County or of its cities allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on their roads was found or read, so the routes are to be confirmed.

In town To confirm

No town street opening was found in the codes read.

County roads To confirm

No fiscal court ordinance of Metcalfe County allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on county roads under KRS 186.078 or designating them for mini-trucks was found, and the county's own code and its cities' codes were not read.

State highways Closed

Closed to OHVs.

Monroe County To confirm

No act of Monroe County or of its cities allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on their roads was found or read, so the routes are to be confirmed.

In town To confirm

No town street opening was found in the codes read.

County roads To confirm

No fiscal court ordinance of Monroe County allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on county roads under KRS 186.078 or designating them for mini-trucks was found, and the county's own code and its cities' codes were not read.

State highways Closed

Closed to OHVs.

Montgomery County To confirm

No act of Montgomery County or of its cities allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on their roads was found or read, so the routes are to be confirmed.

In town To confirm

No town street opening was found in the codes read.

County roads To confirm

No fiscal court ordinance of Montgomery County allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on county roads under KRS 186.078 or designating them for mini-trucks was found, and the county's own code and its cities' codes were not read.

State highways Closed

Closed to OHVs.

Morgan County To confirm

No act of Morgan County or of its cities allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on their roads was found or read, so the routes are to be confirmed.

In town To confirm

No town street opening was found in the codes read.

County roads To confirm

No fiscal court ordinance of Morgan County allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on county roads under KRS 186.078 or designating them for mini-trucks was found, and the county's own code and its cities' codes were not read.

State highways Closed

Closed to OHVs.

Muhlenberg County To confirm

No act of Muhlenberg County or of its cities allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on their roads was found or read, so the routes are to be confirmed.

In town To confirm

No town street opening was found in the codes read.

County roads To confirm

No fiscal court ordinance of Muhlenberg County allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on county roads under KRS 186.078 or designating them for mini-trucks was found, and the county's own code and its cities' codes were not read.

State highways Closed

Closed to OHVs.

Nelson County To confirm

Nelson County's fiscal court posted Ordinance 2025-003 for a second reading on 15 July 2025 that would open every highway posted 55 mph or less to street-legal special purpose vehicles on DOT approved tires. The posted copy is unsigned, so the routes are to be confirmed.

In town To confirm

No town street opening was found in the codes read.

County roads To confirm

The draft for second reading on 15 July 2025 opens all highways within the county where the speed limit is 55 mph or less to street-legal special purpose vehicles, requires DOT approved street tires before inspection and registration, bars controlled-access highways and bars minitrucks from highways built under a federal highway program. The posted copy leaves the adoption date and signatures blank, so whether it passed as written was not confirmed. Nelson County Ordinance No. 2025-003, the draft posted for second reading 15 July 2025, read 28 October 2026

State highways Closed

Closed to OHVs.

Draft Ordinance 2025-003, Section 2: only on highways posted 55 mph or lessDraft Ordinance 2025-003, Section 2a: tires approved by the Department of Transportation for public streets before inspection by the Sheriff and registration by the County ClerkDraft Ordinance 2025-003, Section 4: no more than twenty miles on a highway with centerline markings, and a minitruck never on a highway built under a federal highway program

Nicholas County To confirm

No act of Nicholas County or of its cities allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on their roads was found or read, so the routes are to be confirmed.

In town To confirm

No town street opening was found in the codes read.

County roads To confirm

No fiscal court ordinance of Nicholas County allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on county roads under KRS 186.078 or designating them for mini-trucks was found, and the county's own code and its cities' codes were not read.

State highways Closed

Closed to OHVs.

Ohio County To confirm

No act of Ohio County or of its cities allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on their roads was found or read, so the routes are to be confirmed.

In town To confirm

No town street opening was found in the codes read.

County roads To confirm

No fiscal court ordinance of Ohio County allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on county roads under KRS 186.078 or designating them for mini-trucks was found, and the county's own code and its cities' codes were not read.

State highways Closed

Closed to OHVs.

Oldham County To confirm

No act of Oldham County or of its cities allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on their roads was found or read, so the routes are to be confirmed.

