Kentucky Revised Statutes

Ky. Rev. Stat. § 189.010 (2026)

Definitions for chapter

✓ current as of May 2026

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As used in this chapter: (1) "Department" means the Department of Highways; (2) "Crosswalk" means: (a) That part of a roadway at an intersection within the connections of the lateral lines of the sidewalks on opposite sides of the highway measured from the curbs or in the absence of curbs, from the edges of the traversable roadway; or (b) Any portion of a roadway at an intersection or elsewhere distinctly indicated for pedestrian crossing by lines or other markings on the surface; (3) "Highway" means any public road, street, avenue, alley or boulevard, bridge, viaduct, or trestle and the approaches to them and includes private residential roads and parking lots covered by an agreement under KRS 61.362, off-street parking facilities offered for public use, whether publicly or privately owned, except for- hire parking facilities listed in KRS 189.700; (4) "Intersection" means: (a) The area embraced within the prolongation or connection of the lateral curb lines, or, if none, then the lateral boundary lines of the roadways of two (2) highways which join one another, but do not necessarily continue, at approximately right angles, or the area within which vehicles traveling upon different highways joining at any other angle may come into conflict; or (b) Where a highway includes two (2) roadways thirty (30) feet or more apart, then every crossing of each roadway of such divided highway by an intersecting highway shall be regarded as a separate intersection. If the intersecting highway also includes two (2) roadways thirty (30) feet or more apart, every crossing of two (2) roadways of the highways shall be regarded as a separate intersection. The junction of a private alley with a public street or highway shall not constitute an intersection; (5) "Manufactured home" has the same meaning as defined in KRS 186.650; (6) "Motor truck" means any motor-propelled vehicle designed for carrying freight or merchandise. It shall not include self-propelled vehicles designed primarily for passenger transportation but equipped with frames, racks, or bodies having a load capacity of not exceeding one thousand (1,000) pounds; (7) "Operator" means the person in actual physical control of a vehicle; (8) "Pedestrian" means any person afoot or in a wheelchair; (9) "Right-of-way" means the right of one (1) vehicle or pedestrian to proceed in a lawful manner in preference to another vehicle or pedestrian approaching under such circumstances of direction, speed, and proximity as to give rise to danger of collision unless one grants precedence to the other; (10) "Roadway" means that portion of a highway improved, designed, or ordinarily used for vehicular travel, exclusive of the berm or shoulder. If a highway includes two (2) or more separate roadways, the term "roadway" as used herein shall refer to any roadway separately but not to all such roadways collectively; (11) "Safety zone" means the area or space officially set apart within a roadway for the exclusive use of pedestrians and which is protected or is so marked or indicated by adequate signs as to be plainly visible at all times while set apart as a safety zone; (12) "Semitrailer" means a vehicle designed to be attached to, and having its front end supported by, a motor truck or truck tractor, intended for the carrying of freight or merchandise and having a load capacity of over one thousand (1,000) pounds; (13) "Truck tractor" means any motor-propelled vehicle designed to draw and to support the front end of a semitrailer. The semitrailer and the truck tractor shall be considered to be one (1) unit; (14) "Sharp curve" means a curve of not less than thirty (30) degrees; (15) "State Police" includes any agency for the enforcement of the highway laws established pursuant to law; (16) "Steep grade" means a grade exceeding seven percent (7%); (17) "Trailer" means any vehicle designed to be drawn by a motor truck or truck-tractor, but supported wholly upon its own wheels, intended for the carriage of freight or merchandise and having a load capacity of over one thousand (1,000) pounds; (18) "Unobstructed highway" means a straight, level, first-class road upon which no other vehicle is passing or attempting to pass and upon which no other vehicle or pedestrian is approaching in the opposite direction, closer than three hundred (300) yards; (19) (a) "Vehicle" includes: 1. All agencies for the transportation of persons or property over or upon the public highways of the Commonwealth; and 2. All vehicles passing over or upon the highways. (b) "Motor vehicle" includes all vehicles, as defined in paragraph (a) of this subsection, except: 1. Road rollers; 2. Road graders; 3. Farm tractors; 4. Vehicles on which power shovels are mounted; 5. Construction equipment customarily used only on the site of construction and which is not practical for the transportation of persons or property upon the highways; 6. Vehicles that travel exclusively upon rails; 7. Vehicles propelled by electric power obtained from overhead wires while being operated within any municipality or where the vehicles do not travel more than five (5) miles beyond the city limits of any municipality; 8. Vehicles propelled by muscular power; and 9. Electric low-speed scooters; (20) "Reflectance" means the ratio of the amount of total light, expressed in a percentage, which is reflected outward by the product or material to the amount of total light falling on the product or material; (21) "Sunscreening material" means a product or material, including film, glazing, and perforated sunscreening, which, when applied to the windshield or windows of a motor vehicle, reduces the effects of the sun with respect to light reflectance or transmittance; (22) "Transmittance" means the ratio of the amount of total light, expressed in a percentage, which is allowed to pass through the product or material, including glazing, to the amount of total light falling on the product or material and the glazing; (23) "Window" means any device designed for exterior viewing from a motor vehicle, except the windshield, any roof-mounted viewing device, and any viewing device having less than one hundred fifty (150) square inches in area; (24) "All-terrain vehicle" means any motor vehicle used for recreational off-road use; (25) "Nondivisible load," as pertains to state highways that are not part of the national truck network established pursuant to 23 C.F.R. pt. 658, means a load or vehicle, that if separated into smaller loads or vehicles: (a) Compromises the intended use of the vehicle, making it unable to perform the function for which it was intended; (b) Destroys the value of the load or vehicle, making it unusable for its intended purpose; or (c) Requires more than four (4) work hours to dismantle and reassemble using appropriate equipment; (26) "Electric low-speed scooter" means a device that: (a) Weighs less than one hundred (100) pounds; (b) Is equipped with wheels; (c) Is equipped with handlebars; (d) Is equipped with a brake adequate enough to stop and park the device; (e) Is designed to be stood or sat upon; (f) Is propelled by an electric motor, human power, or both; and (g) Is designed to operate at a maximum speed of twenty (20) miles per hour, on a paved level surface, with or without human propulsion; and (27) "Highway work zone" means that portion of a highway and the affected area adjacent to a lane, berm, or shoulder, including a sidewalk, upon which construction, reconstruction, resurfacing, maintenance, inspection, or other work of that nature is being conducted by a government agency, private contractor, or utility company. Effective: July 15, 2024 History: Amended 2024 Ky. Acts ch. 198, sec. 20, effective July 15, 2024. -- Amended 2019 Ky. Acts ch. 22, sec. 3, effective June 27, 2019; and ch. 40, sec. 4, effective June 27, 2019. -- Amended 2017 Ky. Acts ch. 35, sec. 1, effective March 20, 2017. -- Amended 1998 Ky. Acts ch. 47, sec. 1, effective July 15, 1998; ch. 270, sec. 1, effective July 15, 1998; and ch. 587, sec. 2, effective July 15, 1998. -- Amended 1996 Ky. Acts ch. 327, sec. 1, effective July 15, 1996. -- Amended 1994 Ky. Acts ch. 42, sec. 6, effective July 15, 1994. -- Amended 1990 Ky. Acts ch. 400, sec. 1, effective July 13, 1990. -- Amended 1988 Ky. Acts ch. 244, sec. 1, effective July 15, 1988. -- Amended 1978 Ky. Acts ch. 46, sec. 1, effective June 17, 1978. -- Amended 1974 Ky. Acts ch. 46, sec. 1. -- Amended 1958 Ky. Acts ch. 126, sec. 22. -- Amended 1956 (2nd Extra. Sess.) Ky. Acts ch. 1, sec. 1. -- Amended 1942 Ky. Acts ch. 78, secs. 1 and 2. -- Recodified 1942 Ky. Acts ch. 208, sec. 1, effective October 1, 1942, from Ky. Stat. secs. 2739g-1, 2739g-69gg, 2739g-80.

