KRS ch. 186A | Kentucky Revised Statutes, Chapter 186A — Automated Motor Vehicle Registration System

Title XVI — Motor Vehicles

Includes enactments through the 2026 Regular Session.

The KRS database was last updated on 2026-08-31.

Title XVI Motor Vehicles

Chapter 186A Automated Motor Vehicle Registration System

186A.005 Definitions for chapter.

As used in this chapter:

(1) "Approved entity" means:

(a) A motor vehicle dealer licensed under KRS Chapter 190 that applies to and is approved by the Transportation Cabinet to facilitate the title application or salvage title application process through the electronic title application and registration system;

(b) A state or federal financial institution chartered under the laws of this state, any other state, or the United States as a bank insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), bank holding company, trust company, credit union, savings and loan association, or a holding company or service corporation subsidiary thereof, or any agent of any of the entities listed in this paragraph;

(c) An owner of a fleet as defined in this section that applies to and is approved by the Transportation Cabinet to facilitate renewal of registration or maintenance of permanent registration under KRS 186A.127 through the electronic title application and registration system; and

(d) A retailer of manufactured homes, mobile homes, or recreational vehicles, as defined in KRS 227.550, that applies to and is approved by the Transportation Cabinet to facilitate the title application process through the electronic title application and registration system;

(2) "Cabinet" means the Transportation Cabinet;

(3) "Electronic title application and registration system" means a system established under KRS 186A.017 by which title applications, salvage title applications, title lien statements, other supporting documents, signatures, and fees are input and transmitted through the title application and registration process in an electronic format;

(4) "Fleet" means:

(a) A group of at least one hundred fifty (150) U-Drive-It vehicles owned by the holder of a U-Drive-It certificate; or

(b) A group of at least ten (10) nonapportioned commercial motor vehicles owned by a company and used for business purposes;

(5) "Manufactured home" has the same meaning as in KRS 227.550;

(6) "Termination statement" means a statement allowing a lien to be released that is transmitted by:

(a) A form promulgated by the cabinet through administrative regulations in accordance with KRS Chapter 13A; or

(b) A letter from a lender that is dated, signed, and notarized, on letterhead with the name and logo of the lender, that includes the:

Name of the owner of the vehicle or manufactured home;
Identification number of the vehicle or manufactured home;
Filing date of the lien; and
Lien file number assigned at the time of the filing of the lien; and

(7) "Title lien statement" means a document or electronic submission, submitted by a secured party or authorized agent, to the cabinet through any county clerk's office in the Commonwealth, to note the security interest on the certificate of title, or to amend or terminate a security interest on the certificate of title.

Effective: July 15, 2026

History: Amended 2026 Ky. Acts ch. 135, sec. 8, effective July 15, 2026. -- Amended 2023 Ky. Acts ch. 6, sec. 1, effective January 1, 2024. -- Created 2022 Ky. Acts ch. 18, sec. 1, effective January 1, 2024.

186A.010 Automated motor vehicle and trailer registration and titling -- Transportation Cabinet to develop system.

(1) An automated motor vehicle and trailer registration and titling system shall be developed and implemented as expeditiously as practicable in all counties of the Commonwealth. The automated motor vehicle and trailer registration system shall be designed to enable Kentucky's county clerks to produce motor vehicle and trailer certificates of registration in their offices, and certificates of title in Frankfort, by automated means utilizing telecommunication terminals and associated devices supplied by the Commonwealth, to inhibit registration and transfer of stolen motor vehicles or trailers, to improve the capability of detecting and recovering such vehicles, to ensure development of a common vehicle information database to improve efficiency in auditing motor vehicle usage tax, license fee collections, and in collecting personal property tax to provide information to the traffic record system, and to provide improved security interest protection to potential creditors throughout Kentucky while simultaneously reducing the number of forms that must be processed and stored each year in Kentucky.

(2) The Transportation Cabinet is hereby directed to, as expeditiously as practicable, develop an automated motor vehicle and trailer registration and titling system, having, as a minimum, the capabilities or functions described in this chapter, and to acquire and assure the installation of such equipment or services as are necessary to enable the system as described in this chapter to be operated in all counties of the Commonwealth.

(3) All departments of state government affected by the system are hereby directed to cooperate with the Transportation Cabinet for purposes of assuring orderly implementation of this chapter.

Effective: July 15, 1982

History: Amended 1982 Ky. Acts ch. 164, sec. 1, effective July 15, 1982. -- Created 1976 Ky. Acts ch. 133, sec. 22.

186A.015 Automated motorboat registration and titling -- Agencies to implement system.

(1) Except as provided for in KRS 235.050, the titling and registration of motorboats as defined in KRS 235.010 shall be administered through the automated motor vehicle and trailer registration and titling system developed and implemented under the provisions of KRS 186A.010.

(2) The Transportation Cabinet, the Energy and Environment Cabinet, the Department of Revenue, and all other agencies of state government affected by the system are hereby directed to cooperate in the orderly implementation of this system.

(3) The Transportation Cabinet, as far as practicable, and not inconsistent with the provisions of KRS Chapter 235, shall promulgate administrative regulations requiring the procedures for boat titling and registration to be consistent with motor vehicle titling and registration. These administrative regulations may pertain but shall not be limited to the following:

(a) Conditions and characteristics of certificate of title forms;

(b) Comparison and identification of hull identification numbers;

(d) Processing of title applications;

(e) Form of certificate of title;

(f) Notation of security interests or title;

(g) Title lien statements;

(h) Transfer of boat ownership;

(i) Duplicate certificate of title or registration; and

(j) Salvage titles.

Effective: July 15, 2010

History: Amended 2010 Ky. Acts ch. 24, sec. 237, effective July 15, 2010. -- Amended 2005 Ky. Acts ch. 85, sec. 608, effective June 20, 2005. -- Amended 1998 Ky. Acts ch. 289, sec. 2, effective July 15, 1998. -- Amended 1990 Ky. Acts ch. 391, sec. 1, effective July 13, 1990. -- Created 1988 Ky. Acts ch. 163, sec. 3, effective January 1, 1990.

186A.017 Electronic title application and registration system -- Application by approved entity -- Contracts with third parties -- Fees -- Administrative regulations.

(1) The cabinet shall establish an electronic title application and registration system which allows the submission of the required forms and signatures electronically in lieu of the paper application process for titles and salvage titles.

(2) The electronic title application and registration system established under this section shall:

(a) Collect all the necessary information required under KRS 186A.060;

(b) Collect and electronically transmit all fees imposed under KRS 186.040, 186.050, 186.162, and 186A.130, any fees imposed under subsection (7) of this section, and the motor vehicle use tax levied under KRS 138.460;

(d) Transmit the information in a secure manner.

(3) An approved entity that wishes to use the electronic title application and registration system shall transmit all application documents, required electronic signatures, and fees through the system to the county clerk of the county in which either the purchaser of the vehicle resides or the motor vehicle dealer selling the vehicle is located.

(4) When the electronic title application and registration system is fully implemented, a county clerk who receives an application transmitted through the system shall, by 3 p.m. the next business day, either:

(a) Accept the application and forward it to the cabinet; or

(b) Reject the application and return it to the approved entity.

(5) If a county clerk is required to manually enter information from an application into AVIS before forwarding it to the cabinet, the title application and registration system shall not be considered fully implemented. The cabinet shall make the determination of whether the title application and registration system shall be considered fully implemented.

(6) An entity that wishes to become an approved entity for the purposes of this chapter shall submit an application to the cabinet, along with a one hundred fifty dollar ($150) application fee. If approved, the entity shall pay an annual registration fee to the cabinet. All fees collected under this subsection shall be deposited into the road fund.

(7) The cabinet shall enter into contracts with qualified third-party providers to integrate with AVIS and other systems to provide software and programs to approved entities to facilitate electronic vehicle registration, titling, and filing of title lien statements. A third party that contracts with the cabinet under this section may act on behalf of the cabinet and county clerks in receiving, processing, and transmitting to the county clerk title and registration applications, salvage title applications, title lien statements, and related documents and fees.

(8) Any agreement with the cabinet and a third-party provider under subsection (7) of this section shall authorize an online transaction fee to be charged by the third-party provider to an approved entity. A motor vehicle dealer licensed under KRS Chapter 190 who uses the electronic title application and registration system to file the documentation necessary to obtain a certificate of title, salvage title, or registration for the purchaser of a vehicle shall collect from the purchaser any fees charged for the transaction by the third-party provider. The dealer shall remit fees collected under this subsection to the county clerk through the electronic title application and registration system. Except for salvage title applications, any transaction fee charged under this subsection shall be listed separately on the buyer's order and identified as "online system filing fee."

(9) The cabinet shall promulgate administrative regulations in accordance with KRS Chapter 13A to establish qualifications for approved entities and procedures for the electronic title application and registration system.

Effective: June 27, 2025

History: Amended 2025 Ky. Acts ch. 95, sec. 10, effective June 27, 2025. -- Amended 2023 Ky. Acts ch. 6, sec. 2, effective January 1, 2024. -- Created 2022 Ky. Acts ch. 18, sec. 2, effective January 1, 2024.

186A.020 Cabinet authorized to promulgate administrative regulations and institute programs.

The Transportation Cabinet shall have any and all necessary power and authority, subject to appropriate provision of the statutes, to promulgate administrative regulations and institute such programs as are reasonably necessary to carry out the provisions of this chapter.

Effective: July 15, 1998

History: Amended 1998 Ky. Acts ch. 128, sec. 1, effective July 15, 1998. -- Created 1976 Ky. Acts ch. 133, sec. 22.

186A.025 Responsibility and authority for administration and support of system.

(1) (a) The Finance and Administration Cabinet shall have full responsibility and authority for day-to-day administration of the automated system described by this chapter; and

(b) May request the assistance of any cabinet or department of state government in carrying out its responsibilities under this chapter.

(2) The Commonwealth Office of Technology shall assure, to the extent feasible, twenty-four (24) hour, year-round information support to the Department of Kentucky State Police, and to other law enforcement agencies state and nationwide, regarding vehicles registered and, when required, titled in this state.

Effective: June 26, 2007

History: Amended 2007 Ky. Acts ch. 85, sec. 201, effective June 26, 2007. -- Amended 2005 Ky. Acts ch. 85, sec. 609, effective June 20, 2005. -- Amended 2000 Ky. Acts ch. 506, sec. 21, effective July 14, 2000; and ch. 536, sec. 21, effective July 14, 2000. -- Created 1982 Ky. Acts ch. 164, sec. 2, effective July 15, 1982.

186A.030 Computation and collection of motor vehicle and trailer ad valorem taxes.

In order to improve collection of personal property (ad valorem) taxes associated with motor vehicles and trailers, the Department of Vehicle Regulation, in cooperation with the Department of Revenue, shall:

(1) Ensure that the automated system provided by this chapter is capable of properly assigning a value for each vehicle registered in a county, utilizing a value reference manual in machine readable form approved by the Department of Revenue, and a manually entered value for vehicles not shown in such "manual."

(2) Promptly study the feasibility of computing personal property (ad valorem) taxes associated with motor vehicles or trailers, and producing tax bills or notices of taxes due in such regard, and if shown feasible to its satisfaction, implement such capability, or any part thereof, as expeditiously as practicable.

(3) Ensure that the automated system is capable of receiving the record of a lien for unpaid personal property (ad valorem) taxes associated with an owner of a motor vehicle or trailer. No motor vehicle dealer shall be responsible for the payment of a tax lien on a motor vehicle which is received as trade-in or otherwise obtained by the dealer.

Effective: June 20, 2005

History: Amended 2005 Ky. Acts ch. 85, sec. 610, effective June 20, 2005. -- Amended 1988 Ky. Acts ch. 113, sec. 10, effective March 28, 1988. -- Created 1982 Ky. Acts ch. 164, sec. 3, effective July 15, 1982.

186A.035 Motor vehicle registration by birth month of owner -- Alternative schedule for certain vehicles -- Joint tenancy with right of survivorship for motor vehicle or manufactured home jointly owned by married couple -- Clerk's fee -- Renewal of registration.

(1) (a) Except for vehicles described in paragraph (b) of this subsection, all motor vehicles, including motorcycles, with a gross vehicular weight of ten thousand (10,000) pounds or less, first registered, or for which the registration is renewed, shall be placed in a system of year-round registration based upon the birth date of the owner, in order to distribute the work of registering motor vehicles as uniformly as practicable throughout the twelve (12) months of the year.

(b) Owners of the following motor vehicles may elect to register these vehicles on an annual registration schedule of April 1 to March 31:

Farm vehicles registered under KRS 186.050(4); or
Motor vehicles with a gross vehicular weight of ten thousand (10,000) pounds or less that are owned by a business.

(2) (a) If the owner of a motor vehicle is other than an individual, the month in which the owning entity came into being shall be used for purposes of this section.

(b) Except for motor vehicles jointly owned under paragraph (c) of this subsection, if a motor vehicle is jointly owned:

One (1) of the owners, who is a resident of Kentucky, shall be identified as the designated owner;
The designated owner shall indicate to the county clerk his or her birth date to be used for purposes of this section; and
If the circumstances of ownership change and the designated owner is no longer an owner of the motor vehicle or no longer a resident of Kentucky, another owner may title the motor vehicle in his or her name if that owner is a resident of Kentucky. If none of the remaining owners are a resident of Kentucky, one (1) of the owners shall title the vehicle in that owner's state of residence.

(c) If a motor vehicle or manufactured home is jointly owned by a married couple, the ownership shall exist as a joint tenancy with right of survivorship, unless the registration expressly states to the contrary and gives an alternative specific status. One (1) of the owners shall indicate to the county clerk his or her birth date to be used for purposes of this section. Upon the death of one

(1) of the spouses, the jointly-owned vehicle or manufactured home shall transfer to the surviving spouse free from payment of a title application fee. The surviving spouse shall include a copy of the death certificate with the application for a new title. If the surviving spouse wishes to obtain a printed copy of the title, the owner shall apply to the county clerk and pay the fee for a printed title in KRS 186A.130.

(d) A certificate of title:

May bear the connector "AND" to designate joint ownership. If the "AND" connector is used, the signatures of all owners shall be required to transfer the certificate of title;
May bear the connector "OR" to designate joint ownership. If the "OR" connector is used, the signature of only one (1) owner shall be required to transfer the certificate of title; and
Shall not bear the connector "AND/OR" to designate joint ownership. If a title produced prior to June 27, 2025, bears the connector "AND/OR," the cabinet and the county clerk shall follow the procedures in subparagraph 1. of this paragraph in transferring the certificate of title, unless directed otherwise by a court.

(3) The certificate of registration and license plate issued for a motor vehicle first registered, renewed, or titled in this state shall be valid until the expiration date on the registration receipt, unless revoked in accordance with KRS 186A.040 or canceled by the cabinet in accordance with KRS Chapter 186 or this chapter. Any transaction relating to registration or registration renewal which would cause an unexpired Kentucky motor vehicle license plate to be surrendered shall have that unexpired fee prorated or credited against any additional fee required by a subsequent registration.

(4) Except for vehicles registered under subsection (1)(b) of this section, KRS 186.041, 186.042, and 186.162 that have a specified, universal expiration date, after a motor vehicle has been initially placed in the system of year-round registration, the owner shall renew the registration annually during the owner's birth month, either by making application to the county clerk or on the cabinet's website, and paying the fee required for twelve (12) consecutive months of registration, which shall take effect on the first day of the month succeeding the owner's birth month and shall expire on the last day of the owner's next birth month. The county clerk shall collect the fees set forth in KRS 186.040(1) and (6) for each renewal.

(5) At least forty-five (45) days prior to the expiration of the registration of any motor vehicle previously registered in the Commonwealth as provided by subsection (1) of this section, the owner of the vehicle shall be notified on the same notice required by KRS 134.805(5) of the date of expiration. Nonreceipt of the notice required by this subsection shall not constitute a defense to any registration-related offense.

(6) Any owner who fails to renew the registration of a motor vehicle during the month in which the previous registration expired shall, if he or she applies for renewal of the registration in some later month, pay the same fees that would have been required if the registration had been renewed in the month which the previous registration expired, and, if applicable, the reinstatement fee for a cancelled registration required under KRS 186.040.