In town To confirm

No town street opening was found in the codes read.

County roads To confirm

No fiscal court ordinance of Oldham County allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on county roads under KRS 186.078 or designating them for mini-trucks was found, and the county's own code and its cities' codes were not read.

State highways Closed

Closed to OHVs.

Owen County To confirm

No act of Owen County or of its cities allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on their roads was found or read, so the routes are to be confirmed.

In town To confirm

No town street opening was found in the codes read.

County roads To confirm

No fiscal court ordinance of Owen County allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on county roads under KRS 186.078 or designating them for mini-trucks was found, and the county's own code and its cities' codes were not read.

State highways Closed

Closed to OHVs.

Owsley County To confirm

No act of Owsley County or of its cities allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on their roads was found or read, so the routes are to be confirmed.

In town To confirm

No town street opening was found in the codes read.

County roads To confirm

No fiscal court ordinance of Owsley County allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on county roads under KRS 186.078 or designating them for mini-trucks was found, and the county's own code and its cities' codes were not read.

State highways Closed

Closed to OHVs.

Pendleton County To confirm

No act of Pendleton County or of its cities allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on their roads was found or read, so the routes are to be confirmed.

In town To confirm

No town street opening was found in the codes read.

County roads To confirm

No fiscal court ordinance of Pendleton County allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on county roads under KRS 186.078 or designating them for mini-trucks was found, and the county's own code and its cities' codes were not read.

State highways Closed

Closed to OHVs.

Perry County To confirm

No act of Perry County or of its cities allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on their roads was found or read, so the routes are to be confirmed.

In town To confirm

No town street opening was found in the codes read.

County roads To confirm

No fiscal court ordinance of Perry County allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on county roads under KRS 186.078 or designating them for mini-trucks was found, and the county's own code and its cities' codes were not read.

State highways Closed

Closed to OHVs.

Pike County To confirm

Pike County's fiscal court was reported to have adopted an ordinance on 17 June 2025 allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles on approved county roads. The text was not read, so the routes are to be confirmed.

In town To confirm

No town street opening was found in the codes read.

County roads Open

Reported: approved county roads for special purpose vehicles, with exemptions for farm, construction and mining use, adopted 4 to 0 on 17 June 2025 to take effect with the state's implementing rules. The text was not read. Pike County ordinance, reported adopted 17 June 2025, read 28 October 2026

State highways Closed

Closed to OHVs.

Powell County To confirm

No act of Powell County or of its cities allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on their roads was found or read, so the routes are to be confirmed.

In town To confirm

No town street opening was found in the codes read.

County roads To confirm

No fiscal court ordinance of Powell County allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on county roads under KRS 186.078 or designating them for mini-trucks was found, and the county's own code and its cities' codes were not read.

State highways Closed

Closed to OHVs.

Pulaski County To confirm

Pulaski County was reported to have begun work on a UTV ordinance after the state law passed. No adoption was found, so the routes are to be confirmed.

In town To confirm

No town street opening was found in the codes read.

County roads To confirm

Reported: the county began work on an ordinance after the state bill passed. No adoption was found. Pulaski County, news report only, read 28 October 2026

State highways Closed

Closed to OHVs.

Robertson County To confirm

No act of Robertson County or of its cities allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on their roads was found or read, so the routes are to be confirmed.

In town To confirm

No town street opening was found in the codes read.

County roads To confirm

No fiscal court ordinance of Robertson County allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on county roads under KRS 186.078 or designating them for mini-trucks was found, and the county's own code and its cities' codes were not read.

State highways Closed

Closed to OHVs.

Rockcastle County To confirm

No act of Rockcastle County or of its cities allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on their roads was found or read, so the routes are to be confirmed.

In town To confirm

No town street opening was found in the codes read.

County roads To confirm

No fiscal court ordinance of Rockcastle County allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on county roads under KRS 186.078 or designating them for mini-trucks was found, and the county's own code and its cities' codes were not read.

State highways Closed

Closed to OHVs.

Rowan County To confirm

No act of Rowan County or of its cities allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on their roads was found or read, so the routes are to be confirmed.

In town To confirm

No town street opening was found in the codes read.