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 30 cases (5 in the last 5 years), 1949–2025 · leading case: Commonwealth v. Plowman, 86 S.W.3d 47 (Ky. 2002).

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Commonwealth v. Plowman, 86 S.W.3d 47 (Ky. 2002). · cites it 4× “[10] KRS 189.010(19)(a) ("`Vehicle' includes: 1.”

louisville/jefferson v. Tdc Grp., 283 S.W.3d 657 (Ky. 2009). · cites it 3× “KRS 189.010(2). Subsection (a), when contrasted with subsection (b), appears to define an "unmarked" crosswalk.”

Grayson Cnty. Bd. of Educ. v. Casey, 157 S.W.3d 201 (Ky. 2005). “” Casey argued at the trial level that a forklift was a “motor vehicle” as defined in KRS 189.010(19) and KRS 304.39-020(7), apparently hoping to convert his forklift accident into a motor vehicle accident and thereby convert the board of education’s general liability insurance…”

George v. Scent, 346 S.W.2d 784 (Ky. Ct. App. 1961). · cites it 2× “) Paragraph (3) of the section says "`Gross receipts' do not include any of the following: * * * (f) The sales price of any motor vehicle (including those defined under KRS 189.010(5) and 189.010(10), [1] which has never been registered in Kentucky.”

