Rural roads, farm equipment and slow vehicles

Key points

1. An orange and red triangle on the back of a vehicle means it travels less than 25 mph.

   Source: Handbook p. 65

   “A fluorescent or reflective orange and red triangle displayed on the rear of vehicles drawn by animal, farm equipment, or construction equipment means the vehicle is traveling less than 25 mph.”
   Kentucky Driver Manual, Handbook p. 65

2. Pass farm machinery with caution. The operator cannot hear approaching vehicles.

   Source: Handbook p. 65

   “Pass with caution and remember that the operator of the farm machinery cannot hear approaching vehicles.”
   Kentucky Driver Manual, Handbook p. 65

3. Pass animal drawn vehicles and horseback riders with caution. Do not use your horn or rev the engine.

   Source: Handbook p. 65

   “Pass with caution and do not use your horn or "rev" the engine because this may scare the horse and cause a crash.”
   Kentucky Driver Manual, Handbook p. 65

4. On gravel or dirt, slow down, increase following distance and expect you may skid.

   Source: Handbook p. 68

   “You should reduce your speed, increase your following distance and realize you may skid when trying to stop your vehicle.”
   Kentucky Driver Manual, Handbook p. 68

5. On narrow roads, slow down, center your vehicle in your lane and watch for oncoming traffic.

   Source: Handbook p. 68

   “You should reduce your speed, center your vehicle in your lane, and watch for oncoming traffic that may attempt to share your lane.”
   Kentucky Driver Manual, Handbook p. 68

6. At a single lane bridge, take turns. Generally the first driver there has the right of way.

   Source: Handbook p. 68

   “Take turns crossing the bridge; generally, the first driver to the bridge has right of way.”
   Kentucky Driver Manual, Handbook p. 68

7. Open bridge gratings and steel bridges reduce traction. Slow down and grip the wheel firmly.

   Source: Handbook p. 69

   “Open bridge gratings or steel bridges - Can reduce your traction. Reduce your speed, increase your following distance, and maintain a firm grip on the steering wheel.”
   Kentucky Driver Manual, Handbook p. 69

8. At an uncontrolled rural intersection, slow down and be ready to stop.

   Source: Handbook p. 69

   “When approaching an uncontrolled rural intersection, slow down and be prepared to stop for crossing or oncoming traffic.”
   Kentucky Driver Manual, Handbook p. 69

9. An ATV crossing a highway must cross as close to a 90 degree angle as practical and travel no more than 2/10 of a mile on it.

   Source: Handbook p. 66

   “While crossing, the operator shall cross at as close to a ninety (90) degree angle as is practical and safe and shall not travel on the highway for more than two-tenths (2/10) of a mile.”
   Kentucky Driver Manual, Handbook p. 66

Numbers to know

Recognize these signs

3 questions from the Kentucky practice test

1. 1. At an uncontrolled rural intersection in Kentucky, what should a driver do?

   1. Accelerate because cross traffic must yield
   2. Slow down and be prepared to stop for crossing or oncoming traffic
   3. Stop only if a traffic signal is present
   4. Maintain speed because the intersection has priority signs
   Show answer

   Slow down and be prepared to stop for crossing or oncoming traffic. At an uncontrolled rural intersection, the manual advises approaching with caution, slowing down, and being prepared to stop for crossing or oncoming traffic. The absence of a yield or stop sign does not make the crossing automatically safe, and it does not justify accelerating through. A signal or priority sign is not required before caution becomes necessary. Reduce speed early, scan both directions, and keep enough room to stop smoothly.

2. 2. What rural-road hazard should drivers expect from farm machinery?

   1. Tractors and other equipment may cross or travel on state highways and may not hear approaching vehicles
   2. Farm equipment always has priority and may use either side without warning
   3. Tractors are required to move onto the shoulder whenever a car approaches
   4. Farm machinery can be passed safely by sounding the horn continuously
   Show answer

   Tractors and other equipment may cross or travel on state highways and may not hear approaching vehicles. Rural drivers should watch for tractors, combines, and other farm equipment crossing roads or traveling on state highways. The operator may not hear an approaching vehicle, so passing requires caution and a careful speed choice. Farm machinery does not receive an unlimited right to use either side, and the manual does not require it to leave the shoulder. Continuous horn use is not a safety substitute. Reduce surprise by scanning ahead and passing only when the path is clearly safe.

3. 3. What noise should you avoid while passing a horseback rider?

   1. Pass with caution and avoid using the horn or revving the engine
   2. Honk repeatedly so the rider moves off the roadway
   3. Rev the engine to warn the animal before passing
   4. Pass closely because the animal can move onto the shoulder
   Show answer

   Pass with caution and avoid using the horn or revving the engine. Animal-drawn vehicles and horseback riders can be frightened by sudden noise. The manual says to pass with caution and avoid the horn or a revving engine, because startling the animal can cause a crash. Repeated honking and engine noise are not safer warnings, and passing closely leaves no room for an unexpected movement. Reduce speed, give the rider generous space, and anticipate that an animal-drawn vehicle may turn left into a field or driveway.

Source: the Kentucky Driver Manual, Sections Ten and Eleven: Slow Moving Vehicles and Rural Roads. 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.