County roads To confirm

No fiscal court ordinance of Rowan County allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on county roads under KRS 186.078 or designating them for mini-trucks was found, and the county's own code and its cities' codes were not read.

State highways Closed

Closed to OHVs.

Russell County To confirm

Russell County's fiscal court was reported to be drafting an ordinance to allow street-legal side-by-sides on all county roads, with a first reading in 2025. No adoption was found, so the routes are to be confirmed.

In town To confirm

No town street opening was found in the codes read.

County roads To confirm

Reported: a first reading of an ordinance to allow side-by-sides on all county roads, with a passenger age limit of sixteen. No adoption was found. Russell County ordinance, first reading reported 2025, read 28 October 2026

State highways Closed

Closed to OHVs.

Scott County To confirm

Scott County's fiscal court was reported to have voted down an ordinance on street-legal special purpose vehicles on 28 August 2025, so no county road is known to be open. A later act was not found, so the routes are to be confirmed.

In town To confirm

No town street opening was found in the codes read.

County roads Closed

Reported: the fiscal court voted down Ordinance 25-02 on 28 August 2025, so no county road was opened under it. A later act was not looked for beyond this search. Scott County Ordinance 25-02, reported voted down 28 August 2025, read 28 October 2026

State highways Closed

Closed to OHVs.

Shelby County To confirm

No act of Shelby County or of its cities allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on their roads was found or read, so the routes are to be confirmed.

In town To confirm

No town street opening was found in the codes read.

County roads To confirm

No fiscal court ordinance of Shelby County allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on county roads under KRS 186.078 or designating them for mini-trucks was found, and the county's own code and its cities' codes were not read.

State highways Closed

Closed to OHVs.

Simpson County To confirm

Simpson County's fiscal court was reported to have passed an ordinance on 15 July 2025 allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles on most county highways, but the county's posted ordinance index does not list it. The routes are to be confirmed.

In town To confirm

No town street opening was found in the codes read.

County roads Open

Reported: most county highways, with controlled-access systems barred and the twenty mile limit, by an ordinance passed 15 July 2025. The county's own ordinance index lists speed limit ordinances to 530.64 and none on special purpose vehicles, so the text was not found. Simpson County ordinance, reported passed 15 July 2025, not in the county's posted index, read 28 October 2026

State highways Closed

Closed to OHVs.

KRS 186.077: registered with a motorcycle plate, insured in the motorcycle form and amounts, inspected by a certified inspector and equipped as the statute lists, with a roll bar or roll cageKRS 186.077(2) and (4): no interstate, parkway or other controlled-access highway, and no more than twenty miles on a highway with centerline markings

Spencer County Roads open

Spencer County opens all highways within its limits that the state act permits to street-legal special purpose vehicles, a class that includes the kei truck as a minitruck, and its ordinance names minitrucks to keep them off highways built under a federal highway program.

In town To confirm

No town street opening was found in the codes read.

County roads Open

All highways within the jurisdictional limits of Spencer County, to the extent the state act permits, with controlled-access highways and any highway where the Department of Agriculture bars them excluded. The ordinance does not say whether it reaches city streets. Spencer County Ordinance No. 26, Fiscal Year 2025 Series, first reading 2 June 2025, second reading and passed 16 June 2025, effective 27 June 2025, read 28 October 2026

State highways Segments open

Every highway within the county's limits that the state act permits, state highways among them, except a controlled-access highway. A minitruck is never allowed on a highway built under a federal highway program, KRS 186.077(5). Spencer County Ordinance No. 26, sections 2 to 4, read 28 October 2026

Ordinance 26 section 4(a): no more than twenty miles on a highway with centerline markingsOrdinance 26 section 4(b): a minitruck never on a highway built under a federal highway programOrdinance 26 section 3: no controlled-access highway and no highway where the Department of Agriculture prohibits them

Taylor County To confirm

No act of Taylor County or of its cities allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on their roads was found or read, so the routes are to be confirmed.

In town To confirm

No town street opening was found in the codes read.

County roads To confirm

No fiscal court ordinance of Taylor County allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on county roads under KRS 186.078 or designating them for mini-trucks was found, and the county's own code and its cities' codes were not read.