Garcia v. Commonwealth, 185 S.W.3d 658 (Ky. Ct. App. 2006). “material complies with the provisions of KRS 189.010(20) to (23) and subsections (1) to (5) of this section.”

Kenton Cnty. Pub. Parks Corp. v. Modlin, 901 S.W.2d 876 (Ky. Ct. App. 1995). · cites it 2× “Modlin’s argument, persuasive to the trial court, that the golf course fairway is a “public roadway,” so therefore a “public highway” within the meaning of MVRA, requires more of a leap in faith than a leap in logic.”

Dep't of Revenue, Fin. & Admin. Cabinet v. Shinin' B Trailer Sales, LLC, 471 S.W.3d 309 (Ky. Ct. App. 2015). · cites it 5× “010(12) defines “semitrailer” as a vehicle designed to be attached to, and having its front end supported by, a motor truck or truck tractor, intended for the carrying of freight or merchandise and having a load capacity of over one thousand (1,000) pounds.”

Saddler v. Parham, 249 S.W.2d 945 (Ky. Ct. App. 1952). “This contention cannot be upheld, because KRS 189.010 defines “highway” to include a street.”

Wells v. Commonwealth, 709 S.W.2d 847 (Ky. Ct. App. 1986). “010(1) provides that “[n]o person shall operate a motor vehicle anywhere in this state while under the influence of alcohol or any other substance which may impair one’s driving ability.”

Heath v. Commonwealth, 761 S.W.2d 630 (Ky. Ct. App. 1988). · cites it 2× “The definition of “vehicle,” as contained in KRS 189.010(18) is: “Vehicle” includes all agencies for the transportation of persons or property over or upon the public highways of this Commonwealth and all vehicles passing over or upon said highways, excepting road rollers, road…”

Dupin v. Adkins, 17 S.W.3d 538 (Ky. Ct. App. 2000). “tractors” for the motor vehicle installment sales contract statutes); KRS 189.010(19)(b) (exempting farm tractors from the definition of motor vehicle for the motor vehicle traffic regulation and equipment and storage statutes).”

Nemeth v. Commonwealth, 944 S.W.2d 871 (Ky. Ct. App. 1997). · cites it 4× “” “Motor vehicle” is not defined in KRS Chapter 189A However, at the time of this incident, “vehicle” was defined in KRS 189.010(18) as follows: “Vehicle” includes all agencies for the transportation of persons or property over *872 or upon the public highways of this…”

Show all 30 citing cases →

— Ky. Rev. Stat. § 189.010(10) — 3 cases

Withers v. Marshall, 225 S.W.2d 121 (Ky. Ct. App. 1949).

Jamie E. Thomas v. Brian Allen (Ky. Ct. App. 2022).

Joanna Smith v. City of Newport (Ky. Ct. App. 2024).

— Ky. Rev. Stat. § 189.010(12) — 3 cases

Dep't of Revenue, Fin. & Admin. Cabinet v. Shinin' B Trailer Sales, LLC, 471 S.W.3d 309 (Ky. Ct. App. 2015). “010(12) defines “semitrailer” as a vehicle designed to be attached to, and having its front end supported by, a motor truck or truck tractor, intended for the carrying of freight or merchandise and having a load capacity of over one thousand (1,000) pounds.”

Kentucky Farm Bureau Mut. Ins. Co. v. Vanover, 506 S.W.2d 517 (Ky. Ct. App. 1974).

Dep't of Revenue ex rel. Carpenter v. Pullman, Inc., 560 S.W.2d 18 (Ky. Ct. App. 1977).

— Ky. Rev. Stat. § 189.010(17) — 1 case

— Ky. Rev. Stat. § 189.010(18) — 2 cases

Heath v. Commonwealth, 761 S.W.2d 630 (Ky. Ct. App. 1988). “The definition of “vehicle,” as contained in KRS 189.010(18) is: “Vehicle” includes all agencies for the transportation of persons or property over or upon the public highways of this Commonwealth and all vehicles passing over or upon said highways, excepting road rollers, road…”

Nemeth v. Commonwealth, 944 S.W.2d 871 (Ky. Ct. App. 1997). “” “Motor vehicle” is not defined in KRS Chapter 189A However, at the time of this incident, “vehicle” was defined in KRS 189.010(18) as follows: “Vehicle” includes all agencies for the transportation of persons or property over *872 or upon the public highways of this…”

— Ky. Rev. Stat. § 189.010(19) — 2 cases

Joshua Banister v. Commonwealth of Kentucky (Ky. Ct. App. 2024).