(7) Fees which must be prorated in carrying out the intent of this section shall be prorated on the basis of twelfths of the annual registration fee. Any vehicle or manufactured home which is registered at any time during a month shall pay the fee required for that whole month plus any additional months of registration purchased consistent with the intent of the section.

(8) The county clerk shall ensure that the certificate of registration issued to an owner displays the month and year in which the registration period begins and the month and year of its expiration, and shall issue to the owner a decal or decals corresponding to the month and year of expiration shown in the certificate of registration which shall be placed upon the corresponding license plate by the owner in the manner required by administrative regulations of the Department of Vehicle Regulation.

Effective: July 15, 2026

History: Amended 2026 Ky. Acts ch. 135, sec. 14, effective July 15, 2026. -- Amended 2025 Ky. Acts ch. 95, sec. 1, effective June 27, 2025. -- Amended 2024 Ky. Acts ch. 45, sec. 1, effective April 4, 2024; and ch. 123, sec. 25, effective July 15, 2024. -- Amended 1998 Ky. Acts ch. 442, sec. 7, effective July 15, 1998; and ch. 565, sec. 2, effective July 15, 1998. -- Amended 1996 Ky. Acts ch. 97, sec. 1, effective July 15, 1996. -- Amended 1994 Ky. Acts ch. 19, sec. 1, effective July 15, 1994; and ch. 85, sec. 1, effective July 15, 1994. -- Amended 1988 Ky. Acts ch. 241, sec. 3, effective July 15, 1988. -- Amended 1986 Ky. Acts ch. 363, sec. 2, effective July 15, 1986. -- Amended 1984 Ky. Acts ch. 37, sec. 2, effective July 13, 1984. -- Created 1982 Ky. Acts ch. 164, sec. 4, effective July 15, 1982.

186A.037 Definitions for section -- Transfer of motor vehicle upon death -- Administrative regulations -- Revocation or changes. (Effective January 1, 2028)

(1) As used in this section:

(a) "Beneficiary" means a person designated to receive title to a vehicle upon the death of the preceding owner or joint owners;

(b) "Beneficiary designation form" means a form that contains the intention of a present owner or joint owners of a vehicle to name one (1) beneficiary to receive title to the vehicle upon the death of the owner or last surviving joint owner of the vehicle;

Means an individual who owns a vehicle with one (1) or more other individuals as joint tenants with rights of survivorship; and
Does not include an individual who owns a vehicle with one (1) or more other individuals as tenants in common;

(d) "Owner" means an individual who owns a vehicle; and

(e) "Vehicle" includes any motor vehicle, motorcycle, motor home, trailer, or other item for which a certificate of title is issued by the cabinet.

(2) The cabinet shall promulgate administrative regulations in accordance with KRS Chapter 13A to:

(a) Provide a beneficiary designation form that allows the owner or joint owners of a vehicle to provide for the transfer of the vehicle's title to one (1) named beneficiary upon the death of the owner or upon the death of all joint owners of the vehicle. The form shall include but not be limited to fields for the following information:

The manufacturer, model, year, and vehicle identification number of the vehicle;
The name of the owner or every joint owner of the vehicle;
The words "transfer on death to," or the abbreviation "TOD," followed by the name of the beneficiary; and
The signature of the owner of the vehicle or of each joint owner of the vehicle; and

(b) Require the county clerk to record the name of the beneficiary on the title upon receipt of the fee under KRS 186A.130.

(3) The cabinet shall make beneficiary forms available:

(a) In each county clerk's office; and

(b) On the cabinet's public website.

(4) Upon the death of the owner, or the last surviving joint owner, of a vehicle for which a beneficiary has been designated under subsection (2) of this section, the beneficiary shall present to the county clerk:

(a) A death certificate of the owner or last surviving joint owner of the vehicle;

(b) Proof of payment of ad valorem taxes on the vehicle for the current year, or if the taxes have not been paid, the beneficiary may elect to pay the taxes to facilitate the transfer;

(d) The fee required under KRS 186A.130 for the certificate of title transfer.

(5) Upon presentation of the documents as required under subsection (4) of this section, the county clerk, subject to any security interest in the vehicle, shall issue a new certificate of title to the beneficiary.

(6) During the lifetime of the owner of the vehicle for which a beneficiary has been designated or before the death of the last surviving joint owner of the vehicle:

(a) The signature or consent of the beneficiary shall not be required for any transaction relating to the vehicle; and

(b) The owner or surviving joint owners of the vehicle may revoke or change the beneficiary designation at any time by:

Selling the vehicle with proper transfer and delivery of the certificate of title to another person; or
Properly executing a subsequent beneficiary designation form that removes the current beneficiary or designates a new beneficiary in conformity with subsection (2) of this section.

(7) Upon the death of the owner or the last surviving joint owner of a vehicle for which a beneficiary has been designated, the interest of the beneficiary in the vehicle shall be subject to any contract of sale, assignment, or ownership or security interest to which the owner or joint owners of the vehicle were subject during their lifetime.

(8) Except as provided in subsection (6)(b) of this section, the designation of a beneficiary shall not be changed or revoked by will, codicil, or by other instrument.

(9) A beneficiary may disclaim the interest in the motor vehicle on a form promulgated by the Transportation Cabinet in accordance with KRS Chapter 13A.

(10) The transfer on death of a vehicle under this section shall be a nontestamentary transfer and shall not be subject to any tax under KRS 138.460.

Effective: January 1, 2028

History: Created 2026 Ky. Acts ch. 134, sec. 124, effective January 1, 2028; and ch. 135, sec. 44, effective January 1, 2028.

Legislative Research Commission Note (1/1/2028). This statute was created with identical text in 2026 Ky. Acts ch. 134, sec. 124, and ch. 135, sec. 44, and those sections have been codified together.

186A.040 Accessible online insurance verification system -- Definitions -- Administrative regulations -- Technical advisory committee -- Notification of cancellation, nonrenewal of policy, or absence of vehicle identification number to insured -- Revocation of license -- Information not subject to Kentucky Open Records Act.

(1) As used in this section, unless the context requires otherwise:

(a) "Accessible online insurance verification system" or "system" means the accessible online insurance verification system established by the department under this section;

(b) "Commercial motor vehicle" means a motor vehicle that is covered by commercial motor vehicle insurance;

Provided to an insured, regardless of the number of vehicles or entities covered, under a commercial coverage form; and
Rated from a commercial manual approved by the Department of Insurance;

(d) "Department" means the Department of Vehicle Regulation;

(e) "IICMVA" means the Insurance Industry Committee on Motor Vehicle Administration or a successor organization;

(f) "Insurer" means an insurer that provides coverage for the security required under KRS 304.39-080;

(g) "Personal motor vehicle" means a motor vehicle that is not covered by commercial motor vehicle insurance; and

(h) "Requestor" means the authorized personnel of any of the following:

The department;
Any District or Circuit Court of this state;
Any county attorney or Commonwealth's attorney of this state;
Any county clerk of this state;
Any law enforcement agency of this state; or
Any other entities authorized by the department, to the extent permitted by state and federal privacy laws.

(2) (a) The department shall:

Provide and receive information on the insurance status of motor vehicles registered in Kentucky in accordance with this section and KRS 304.39-085 and 304.39-087;
Establish an accessible online insurance verification system that:

a. Is used for verification of whether motor vehicles are covered by the security required under KRS 304.39-080;

b. Is interfaced with AVIS;

c. Beginning not later than October 1, 2026, is:

i. Operational; and

ii. Available to insurers;

d. Beginning not later than January 1, 2027, is accessible by requestors to assist the requestors in the identification of motor vehicles that are not in compliance with KRS 304.39-080; and

e. Includes information that enables the department to make inquiries to insurers by using multiple data elements for greater matching accuracy;

On or before January 1, 2026, promulgate an emergency and ordinary administrative regulation in accordance with KRS Chapter 13A to establish, implement, and effectuate the accessible online insurance verification system, which:

a. Shall:

i. Except as otherwise provided in this section, establish guidelines and requirements for the system that are consistent with IICMVA guidelines;

ii. Include appropriate provisions to secure the system's data against unauthorized access;

iii. Specify, in accordance with subsection (3) of this section, the information that insurers shall electronically submit, and the format, manner, and frequency of the electronic submissions, to the system for personal motor vehicles and commercial motor vehicles; and

iv. Establish a period of not less than six (6) months but not more than twelve (12) months from the date of all requests and responses that system data shall be retained; and

b. May establish an alternative method of reporting, in lieu of reporting to the system, for insurers who write one thousand (1,000) or fewer policies or contracts that provide coverage for the security required under KRS 304.39-080; and

Make any amendments to the administrative regulation promulgated under this section or any other administrative regulation related to the system that are necessary to establish, implement, operate, or maintain the accessible online insurance verification system, which shall include any necessary improvements to or replacement of the system.

(b) The department may contract with a private service provider who has successfully implemented similar systems in other states to assist in establishing, implementing, operating, and maintaining the accessible online insurance verification system.

a. By January 1, 2026, publish on its website and distribute to motor vehicle insurers authorized to do business in Kentucky a final detailed guide of the accessible online insurance verification system;

b. Periodically review, make any necessary updates to, and publish on its website any updates to the guide referenced in this subparagraph; and

c. Distribute any updates made to the guide referenced in this subparagraph to motor vehicle insurers authorized to do business in Kentucky.

The guide referenced in subparagraph 1. of this paragraph shall not conflict with, or impose requirements that are not set out or incorporated by reference in, an administrative regulation promulgated by the department under this section.
The Department of Insurance shall assist the department in making the distributions required under this paragraph.

(d) The department and any contracted private service provider shall each maintain a contact person for insurers during the implementation and operation of the accessible online insurance verification system.

(3) (a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, insurers that provide coverage for the security required under KRS 304.39-080 for personal motor vehicles shall:

Cooperate with the department in the implementation, operation, maintenance, and any necessary improvements to or replacement of the accessible online insurance verification system; and
On and after January 1, 2027:

a. Send to the department:

i. A list of the vehicle identification numbers (VINs) of the personal motor vehicles that are covered by the insurer; and

ii. The name of each policyholder for each personal motor vehicle covered by the insurer as specified by the department;

b. Provide access to any other insurance status information for personal motor vehicles that are covered by the insurer as specified by the department; and

c. Submit the information required under this subparagraph electronically to the department through the accessible online insurance verification system.

(b) 1. In lieu of compliance with KRS 304.39-085, an insurer may opt to submit insurance status information for commercial motor vehicles electronically to the department through the accessible online insurance verification system.

An insurer that opts to submit insurance status information under this paragraph shall comply with any specifications and requirements established by the department under subsection (2)(a)3.a.iii. of this section for the information.

(c) Insurers may contract for the services of a third-party vendor to facilitate or otherwise comply with the requirements of this section.

(d) Insurers shall not be subject to civil or administrative liability for libel, slander, or any other relevant tort, and no civil cause of action of any nature shall arise against an insurer or an authorized employee of an insurer for any good-faith efforts to comply with this section, including but not limited to submitting, or providing access to, any information or data required or permitted under this section, even if the information or data is inaccurate or incomplete.

(4) (a) As used in this subsection, "domestic" insurer and "foreign" insurer have the same meanings as in KRS 304.1-070.

(b) There is created a technical advisory committee whose duties shall be to:

Review the establishment, implementation, operation, and maintenance of the accessible online insurance verification system; and
Make recommendations to the department to ensure that the accessible online insurance verification system is:

a. Efficient and operational upon implementation; and

b. Consistent with the objectives and requirements of this section.

(7) members:

Four (4) voting members appointed by the commissioner of the Department of Insurance in accordance with paragraph (d) of this subsection;
The president of the Kentucky County Clerk's Association or the president's designee, who shall serve as a voting ex officio member;
The commissioner of the Department of Insurance or the commissioner's designee, who shall serve as a voting ex officio member; and
The commissioner of the department or the commissioner's designee, who shall serve as a nonvoting ex officio member and as chair of the committee.

(d) 1. The commissioner of the Department of Insurance shall, in accordance with this paragraph, appoint to the technical advisory committee one (1) representative for each of the four (4) insurers:

a. Identified by the Department of Insurance under this paragraph; and

b. That designate, upon request and within a reasonable amount of time, an individual to serve as a representative on the committee.

The Department of Insurance shall identify the following four (4) insurers:

a. The domestic property and casualty insurer that has the largest dollar amount of direct written premiums for motor vehicle insurance in Kentucky as of the date of the notification made under subparagraph 4. of this paragraph;

b. The two (2) foreign property and casualty insurers that have the largest dollar amounts of direct written premiums for motor vehicle insurance in Kentucky as of the date of the notification made under subparagraph 4. of this paragraph; and

c. A domestic or foreign property and casualty insurer with direct written premiums for motor vehicle insurance in Kentucky designated by the commissioner of the Department of Insurance to represent small and medium-sized insurers in Kentucky's motor vehicle insurance market.

If an insurer identified by the Department of Insurance under subparagraph 2. of this paragraph declines or fails, within a reasonable amount of time, to designate an individual to serve as a representative of the insurer on the technical advisory committee, the Department of Insurance shall identify:

a. For an insurer identified under subparagraph 2.a. of this paragraph, the domestic property and casualty insurer with the next largest dollar amount of direct written premiums for motor vehicle insurance in Kentucky as of the date that the previously identified domestic property and casualty insurer declined or failed to designate a representative;

b. For an insurer identified under subparagraph 2.b. of this paragraph, the foreign property and casualty insurer with the next largest dollar amount of direct written premiums for motor vehicle insurance in Kentucky as of the date that the previously identified foreign property and casualty insurer declined or failed to designate a representative; and

c. For an insurer identified under subparagraph 2.c. of this paragraph, an insurer that meets the requirements of that subdivision.

The Department of Insurance shall:

a. Request each insurer identified by the Department of Insurance under subparagraph 2. of this paragraph, and if applicable, subparagraph 3. of this paragraph, to designate an individual to serve as a representative of the insurer on the technical advisory committee; and

b. Appoint the individual designated by the insurer notified under this subparagraph to the technical advisory committee.

Each member appointed under this paragraph shall serve a four (4) year term and may be reappointed.
Vacancies of members appointed under this paragraph shall be filled:

a. Within thirty (30) days of the vacancy; and

b. In the same manner as the original appointment.

(e) Prior to making a filing under KRS Chapter 13A or publishing and distributing, as applicable, the department shall submit drafts of the following to the technical advisory committee for review and recommendations:

Any new, amended, or repealer emergency or ordinary administrative regulation, along with any forms required under KRS 13A.230, required or permitted under this section or otherwise related to the system; and
The final detailed guide, including any updates to the final detailed guide, required under subsection (2)(c) of this section.

(f) In addition to the requirements of paragraph (e) of this subsection, the department shall keep the technical advisory committee informed about, and consult with the committee regarding, the establishment, implementation, operation, and maintenance of the accessible online insurance verification system.

(g) All meetings of, and communications to and from, the technical advisory committee shall be exempt from the requirements of the Open Meetings Act, KRS 61.805 to 61.850.

(5) (a) The department shall immediately make a notification to a motor vehicle owner upon any of the following:

Notification to the department from an insurer of cancellation or nonrenewal of the owner's commercial motor vehicle insurance pursuant to KRS 304.39-085;
Prior to January 1, 2027, if the vehicle identification number (VIN) of the owner's personal motor vehicle, as defined in KRS 304.39-087(1)(a), does not appear in the database created by KRS 304.39-087 for two (2) consecutive reporting months; or
On and after January 1, 2027, if the vehicle identification number (VIN) of the owner's personal motor vehicle, or commercial motor vehicle if the commercial motor vehicle is covered by an insurer that has opted to report to the system, does not appear in the accessible online insurance verification system for seven (7) consecutive days.