State highways Closed

Closed to OHVs.

Todd County To confirm

No act of Todd County or of its cities allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on their roads was found or read, so the routes are to be confirmed.

In town To confirm

No town street opening was found in the codes read.

County roads To confirm

No fiscal court ordinance of Todd County allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on county roads under KRS 186.078 or designating them for mini-trucks was found, and the county's own code and its cities' codes were not read.

State highways Closed

Closed to OHVs.

Trigg County To confirm

No act of Trigg County opening roads to special purpose vehicles was found, and a local paper reported little interest in them. The routes are to be confirmed.

In town To confirm

No town street opening was found in the codes read.

County roads To confirm

Reported: a local paper's headline says few are interested in special purpose vehicles right now. No county act was found. Trigg County, news report only, read 28 October 2026

State highways Closed

Closed to OHVs.

Trimble County To confirm

No act of Trimble County or of its cities allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on their roads was found or read, so the routes are to be confirmed.

In town To confirm

No town street opening was found in the codes read.

County roads To confirm

No fiscal court ordinance of Trimble County allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on county roads under KRS 186.078 or designating them for mini-trucks was found, and the county's own code and its cities' codes were not read.

State highways Closed

Closed to OHVs.

Union County To confirm

No act of Union County or of its cities allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on their roads was found or read, so the routes are to be confirmed.

In town To confirm

No town street opening was found in the codes read.

County roads To confirm

No fiscal court ordinance of Union County allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on county roads under KRS 186.078 or designating them for mini-trucks was found, and the county's own code and its cities' codes were not read.

State highways Closed

Closed to OHVs.

Warren County To confirm

No act of Warren County or of its cities allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on their roads was found or read, so the routes are to be confirmed.

In town To confirm

No town street opening was found in the codes read.

County roads To confirm

No fiscal court ordinance of Warren County allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on county roads under KRS 186.078 or designating them for mini-trucks was found, and the county's own code and its cities' codes were not read.

State highways Closed

Closed to OHVs.

Washington County To confirm

No act of Washington County or of its cities allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on their roads was found or read, so the routes are to be confirmed.

In town To confirm

No town street opening was found in the codes read.

County roads To confirm

No fiscal court ordinance of Washington County allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on county roads under KRS 186.078 or designating them for mini-trucks was found, and the county's own code and its cities' codes were not read.

State highways Closed

Closed to OHVs.

Wayne County To confirm

Wayne County's fiscal court was reported to have approved the state's guidelines for ATVs and UTVs on roadways in 2025. No adopted ordinance was read, so the routes are to be confirmed.

In town To confirm

No town street opening was found in the codes read.

County roads To confirm

Reported: the fiscal court approved the state's guidelines for ATVs and UTVs on roadways, with inspection at the sheriff's office and licensed operators, and a first reading of an ordinance was reported. No adopted ordinance was read. Wayne County Fiscal Court, reported approval of the state's guidelines 2025, read 28 October 2026

State highways Closed

Closed to OHVs.

Webster County To confirm

Webster County's fiscal court was reported to have approved the second reading of an ordinance on special purpose vehicles in 2025. The text was not read, so the routes are to be confirmed.

In town To confirm

No town street opening was found in the codes read.

County roads Open

Reported: the fiscal court approved the second reading of an ordinance enacting the state law in 2025. The text was not read. Webster County ordinance, reported approved on second reading 2025, read 28 October 2026

State highways Closed

Closed to OHVs.

Whitley County To confirm

Whitley County's fiscal court was reported to have passed a first reading of Ordinance 2025-06 on 15 July 2025 on street-legal special purpose vehicles. No adoption was found, so the routes are to be confirmed.

In town To confirm

No town street opening was found in the codes read.

County roads To confirm

Reported: a first reading of Ordinance 2025-06 on street-legal special purpose vehicles on 15 July 2025 over one vote against. No adoption was found. Whitley County Ordinance 2025-06, first reading reported 15 July 2025, read 28 October 2026

State highways Closed

Closed to OHVs.