— Ky. Rev. Stat. § 189.010(19)(a) — 3 cases

Commonwealth v. Plowman, 86 S.W.3d 47 (Ky. 2002). “[10] KRS 189.010(19)(a) ("`Vehicle' includes: 1.”

Adams v. Commonwealth, 275 S.W.3d 209 (Ky. Ct. App. 2008).

Joshua Banister v. Commonwealth of Kentucky (Ky. Ct. App. 2024).

— Ky. Rev. Stat. § 189.010(19)(b) — 6 cases

Commonwealth v. Plowman, 86 S.W.3d 47 (Ky. 2002). “[10] KRS 189.010(19)(a) ("`Vehicle' includes: 1.”

Adams v. Commonwealth, 275 S.W.3d 209 (Ky. Ct. App. 2008).

Jamie E. Thomas v. Brian Allen (Ky. Ct. App. 2022).

— Ky. Rev. Stat. § 189.010(19)(b)(3) — 1 case

Ryan v. Pennsylvania Life Ins. Co., 123 S.W.3d 142 (Ky. 2003).

— Ky. Rev. Stat. § 189.010(19)(b)(9) — 1 case

Meghan Turner v. Farmers Direct & Cas. Ins. Co. (Ky. Ct. App. 2024).

— Ky. Rev. Stat. § 189.010(2) — 3 cases

louisville/jefferson v. Tdc Grp., 283 S.W.3d 657 (Ky. 2009). “KRS 189.010(2). Subsection (a), when contrasted with subsection (b), appears to define an "unmarked" crosswalk.”

louisville/jefferson Cnty. Metro Gov't v. Tdc Grp., LLC, D/B/A Molly Malone's, 283 S.W.3d 657 (Ky. 2009).

Evans v. Lorenz, 454 S.W.2d 691 (Ky. Ct. App. 1969).

— Ky. Rev. Stat. § 189.010(20) — 1 case

Garcia v. Commonwealth, 185 S.W.3d 658 (Ky. Ct. App. 2006). “material complies with the provisions of KRS 189.010(20) to (23) and subsections (1) to (5) of this section.”

— Ky. Rev. Stat. § 189.010(3) — 4 cases

Kenton Cnty. Pub. Parks Corp. v. Modlin, 901 S.W.2d 876 (Ky. Ct. App. 1995). “Modlin’s argument, persuasive to the trial court, that the golf course fairway is a “public roadway,” so therefore a “public highway” within the meaning of MVRA, requires more of a leap in faith than a leap in logic.”

Withers v. Marshall, 225 S.W.2d 121 (Ky. Ct. App. 1949).

Jackson v. Commonwealth, 530 S.W.3d 925 (Ky. Ct. App. 2017).

Joanna Smith v. City of Newport (Ky. Ct. App. 2024).

— Ky. Rev. Stat. § 189.010(4)(a) — 2 cases

louisville/jefferson v. Tdc Grp., 283 S.W.3d 657 (Ky. 2009). “KRS 189.010(2). Subsection (a), when contrasted with subsection (b), appears to define an "unmarked" crosswalk.”

louisville/jefferson Cnty. Metro Gov't v. Tdc Grp., LLC, D/B/A Molly Malone's, 283 S.W.3d 657 (Ky. 2009).

— Ky. Rev. Stat. § 189.010(5) — 2 cases

George v. Scent, 346 S.W.2d 784 (Ky. Ct. App. 1961). “) Paragraph (3) of the section says "`Gross receipts' do not include any of the following: * * * (f) The sales price of any motor vehicle (including those defined under KRS 189.010(5) and 189.010(10), [1] which has never been registered in Kentucky.”

Dep't of Revenue ex rel. Carpenter v. Pullman, Inc., 560 S.W.2d 18 (Ky. Ct. App. 1977).

— Ky. Rev. Stat. § 189.010(6) — 2 cases

Dep't of Revenue ex rel. Carpenter v. Pullman, Inc., 560 S.W.2d 18 (Ky. Ct. App. 1977).

— Ky. Rev. Stat. § 189.010(7) — 1 case

Sherrow v. Watts' Adm'r, 226 S.W.2d 929 (Ky. Ct. App. 1950).

— Ky. Rev. Stat. § 189.010(9) — 2 cases

Glennissa Lewis-Overbey v. Sharon S. Cole (Ky. Ct. App. 2025).

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