(b) The notification required under paragraph (a) of this subsection shall:

Be in either a paper or an electronic format;
Specify each motor vehicle to which the notification pertains; and
State that:

a. The owner's insurance is no longer valid; and

b. The department shall revoke the registration of each motor vehicle to which the notification pertains unless one (1) of the following occurs within fourteen (14) days after the date the insurance became invalid:

i. The owner provides proof of insurance to the county clerk or the department; or

ii. The accessible online insurance verification system indicates that the motor vehicle or motor vehicles are covered by the security required under KRS 304.39-080.

(c) An owner may present the proof of insurance required under this subsection in either a paper or an electronic format.

(d) When proof of insurance is provided in electronic format, the department or county clerk may require the owner to email or otherwise electronically submit the proof of insurance for the department's or clerk's records.

(6) (a) In developing the mechanism to electronically transfer information pursuant to this section and KRS 304.39-085 and 304.39-087, the commissioner of the department shall:

Consult with the commissioner of the Department of Insurance and insurers of motor vehicles to adopt a standardized system of organizing, recording, and transferring the information so as to minimize insurer administrative expenses; and
To the maximum extent possible, utilize nationally recognized electronic data information systems consistent with the requirements of this section.

(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of law:

Information obtained by the department pursuant to this section and KRS 304.39-087 shall not be:

a. Subject to the Kentucky Open Records Act, KRS 61.870 to 61.884; or

b. Disclosed, used, sold, accessed, or utilized in any manner, or released by the department to any individual, entity, or state or local agency, except:

i. In accordance with state law for the purposes specified by this section; or

ii. In response to a specific individual request for the information authorized pursuant to the federal Driver's Privacy Protection Act, 18 U.S.C. sec. 2721 et seq.;

The department shall institute measures to ensure that only authorized persons are permitted to access the information referenced in this paragraph for the purposes specified by this section; and
Persons who knowingly release or disclose information for a purpose other than those authorized by this paragraph or to a person not entitled to receive it shall be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor for each release or disclosure.

(7) The Commonwealth Office of Technology and the Department of Insurance shall provide support and assistance to the department in carrying out the provisions of this section.

Effective: June 27, 2025

History: Amended 2025 Ky. Acts ch. 39, sec. 1, effective June 27, 2025. -- Amended 2010 Ky. Acts ch. 24, sec. 238, effective July 15, 2010. -- Amended 2005 Ky. Acts ch. 85, sec. 611, effective June 20, 2005. -- Amended 2004 Ky. Acts ch. 130, sec. 2, effective July 13, 2004. -- Amended 2000 Ky. Acts ch. 319, sec. 1, effective July 14, 2000; ch. 506, sec. 22, effective July 14, 2000; and ch. 536, sec. 22, effective July 14, 2000. -- Amended 1998 Ky. Acts ch. 442, sec. 1, effective July 15, 1998. -- Amended 1996 Ky. Acts ch. 341, sec. 1, effective July 15, 1996. -- Amended 1984 Ky. Acts ch. 129, sec. 6, effective January 1, 1985. -- Created 1982 Ky. Acts ch. 164, sec. 5, effective July 15, 1982.

Legislative Research Commission Note (6/27/2025). 2025 Ky. Acts ch. 39, sec. 12, provides that: "By July 1, 2025: (1) The Department of Insurance shall identify and appoint the initial four insurer representatives to the technical advisory committee created under subsection (4) of Section 1 of this Act [this statute] in accordance with paragraph (d) of that subsection; and (2) The Department of Vehicle Regulation shall notify the members of the technical advisory committee created under subsection (4) of Section 1 of this Act [this statute] of the date, time, and location of the first meeting, which meeting may include remote attendance and shall: (a) Take place within 30 days of the date of the notification; and (b) Include an informational status update from the department relating to the establishment and implementation of the accessible online insurance verification system."

186A.042 Prohibition against licensing of personal motor vehicles without listing of vehicle identification numbers -- Exceptions -- Submission of paper or electronic proof of insurance card to county clerk. (Effective until January 1, 2027)

(1) On and after January 1, 2006, a county clerk shall not process an application for, nor issue, a:

(a) Kentucky title and registration or renewal of registration;

(b) Replacement plate, decal, or registration certificate;

(d) Transfer of registration; or

(e) Temporary tag; for any personal motor vehicle as defined in KRS 304.39-087(1) if AVIS does not list the vehicle identification number of the personal motor vehicle as an insured vehicle, except as provided in subsection (2) of this section.

(2) If AVIS does not list the vehicle identification number of the personal motor vehicle as an insured vehicle, the county clerk may process the application if:

(a) The applicant has an insurance card in paper or electronic format that indicates the required security is currently in full force on the personal motor vehicle if the paper or electronic proof of insurance card was effective no more than forty-five (45) days before the application is submitted to the county clerk; or

(b) The owner of the motor vehicle is serving in the Armed Forces outside of Kentucky, and the owner provides an affidavit by the provost marshal of the base where the owner is stationed stating that the motor vehicle is covered by security as required by Subtitle 39 of KRS Chapter 304.

(3) This section shall not apply to any transactions involving Kentucky motor vehicle dealers who are licensed as required by KRS 190.030.

(4) For purposes of this section:

(a) An insurance card in an electronic format means the display of an image subject to immediate download or transmission from the applicant's insurer or agent to the applicant on any portable electronic device, including a cellular phone or any other type of portable electronic device, but shall not include a photographic copy of a paper insurance card on a portable electronic device; and

(b) The county clerk may require the applicant to e-mail the electronic insurance card to the clerk, and the clerk may print a copy of the card for the clerk's records.

Effective: June 25, 2013

History: Amended 2013 Ky. Acts ch. 83, sec. 2, effective June 25, 2013. -- Amended 2005 Ky. Acts ch. 24, sec. 1, effective June 20, 2005. -- Created 2004 Ky. Acts ch. 130, sec. 3, effective July 13, 2004.

186A.042 Prohibition against licensing of personal motor vehicle without listing of vehicle identification number as insured vehicle -- Exceptions -- Submission of paper or electronic proof of insurance card to county clerk. (Effective January 1, 2027)

(1) As used in this section, the following have the same meaning as in KRS 186A.040:

(a) "Accessible online insurance verification system"; and

(b) "Personal motor vehicle."

(2) A county clerk shall not process an application for, nor issue, a:

(a) Kentucky title and registration or renewal of registration;

(b) Replacement plate, decal, or registration certificate;

(d) Transfer of registration; or

(e) Temporary tag; for any personal motor vehicle if the accessible online insurance verification system does not list the vehicle identification number of the personal motor vehicle as an insured vehicle, except as provided in subsection (3) of this section.

(3) If the accessible online insurance verification system does not list the vehicle identification number of the personal motor vehicle as an insured vehicle, the county clerk may process the application if:

(a) The applicant has an insurance card in either a paper or an electronic format that indicates the required security is currently in full force and effect on the personal motor vehicle if the paper or electronic proof of insurance card was effective no more than seven (7) days before the application is submitted to the county clerk; or

(b) The owner of the motor vehicle:

Is serving in the Armed Forces outside of Kentucky; and
Provides an affidavit by the provost marshal of the base where the owner is stationed stating that the motor vehicle is covered by security as required by Subtitle 39 of KRS Chapter 304.

(4) This section shall not apply to any transactions involving Kentucky motor vehicle dealers who are licensed as required by KRS 190.030.

(5) For purposes of this section:

(a) An insurance card in an electronic format means the display of an image subject to immediate download or transmission from the applicant's insurer or insurance agent to the applicant on an electronic device, including a cellular phone or any other type of portable electronic device, but shall not include a photographic copy of a paper insurance card on a portable electronic device; and

(b) The county clerk may require the applicant to email the electronic insurance card to the clerk, and the clerk may print a copy of the card for the clerk's records.

Effective: January 1, 2027

History: Amended 2025 Ky. Acts ch. 39, sec. 2, effective January 1, 2027. -- Amended 2013 Ky. Acts ch. 83, sec. 2, effective June 25, 2013. -- Amended 2005 Ky. Acts ch. 24, sec. 1, effective June 20, 2005. -- Created 2004 Ky. Acts ch. 130, sec. 3, effective July 13, 2004.

186A.045 Video telecommunication equipment in all counties.

The Transportation Cabinet shall ensure that each county in the Commonwealth is equipped with at least one (1), or more than one (1), as workload dictates, video telecommunications terminal and associated devices, linked to a computer in Frankfort maintained by the Commonwealth, and capable of enabling the county clerks to produce certificates of registration in their offices, and certificates of title in Frankfort, in a manner consistent with this chapter.

Effective: July 15, 1982

History: Created 1982 Ky. Acts ch. 164, sec. 6, effective July 15, 1982.

186A.050 Conditions and characteristics of certificate of title and computer generated forms.

The certificate of title and computer generated forms required by this chapter shall be designed and printed to make difficult and to facilitate detection of counterfeit likenesses or fraudulent alteration of genuine documents. The bid specifications for the acquisition of the certificate of title blanks shall require, as a minimum:

(1) That bidders have a demonstrable reputation in the printing of currency or securities, and guarantee with an appropriate cash bond that, in addition to any other requirements, the document blanks to be supplied are printed in a secure printing facility, utilizing a combination of the printing process, unique printing plates, paper, and inks to produce high quality documents designed to:

(a) Be readily recognizable as genuine by a layman and by extra visual techniques;

(b) Make extremely difficult the manufacture of counterfeit likenesses by direct engraving, photographic, or color xerographic means;

(2) That bidders guarantee production of a specific number of uniquely numbered documents with guaranteed accounting for spoilage and a guaranteed list of document numbers supplied and those deleted.

(3) That the documents will be shipped to the Commonwealth by an agreed means to assure minimal risk of theft, loss, or destruction.

(4) That the plates utilized in printing of the blanks will not be utilized for the printing of certificate of title blanks by other than the bidder pursuant to a lawful contract with the Commonwealth.

(5) The department, by administrative regulation, may provide for the production of a certificate of title by electronic means.

Effective: July 15, 1998

History: Amended 1998 Ky. Acts ch. 128, sec. 2, effective July 15, 1998. -- Amended 1990 Ky. Acts ch. 391, sec. 14, effective July 13, 1990. -- Created 1982 Ky. Acts ch. 164, sec. 7, effective July 15, 1982.

186A.055 System to withhold title until vehicle identification number compared.

The Department of Vehicle Regulation, in cooperation with the Department of Kentucky State Police, shall ensure that the automated vehicle registration and titling system provided for by this chapter will be designed, equipped, and operated so that, under normal conditions, the system will withhold production of a certificate of title until the vehicle identification number of a vehicle for which a title is sought, and when present, its license number has been automatically compared against the Law Information Network Kentucky (LINK) and, unless it refuses to permit such an arrangement, the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) computerized listing of vehicles reported stolen, and a "no stolen report" or its equivalent is received.

Effective: June 26, 2007

History: Amended 2007 Ky. Acts ch. 85, sec. 202, effective June 26, 2007. -- Created 1982 Ky. Acts ch. 164, sec. 8, effective July 15, 1982.

186A.060 Department of Vehicle Regulation to develop forms -- Reduction of paperwork required -- Identification numbers used -- False or erroneous information.

(1) The Department of Vehicle Regulation is directed to develop, in cooperation with county clerks, auto dealers, manufactured home retailers, and the Department of Revenue, Department of Insurance, and Department of Kentucky State Police, the forms required to record all information pertinent to the registration, titling, and taxation of a vehicle or manufactured home.

(2) The Department of Vehicle Regulation shall make every effort to minimize and reduce the amount of paperwork required to apply for, or transfer, a vehicle or manufactured home title. When possible, the title document itself shall be used as the primary form used to effect a transfer of vehicle or manufactured home ownership. The title document shall contain space exclusively reserved for a minimum of two (2) dealer assignments.

(3) When no in-state title exists, forms shall be designed by the department that require only the appropriate and essential information to effect the application for title.

(4) (a) The department shall constantly review the information needs of government agencies and other organizations with the goal of reducing or eliminating unnecessary documentation. Information being sought for application for title relevant to, but not limited to, vehicle or manufactured home identification, owner, buyer, usage tax, county clerk, or inspector shall be set forth by the cabinet in such a way as to promote flexibility in reaching this goal.

(b) Subject to the limitations of paragraph (c) of this subsection, an applicant for a motor vehicle title shall be required to provide his or her Kentucky operator's license number, Kentucky personal identification card number, or Social Security number as part of the application process.

(c) If a motor vehicle is jointly owned, one (1) of the owners, who is a resident of Kentucky, shall be identified as the designated owner, and only the designated owner shall be required to provide his or her Kentucky operator's license number, Kentucky personal identification card number, or Social Security number as part of the application process.

(d) Any vehicle or manufactured home owned by a business that is licensed by the Secretary of State shall be titled and registered using a Federal Employer Identification Number.

(e) An applicant for a motor vehicle registration shall be required to provide his or her Kentucky operator's license, Kentucky personal identification card, or Social Security number as part of the application process.

(f) An applicant for a manufactured home registration shall be required to provide his or her Kentucky operator's license, Kentucky personal identification card, or Social Security number.

(g) If a motor vehicle has situs and is principally operated in Kentucky, and the owner does not reside in the Commonwealth, the motor vehicle shall be registered with the owner's Social Security number and out-of-state operator's license number.

(5) The use of an electronic medium shall be employed so that forms can be printed by the automated system. Existing statutory language in this chapter and KRS Chapter 186 pertaining to application, signature, forms, or application transfer record may be construed to be electronic in nature at the discretion of the cabinet as provided for by administrative regulation.

(6) Any person who knowingly enters, or attests to the entry of, false or erroneous information in pursuit of a certificate of title shall be guilty of forgery in the second degree.

Effective: July 15, 2026

History: Amended 2026 Ky. Acts ch. 135, sec. 15, effective July 15, 2026. -- Amended 2025 Ky. Acts ch. 95, sec. 4, effective June 27, 2025. -- Amended 2024 Ky. Acts ch. 45, sec. 2, effective April 4, 2024. -- Amended 2022 Ky. Acts ch. 18, sec. 18, effective January 1, 2024. -- Amended 2012 Ky. Acts ch. 113, sec. 1, effective January 1, 2014. -- Amended 2010 Ky. Acts ch. 24, sec. 239, effective July 15, 2010. -- Amended 2007 Ky. Acts ch. 85, sec. 203, effective June 26, 2007. -- Amended 2005 Ky. Acts ch. 85, sec. 612, effective June 20, 2005. -- Amended 1998 Ky. Acts ch. 128, sec. 3, effective July 15, 1998. -- Amended 1996 Ky. Acts ch. 35, sec. 1, effective July 15, 1996. -- Amended 1994 Ky. Acts ch. 405, sec. 38, effective July 15, 1994. -- Created 1982 Ky. Acts ch. 164, sec. 9, effective July 15, 1982.

Legislative Research Commission Note (1/1/2024). In codification, a correction has been made to subsection (4)(c) of this statute. 2022 House Bill 288, which created subsection (4)(c), referenced a "federal employee identification number." However, it is clear from context that the reference was intended to read "Federal Employer Identification Number." Under the authority of KRS 7.136, the Reviser of Statutes has corrected this reference.

186A.065 Prerequisites for operation of motor vehicles or trailers.

Except as otherwise provided, before the owner of a motor vehicle or trailer may operate it or permit its operation upon the highways of this state, he shall obtain motor vehicle insurance as required by KRS 304.39-080, a certificate of registration, and a license plate and apply for a certificate of title in his name.

Effective: July 15, 1996

History: Amended 1996 Ky. Acts ch. 341, sec. 5, effective July 15, 1996. -- Created 1982 Ky. Acts ch. 164, sec. 10, effective July 15, 1982.

186A.070 Registration and title requirements for vehicles, manufactured homes, or trailers.

(1) Except as otherwise provided, the state resident owner of a vehicle as defined in KRS 186.010(8)(a), manufactured home as defined in KRS 186.650, or trailer which will not be operated upon the highways of this state shall within fifteen (15) days apply for and obtain a certificate of title in his name. He shall not, however, be required to obtain a certificate of registration until the vehicle, manufactured home, or trailer is to be operated upon the highways of this state.