Wolfe County To confirm

No act of Wolfe County or of its cities allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on their roads was found or read, so the routes are to be confirmed.

In town To confirm

No town street opening was found in the codes read.

County roads To confirm

No fiscal court ordinance of Wolfe County allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on county roads under KRS 186.078 or designating them for mini-trucks was found, and the county's own code and its cities' codes were not read.

State highways Closed

Closed to OHVs.

Woodford County To confirm

No act of Woodford County or of its cities allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on their roads was found or read, so the routes are to be confirmed.

In town To confirm

No town street opening was found in the codes read.

County roads To confirm

No fiscal court ordinance of Woodford County allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles, ATVs or off-highway vehicles on county roads under KRS 186.078 or designating them for mini-trucks was found, and the county's own code and its cities' codes were not read.

State highways Closed

Closed to OHVs.

Engines and EPA

Why the engine decides which truck comes in.

The same three facts hold in Kentucky and every other state.

The 25 year truck

It comes in on age

A 25 year old kei truck in original configuration clears both agencies on age. No Registered Importer and no Independent Commercial Importer is needed.

EPA's provision asks only that the truck is in its original configuration with the same model of engine it left the factory with.

40 CFR 85.1511(f)(2)eCFR, read 28 October 2026

The newer truck

EPA asks for a certified engine

A newer kei truck comes in as nonroad equipment, permanently modified so its top speed is 25 mph or less, with its engine covered by an EPA certificate of conformity before it reaches US Customs. The governor stays for the life of the truck, and removing it is tampering, a federal offense.

Mini-trucks, importing used motor vehicles as nonroad vehiclesEPA, read 28 October 2026

Engine size

Why 30 kilowatts decides a newer truck's engine

EPA sorts nonroad gasoline engines by maximum power, not size. Every kei engine is under 1,000 cc, so an engine of 30 kW or less may certify to the small engine standards, and 30 kW is the line that decides. Today's stock kei engines are rated above it, and a speed governor does not lower an engine's maximum power.

Every kei engine family EPA has certified for mini trucks is a lower power certified configuration, between 14.46 and 29.9 kW, under part 90 or part 1054. A certified mini truck engine is that configuration, not the stock engine.

40 CFR 1054.1, the small engine ruleseCFR, read 28 October 2026 Small nonroad spark ignition engine certificatesEPA, read 28 October 2026

Kentucky, the five answers

Road, title, land, inspection and what is next.

The roadCan I drive it on the road?

Kentucky puts the kei truck in two laws. Where a county or city has opened its highways by ordinance, a minitruck equipped to the state's street-legal list, inspected, registered and insured as a motorcycle runs on those highways under a motorcycle plate. Everywhere else the mini-truck law still lets it cross a two lane highway and work on one for farm, construction, road maintenance or snow removal, in daylight.

The law lists the minitruck with the all-terrain vehicle, the utility terrain vehicle, the pneumatic-tired military vehicle and the full-size special purpose-built vehicle as a special purpose vehicle (KRS 186.077(1)(b)). A low-speed vehicle as defined in KRS 186.010 is not a special purpose vehicle, and a vehicle primarily used for farm or agricultural activities is not a street-legal one (186.077(1)(b)2 and (1)(c)2)
A person shall not operate a street-legal special purpose vehicle on a highway inside a local government where special purpose vehicles have not been allowed by local ordinance (186.077(2)(a)). The legislative body of a city, county, charter county government, urban-county government, consolidated local government or unified local government may allow them by ordinance (186.078(1))
A local government may adopt more stringent ordinances on safety equipment and operation than the state list (186.078(2))
Never on a controlled-access highway, including an interstate or parkway, and never where the United States Department of Agriculture prohibits special purpose vehicles where the highway is located (186.077(2)(b) and (c))
Minitrucks shall not be operated as street-legal special purpose vehicles on a highway that has been constructed pursuant to a federal highway program (186.077(5))
No more than twenty miles on a highway displaying centerline pavement markings, and no area that is not open to motor vehicle use (186.077(4) and (3))
It must carry the equipment in 186.077(1)(c)1, which includes a roll bar or roll cage, be registered under KRS 186.020, be insured for tort liability in the form and amounts KRS 304.39-110 sets for motorcycles and be inspected by a certified inspector under KRS 186A.115 (186.077(6) and (8))
The county clerk issues a motorcycle registration plate on registration, and a renewing owner is considered to have certified that the equipment list is still met (186.077(7) and (9))
KRS 189.517 is unchanged and still applies. A mini-truck, a lightweight Japanese kei class utility vehicle, may not be operated on a public highway or its right-of-way except as subsection (5) allows (189.517(1) and (2)). It may cross a two lane highway at about ninety degrees for no more than two tenths of a mile. It may run on a two lane highway while the operator is engaged in farm or agricultural related activities, construction, road maintenance or snow removal. It may use highways the Transportation Cabinet, a city or a county has designated (189.517(5)(a) to (c))
On a highway under 189.517 the operator needs a valid operator's license, follows the traffic rules, keeps at least two headlights and two taillights lit and drives in daylight only, except for snow removal or emergency road maintenance. Private property needs the consent of the landowner, tenant or person responsible, and public property needs the responsible agency's approval (189.517(3), (4) and (5)(d) to (g))

