Kentucky FTA License Suspension: Clear Your Warrant
Kentucky requires 25/50/25 liability coverage and is a no-fault state.
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Kentucky at a Glance
25/50/25
Minimum liability limits, in thousands of dollars (per person / per accident / property)
No-fault
Each driver's own policy pays their injuries first, whoever caused the crash
Required
PIP coverage must be on every policy
$40
State license reinstatement fee
Source: state DMV, insurance department and statute records, verified July 2026
Minimum Coverage Requirements in Kentucky
Kentucky operates under a tort liability system and requires all drivers to carry minimum financial responsibility of 25/50/25. When you miss a court date for a traffic citation, the court places an FTA hold on your license through the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and typically issues a bench warrant. The hold remains until you appear in court, resolve the underlying citation, and the court releases the FTA to the Transportation Cabinet.
Bodily Injury Liability
Property Damage Liability
Personal Injury Protection (PIP)
SR-22 Certificate of Financial Responsibility
Non-Standard Auto Insurance
What Drivers Pay in Kentucky
$240–$412/mo
Typical monthly rate in Kentucky, high-risk drivers after a DUI
Rate data: ValuePenguin and Insurify, 2026
What Affects Your Rate
- Bench warrant status: active warrants prevent policy binding at most carriers until recalled, forcing delayed effective dates or non-standard market.
Get Back on the Road After a Missed Court Date
Get My Post-FTA Insurance QuoteIf your license is suspended
Hardship drivers license (601 KAR 12:060)
application fee $5.
A coverage lapse is reported
The state can act when your insurance lapses.
Source: state DMV, insurance department and statute records, verified July 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I check if I have a bench warrant for FTA in Kentucky?
Check the court calendar at the county courthouse where the citation was issued, or call the clerk's office and provide your name and date of birth. Kentucky courts also post active bench warrants on CourtNet, the state's public case information system. If a warrant is active, do not ignore it—appearing voluntarily with an attorney reduces arrest risk and demonstrates good faith to the judge.
Can I get car insurance before clearing my FTA hold in Kentucky?
You can get quoted and approved, but most carriers will not bind the policy or file SR-22 until your license shows active in the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet system. Non-standard carriers like The General or Acceptance may bind coverage with a suspended license if you provide proof of a scheduled court date, but the SR-22 filing will be delayed until reinstatement is complete.
Do I need SR-22 after an FTA suspension in Kentucky?
SR-22 is required only if the underlying citation was for driving without insurance, DUI, reckless driving, or other specific violations listed in Kentucky Revised Statute 186.598. FTA alone does not trigger SR-22, but if you missed court for a no-insurance ticket, the SR-22 requirement activates when the citation is resolved. The filing lasts 3 years from the date of reinstatement.
Can I clear an FTA without going to court in Kentucky?
Kentucky allows some counties to accept payment and recall warrants online or by phone for minor equipment or parking citations, but driving-related FTA almost always requires in-person appearance. If the citation was for speeding, no-insurance, or any moving violation, you must appear before a judge to have the warrant recalled and the FTA hold released. Attorneys can appear on your behalf in some counties for non-arrestable offenses.
Coverage Types
Post-FTA Reinstatement Insurance
Coverage you can bind immediately after clearing your FTA hold and paying reinstatement fees. Standard carriers require 3–7 days to verify license status; non-standard carriers issue same-day policies.
SR-22 Certificate Filing
Certificate proving you carry minimum liability, filed by your carrier with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. Required for 3 years if the underlying citation was no-insurance, DUI, or reckless driving.
Liability Insurance
Covers injury and property damage you cause to others. Kentucky's 25/50/25 minimum is the floor for reinstatement but insufficient for multi-vehicle accidents common on I-64 and I-75.
Non-Standard Auto Coverage
Policies from carriers specializing in suspended license reinstatements, SR-22 filings, and high-risk drivers. Non-standard carriers approve applications standard carriers decline.
Uninsured Motorist Coverage
Covers your injuries and vehicle damage when hit by a driver with no insurance or insufficient limits. Kentucky requires carriers to offer this coverage at policy inception.