(2) On or after July 1, 2010, any state resident who purchases an all-terrain vehicle as defined in KRS 189.010 shall apply for and obtain a certificate of title in the purchaser's name within fifteen (15) days of purchase. The owner of an all-terrain vehicle shall not be eligible to obtain a certificate of registration pursuant to KRS 186.020.

(3) On or after July 1, 2010, any state resident who owns an all-terrain vehicle and creates a security interest on that vehicle shall be required to obtain a certificate of title within fifteen (15) days of the creation of the security interest. The perfection and discharge of the security interest shall be governed by KRS 186A.190, 186A.193, 186A.195, 186A.200, 186A.205, 186A.210, and 186A.215. The owner of an all-terrain vehicle shall not be eligible to obtain a certificate of registration pursuant to KRS 186.020.

(4) An all-terrain vehicle shall not be operated upon the roadways of this state, except in accordance with KRS 189.515.

Effective: June 25, 2009

History: Amended 2009 Ky. Acts ch. 64, sec. 2, effective June 25, 2009. -- Amended 1994 Ky. Acts ch. 42, sec. 9, effective July 15, 1994. -- Amended 1988 Ky. Acts ch. 132, sec. 1, effective March 31, 1988. -- Created 1982 Ky. Acts ch. 164, sec. 11, effective July 15, 1982.

186A.072 Titling of custom-built motorcycles.

(1) As used in KRS 186A.115 and this section, "custom-built motorcycle" means a motorcycle as defined in KRS 186.010(15) that has been built from one hundred percent (100%) new parts to the individual specifications of:

(a) The individual who built the motorcycle who will personally use the motorcycle;

(b) A specific known prospective owner of the motorcycle who is purchasing the motorcycle at retail; or

(c) A person engaged in the business of building and selling motorcycles who is building the motorcycle for purposes of retail sale to an unknown buyer.

(2) A person who has either personally custom-built a motorcycle or who has purchased a custom-built motorcycle shall be issued a first certificate of title after complying with the provisions of this subsection. The person shall, prior to applying for the certificate of title, apply to the Transportation Cabinet for a vehicle identification number under the provisions of KRS 186A.090. When applying for a first certificate of title for a custom-built motorcycle, the person shall apply in the office of the county clerk of the county in which he or she resides and provide the clerk with the following:

(a) Written documentation authenticating that one hundred percent (100%) of the parts used to assemble the custom-built motorcycle are new parts purchased from either a wholesale or retail supplier that have never been used;

(b) Proof of insurance to comply with the provisions of KRS 304.39-080; and

(c) Other information that may be required by the Transportation Cabinet in an administrative regulation promulgated under KRS Chapter 13A. If the cabinet fails to promulgate an administrative regulation governing custom-built motorcycles, the only documentation a person applying for a first certificate of title for a custom-built motorcycle shall be required to present to the county clerk is the information required under paragraphs (a) and (b) of this subsection.

(3) The Transportation Cabinet shall not classify a custom-built motorcycle as a salvage or rebuilt vehicle and shall not subject a custom-built motorcycle to the provisions of this chapter governing salvage or rebuilt vehicles.

Effective: June 24, 2003

History: Created 2003 Ky. Acts ch. 97, sec. 2, effective June 24, 2003.

186A.073 Titling of military surplus vehicle.

(1) As used in this section, "military surplus vehicle" has the same meaning as in KRS 186.010.

(2) A person who has purchased a military surplus vehicle shall be issued a certificate of title after complying with the provisions of this section.

(3) An owner of a military surplus vehicle that does not have a vehicle identification number shall, prior to applying for a certificate of title, apply to the Transportation Cabinet for a vehicle identification number under KRS 186A.090.

(4) When applying for a certificate of title for a military surplus vehicle, the owner shall apply in the office of the county clerk of the county in which he or she resides and provide the clerk with the following:

(a) Proof of insurance to comply with KRS 304.39-080;

(b) Proof that the military surplus vehicle has passed an inspection in accordance with KRS 186A.115; and

(c) Any other information that may be required by the Transportation Cabinet in an administrative regulation promulgated under KRS Chapter 13A.

(5) The Transportation Cabinet shall promulgate administrative regulations pursuant to KRS Chapter 13A to implement this section.

Effective:June 29, 2017

History: Created 2017 Ky. Acts ch. 55, sec. 1, effective June 29, 2017.

186A.074 Titling of all-terrain vehicles.

(1) As used in this section, "all-terrain vehicle" has the same meaning as in KRS 189.010.

(2) The titling of all-terrain vehicles shall be administered through the automated motor vehicle and trailer registration and titling system developed and implemented under KRS 186A.010.

(3) The Transportation Cabinet shall promulgate administrative regulations pursuant to KRS Chapter 13A requiring the procedures for titling of all-terrain vehicles to be consistent as far as practicable with motor vehicle titling. These regulations may pertain but shall not be limited to the following:

(a) Conditions and characteristics of certificate of title forms;

(b) Comparison and identification of identification or serial numbers of all-terrain vehicles;

(d) Processing of title applications;

(e) Form of certificate of title;

(f) Notation of security interests on title;

(g) Title lien statements;

(h) Transfer of all-terrain vehicle ownership; and

(i) Duplicate certificate of title.

(4) The Transportation Cabinet shall ensure that the automated motor vehicle and trailer registration and titling system is capable of receiving and discharging a lien associated with the owner of an all-terrain vehicle. An all-terrain vehicle dealer shall not be responsible for the payment of a lien on an all-terrain vehicle which is received as trade-in or otherwise obtained by the dealer.

Effective: June 25, 2009

History: Created 2009 Ky. Acts ch. 64, sec. 1, effective June 25, 2009.

186A.075 Repealed, 1998.

[Repealed]

186A.080 Motor vehicles exempt from title and registration requirements.

No Kentucky certificate of registration, license plate, or certificate of title need be applied for or obtained for:

(1) A vehicle owned by the United States unless it is registered in this state;

(2) A vehicle owned by a nonresident of this state, principally operated in another state, properly and currently registered and titled in another state;

(3) A vehicle regularly engaged in the interstate transportation of persons or property for which a currently effective lawful certificate of title has been issued in another state;

(4) A vehicle moved solely by animal power;

(5) An implement of husbandry;

(6) Special mobile equipment;

(7) A self-propelled wheelchair or invalid tricycle;

(8) A pole trailer;

(9) A moped; and

(10) An electric low-speed scooter as defined in KRS 189.010.

Effective: January 1, 2024

History: Amended 2022 Ky. Acts ch. 18, sec. 17, effective January 1, 2024. -- Amended 2019 Ky. Acts ch. 22, sec. 2, effective June 27, 2019. -- Created 1982 Ky. Acts ch. 164, sec. 13, effective July 15, 1982.

186A.085 Prerequisites to acceptance of application for title.

No county clerk shall accept an application for a certificate of registration or title, or license plate, unless the vehicle bears an apparently legitimate vehicle identification number, and if required, an apparently legitimate motor and frame number, as indicated by an owner's application.

Effective: July 15, 1982

History: Created 1982 Ky. Acts ch. 164, sec. 14, effective July 15, 1982.

186A.090 Owner to secure proper vehicle identification number from department.

(1) The owner of a vehicle required to be titled or registered in this state which:

(a) Does not have a legitimate vehicle identification number as affixed by a manufacturer regularly engaged in the original manufacture of the type vehicle for which registration is sought, or in accordance with the law of this or another state; or

(b) Has been built from parts; shall, before making application for registration of the vehicle, apply to the Department of Vehicle Regulation for issuance of a vehicle identification number plate, which shall be affixed to the vehicle in the manner prescribed by administrative regulations of the Department of Vehicle Regulation.

(2) The Department of Vehicle Regulation shall establish, in cooperation with the Department of Kentucky State Police, regulations governing the form of application required by this section, and may require inspection of the vehicle before a vehicle identification number plate has been issued and after such plate has been affixed to the vehicle.

Effective: June 26, 2007

History: Amended 2007 Ky. Acts ch. 85, sec. 204, effective June 26, 2007. -- Created 1982 Ky. Acts ch. 164, sec. 15, effective July 15, 1982.

186A.095 Time for application for registration and title on vehicle imported into Commonwealth.

An owner of a vehicle for which a certificate of registration or title, and license plate must be obtained shall be allowed a fifteen (15) day grace period from the date on which he purchased a vehicle or brings a vehicle into the Commonwealth from another state, during which time the owner shall apply for and obtain motor vehicle insurance pursuant to KRS 304.39-080, a certificate of registration or title, and a license plate in his name.

Effective: July 15, 1996

History: Amended 1996 Ky. Acts ch. 341, sec. 2, effective July 15, 1996. -- Created 1982 Ky. Acts ch. 164, sec. 16, effective July 15, 1982.

186A.097 Registration of imported motor vehicles -- Transfer of title -- Inspection of vehicle.

(1) No county clerk shall accept an initial application for a certificate of registration or title, or license plate, from an importer of a motor vehicle not manufactured for sale or distribution in the United States unless the importer of such a vehicle shall furnish to the county clerk of the county where the vehicle is sought to be titled or registered the following:

(a) A manufacturer's certificate of origin in the English language issued by the actual vehicle manufacturer;

(b) The original documents constituting valid proof of ownership in the country in which the vehicle was originally purchased, together with a complete translation of the documents into the English language verified as to accuracy of the translation by affidavit of a competent translator; or

(c) In the case of a vehicle imported from a country that cancels the vehicle registration and title for export, the documents assigned to the vehicle after the registration and title have been canceled, together with a complete translation of the documents into the English language, verified as to accuracy of the translation by affidavit of the translator.

(2) Upon the initial transfer of a vehicle not manufactured for sale or distribution in the United States by an importer of a vehicle, or upon registration of such a vehicle by the importer for their own use, no county clerk shall accept an application for certificate of registration or title or license plate until the following information is provided:

(a) A bond release letter, with all attachments, issued by the United States Department of Transportation acknowledging receipt of a statement of compliance submitted by the importer of the vehicle and that the statement meets the safety requirements of 19 C.F.R. 12.80 (e);

(b) A bond release letter, with all attachments, issued by the United States Environmental Protection Agency stating that the vehicle has been tested and shown to be in conformity with federal emission requirements;

(c) A receipt or certificate issued by the United States Department of Treasury showing that any and all gas guzzler taxes due on the vehicle under the provision of Public Law 95-618, Title II, Section 201(a), (26 U.S.C. Sec. 4064), have been fully paid; and

(d) True and accurate copies of all documents, photographs, reports and all other records submitted to and used in obtaining United States customs bond release authorization from the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the United States Department of Transportation, and on which the authorization to release the bond was based.

(3) Upon the initial transfer of a vehicle not manufactured for sale or distribution in the United States by an importer of a vehicle, or upon registration of such a vehicle by the importer for their own use, the applicant shall, before submitting his application to the county clerk, have the vehicle together with his application for title or registration and its supporting documents inspected by a certified inspector according to the provisions of the KRS 186A.115. When requested to inspect a vehicle pursuant to this section, the certified inspector shall personally and physically inspect the vehicle, together with the application for title or registration, and its supporting documentation. He shall insure that the documents, photographs, reports and other records submitted to the United States Department of Transportation and the United States Environmental Protection Agency, upon which the decision to issue bond release authorization to the United States Customs Service was based, correspond with the vehicle he is physically inspecting, by matching such records with the following:

(a) The vehicle identification number;

(b) The engine serial number;

(d) Photographs of the vehicle (if submitted).

(4) In lieu of the foregoing requirements, the applicant shall furnish to the county clerk proof satisfactory that the vehicle for which registration or title is sought was manufactured in the United States, or that such was lawfully imported into the United States by an authorized distributor from the manufacturer of the motor vehicle.

Effective: July 15, 1986

History: Created 1986 Ky. Acts ch. 69, sec. 1, effective July 15, 1986.

186A.100 Application, procedure, and use for temporary motor vehicle registration.

(1) A motor vehicle dealer issued a dealer plate under KRS 186.070 who sells a vehicle to a person who will title and register the vehicle for use upon the highways of this state or another state shall equip the vehicle with:

(a) The buyer's existing Kentucky license plate if the customer traded in a vehicle bearing that plate and the vehicle will be titled and registered in Kentucky. The cost of this temporary use of the existing plate shall be three dollars ($3), of which the clerk shall retain two dollars ($2). This cost shall not replace any other fees for reissuance of the existing plate at registration of the purchased vehicle; or

(b) A temporary tag executed in the manner prescribed in this section and in KRS 186A.105 and 186A.110, which shall be valid for sixty (60) days from the date the vehicle is delivered to the purchaser. The cost of the tag shall be three dollars ($3), of which the county clerk shall retain two dollars ($2).

(2) (a) A motor vehicle dealer who meets the requirements of subsection (1) of this section shall:

Apply to the county clerk of the county in which the dealer maintains his or her principal place of business for issuance of temporary tags; and
Not apply to the county clerk of any other county unless granted permission by the Motor Vehicle Commission.

(b) When applying for temporary tags, a motor vehicle dealer:

Shall report the number of sales in the previous year;
Shall be limited to an initial purchase of temporary tags of no more than one hundred twenty-five percent (125%) of the number of sales in the previous year; and
May provide the Motor Vehicle Commission with evidence of sales in excess of eighty-five percent (85%) of the number of tags received under subparagraph 2. of this paragraph, and the Motor Vehicle Commission may allow the dealer to purchase additional temporary tags.

(c) A motor vehicle dealer shall make application for temporary tags on forms supplied to the county clerk by the Transportation Cabinet.

(3) The county clerk of any county who receives a proper application for issuance of temporary tags shall record the number of each tag issued upon the application of the dealer for temporary tags, or if a group of consecutively numbered temporary tags are issued to a dealer in connection with a single application, record the beginning and ending numbers of the group on the application.

(4) The clerk shall retain, for a period of two (2) years, one (1) copy of the dealer's temporary tag application, and ensure that it reflects the numbers appearing on the tags issued with respect to the application. These copies may be kept by the county clerk in an electronic format.

(5) (a) If the owner of a motor vehicle submits to the county clerk a properly completed application for Kentucky certificate of title and registration pursuant to KRS 186A.120, any motor vehicle required to be registered and titled in Kentucky, that is not currently registered and titled in Kentucky, may be equipped with a temporary tag, which shall be valid for sixty (60) days from the date of issuance, issued by the county clerk for the purpose of operating the vehicle in Kentucky while assembling the necessary documents in order to title and register the vehicle in Kentucky.

(b) The Transportation Cabinet may promulgate administrative regulations in accordance with KRS Chapter 13A governing this section.

(6) (a) The county clerk may issue a temporary tag to the owner of a motor vehicle that is currently registered and titled in Kentucky.

(b) A temporary tag authorized by this subsection shall be used for emergency or unusual purposes as determined by the county clerk for the purpose of maintaining the owner's current registration.

(c) A temporary tag authorized by this subsection may only be issued by the county clerk and shall be valid for a period of between twenty-four (24) hours and seven (7) days, as determined is necessary by the clerk.

(d) A county clerk shall not issue a temporary tag authorized by this subsection unless the owner of the motor vehicle applying for the tag presents proof of motor vehicle insurance pursuant to KRS 304.39-080. Proof of insurance for a personal motor vehicle shall be determined by the county clerk as provided in KRS 186A.042.

(e) A temporary tag issued pursuant to this subsection shall not be reissued by the county clerk for the same owner and same motor vehicle within one (1) year of issuance of a temporary tag.

Effective: June 27, 2025

History: Amended 2025 Ky. Acts ch. 39, sec. 3, effective June 27, 2025; ch. 70, sec. 1, effective June 27, 2025; and ch. 95, sec. 9, effective June 27, 2025. -- Amended 2022 Ky. Acts ch. 113, sec. 1, effective July 14, 2022. -- Amended 2011 Ky. Acts ch. 5, sec. 3, effective January 1, 2013. -- Amended 2007 Ky. Acts ch. 27, sec. 1, effective June 26, 2007. -- Amended 2004 Ky. Acts ch. 130, sec. 9, effective July 13, 2004. -- Amended 1996 Ky. Acts ch. 53, sec. 1, effective July 15, 1996. -- Amended 1988 Ky. Acts ch. 105, sec. 1, effective July 15, 1988; and ch. 113, sec. 3, effective July 15, 1988. -- Created 1982 Ky. Acts ch. 164, sec. 17, effective July 15, 1982.