KRS 186.077, 186.078, 186.020, 186.050 and 186A.115, created or amended by 2025 Ky. Acts ch. 89 (SB 63), effective 27 June 2025, and amended by 2026 Ky. Acts ch. 135 (SB 110); 601 KAR 23:070, in effect from 3 February 2026; KRS 189.517, created 2013 Ky. Acts ch. 61, effective 25 June 2013

The road ruleapps.legislature.ky.gov, read 29 October 2026

TitleHow do I title and register it?

Every Kentucky title goes through the county clerk. A truck from Japan is titled on its foreign ownership papers with an English translation, customs papers and an inspection by a certified inspector the county sheriff designates, and a truck headed for the road is registered as a street-legal special purpose vehicle with its own inspection on form TC 96-365.

The steps

Keep the federal entry papers and the Japanese ownership papers. The Cabinet asks for customs papers and a sheriff's inspection for a vehicle purchased or titled in a foreign country, with form TC 96-182. A registration document not in English needs translation papers from the vehicle manufacturer or a certified translator.
KRS 186A.097 lists more for a vehicle not manufactured for sale in the United States: the original ownership documents of the country of purchase, or the documents assigned after a cancellation for export, with a complete English translation verified by the translator's affidavit, and a federal Department of Transportation bond release letter, a federal Environmental Protection Agency bond release letter, a gas guzzler tax receipt and copies of the records behind the bond release. A truck 25 years or older enters under the federal age exemptions without bond release letters, and no source read says how a clerk applies the section to it. Ask the county clerk before purchase.
Insure the truck. Proof of Kentucky insurance issued within 45 days goes with the application. A street-legal special purpose vehicle is insured in the motorcycle form and amounts.
For the road, confirm that the county or city where the truck will run has allowed special purpose vehicles by ordinance, then equip the truck to the list in KRS 186.077(1)(c).
Take the truck, the application and the papers to a certified inspector the county sheriff designates, in the county where the application will be filed. The inspector compares the VIN with the papers, records the odometer and signs the inspection electronically. For a street-legal special purpose vehicle the inspector also checks the equipment on form TC 96-365.
File form TC 96-182 with the county clerk in the county where you live, within 15 days of buying the truck (KRS 186A.070(1)). The form has application types for first time and for title only. The clerk collects the title fee and the motor vehicle usage tax.
For road use the clerk registers the truck as a street-legal special purpose vehicle and issues a motorcycle registration plate. A truck kept off the highway is titled and is registered only when it is to be operated on a highway (KRS 186A.070(1)).

