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Vehicle Registration & Renewals

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Vehicles

​VEHICLE​ REGISTRATION​​

Registering for the first time

Please visit the Office of the County Clerk in your county of residence to renew your vehicle registration in person. When renewing your registration, be sure to bring the following:

  • Kentucky ​Photo ID

  • Current original (not a copy) proof of Kentucky insurance effective date within 45 days​ (45-day issue date does not apply to Military, Commercial, or Self-Insured policy types).

  • Money for fees and applicable taxes (check with your County Clerk's office for accepted forms of payment)​

  • Vehicles brought into Kentucky from another state will require a Sheriff's Inspection.


​​REGISTRATION RENEWAL​​

​Renewing Your Registration In Person

Please visit the Office of the County Clerk in your county of residence to renew your vehicle registration in person. When renewing your registration, be sure to bring the following:

  • Kentucky ​Photo ID ​

  • Kentucky certificate of registration

  • Current original (not a copy) proof of Kentucky insurance effective date within 45 days​

  • Money for fees and applicable taxes (check with your County Clerk's office for accepted forms of payment)​

Renewing Your Registration Online

  • ​​​​​​​​A list of eligible plates is available online.

  • Vehicles registered in separate counties to the current owner must be renewed separately.​​​​

  • Leased vehicles cannot be renewed online.

  • The vehicle(s) renewed must have unexpired registration(s).

  • The owner of the vehicle(s) cannot have overdue property taxes on any other vehicles they own.

  • The vehicle(s) must be insured for at least 45 days with the same insurance company for database verification.

  • If any of the above does not apply, you must visit the County Clerk's office in your county of residence.

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Your new registration will be mailed to the address on file with your County Clerk. If you no longer live at the address on your previous year's registration receipt, contact your local County Clerk and have it updated before you register online. If the information on any screen is incorrect, click Cancel and contact your local County Clerk.

What Do I Need to Renew Online?

The following items are required to begin online registration renewal:

  • ​Title Number
  • Plate Number
  • ​Debit/Credit Card



Processing, Fees, & Payment Methods

  • Please allow 5-7 working days for online renewals to be processed.

  • ​The non-refundable online renewal service fee is a percentage of the transaction total and is assessed to develop and maintain the Online Kentucky Vehicle Registration Renewal Portal.

  • A $2.00 fee per vehicle will be added to cover mailing costs.​ The online renewal service is provided by a third party working in partnership with the Commonwealth of Kentucky. A portion of the fees collected in this transaction includes funds to develop, maintain, and enhance the state’s official web portal, Kentucky.gov.​

  • Payment methods include American Express, Discover, MasterCard, or VISA.​

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​Be aware of third-party websites that offer vehicle registration renewal services. Renewing your registration through one of these services will result in a loss of money, and your registration will not be renewed. Instead, use the trusted site - our site. We charge minimal fees, and you can rest assured your registration renewal is handled directly by us.

REINSTATEMENT FEE FOR CA​NCELLED REGISTR​ATION​​​

In accordance with Senate Bill 199, KRS 186.040 was amended in 2024 to require the collection of a $40 fee for a ​revoked vehicle registration to be reinstated: 

KRS 186.040 (8) The owner of a motor vehicle for which the registration has been canceled under this section shall be subject to a reinstatement fee of forty dollars ($40), payable to the county clerk. 

Payments can be made at your local County Clerk's office. 


KEEP YOUR LICENSE PLATE​

Your Kentucky license plate now stays with you when you sell or transfer a vehicle. To learn more, click here.

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MILITARY INFORMATION​

  • Out-of-State insurance is acceptable if the customer is Active Duty Military (that individual must be listed on the vehicle title). Active Duty Military acceptable proof includes ​Active Military ID, a letter from the Provost Marshal, and ​LES (pay stub).​

  •  The Service Members Civil Relief Act exempts certain military personnel from paying personal vehicle Ad Valorem tax. Contact the Property Valuation Administrator's (PVA) office​ i​n your county of residence to find out if you qualify for the exemption.


MOVING OUT OF STATE

  • When a Kentucky resident moves out of state, they must title their vehicle in their new state of residency. Some states do not notify Kentucky that the vehicle is now registered in a new state. 

  • To ensure the vehicle is taken off tax records, return a copy of the new state title or registration along with the Kentucky license plate to your local county clerk's office.​​


COMMUNICATION DESIGNATION CODE​

Drivers with any type of communication barrier may request a special code to be added to their vehicle registration, which informs law enforcement officers of potential communication barriers before they approach their vehicle. 

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