Applying for a license plate in Kentucky requires you to go to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. You can apply for customized or personalized plates.

Sample Kentucky License Plate

Types of License Plates in Kentucky

Vehicles must be registered with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) to drive legally on state roads. You’ll require state license plates and a validation sticker.

The standard Kentucky license plate has a blue and white background with dark blue characters and a cloud in the center.

Alternatively, you can choose to get customized or personalized license plates for an additional fee.

Applying for a Kentucky License Plate

If you have recently moved to Kentucky, or if you have just bought a new vehicle, you have 15 days to register your vehicle at a KTC office.

You’ll be required to bring the following documentation:

Proof of insurance
Title
Bill of sale
Valid ID
Payment for registration fees

If you are getting a standard license plate, you may be able to receive it on the same day. Other plates, such as personalized or customized plates, take longer to process.

Personalized License Plates in Kentucky

In the state of Kentucky, you are permitted to personalize the characters on your license plate. You can choose virtually anything you fancy, as long as it abides by the following rules:

Up to 6 characters in addition to a space or dash for passenger vehicles
Up to 5 characters in addition to a dash or space for motorcycles
No vulgar language or indecency
Plate number should not be currently registered

The cost for personalization is $25, in addition to the standard registration fees for a license plate. There will also be additional renewal fees if you get a personalized plate.

Personalized plates are granted on a first-come-first served basis. They take 4 to 6 weeks from the date of application to process. It’s possible that a personalized plate you requested subsequently becomes unavailable if someone else made the same request before your request was processed.

Also, keep in mind, you may not be approved for personalized plates if you violate the guidelines. You will receive a letter in the mail detailing whether or not your personalized plates were approved.

Once you get the pre-approval notification, take a printout of the e-mail and other documents to the County Clerk’s office and pay the $25 fee.

If your request is rejected, you will receive further instructions in the denial letter. You can apply for a new personalized plate or standard Kentucky license plate or appeal the decision.

Custom License Plates in Kentucky

You’ve likely seen the non-standard license plates in Kentucky. There are over 150 types of KY license plates available including various unique and custom-designed license plates. Here are some examples of license plates that you can obtain in Kentucky:

Special Causes License Plates
- Autism Awareness
- Food Bank
Organization/Membership License Plates
- Masonic Order
Hobbies & Leisurely Activities License Plates
- Kentucky Sportsman
- Radio Amateurs
Occupational License Plates
- Police Officers
- Firefighter
- EMT
Military License Plates
- Purple Cross
- Ex-POW
- Veteran of War
Classic Car License Plates
- Antique
- Street Rod

These custom plates come with additional fees. Please contact the KTC for more details about available custom license plates.

Replacing License Plates in Kentucky

If your license plates have been lost, stolen, or damaged, you can visit a KTY office to apply for a replacement.

You’ll be required to submit the following documents:

Form TC 96-167
Payment (for replacement fee): $25

If you believe that your plates were stolen, it is advised—though not obligatory—to contact the police to file a report. This prevents your license plates from being used and abused by someone else.

Renewing License Plates in Kentucky

The decals attached to your license plate indicate when your plate expires. You should renew your vehicle’s registration in advance to avoid any additional late fees.

You can apply for new decals online, in person, or by mail. When you receive your new decal stickers, you can place them right on top of the old ones.

The renewal fees will be fixed each year based on your vehicle and the type of license plate you have.

Transfer License Plates in Kentucky

Your license plates become your property. This means that when you sell, trade, or donate your car, you will keep your license plates. The person obtaining your vehicle would be responsible for registering the car under their name and obtaining a new set of license plates.

If you purchase a new vehicle, you will be permitted to transfer your license plates over to the new vehicle. You must go to the KTC and apply for the transfer.

Note: You cannot transfer license plates from a car to a motorcycle. Plates can only be transferred to the same vehicle type.

Surrendering License Plates in Kentucky

If you (1) sell your car, (2) move to a new state, or (3) cancel your insurance, you may have to surrender your license plates.

You can surrender your plates by mailing them to the KTC office or dropping them off in person.

Costs of License Plates in Kentucky

The fees associated with your vehicle’s registrations are based on weight and the type of vehicle you drive. Some of the standard fees you can expect to pay include:

Standard Plates Fee: $21
Renewals: $25
Personalization: $25
Plate & Decal Replacement Fee: $6
Transfer Fee: $3

When you register your vehicle, you are expected to make the payment right away. You’ll be required to pay property tax, service fees, and additional fees before you receive your plates.

Note: The above fees may vary by county. Be sure to contact your local KTC office to confirm the costs before you register your vehicle.

How to look up Kentucky license plates

It's a good idea to look up license plates if you are going to:

Purchase a used vehicle
Personalize your license plates

All you have to do to look up license plates in Kentucky is enter the plate number and wait for the results. You’ll obtain access to detailed information about the plates, and you can check to see if the plate you want is available.

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to look up Kentucky License Plates and report bad drivers:

Open a web browser
Go to FindByPlate.com
Enter the plate number, and select state
View the report
View images submitted by the community
View videos submitted by the community
Add comments
Add pictures of the vehicle
Add videos related to the vehicle

Car Ownership in Kentucky

Kentucky ranks 33 (tied) in the list of states with the highest rates of car ownership.
93.10% of households in Kentucky have at least one vehicle.
Kentucky ranks 43 in the US for electric vehicle ownership. Only 0.11% of all registered vehicles in Kentucky are electric vehicles. California has the most electric vehicles in the US, while Mississippi and North Dakota have the fewest.
Kentucky ranks 41 on the list of most expensive states to own a car in the US.
The average cost of a check engine light-related car repair in Kentucky is $384. The average cost of full coverage car insurance in Kentucky is $1,979 per year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Kentucky have 2 license plates?

No, Kentucky has only one license plate that must be affixed to the rear of the vehicle.

What does a Kentucky plate look like?

A standard Kentucky license plate is a blue and white background with KENTUCKY written in bold blue letters at the top, a white cloud to the left of the license plate number, the county name below this, and the decals in the right lower corner.

Do Kentucky plates expire?

Kentucky plates expire usually in the birth month of the vehicle’s owner. You should receive a renewal notice indicating the license fee and property taxes due. However, it is your duty to renew your vehicle’s registration even if you don’t receive the reminder.

Does an out-of-state vehicle have to be inspected in Kentucky?

Vehicles purchased outside Kentucky need to be inspected by the Sheriff of the County where the vehicle will be registered. This is to ensure that the vehicle is roadworthy and can be operated in a safe manner.

What happens when I sell or trade a vehicle that has a personalized Kentucky license plate?

You will need to inform the County Clerk before selling or trading a vehicle that has a personalized KY license plate. They will assign a standard plate to the vehicle that is being sold or traded. You’ll need to pay a $6 replacement fee for the plate and decal. You can then keep your personalized plate. If you wish to transfer your personalized KY plate to another vehicle, you can do so by paying a $3 re-issue fee.

What happens if my personalized Kentucky license plate is lost or stolen?

The County Clerk will issue a standard Kentucky license plate to replace a lost or stolen personalized plate. The personalized plate can only be re-issued in January of the following year.

What if someone from another state purchases a vehicle registered in Kentucky?

If someone from another state purchases a vehicle registered in Kentucky and wants to relocate the vehicle to their home state, they should purchase a transit tag which costs $5 and is valid for 15 days. This transit tag can be obtained from Motor Vehicle Licensing Division in Frankfort, KY, in person or by mail. Transit tags are not issued to residents of Kentucky.

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