The documents

Kentucky photo ID
Application for Kentucky Certificate of Title or Registration, TC 96-182
The Japanese ownership papers with a complete English translation verified by the translator's affidavit (KRS 186A.097(1))
Customs papers (the Cabinet's foreign titles instruction)
The certified inspector's inspection, and for a street-legal special purpose vehicle form TC 96-365, Street-Legal Special Purpose Vehicle Inspection
Proof of Kentucky insurance issued within 45 days
The price, stated in the total consideration section of TC 96-182 and sworn by seller and buyer before a notary, with a bill of sale (KRS 138.460(7))
The federal bond release letters and gas guzzler receipt that KRS 186A.097(2) lists, which a 25 year truck does not carry

Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, Department of Vehicle Regulation, Division of Motor Vehicle Licensing, through the county clerk's office. The inspection is done by a certified inspector designated by the county sheriff.

Title and registrationdrive.ky.gov, read 29 October 2026

Read from a secondary source or an older page. Confirm it with the office before you rely on it.

LandCan I use it on a farm or private land?

On private land a mini-truck runs with the consent of the landowner, tenant or person responsible, and on public property only where the responsible agency has approved mini-trucks. A truck kept off the highway is titled and is registered only when it is to be operated on a highway.

Class. Minitruck. Kentucky lists it with the all-terrain vehicle and the utility terrain vehicle as a special purpose vehicle (KRS 186.077) and defines the mini-truck as a lightweight Japanese kei class utility vehicle (189.517). KRS 189.010 defines an all-terrain vehicle as any motor vehicle used for recreational off-road use, while the Cabinet's ATV page describes one by a straddle seat and handlebars. The statute governs.

Registration. Title within 15 days, registration only when the truck is to be operated on a highway (KRS 186A.070(1)). Kentucky titles ATVs and does not register them, and asks for a 17 character VIN, not a motor number. No off road registration or decal for a minitruck was found. The Cabinet's ATV page says off road vehicles may not be modified to be street legal unless manufactured as such, while KRS 186.077 names a special purpose vehicle that has been modified, so the statute and the Cabinet's later titling page govern for the road.

Off road useapps.legislature.ky.gov, read 29 October 2026

Read from a secondary source or an older page. Confirm it with the office before you rely on it.

On the farm

A mini-truck may run on any two lane public highway while the operator is engaged in farm or agricultural related activities, construction, road maintenance or snow removal, with an operator's license, two headlights and two taillights lit and in daylight. A vehicle primarily used for farm or agricultural activities is outside the street-legal special purpose vehicle definition, so a farm truck works under KRS 189.517 and not under a plate.

Farm useapps.legislature.ky.gov, read 29 October 2026

InspectionWhat inspection or insurance applies?

Safety. No periodic safety inspection was found in the statutes or Cabinet pages read. A vehicle brought into Kentucky is inspected once by a certified inspector before title (KRS 186A.115(1)(a)). A street-legal special purpose vehicle is inspected before title against the equipment list on form TC 96-365, and 601 KAR 23:070 asks that it pass a safety inspection by a Kentucky certified inspector. A proposed amendment to that regulation would make the inspection annual and was not in effect when read.

Emissions. No emissions testing program was found in effect. Louisville's ended in 2003 and the Northern Kentucky program was directed out of the state plan in 2004 (2004 Ky. Acts ch. 115). No current agency page was read.

Inspectionapps.legislature.ky.gov, read 29 October 2026

Read from a secondary source or an older page. Confirm it with the office before you rely on it.

Insurance. A street-legal special purpose vehicle is insured for tort liability in the motorcycle form and amounts of KRS 304.39-110, and proof goes with the registration application. Kentucky requires every motor vehicle registered or operated in the state to be insured continuously, and the Cabinet checks insurers' monthly VIN reports against registrations. KRS 189.517 sets no insurance rule of its own for the limited roads it allows.

Insuranceapps.legislature.ky.gov, read 29 October 2026

NextWhat is coming?

Title and registration fees move from fixed amounts in the statutes to amounts the Transportation Cabinet sets by administrative regulation under KRS 186.017, including the title fee and the mail renewal fee.

1 January 2027

The bill or ruleapps.legislature.ky.gov, read 29 October 2026

A street-legal special purpose vehicle registered under KRS 186.020 becomes exempt from state and local ad valorem taxes.