Legislative Research Commission Note (6/27/2025). This statute was amended by 2025 Ky. Acts chs. 39, 70, and 95. Where these Acts are not in conflict, they have been codified together. Where a conflict exists between Acts chs. 39 and 70, Acts ch. 70, which was last enacted by the General Assembly, prevails under KRS 446.250.

Legislative Research Commission Note (7/12/2012). The amendment of this statute in 2011 Ky. Acts ch. 5 was to be effective January 1, 2013, pursuant to Section 7 of that Act. However, in 2012 Ky. Acts ch. 12, sec. 1, 2011 Ky. Acts ch. 5, sec. 7, was repealed, and a new effective date of January 1, 2014, was established for the 2011 amendment of this statute, pursuant to 2012 Ky. Acts ch. 12, sec. 2.

Legislative Research Commission Note. Subsection (4) of this section was created in 1988 Acts Ch. 105, Section 1, to provide for the issuance of a fifteen-day temporary tag by the county clerk for out-of-state vehicles being registered in Kentucky. Although this conformed with the existing fifteen-day temporary tag issued by dealers pursuant to (1), subsection (1) was later amended by 1988 Acts Ch. 113, Section 3, to extend the temporary tag period to thirty days. Inadvertently, in the later enactment, (4) was not amended to conform. Pursuant to KRS 7.136, the Reviser of Statutes has made a technical correction in order to make the subsections consistent.

186A.105 Information required for issuance of temporary registration -- Dealer to keep log of each temporary tag obtained and used.

(1) Motor vehicle dealers, their agents and county clerks, before equipping a vehicle with a temporary tag, shall print or stamp in waterproof ink, legibly, in the spaces provided on the tag:

(a) The month, day and year the vehicle was delivered to the purchaser;

(b) The month, day and year of expiration of the tag which shall be no more than sixty (60) days following the date of delivery of the vehicle to the purchaser;

(d) The year model, make and vehicle identification number of the vehicle sold; and

(e) Either the dealer's name, city of principal place of business and the telephone number, including telephone area code, or the clerk's name, county and telephone number, including area code.

(2) (a) The dealer's employee who executes the temporary tag shall place his or her signature in the space provided.

(b) A dealer who issues, or whose agents issue, temporary tags shall:

Keep a log of each temporary tag obtained and each tag issued, legibly showing all information entered by the dealer or dealer's agent on forms supplied by the cabinet. These records may be kept in an electronic format;
Organize the log in sequential order by the date the tags are issued;
Maintain the log at the dealer's principal place of business and make it available for inspection by any law enforcement officer or authorized agent of the Motor Vehicle Commission upon request;
Retain any temporary tags which have been voided as part of the log; and
Retain the log for a period of at least two (2) years following the date of issuance of the last dated tags whose issuance is indicated on any individual temporary tag log sheet. These records may be kept in an electronic format.

(3) The county clerk who executes the temporary tag shall place his or her signature in the space provided. A county clerk who issues temporary tags shall keep a log of each temporary tag obtained and each tag issued, showing all information entered by the county clerk on forms supplied by the cabinet, and shall make the log available for inspection by any law enforcement officer upon request. The log shall be retained by the county clerk for a period of at least two (2) years following the date of issuance of the last dated tags whose issuance is indicated on any individual temporary tag log sheet. The log required under this subsection may be kept by the county clerk in an electronic format.

Effective: June 27, 2025

History: Amended 2025 Ky. Acts ch. 70, sec. 2, effective June 27, 2025. -- Amended 2022 Ky. Acts ch. 113, sec. 2, effective July 14, 2022. -- Amended 1998 Ky. Acts ch. 565, sec. 3, effective July 15, 1998. -- Amended 1988 Ky. Acts ch. 105, sec. 2, effective July 15, 1988. -- Created 1982 Ky. Acts ch. 164, sec. 18, effective July 15, 1982.

186A.110 Restrictions on issuance of temporary registration -- Liability for improper issuance of temporary registration.

(1) A motor vehicle dealer, salesperson, or agent shall not:

(a) Issue a temporary tag prior to sale of the vehicle on which the tag is placed by the dealer;

(b) Issue a temporary tag to a vehicle that has any title that signifies it is not legally eligible for highway use;

(d) Supply temporary tags to another dealership;

(e) Copy or reuse any temporary tag for issuance to more than one (1) vehicle;

(f) Fail to return any unissued temporary tags to the county clerk when a dealership ceases operations; or

(g) Fail to comply with the issuance requirements and recordkeeping provisions of KRS 186A.105.

(2) Both the dealer and the dealer's salesperson or agent shall be liable for separate penalties for any violation of this section or KRS 186A.100 or 186A.105.

Effective: June 27, 2025

History: Amended 2025 Ky. Acts ch. 70, sec. 3, effective June 27, 2025. -- Created 1982 Ky. Acts ch. 164, sec. 19, effective July 15, 1982.

186A.115 Inspection of motor vehicles and documents by certified inspector -- Fee for certification of inspection -- Special inspectors -- Reciprocity between counties -- Modifications of military surplus vehicles -- Administrative regulations -- Exceptions -- Inspection of historic vehicles.

(1) (a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, the owner of every vehicle brought into this state and required to be titled in this state shall, before submitting his or her application for title to the county clerk, have the vehicle together with his or her application for title and its supporting documents inspected by a certified inspector in the county in which the application for title is to be submitted to the county clerk.

(b) An owner of a military surplus vehicle seeking title in this state shall, before submitting his or her application for title to the county clerk, have the vehicle together with his or her application for title and its supporting documents inspected by a certified inspector in the county in which the application for title is to be submitted to the county clerk.

(c) An owner of a street-legal special purpose vehicle, as defined in KRS 186.077, seeking to register under KRS 186.020 shall, before submitting his or her application for title to the county clerk, have the special purpose vehicle inspected by a certified inspector. There shall be a twenty-five dollar ($25) fee for the certification of a special purpose vehicle, payable to the sheriff's office.

(2) For inspections under this section:

(a) The certified inspector shall be certified through the Department of Vehicle Regulation following requirements set forth by the department by regulation and shall be designated by the county sheriff if the inspector is a current member of his or her office or a special inspector appointed pursuant to KRS 70.030. The certified inspector will be held responsible for all certifications required pursuant to this chapter and will be liable for any and all penalties prescribed in this chapter, and shall be available during regular office hours at any and all offices and branches that issue applications for titles;

(b) There shall be a fee for this certification, payable to the sheriff's office, and the fee shall be retained by the sheriff's office for official expenses of the office upon completion of certification, in the amount of:

Thirty dollars ($30) for a motor vehicle dealer that qualifies to have an employee appointed as a special inspector under paragraph (d) of this subsection;
Fifteen dollars ($15) for a motor vehicle dealer that does not qualify to have an employee appointed as a special inspector under paragraph (d) of this subsection; or
Fifteen dollars ($15) for an individual person;

(c) There shall be an additional fee of twenty dollars ($20) per trip when it becomes necessary for the certified inspector to travel to the site of the vehicle rather than bringing the vehicle to the sheriff's inspection area;

(d) A sheriff may appoint up to two (2) employees of a motor vehicle dealer that is licensed under KRS Chapter 190 and doing business in the sheriff's county as special inspectors if the motor vehicle dealer is:

A new motor vehicle dealer; or
A used motor vehicle dealer that has sold an average of one hundred

(100) or more motor vehicles per month in the preceding twelve (12) months;

(e) A special inspector appointed under paragraph (d) of this subsection is only authorized to perform motor vehicle inspections and complete certified inspection forms under this section for vehicles purchased by that dealership for resale and shall have his or her special inspector status revoked if he or she is no longer an active employee of that dealership; and

(f) An inspection conducted in one (1) county within the Commonwealth of Kentucky under this subsection, and the fees paid for that inspection under this subsection, shall be honored by the certified inspector, sheriff, and county clerk in all other counties within this state. A second inspection shall not be required and additional fees shall not be required.

(3) The Transportation Cabinet may require that modifications be made to a military surplus vehicle. Any modifications required by the cabinet under this section shall be made to the military surplus vehicle prior to its inspection.

(4) The Transportation Cabinet shall promulgate administrative regulations pursuant to KRS Chapter 13A to implement the provisions of subsections (1)(b) and (3) of this section, including but not limited to vehicle modification requirements and the creation of a separate electronic inspection form. The Transportation Cabinet shall note that military vehicles were originally manufactured under the federally mandated requirements set forth in 49 C.F.R. sec. 571.7 and shall only require these vehicles to meet applicable federal motor vehicle safety standards.

(5) The following vehicles are excluded from the requirement of inspection by a certified inspector prior to titling in this state:

(a) New motor vehicles sold by a dealer licensed in this state;

(b) Vehicles required to be registered in this state by reason of lack of a reciprocity agreement with another state and for which a nonnegotiable registration document is to be issued;

(c) Motor vehicles operated by a motor carrier under a nonnegotiable certificate or permit issued by the Department of Vehicle Regulation;

(d) Motor vehicles owned by servicemen or servicewomen who are residents of Kentucky stationed outside of Kentucky may be inspected by the post provost or similar officer of the camp, post, or station. The post provost or similar officer shall submit an affidavit stating the name of the owner, the identification or serial number, the make, body style, current license or title number, if any, and state in which currently registered or titled, if any, of the motor vehicle;

(e) Motor vehicles purchased in another state by persons who are residents of Kentucky but are temporarily residing out of state for at least thirty (30) days, but not longer than nine (9) months, may after the purchase of the vehicle be inspected by the state police, a local law enforcement agency, or the vehicle inspection program of another state. If an inspector in another state examines a vehicle under this paragraph, the purchaser may request the inspector to complete an affidavit stating the name of the owner, the vehicle identification number, the vehicle make and body style, the current state of registration, if any, and the current vehicle license or title number, if any. The Transportation Cabinet shall create an affidavit form containing at a minimum this information and shall post the form on the cabinet's internet website. A person using an inspector in another state under this paragraph shall comply with all requirements of that state's inspection program, including payment of fees charged in that state. A person registering a motor vehicle for the first time in Kentucky under this paragraph shall transmit the application for registration, all supporting documentation, and payment for registration and usage tax to the county clerk of the county in which the person resides, and upon receipt of the appropriate documentation, the county clerk shall register the vehicle; and

(f) Motor vehicles no longer located in Kentucky but which require inspection in order to issue a corrected Kentucky title due to error in vehicle identification or serial number may be inspected by an inspector authorized to inspect vehicle identification or serial number by the laws of the state or foreign country where application for a new title has been submitted.

(6) When presented to a certified inspector for inspection and to a county clerk for processing, the owner's application for a first certificate of registration or title in his or her name shall be accompanied by a current operator's license from Kentucky or another state and one (1) of the following documents as applicable:

(a) If the vehicle is a new vehicle not previously registered in this state, the properly assigned manufacturer's statement of origin for the vehicle for which registration or title is sought;

(b) If the vehicle was last registered in this state, and is a vehicle for which a title is not required in this state, a certificate of registration, or if the vehicle is one for which a certificate of title is required in this state, a properly assigned certificate of title;

(d) If the application refers to a vehicle previously registered in another country, the documents of that country establishing ownership of the vehicle;

(e) If the application refers to a vehicle last previously registered in another country by a person on active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States, the county clerk may accept on behalf of the Department of Vehicle Regulation evidence of ownership provided the applicant by the United States Department of Defense; and

(f) Except as provided in KRS 186A.072(2)(c) governing custom-built motorcycles, if the application relates to a vehicle which has been specially constructed or reconstructed, that fact shall be stated in the application, and the application shall be accompanied by the documents specified by administrative regulations of the Department of Vehicle Regulation.

(7) When requested to inspect a vehicle pursuant to this section, the certified inspector shall personally and physically inspect the vehicle, when registration or title is sought in this state, on the following points:

(a) He or she shall compare the vehicle identification number as appearing on both the vehicle identification number plate, and the federal safety standards label of the vehicle which is sought to be registered or titled, with the corresponding number inscribed on the application, and its supporting documentation, and ensure that the vehicle identification number appearing at each described location appears legitimate and that they are consistent with each other;

(b) He or she shall examine the primary odometer of the vehicle and electronically record the reading in the space provided in the inspection section of the application;

(c) After exercising due diligence in inspecting the vehicle and its supporting documentation, and finding that they appear to be in order, the certified inspector shall execute the electronic certificate of inspection according to its terms by electronically inputting in the spaces provided his or her first name, middle initial, and last name, certified inspector number, his or her title; the name of the county in which he or she serves; and the telephone number including the telephone area code of his or her agency, and enter the month, day, and year in which his or her inspection was made, certifying under penalty of forgery in the second degree the character, accuracy, and date of his or her inspection; and

(d) A certified inspector number shall not be subject to an open records request under KRS 61.870 to 61.884 unless otherwise required by a court order.

(8) The certified inspector shall refrain from executing the certificate of inspection if:

(a) He or she has not personally and physically inspected the vehicle in accordance with this section;

(b) He or she has reason to believe that the vehicle displays an unlawfully altered vehicle identification number;

(c) The application and any of its copies are illegible or otherwise improperly executed, or contain information reasonably believed to be inaccurate or fraudulent;

(d) The documentation required in support of any application is not present, or not consistent with the vehicle and the owner's application or appears fraudulent; or

(e) He or she has probable cause to believe the vehicle is stolen.

(9) (a) Inspections on motor vehicles that meet the definition of a "historic vehicle" under KRS 186.043(2) and are brought into this state shall be limited to verification of the vehicle identification number with supporting documentation for purposes of titling.

(b) Inspections on motor vehicles that meet the definition of a classic motor vehicle project as set forth in KRS 186A.510 shall be limited to verification of the vehicle identification number with supporting documentation for purposes of issuing a classic motor vehicle project certificate of title under KRS 186A.535(1).

(10) The electronic certificate of inspection shall not be handled by any person or persons other than those designated individuals within the offices of the sheriff, county clerk, or other state office.

(11) The Transportation Cabinet shall promulgate administrative regulations pursuant to KRS Chapter 13A to implement the provisions of this section, including but not limited to special inspectors classified as dealer inspectors only and the creation of an electronic certified vehicle inspection form and receipt.

Effective: June 27, 2025

History: Amended 2025 Ky. Acts ch. 89, sec. 5, effective June 27, 2025; and ch. 95, sec. 2, effective June 27, 2025. -- Amended 2024 Ky. Acts ch. 103, sec. 1, effective July 15, 2024. -- Amended 2017 Ky. Acts ch. 55, sec. 2, effective June 29, 2017. -- Amended 2008 Ky. Acts ch. 157, sec. 3, effective July 15, 2008. -- Amended 2007 Ky. Acts ch. 135, sec. 2, effective June 26, 2007. -- Amended 2003 Ky. Acts ch. 97, sec. 1, effective June 24, 2003. -- Amended 2002 Ky. Acts ch. 298, sec. 3, effective July 15, 2002. -- Amended 1996 Ky. Acts ch. 35, sec. 2, effective July 15, 1996; and ch. 248, sec. 4, effective July 15, 1996. -- Amended 1994 Ky. Acts ch. 504, sec. 3, effective July 15, 1994. -- Amended 1986 Ky. Acts ch. 319, sec. 1, effective July 15, 1986. -- Created 1982 Ky. Acts ch. 164, sec. 20, effective July 15, 1982.

Legislative Research Commission Note (6/27/2025). This statute was amended by 2025 Ky. Acts chs. 89 and 95, which do not appear to be in conflict and have been codified together.

186A.120 Initial application for title and registration to be in county of residence of owner -- Exceptions.

