Funeral processions

Key points

1. A funeral procession led by an escort with flashing yellow, red or blue lights has the right of way at intersections.

   Source: Handbook p. 67

   “A funeral procession has the right-of-way at an intersection and may pass through the intersection if the procession is led by an escort vehicle displaying flashing yellow, red, or blue lights.”
   Kentucky Driver Manual, Handbook p. 67

2. Exceptions: an emergency vehicle needs the right of way, an officer directs otherwise, or a train is coming.

   Source: Handbook p. 67

   “The only exceptions are when the right-of-way is required by an emergency vehicle, when vehicles in the procession are directed otherwise by a police or safety officer, or when the vehicle is a train or locomotive.”
   Kentucky Driver Manual, Handbook p. 67

3. Never drive between vehicles in a funeral procession unless a police or safety officer allows it.

   Source: Handbook p. 67

   “You must not drive your vehicle between the vehicles of a funeral procession except when authorized to do so by a police or safety officer.”
   Kentucky Driver Manual, Handbook p. 67

4. Do not turn on your headlights to try to join or gain the right of way.

   Source: Handbook p. 67

   “Do not turn on your headlights or engage in any other act for the purpose of securing right-of-way.”
   Kentucky Driver Manual, Handbook p. 67

5. Do not pass a vehicle in the procession unless an officer directs you to.

   Source: Handbook p. 67

   “Do not pass or overtake any vehicle in the procession unless directed to do so by a police or safety officer”
   Kentucky Driver Manual, Handbook p. 67

6. Violating this law can bring a $250 fine or 90 days in jail.

   Source: Handbook p. 68

   “If you violate this law, you may receive a $250 fine or 90 days in jail.”
   Kentucky Driver Manual, Handbook p. 68

Numbers to know

3 questions from the Kentucky practice test

1. 1. When does an escorted funeral procession have the right of way at a Kentucky intersection?

   1. When led by an escort vehicle displaying flashing yellow, red, or blue lights
   2. Only after every other driver waves it through
   3. Only when the procession has a green signal
   4. Whenever its lead vehicle uses hazard lights
   Show answer

   When led by an escort vehicle displaying flashing yellow, red, or blue lights. An escorted funeral procession may proceed through an intersection when an escort vehicle leads it with flashing yellow, red, or blue lights. A green signal is not the condition that defines this special procession rule, and hazard lights alone are not the stated escort display. Other drivers should recognize the procession as a coordinated group and avoid entering its path. The visual cue is the escort vehicle and its specified flashing colors, followed by the line of funeral vehicles moving through together.

2. 2. Which situation is an exception to a Kentucky funeral procession's intersection right of way?

   1. A vehicle in the procession is directed otherwise by a police or safety officer
   2. Another driver has been waiting longer
   3. The procession is moving below the speed limit
   4. A driver turns on high beams
   Show answer

   A vehicle in the procession is directed otherwise by a police or safety officer. The procession rule yields when an emergency vehicle requires the right of way, when a police or safety officer directs the vehicles otherwise, or when a train or locomotive controls the crossing. The waiting time of another driver, the procession's speed, and a high beam signal do not create listed exceptions. When approaching a procession, watch for official direction and crossing hazards rather than trying to negotiate priority yourself. A train or emergency vehicle must be allowed to control the intersection.

3. 3. Which situation is an exception to a funeral procession’s intersection right-of-way rule?

   1. The procession includes more than three cars
   2. A driver is running late for work
   3. An emergency vehicle requires the right of way
   4. The weather is clear and dry
   Show answer

   An emergency vehicle requires the right of way. The manual lists an emergency vehicle’s required right of way as an exception to a funeral procession’s intersection priority. It also lists directions from a police or safety officer and a train or locomotive. Personal urgency, the number of cars, and clear weather do not create an exception. Give the procession room and do not drive between its vehicles unless authorized. When an emergency vehicle needs the intersection, follow that emergency priority while watching for instructions from officers managing the scene.

Source: the Kentucky Driver Manual, Section Eleven: Special Driving Situations. This lesson is a plain English summary, not the law itself; where it differs, the manual and the statute govern. Last checked 2026-09-27.