1 January 2028

The bill or ruleapps.legislature.ky.gov, read 29 October 2026

A proposed amendment to 601 KAR 23:070 would make the safety inspection of a street-legal special purpose vehicle annual. The Legislative Research Commission shows it as a proposed version that is not yet current, and its status was not confirmed.

no date set

The bill or ruleapps.legislature.ky.gov, read 29 October 2026

Read from a secondary source or an older page. Confirm it with the office before you rely on it.

Questions

Asked about Kentucky.

Can I drive a 25 year old kei truck on Kentucky roads?

What about a newer truck imported as off road equipment and governed to 25 mph?

How do I know whether my county allows it?

Each of Kentucky's 120 counties and each city decides for its own highways by ordinance. A county or city that opens its roads can set stricter equipment and operating rules than the state's, and the statute keeps a minitruck off highways built under a federal highway program whatever the ordinance says. Check the county's fiscal court or city council before you buy.

What does the inspection look at?

A certified inspector the county sheriff designates checks the equipment on form TC 96-365: headlamps, tail lamps, brake lamps, a plate lamp, a rear reflector, turn signals, brakes, a horn, a working muffler, mirrors on both sides, a windshield unless the operator wears eye protection, an illuminated speedometer, tires with at least 2/32 inch of tread, a roll bar or roll cage and seatbelts for multi-passenger vehicles. Most kei truck cabs are built without a roll bar, and no source says whether an inspector accepts the cab.

Can I use it on the farm?

Yes. A mini-truck may run on any two lane public highway while the operator is farming or doing agricultural work, with an operator's license, two headlights and two taillights lit, in daylight. A vehicle primarily used for farm or agricultural activities cannot be registered as a street-legal special purpose vehicle, so a farm truck stays under KRS 189.517.

How is it titled?

Through the county clerk on form TC 96-182, with the Japanese ownership papers and an English translation, customs papers and an inspection by a certified inspector. Kentucky's import statute also lists federal bond release letters, which a 25 year truck does not carry, so we ask the clerk how the section is applied before a truck ships.

Upgrades

Upgrades in Kentucky.

Height and lift. No bumper, frame height, lift kit or suspension limit found (KRS chapter 189). Headlamps must sit 24 to 54 inches above level ground (KRS 189.040(9)). Overall height is capped at 11 and one-half feet on highways not designated by the Transportation secretary (KRS 189.221(1)).

Tires and fenders. No fender, mud flap, tire size, body trimming, tread depth or wheel spacer rule found (KRS chapter 189). Knowingly operating on a highway with a regrooved or recut tire is barred except for tires built to be regrooved or recut and for recapping (KRS 189.205(1)).

Lights. Front lights must be white or amber unless original equipment (KRS 189.040(14)). Blue lights are barred apart from a slight headlamp tint (189.950(2)). Yellow flashing lights are barred except on public safety vehicles, which omit private plows (189.950(4)). No fog or spot lamp limit found.

Modification and inspection. Kentucky bars a mini-truck, a lightweight Japanese kei class utility vehicle, from public highways with narrow exceptions such as crossing, farm work, construction, road maintenance, snow removal and designated highways (KRS 189.517). No reinspection or class change rule for altered vehicles found (KRS 186A.115).

From the upgrades chapter of Mini Truck Roadbook, the 2026 to 2027 edition, with the statute after each rule.

Getting it there

Where Kentucky's truck comes ashore.

From the nearest port where a sailing from Japan is on record. Road miles are an estimate, the straight line times 1.2, not a routed drive.

Nearest port with a sailing from Japan on record

Port of Savannah, Georgia Ports Authority

Savannah takes a weekly sailing from Yokohama, and I-16 and I-95 carry it into Georgia and up and down the coast.

The road. I-16 to Macon, Georgia, then I-75 into Kentucky, read from the federal route log, not a routed drive.

about 600 road miles, straight line times 1.2

Sources

Every source read, 29 October 2026

The public record of Kentucky as read on 29 October 2026, not legal advice. Every kei truck pays the 25 percent truck duty, the chicken tax, whatever its age.

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AlabamaOpen to road use MississippiRoad use unclear TennesseeRoad use with limits

Areas in Kentucky

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News

News for Kentucky.

29 October 2026
Kentucky lets a county or city open its highways to minitrucks