(1) (a) Except for applications for title or salvage title using the electronic title application and registration system established under KRS 186A.017, application for a first certificate of registration or title and plate shall be made by the owner to the county clerk of the county in which the owner resides, except that, if a vehicle is purchased from:

A dealer other than in the county in which the purchaser for use resides, the purchaser, or the dealer on behalf of the purchaser, may make application for registration to the county clerk in either the county in which the purchaser resides, or in the county in which the dealer's principal place of business is located; or
An individual who resides in a county in which the purchaser does not reside, application for registration may be made to the county clerk in either the county where the seller resides or the purchaser resides.

(b) The county clerk shall ensure that all applications and required supporting documents are complete.

(c) An application received by a county clerk shall be processed and sent to the cabinet within three (3) business days of receipt.

(2) (a) When purchaser of a vehicle upon which a lien is to be recorded is a resident of a county other than that of the dealer, the application for registration or title may be made to the county clerk in either county. The lien must be recorded in the county of the purchaser's residence.

(b) If vehicle application for registration or title is presented to the county clerk of dealer's location rather than purchaser's residence, the clerk shall process documents in a manner similar to that of any application, with the exception that the AVIS system shall be programmed in a manner that the title shall not be issued from Frankfort until the lien information has been entered by the county clerk of the purchaser's residence.

(3) (a) A new vehicle, when first registered or titled in this state, shall be registered or titled in the name of the first owner for use rather than in the name of a dealer who held the vehicle for sale.

(b) Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, a used vehicle not previously registered or titled in this state shall be registered or titled in the name of the first owner for use rather than in the name of a dealer who held the vehicle for resale.

(4) If the owner of a vehicle required to be registered or titled in this state does not reside in the Commonwealth, the vehicle shall be registered or titled with the county clerk of the county in which the vehicle is principally operated.

(5) The Transportation Cabinet shall not require a member of the Armed Forces who is stationed in the Commonwealth to obtain a Kentucky operator's license in order to register a motor vehicle in the Commonwealth.

(6) If the owner of a vehicle is other than an individual and resides in the Commonwealth, the vehicle shall be registered or titled with the county clerk in either the county in which the owner resides or in the county in which the vehicle is principally operated.

Effective: June 27, 2025

History: Amended 2025 Ky. Acts ch. 95, sec. 3, effective June 27, 2025. -- Amended 2024 Ky. Acts ch. 123, sec. 40, effective July 15, 2024. -- Amended 2023 Ky. Acts ch. 6, sec. 3, effective January 1, 2024; and ch. 129, sec. 5, effective January 1, 2024. -- Amended 2022 Ky. Acts ch. 18, sec. 4, effective January 1, 2024. -- Created 1982 Ky. Acts ch. 164, sec. 21, effective July 15, 1982.

186A.125 Application for title or registration -- Department to provide forms -- County clerk to process documents -- Exceptions.

(1) Except as provided in subsection (5) of this section, application for a first certificate of registration, or title, in the name of an owner shall be made on forms prescribed by the Department of Vehicle Regulation consistent with this chapter, which shall be available from any county clerk or on the Transportation Cabinet's website.

(2) Application forms shall be completed, except as to required signatures, by legibly printing in ink, or typing all required information.

(3) The application, when presented to the county clerk, shall contain all required information and be fully executed with all required supporting documentation and fees.

(4) The county clerk shall reject any application upon which the information provided is not legibly printed or typed, the required information is not supplied, not accompanied by required supporting documents, not properly executed with signatures when required, or when the clerk determines that the application is improper or that the applicant is not entitled to registration or title of the vehicle for which registration or title is sought, or in the absence of the required fees.

(5) This section shall not apply to applications for title or salvage title using the electronic title application and registration system established under KRS 186A.017.

Effective: January 1, 2024

History: Amended 2023 Ky. Acts ch. 6, sec. 4, effective January 1, 2024. -- Amended 2022 Ky. Acts ch. 18, sec. 5, effective January 1, 2024. -- Amended 1998 Ky. Acts ch. 128, sec. 4, effective July 15, 1998. -- Created 1982 Ky. Acts ch. 164, sec. 22, effective July 15, 1982.

186A.126 Titles to be held in AVIS -- Request for printed titles.

Beginning January 1, 2027:

(1) Upon application for title under this chapter, the title shall not be mailed to the owner of the vehicle or manufactured home, but shall instead be held in AVIS;

(2) The certificate of title shall be considered to be physically held by the lienholder for the purposes of compliance with state and federal odometer disclosure requirements, and a paper title shall not be required. The title may be in digital or electronic format;

(3) Lienholders may request a printed title by submitting a request electronically through the electronic title application and registration system and paying the title print fees under KRS 186A.130; and

(4) A vehicle owner may request a printed copy of the title by submitting an application to the county clerk and paying the title print fees under KRS 186A.130:

(a) Upon lien satisfaction in the system of record in AVIS; or

(b) At any time, including the time of title application, for vehicles without a lien.

Effective: July 15, 2026

History: Created 2026 Ky. Acts ch. 135, sec. 2, effective July 15, 2026.

186A.127 Permanent fleet registration plates -- Fees and taxes -- Delinquency penalty -- Annual reconciliation -- Administrative regulations.

(1) The cabinet shall establish procedures whereby an owner or lessee of fleet vehicles may be issued permanent fleet registration plates for vehicles in its fleet.

(2) The owner of a fleet of motor vehicles shall, upon application in the manner and at the time prescribed and upon approval by the department, payment of ad valorem taxes under KRS Chapter 132, and registration fees under KRS 186.040 or 186.050, be issued permanent fleet license plates. Except for U-Drive-It vehicles described in subsection (3)(b) of this section, vehicles with a fleet license plate shall have the company’s name or logo and unit number displayed on the vehicle so that they are readily identifiable.

(3) (a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this subsection, fleet plates, which shall be of a distinctive color, shall have the word "Fleet" appearing at the bottom, and the word "Kentucky" appearing at the top. In all other respects, fleet plates shall conform to the provisions of KRS 186.240.

(b) U-Drive-It vehicles owned by a motor vehicle renting company as defined by KRS 281.687 shall be issued regular standard issue license plates. Fleet vehicles under this paragraph shall be issued a decal by the cabinet to denote the permanent registration status of the vehicle.

(4) In addition to the registration fee prescribed by KRS 186.050 for initial and renewal registrations, an annual fleet management fee of two dollars ($2) per vehicle shall be charged. A one-time license plate manufacturing fee of four dollars ($4) shall be charged for plates issued for the established number of vehicles in the fleet. All fees collected under this section shall be deposited into the road fund.

(5) Payment of ad valorem taxes and registration fees shall be made annually and shall be evidenced only by the issuance of a single receipt by the cabinet. The provisions of KRS 186.170 requiring a registration receipt to be kept in the vehicle shall not apply and no annual registration decal shall be required for vehicles registered in accordance with this section.

(6) If a recipient of fleet license plates fails to pay all annual registration fees and ad valorem taxes on vehicles in its fleet properly and in a timely manner, the cabinet may impose a delinquency penalty of:

(a) Ten percent (10%) of the delinquent taxes and fees due, if the failure is for not more than thirty (30) days; and

(b) An additional ten percent (10%) penalty for each additional thirty (30) days, or fraction thereof, that the failure continues, not to exceed a total penalty of one hundred percent (100%) in the aggregate.

(7) All recipients of fleet license plates authorized by this section shall provide the department with an annual vehicle reconciliation and shall annually surrender all unassigned license plates. Failure to comply with this subsection may result in fines of up to one thousand dollars ($1,000) for each occurrence or in suspension or termination from the fleet program.

(8) The cabinet shall promulgate administrative regulations in accordance with KRS Chapter 13A to set forth procedures for:

(a) Fleet vehicle owners to apply to the cabinet for permanent registration for their fleet vehicles in accordance with this section; and

(b) Fleet vehicle owners who qualify as approved entities under KRS 186A.005 to access the electronic title application and registration system for registration renewal and payment of annual fees and taxes on permanent registrations.

Effective: January 1, 2024

History: Created 2022 Ky. Acts ch. 18, sec. 13, effective January 1, 2024.

186A.130 Fee for title application. (Effective until January 1, 2027)

There shall be paid for issuing and processing title documents required by this chapter fees according to the following schedule:

(1) (a) Each application for a certificate of title shall be nine dollars ($9), of which the county clerk shall retain six dollars ($6) and the Transportation Cabinet shall receive three dollars ($3).

(b) Each application for a corrected certificate of title shall be six dollars ($6), of which the county clerk shall retain four dollars ($4) and the Transportation Cabinet shall receive two dollars ($2). If a corrected certificate must be issued because of an error of the county clerk or the Department of Vehicle Regulation, there shall be no charge.

(c) Each application for a printed title shall be six dollars ($6), of which the county clerk shall retain four dollars ($4) and the Transportation Cabinet shall receive two dollars ($2);

(2) Each application for a speed title shall be twenty-five dollars ($25), of which the county clerk shall retain five dollars ($5) and the Transportation Cabinet shall receive twenty dollars ($20); and

(3) (a) Each application for a certificate of title for an all-terrain vehicle shall be fifteen dollars ($15), of which the county clerk shall retain six dollars ($6) and the Transportation Cabinet shall receive nine dollars ($9).

(b) Each application for a corrected certificate of title for an all-terrain vehicle shall be ten dollars ($10), of which the county clerk shall retain four dollars ($4) and the Transportation Cabinet shall receive six dollars ($6). If a corrected certificate must be issued because of an error of the county clerk or the Department of Vehicle Regulation, there shall be no charge.

(c) Each application for a printed title for an all-terrain vehicle shall be six dollars ($6), of which the county clerk shall retain four dollars ($4) and the Transportation Cabinet shall receive two dollars ($2).

Effective: July 15, 2026

History: Amended 2026 Ky. Acts ch. 135, sec. 4, effective July 15, 2026. -- Amended 2009 Ky. Acts ch. 64, sec. 3, effective June 25, 2009. -- Amended 2006 Ky. Acts ch. 255, sec. 11, effective January 1, 2007. -- Amended 1996 Ky. Acts ch. 35, sec. 3, effective July 15, 1996. -- Amended 1994 Ky. Acts ch. 428, sec. 34, effective July 15, 1994. -- Created 1982 Ky. Acts ch. 164, sec. 23, effective July 15, 1982.

186A.130 Fee for title application. (Effective January 1, 2027)

There shall be paid for issuing and processing title documents required by this chapter fees established by the cabinet by administrative regulation under KRS 186.017, which shall be distributed between the cabinet and the county clerk as follows:

(1) (a) For each application for a certificate of title, the county clerk shall retain two- thirds (2/3) and the Transportation Cabinet shall receive one-third (1/3).

(b) For each application for a corrected certificate of title, the county clerk shall retain two-thirds (2/3) and the Transportation Cabinet shall receive one-third (1/3). If a corrected certificate must be issued because of an error of the county clerk or the Department of Vehicle Regulation, there shall be no charge.

(c) Before January 1, 2027, the fee for each application for a printed title shall be six dollars ($6), of which the county clerk shall retain four dollars ($4) and the Transportation Cabinet shall receive two dollars ($2).

(d) On or after January 1, 2027, for each application for a printed title, the county clerk shall retain two-thirds (2/3) and the Transportation Cabinet shall receive one-third (1/3);

(2) For each application for a speed title, the county clerk shall retain twenty percent (20%) and the Transportation Cabinet shall receive eighty percent (80%); and

(3) (a) For each application for a certificate of title for an all-terrain vehicle, the county clerk shall retain forty percent (40%) and the Transportation Cabinet shall receive sixty percent (60%).

(b) For each application for a corrected certificate of title for an all-terrain vehicle, the county clerk shall retain forty percent (40%) and the Transportation Cabinet shall receive sixty percent (60%). If a corrected certificate must be issued because of an error of the county clerk or the Department of Vehicle Regulation, there shall be no charge.

(c) Before January 1, 2027, the fee for each application for a printed title for an all-terrain vehicle shall be six dollars ($6), of which the county clerk shall retain four dollars ($4) and the Transportation Cabinet shall receive two dollars ($2).

(d) On or after January 1, 2027, for each application for a printed title for an all- terrain vehicle, the county clerk shall retain two-thirds (2/3) and the Transportation Cabinet shall receive one-third (1/3).

Effective: January 1, 2027

History: Amended 2026 Ky. Acts ch. 135, sec. 4, effective July 15, 2026; and ch. 135, sec. 36, effective January 1, 2027. -- Amended 2009 Ky. Acts ch. 64, sec. 3, effective June 25, 2009. -- Amended 2006 Ky. Acts ch. 255, sec. 11, effective January 1, 2007. -- Amended 1996 Ky. Acts ch. 35, sec. 3, effective July 15, 1996. -- Amended 1994 Ky. Acts ch. 428, sec. 34, effective July 15, 1994. -- Created 1982 Ky. Acts ch. 164, sec. 23, effective July 15, 1982.

Legislative Research Commission Note (1/1/2027). This statute was amended by 2026 Ky. Acts ch. 135, secs. 4 and 36, which do not appear to be in conflict and have been codified together.

186A.135 Repealed, 1998.

[Repealed]

186A.140 Repealed, 1998.

[Repealed]

186A.145 Processing prohibited when property tax account delinquent -- Exceptions -- Responsibility for ad valorem taxes.

(1) Except as provided in subsections (2) and (3) of this section, a county clerk shall not process an application for Kentucky title and registration from or to any Kentucky resident who has a delinquent motor vehicle ad valorem property tax account.

(2) This section shall not apply to transactions involving:

(a) Licensed Kentucky motor vehicle dealers;

(b) A person who is engaged in the business of storing or towing motor vehicles, applying for a new title under KRS 376.275(1)(c);

(c) Individuals when the delinquent motor vehicle ad valorem property taxes are owed by a previous owner who is not a party to the transaction; or

(d) A secured party applying for a repossession title under KRS 186.045(6).

(3) (a) For any vehicle obtained as the result of a claim on a motor vehicle insurance policy, an insurer and its agent shall not be responsible for the payment of any delinquent motor vehicle ad valorem property taxes owed by any previous owner, when:

Applying for a regular or salvage title; or
Transferring ownership of the vehicle to another party.

(b) The owner of a motor vehicle that was transferred to an insurer or its agent under paragraph (a) of this subsection shall remain responsible for any delinquent motor vehicle ad valorem property taxes owed prior to the transfer.

(4) An insurer shall not be exempt from any motor vehicle ad valorem property taxes owed on any vehicle that it owns:

(a) As a part of its business operations; or

(b) On January 1, that was obtained as the result of a claim on a motor vehicle insurance policy.

Effective: June 27, 2025

History: Amended 2025 Ky. Acts ch. 95, sec. 8, effective June 27, 2025. -- Amended 2021 Ky. Acts ch. 74, sec. 14, effective June 29, 2021. -- Amended 1998 Ky. Acts ch. 128, sec. 5, effective July 15, 1998. -- Amended 1988 Ky. Acts ch. 113, sec. 8, effective December 31, 1988. -- Created 1982 Ky. Acts ch. 164, sec. 26, effective July 15, 1982.

186A.147 Prohibition against registration of personal motor vehicle owned by delinquent taxpayer -- Written tax clearance -- Informal hearing -- Exception.

(1) A county clerk shall not process an application for, nor issue a:

(a) Kentucky registration or renewal of registration;

(b) Replacement plate, decal, or registration certificate;

(d) Transfer of registration; or

(e) Temporary tag; for any motor vehicle if AVIS lists the vehicle identification number of the motor vehicle as owned by a delinquent taxpayer as defined in KRS 131.1817.

(2) The county clerk shall not process the applicable application or issue the applicable document until a written tax clearance has been received by the Department of Vehicle Regulation from the Finance and Administration Cabinet, Department of Revenue, as provided in KRS 131.1817.

(3) (a) A person who has been adversely affected by the refusal of a county clerk to process an application or issue a document under this section may request an informal hearing, to be conducted by the Transportation Cabinet or its agency designated in writing for that purpose.

(b) The request for the informal hearing shall be writing and shall be filed with the Transportation Cabinet within thirty (30) days after the county clerk's refusal to process an application or issue a document.

(c) The only matter to be considered at the hearing shall be whether there is a mistake in fact made by the Department of Revenue or the Department of Vehicle Regulation in the determination that the person is a delinquent taxpayer.

(4) This section shall not apply to any transactions involving Kentucky motor vehicle dealers who are licensed under KRS 190.030.

Effective: July 1, 2013

History: Created 2013 Ky. Acts ch. 119, sec. 5, effective July 1, 2013.

186A.150 Repealed, 1998.

[Repealed]

186A.155 Repealed, 1998.

[Repealed]

186A.160 Repealed, 1998.

[Repealed]

186A.165 Repealed, 2025.

[Repealed]

186A.170 Duties of Department of Vehicle Regulation in processing title applications.

(1) The Department of Vehicle Regulation shall:

(a) Within five (5) working days following receipt by it of an application for a certificate of title in proper form, process the application and its supporting documents in the manner provided in this section, and unless it finds discrepancies with respect to it or its supporting documents, issue a certificate of title in the name of the owner and send it postpaid to such owner;

(b) Within forty-eight (48) hours following electronic notification by a county clerk's office of an application for a certificate of title, issue a speed title which shall be held for pickup or returned to the owner by mail. The clerk shall take the application for title and process the appropriate paperwork as provided for in this chapter. Subject to the limitations outlined in paragraph

(c) of this subsection, the department may provide by administrative regulation for exceptions to the speed title procedure; and

(c) Not exempt vehicles with salvage and rebuilt titles from the speed title procedures, but may extend the processing time on salvage and rebuilt title applications for which the documentation is complete and accurate for up to:

Fifteen (15) business days for rebuilt vehicles that have been branded as unrebuildable in another state under KRS 186A.530(5) and (6); and
Five (5) business days for all other salvage and rebuilt vehicles.

(2) Upon receiving an application packet from a county clerk, the Department of Vehicle Regulation title examiner shall verify that the application form and its supporting documents are complete.

(3) In the event there is a discrepancy between the application form and the supporting documents, the Department of Vehicle Regulation shall stop the application process and promptly contact the issuing clerk to resolve the discrepancy. After resolving the discrepancy, the clerk shall resubmit the application for further review and approval.

(4) The Department of Vehicle Regulation shall carry out the following action with respect to each application:

(a) Examine the owner's application for legibility and proper execution, presence of required information, including required supporting documents, and the presence of required signatures. The Department of Vehicle Regulation shall ensure also that the required supporting documents are consistent in pertinent part with the information shown on the owner's application;

(b) The documents supporting an owner's application shall be examined as to authenticity and to determine if fraudulent alteration has occurred;

(d) Ensure that the vehicle identification number and any other appropriate information with respect to a vehicle for which a certificate of title has been applied for is compared against the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) computerized listings of vehicles reported stolen, unless NCIC is not operational and the department has official notification that it is not expected to be operational within four (4) working days following the day on which an application for a certificate of title is received by it; and

(e) Compare the computer-produced certificate of title for consistency with the owner's application and supporting documents.

(5) The title application examiner shall ensure that each application has received the required examinations as indicated by the presence of each required approval via the application. Upon satisfying himself or herself that an application has passed the required examinations, the title examination certifier shall place his or her approval in KAVIS together with the date upon the application.

(6) The Department of Vehicle Regulation shall withhold issuance of a title, until its questions are resolved to its satisfaction, when it finds material discrepancies or has information giving probable cause to believe:

(a) That an applicant is not the lawful owner of a vehicle for which he or she seeks a title;

(b) His or her application is not in order;

(d) The vehicle has an illegitimate vehicle identification number;

(e) The vehicle is stolen; or

(f) That the computer-produced certificate of title is not consistent with the owner's application.

(7) In the case of multiple owners, the Department of Vehicle Regulation shall require only two (2) primary owners' names to be printed on the certificate of title. Upon submission of the title application, if more than two (2) owners are listed, the primary owners shall be determined by the title applicants. In such instances, the certificate of the title shall note that there are more than two (2) owners. The names of all title applicants shall be documented in AVIS.

(8) When the Department of Vehicle Regulation finds that a certificate of title should be issued for a vehicle, the endorsement of the commissioner of the Department of Vehicle Regulation shall be engrossed upon the certificate of title following a preprinted statement which shall read: I certify that the Department of Vehicle Regulation has exercised due diligence in examining an application for a certificate of title for the above-described vehicle, and to the best of our knowledge and belief, the applicant whose name appears above is the lawful owner of the apparently legitimate vehicle described herein. --------------- (signature), commissioner, Department of Vehicle Regulation, Kentucky Transportation Cabinet.

Effective: June 27, 2025

History: Amended 2025 Ky. Acts ch. 95, sec. 5, effective June 27, 2025. -- Amended 2023 Ky. Acts ch. 5, sec. 1, effective June 29, 2023. -- Amended 2017 Ky. Acts ch. 148, sec. 1, effective June 29, 2017. -- Amended 2012 Ky. Acts ch. 113, sec. 2, effective January 1, 2014. -- Amended 2010 Ky. Acts ch. 61, sec. 2, effective July 15, 2010. -- Amended 1996 Ky. Acts ch. 35, sec. 4, effective July 15, 1996. -- Created 1982 Ky. Acts ch. 164, sec. 31, effective July 15, 1982.

186A.175 Repealed, 1998.

[Repealed]

186A.180 Owner may obtain updated certificate of title.

An owner who has obtained a certificate of title pursuant to this chapter may apply for and obtain an updated certificate, but shall not be required to periodically renew a certificate of title that has been issued to him.

Effective: July 15, 1982

History: Created 1982 Ky. Acts ch. 164, sec. 33, effective July 15, 1982.

186A.185 Department to be custodian of documents.

The Department of Vehicle Regulation shall:

(1) Be the custodian of the original of each application for a certificate of title, and its supporting documents. It shall retain such records in accordance with a records retention and destruction schedule established pursuant to the archives and records statutes of this state.

(2) Furnish on a periodic basis not less than quarterly to other states, either the original, or a copy, or listings of all certificates of title received from them, to include title and document control numbers in addition to the vehicle description and owner information.

(3) Maintain active liaison with other states regarding vehicle titling and its auto-theft implications, and obtain from them on a regular basis, listings of documents reported missing or stolen or counterfeit.

Effective: July 15, 1982

History: Created 1982 Ky. Acts ch. 164, sec. 34, effective July 15, 1982.

186A.190 Security interest notation required on title document -- Notarized designation of debtor's county of residence provides reliance on and relief from liability -- Requirements to perfect title on security interest -- Continuation statements -- Determination of debtor's residence when debtor is other than a natural person -- Discharge of security interest -- Issuance of new ownership document to creditor in possession upon certain conditions -- Fees -- Electronic transmission of liens.

(1) Except as provided in subsection (6) of this section and in KRS 355.9-311(4), the perfection of a security interest in any property for which has been issued a Kentucky certificate of title shall be by notation on the certificate of title which shall be deemed to have occurred when the provisions of subsection (3) of this section have been complied with. Discharge of a security interest shall be by notation on the certificate of title. Notation shall be made by the entry of information required by subsection (9) of this section into the Automated Vehicle Information System. The notation of the security interest on the certificate of title shall be in accordance with this chapter and shall remain effective from the date on which the security interest is noted on the certificate of title for a period of ten (10) years, or, in the case of a manufactured home, for a period of thirty (30) years, or until discharged under this chapter and KRS Chapter 186. The filing of a continuation statement within the six (6) months preceding the expiration of the initial period of a notation's effectiveness extends the expiration date for five (5) additional years, commencing on the day the notation would have expired in the absence of the filing. Succeeding continuation statements may be filed in the same manner to continue the effectiveness of the initial notation.

(2) A motor vehicle dealer, a secured party or its representative, an assignee of a retail installment contract lender, the cabinet, or a county clerk shall rely on a county of residence designated by the debtor on any approved, notarized state form utilized in lien titling or the title transfer process signed by the debtor. Reliance on the foregoing by the motor vehicle dealer, secured parties, cabinet, and county clerk shall relieve those persons from liability to any third party claiming failure to comply with this section.

(3) Except as provided in subsection (6) of this section, the notation of security interests relating to property required to be titled under this chapter in Kentucky through the cabinet shall be done in the office of a county clerk. The notation of a security interest shall reflect the county in which the debtor resides as determined by subsections (2) and (4) of this section. The security interest shall be deemed to be noted on the certificate of title and perfected, or deemed perfected at the time the security interest attaches as provided in KRS 355.9-203, if in compliance with KRS 186A.195(8), when a title lien statement:

(a) Is received by the county clerk, together with the required fees;

(b) Describes the titled vehicle, or vehicle to be titled, by year, model, make, and vehicle identification number;

(c) Provides the name of the secured party, or a representative of the secured party, together with the additional information about the secured party required by subsection (9) of this section with reasonable particularity; and

(d) Includes the date and time-stamped entry of the notation of the security interest by the county clerk of the required information in the Automated Vehicle Information System (AVIS), or its successor title processing system maintained by the Division of Motor Vehicle Licensing of the Transportation Cabinet.

(4) Except as provided in subsection (6) of this section, if the debtor is other than a natural person, the following provisions govern the determination of the county of the debtor's residence:

(a) A partnership shall be deemed a resident of the county in which its principal place of business in this state is located. If the debtor does not have a place of business in this state, then the debtor shall be deemed a nonresident for purposes of filing in this state;

(b) A limited partnership organized under KRS Chapter 362 or as defined in KRS 362.2-102(14) shall be deemed a resident of the county in which its principal place of business is located, as set forth in its certificate of limited partnership or most recent amendment thereto filed pursuant to KRS Chapter 362 or 362.2-202. If the office is not located in this state, the debtor shall be deemed a nonresident for purposes of filing in this state;

(c) A limited partnership not organized under the laws of this state and authorized to do business in this state shall be deemed a resident of the county in which the office of its process agent is located, as set forth in the designation or most recent amendment thereto filed with the Secretary of State of the Commonwealth of Kentucky;

(d) A corporation organized under KRS Chapter 271B, 273, or 274 or a limited liability company organized under KRS Chapter 275 shall be deemed a resident of the county in which its registered office is located, as set forth in its most recent corporate filing with the Secretary of State which officially designates its current registered office;

(e) A corporation not organized under the laws of this state, but authorized to transact or do business in this state under KRS Chapter 271B, 273, or 274, or a limited liability company not organized under the laws of this state, but authorized to transact business in this state under KRS Chapter 275, shall be deemed a resident of the county in which its registered office is located, as set forth in its most recent filing with the Secretary of State which officially designates its current registered office;

(f) A cooperative corporation or association organized under KRS Chapter 272 shall be deemed a resident of the county in which its principal business is transacted, as set forth in its articles of incorporation or most recent amendment thereto filed with the Secretary of State of the Commonwealth of Kentucky;

(g) A cooperative corporation organized under KRS Chapter 279 shall be deemed a resident of the county in which its principal office is located, as set forth in its articles of incorporation or most recent amendment thereto filed with the Secretary of State of the Commonwealth of Kentucky;

(h) A business trust organized under KRS Chapter 386 shall be deemed a resident of the county in which its principal place of business is located, as evidenced by the recordation of its declaration of trust in that county pursuant to KRS Chapter 386;

(i) A credit union organized under Subtitle 6 of KRS Chapter 286 shall be deemed a resident of the county in which its principal place of business is located, as set forth in its articles of incorporation or most recent amendment thereto filed with the Secretary of State of the Commonwealth of Kentucky; and

(j) Any other organization defined in KRS 355.1-201 shall be deemed a resident of the county in which its principal place of business in this state is located, except that any limited liability company, limited liability partnership, limited partnership, or corporation not organized under the laws of this state and not authorized to transact or do business in this state shall be deemed a nonresident for purposes of filing in this state. If the organization does not have a place of business in this state, then it shall be deemed a nonresident for purposes of filing in this state. If the debtor does not reside in the Commonwealth, the notation of the security interest shall be done in the office of the county clerk in which the property is principally situated or operated. Notwithstanding the existence of any filed financing statement under the provisions of KRS Chapter 355 relating to any property registered or titled in Kentucky, the sole means of perfecting and discharging a security interest in property for which a certificate of title is required by this chapter is by notation on the property's certificate of title under the provisions of this chapter or in accordance with the provisions of KRS 186.045(3). In other respects the security interest is governed by the provisions of KRS Chapter 355.

(5) Except as provided in subsection (6) of this section, before ownership of property subject to a lien evidenced by notation on the certificate of title may be transferred, the transferor shall obtain the release of the prior liens in his or her name against the property being transferred. Once a security interest has been noted on the owner's title, a subsequent title shall not be issued by any county clerk free of the notation unless it has been noted in the system of record established under KRS 186A.195 that the security interest has been discharged. If this requirement is met, information relating to any security interest shown on the title as having been discharged may be omitted from the title to be issued by the clerk. If information relating to the discharge of a security interest is presented to a clerk under the provisions of KRS 186.045(3), the clerk shall discharge the security interest and remove the lien information from AVIS.

(6) Notwithstanding subsections (1) to (5) of this section, a county clerk shall, following inspection of the vehicle by the sheriff, to determine that the vehicle has not been stolen, issue a new ownership document to a vehicle, clear of all prior liens, to a person after he or she provides to the county clerk an affidavit devised by the Transportation Cabinet and completed by the person. The ownership document presented as a result of this affidavit shall be in accordance with subsection (7) of this section. In the affidavit, the affiant shall attest that:

(a) The affiant or the agent of the affiant possesses the vehicle;

(b) Before he or she provided the notices required by paragraphs (c) and (d) of this subsection:

A debt on the vehicle has been owed him or her for more than thirty (30) days;
Within thirty (30) days of payment of damages by an insurance company and receipt by the current owner of the motor vehicle or lienholder of damages pursuant to a claim settlement which required transfer of the vehicle to the insurance company, the insurance company has been unable to obtain:

a. A properly endorsed certificate of title on the vehicle from the current owner; and

b. If applicable, any lien satisfactions; or

a. The vehicle was voluntarily towed or transported pursuant to a request of the current owner or an insurance company that a motor vehicle dealer, licensed as a used motor vehicle dealer and motor vehicle auction dealer, take possession of and store the motor vehicle in the regular course of business; and

b. Within forty-five (45) days of taking possession of the motor vehicle, the motor vehicle dealer has not been paid storage fees by the current owner or lienholder and has not been provided both a properly endorsed certificate of title and if applicable, any lien satisfactions;

(c) More than thirty (30) days before presenting the affidavit to the county clerk, the affiant attempted to notify the owner of the vehicle and all known lienholders, including those noted on the title, by certified mail, return receipt requested, or by a nationally recognized courier service, of his or her name, address, and telephone number as well as his or her intention to obtain a new title or salvage title, as applicable, clear of all prior liens, unless the owner or a lienholder objects in writing;

(d) More than fourteen (14) days before presenting the affidavit to the county clerk, the affiant had published a legal notice stating his or her intention to obtain title to the vehicle. The legal notice appeared at least twice in a seven

(7) day period in a newspaper with circulation in the county. The legal notice stated:

The affiant's name, address, and telephone number;
The owner's name;
The names of all known lienholders, including those noted on the title;
The vehicle's make, model, and year; and
The affiant's intention to obtain title to the vehicle unless the owner or a lienholder objects in writing within fourteen (14) days after the last publication of the legal notice; and

(e) Neither the owner nor a lienholder has objected in writing to the affiant's right to obtain title to the vehicle.

(7) (a) If subsection (6)(b)1. of this section applies, the new ownership document shall be a title.

(b) If subsection (6)(b)2. or 3. of this section applies, the new ownership document shall be a salvage title if the vehicle meets the requirements for a salvage title as stated in KRS 186A.520.

(c) If subsection (6)(b)2. or 3. of this section applies and the vehicle does not meet the requirements for a salvage title as stated in KRS 186A.520, the new ownership document shall be a title.

(8) No more than two (2) active security interests may be noted upon a certificate of title.

(9) In noting a security interest upon a certificate of title, the county clerk shall ensure that the certificate of title bears the lienholder's name, mailing address and zip code, the date the lien was noted, the notation number, and the county in which the security interest was noted. The clerk shall obtain the information required by this subsection for notation upon the certificate of title from the title lien statement described in KRS 186A.195.

(10) For all the costs incurred in the notation and discharge of a security interest on the certificate of title, the county clerk shall receive the fee prescribed by KRS 64.012. The fee prescribed by this subsection shall be paid at the time of submittal of the title lien statement described in KRS 186A.195.

(11) A copy of the application, certified by the county clerk, indicating the lien will be noted on the certificate of title shall be forwarded to the lienholder.

(12) (a) Any lien or security interest filed under this chapter may be electronically transmitted to the cabinet through the electronic title application and registration system.

(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section and KRS 186A.015 and 186A.074 that require a lien to be noted on the face of the title, if there are one (1) or more liens on a motor vehicle, the cabinet may electronically notify the first lienholder of any additional liens.

(c) Subsequent lien satisfactions may be electronically transmitted to the cabinet and shall include the name and address of the person satisfying the lien.

(d) When liens and lien satisfactions are electronically transmitted, a clean certificate of title shall not be issued until the last lien is satisfied.

(e) A duly certified copy of the cabinet's electronic record of the lien shall be admissible in any civil, criminal, or administrative proceedings in this state as evidence of the existence of the lien.

(13) If a security interest expires without being renewed, the cabinet shall remove the lien from the certificate of title in the AVIS system.

Effective: July 15, 2026

History: Amended 2026 Ky. Acts ch. 100, sec. 3, effective July 15, 2026. -- Amended 2025 Ky. Acts ch. 95, sec. 6, effective June 27, 2025. -- Amended 2022 Ky. Acts ch. 18, sec. 9, effective January 1, 2025. -- Amended 2020 Ky. Acts ch. 119, sec. 1, effective July 15, 2020. -- Amended 2018 Ky. Acts ch. 117, sec. 2, effective July 14, 2018. -- Amended 2017 Ky. Acts ch. 31, sec. 1, effective June 29, 2017. -- Amended 2016 Ky. Acts ch. 11, sec. 1, effective July 15, 2016; and ch. 118, sec. 1, effective July 15, 2016. -- Amended 2006 Ky. Acts ch. 149, sec. 225, effective July 12, 2006; and ch. 242, sec. 63, effective July 12, 2006. -- Amended 2003 Ky. Acts ch. 103, sec. 2, effective June 24, 2003. -- Amended 2001 Ky. Acts ch. 65, sec. 1, effective July 1, 2001. -- Amended 2000 Ky. Acts ch. 408, sec. 179, effective July 1, 2001. -- Amended 1996 Ky. Acts ch. 297, sec. 1, effective July 15, 1996. -- Amended 1990 Ky. Acts ch. 478, sec. 4, effective July 13, 1990. -- Amended 1988 Ky. Acts ch. 132, sec. 2, effective March 31, 1988. -- Amended 1986 Ky. Acts ch. 118, sec. 97, effective July 1, 1987. -- Created 1982 Ky. Acts ch. 164, sec. 35, effective July 15, 1982.

Legislative Research Commission Note (6/29/2023). The effective date of the amendments to this statute in 2022 Ky. Acts ch. 18, sec. 9, was changed from January 1, 2024, to January 1, 2025, in 2023 Ky. Acts ch. 6, sec. 7.

Legislative Research Commission Note (7/12/2006). 2006 Ky. Acts ch. 247 instructs the Reviser of Statutes to adjust KRS references throughout the statutes to conform with the 2006 renumbering of the Financial Services Code, KRS Chapter 286. Such an adjustment has been made in this statute.

186A.191 Terminal rental adjustment clauses -- Vehicle leases that are not sales or security interests.

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a lease transaction does not create a sale or security interest in a motor vehicle or trailer merely because the lease contains a terminal rental adjustment clause that provides that the rental price is permitted or required to be adjusted up or down by reference to the amount of money realized upon the sale or other disposition of the motor vehicle or trailer.

Effective: July 12, 2012

History: Created 2012 Ky. Acts ch. 132, sec. 101, effective July 12, 2012.

186A.193 Title lien statement.

The title lien statement, provided for in KRS 186A.195, shall be developed by January 1, 1987 by the Transportation Cabinet, in cooperation with county clerks, financial institutions and auto dealers. The Transportation Cabinet shall ensure that the title lien statement is in a similar form and contains the same information as that provided for in KRS 355.9-502(1) and, where applicable, include the year, make, and identification number of the titled property.

Effective: July 1, 2001

History: Amended 2000 Ky. Acts ch. 408, sec. 180, effective July 1, 2001. -- Amended 1988 Ky. Acts ch. 132, sec. 3, effective March 31, 1988. -- Created 1986 Ky. Acts ch. 118, sec. 95, effective January 1, 1987.

186A.195 Submission of title lien statement -- Acceptance of electronic signature -- Entry of information by county clerk -- Certificate of registration -- Pending lien -- Fee for filing through electronic system -- Perfection of security interest.

(1) As used in this section, submission of a title lien statement refers to the presentation of a title lien statement, along with the fees required under KRS 64.012(1)(b), to the cabinet through any county clerk's office in the Commonwealth.

(2) A title lien statement bearing an electronic signature, as defined in KRS 369.102, shall be accepted in accordance with KRS 369.107 and shall not require notarization.

(3) Upon submission of a title lien statement, the county clerk shall use the information on the form to note the security interest on the certificate of title in accordance with KRS 186A.190(9). Title lien statements may be made available to the general public. However, public availability of a title lien statement shall not be considered necessary or effective to perfect a security interest in property required to be registered or titled in accordance with this chapter.

(4) (a) If the submission of a title lien statement accompanies the application for first title of any property in the name of an owner, the county clerk shall enter the information required by KRS 186A.190(9) into the system of record so as to allow the cabinet to:

Use the system of record as a centralized, statewide repository for lien filings; and
Produce a certificate of title bearing the information designated by KRS 186A.190(9), as well as any other information required by the cabinet.

(b) After the information has been entered, the county clerk shall produce a certificate of registration, if required.

(5) (a) If the form prescribed by KRS 186A.060 indicates a pending lien, but the title lien statement does not accompany the application for title, the county clerk shall enter into the system of record the name and address of the lienholder or that a lien is pending. The county clerk shall indicate a title shall not be issued until either the title lien statement and the required fees are submitted, or in thirty (30) days, whichever occurs first. The county clerk shall then issue the registration.

(b) After submission of the title lien statement, the county clerk shall enter the date of lien notation and the notation number into the system of record, enabling the cabinet to record the lien in the system of record and produce a title.

(6) If a certificate of title is issued after the thirty (30) day time window identified in subsection (5) of this section has expired without the notation of a security interest, or if a title has been issued because there was no provision made for a lien to be noted within thirty (30) days, a secured party wishing to note a security interest on a title shall submit a title lien statement. The county clerk shall enter the information required by KRS 186A.190(9) into the system of record and a new certificate of title reflecting the security interest shall be produced.

(7) The fee for the filing of a title lien statement through the electronic title application and registration system shall be transferred electronically to the county clerk of the county in which the debtor resides.

(8) The security interest noted on the certificate of title shall be deemed perfected at the time the security interest attaches in accordance with KRS 355.9-203 if the secured party submits a properly completed title lien statement with application for first title or, in the case of property previously titled in the name of the debtor, within thirty

(30) days of attachment. Otherwise, the security interest shall be deemed perfected at the time that the title lien statement is submitted.

Effective: June 27, 2025

History: Amended 2025 Ky. Acts ch. 95, sec. 7, effective June 27, 2025. -- Repealed and reenacted 2022 Ky. Acts ch. 18, sec. 6, effective January 1, 2025. -- Amended 2020 Ky. Acts ch. 119, sec. 2, effective July 15, 2020. -- Amended 2017 Ky. Acts ch. 31, sec. 2, effective June 29, 2017. -- Amended 2016 Ky. Acts ch. 118, sec. 2, effective July 15, 2016. -- Amended 2000 Ky. Acts ch. 408, sec. 181, effective July 1, 2001. -- Amended 1996 Ky. Acts ch. 297, sec. 2, effective July 15, 1996. -- Amended 1988 Ky. Acts ch. 132, sec. 4, effective March 31, 1988. -- Amended 1986 Ky. Acts ch. 118, sec. 98, effective July 1, 1987. -- Created 1982 Ky. Acts ch. 164, sec. 36, effective July 15, 1982.

Legislative Research Commission Note (6/29/2023). The effective date of the repeal and reenactment of this statute in 2022 Ky. Acts ch. 18, sec. 6, was changed from January 1, 2024, to January 1, 2025, in 2023 Ky. Acts ch. 6, sec. 7.

186A.196 Repealed, 2000.

[Repealed]

186A.197 Repealed, 2000.

[Repealed]

186A.200 Time period for submission of title lien statement -- Entry of information into system.

(1) With respect to a vehicle or manufactured home previously titled in the name of its debtor, the secured party shall, within thirty (30) days after execution of the security agreement, submit a title lien statement in accordance with KRS 186A.195.

(2) The county clerk shall enter the information required by KRS 186A.190(9) into the system of record established under KRS 186A.195, enabling the cabinet to record the lien in the system of record and produce a title.

Effective: July 15, 2026

History: Amended 2026 Ky. Acts ch. 135, sec. 10, effective July 15, 2026. -- Amended 2022 Ky. Acts ch. 18, sec. 7, effective January 1, 2025. -- Amended 2020 Ky. Acts ch. 119, sec. 3, effective July 15, 2020. -- Amended 2017 Ky. Acts ch. 31, sec. 3, effective June 29, 2017. -- Amended 2016 Ky. Acts ch. 118, sec. 3, effective July 15, 2016. -- Amended 2000 Ky. Acts ch. 408, sec. 182, effective July 1, 2001. -- Amended 1998 Ky. Acts ch. 128, sec. 13, effective July 15, 1998. -- Amended 1996 Ky. Acts ch. 297, sec. 3, effective July 15, 1996. -- Amended 1986 Ky. Acts ch. 118, sec. 99, effective July 1, 1987. -- Created 1982 Ky. Acts ch. 164, sec. 37, effective July 15, 1982.

Legislative Research Commission Note (6/29/2023). The effective date of the amendments to this statute in 2022 Ky. Acts ch. 18, sec. 7, was changed from January 1, 2024, to January 1, 2025, in 2023 Ky. Acts ch. 6, sec. 7.

186A.201 Lienholder, motor vehicle dealer, and manufactured home retailer to use electronic title application and registration system and centralized lien management system, as applicable -- Exceptions -- Duties of Transportation Cabinet.

(1) Beginning July 1, 2027:

(a) 1. Except as provided in subparagraph 2. of this paragraph, a lienholder shall use the electronic title application and registration system to submit liens and lien documents.

This paragraph shall not apply to lienholders who are not normally engaged in the business of financing motor vehicles or manufactured homes and are exempted by the department; and

(b) 1. Except as provided in subparagraph 2. of this paragraph, a motor vehicle dealer licensed under KRS Chapter 190 or a manufactured home retailer licensed under KRS Chapter 227 shall use the electronic title application and registration system and the centralized lien management system to submit title, registration, and lien documents.

This paragraph shall not apply to any motor vehicle dealer who submits less than twenty-five (25) title applications annually.

(2) The Transportation Cabinet shall:

(a) Work with county clerks, motor vehicle dealers, manufactured home retailers, lenders, and other entities to construct and test systems to enable full implementation of the electronic title application and registration system and the centralized lien management system prior to July 1, 2027; and

(b) Ensure that the electronic title application and registration system and the centralized lien management system are operational by January 1, 2027.

Effective: July 15, 2026

History: Created 2026 Ky. Acts ch. 135, sec. 1, effective July 15, 2026.

186A.202 Lienholder to use electronic title application and registration system to manage liens -- Exceptions.

(1) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, on and after July 1, 2026, a lienholder shall participate in the electronic title application and registration system to confirm, release, and manage liens and lien documents.

(2) This section shall not apply to lienholders who are not normally engaged in the business of financing motor vehicles or who are granted an exemption by the cabinet.

Effective: June 27, 2025

History: Created 2025 Ky. Acts ch. 95, sec. 25, effective June 27, 2025.

186A.205 Clerk to enter lien assignment into system.

Whenever a security interest is assigned as provided by KRS 186.045(4), the county clerk shall enter the record of lien assignment into the system of record established under KRS 186A.195 in the manner directed by the Department of Vehicle Regulation.

Effective: January 1, 2025

History: Amended 2022 Ky. Acts ch. 18, sec. 10, effective January 1, 2025. -- Amended 2003 Ky. Acts ch. 103, sec. 6, effective June 24, 2003. -- Amended 1986 Ky. Acts ch. 118, sec. 100, effective July 1, 1987. -- Created 1982 Ky. Acts ch. 164, sec. 38, effective July 15, 1982.

Legislative Research Commission Note (6/29/2023). The effective date of the amendments to this statute in 2022 Ky. Acts ch. 18, sec. 10, was changed from January 1, 2024, to January 1, 2025, in 2023 Ky. Acts ch. 6, sec. 7.

Legislative Research Commission Note (6/24/2003). Although the subsection relating to assignment of perfected security interests was deleted from KRS 186.045 by 2000 Ky. Acts ch. 408, sec. 178, that Act failed to include a conforming amendment either to change the reference to that subsection in this section or to repeal this section in its entirety.

186A.210 Duties of clerk when security interest has been discharged.

(1) When a security interest has been discharged under the provisions of KRS 186.045(3), the county clerk shall discharge the security interest and remove the lien information from AVIS.

(2) When a security interest has been discharged as provided by KRS 186.045(4), the county clerk shall, upon receiving a termination statement, within five (5) days enter the record of termination into the system of record established under KRS 186A.195, and take such other action with respect to a termination as is directed by the Department of Vehicle Regulation.

Effective: January 1, 2025

History: Amended 2022 Ky. Acts ch. 18, sec. 11, effective January 1, 2025. -- Amended 2003 Ky. Acts ch. 103, sec. 3, effective June 24, 2003. -- Amended 1986 Ky. Acts ch. 118, sec. 101, effective July 1, 1987. -- Created 1982 Ky. Acts ch. 164, sec. 39, effective July 15, 1982.

Legislative Research Commission Note (6/29/2023). The effective date of the amendments to this statute in 2022 Ky. Acts ch. 18, sec. 11, was changed from January 1, 2024, to January 1, 2025, in 2023 Ky. Acts ch. 6, sec. 7.

Legislative Research Commission Note (6/24/2003). 2000 Ky. Acts ch. 408, sec. 178, renumbered the former subsection (2) of KRS 186.045 as subsection (1), but that Act failed to include a conforming amendment to change the reference to that subsection in former subsection (1) of this statute. Under KRS 7.136(1)(e), that change has now been made.

186A.215 Procedures for transfer of vehicle ownership.

(1) If an owner transfers his interest in a vehicle, he shall, at the time of the delivery of the vehicle, execute an assignment and warranty of title to the transferee in the space provided therefor on the certificate of title, except if the space provided therefor on the owner's certificate of title fails to meet the Kentucky requirements for lawful conveyance of title or if the space provided therefor on the owner's certificate of title fails to meet the requirements for the owner to execute an odometer disclosure statement as required by federal law in effect at the time transferor executes an assignment and warranty of title. Pursuant to the exceptions provided by this subsection and in other cases where applicable, the transferor shall execute an assignment and warranty of title to the transferee by executing the application as provided by the Department of Vehicle Regulation and available from the county clerk. The transferor shall cause the application with the certificate of title attached to be delivered to the transferee.

(2) Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, the transferee shall, promptly after delivery to him of the vehicle, execute the application for a new certificate of title and registration. If an application is required by subsection (1) of this section, the transferee shall execute the applicable portions provided to him by his transferor. Any unexpired registration shall remain valid upon transfer of said vehicle to the transferee.

(3) The application with its supporting documentation attached shall promptly be submitted to the county clerk as provided in KRS 186A.115, together with the required fees.

(4) If it comes to the attention of a transferor that a transferee did not promptly submit the necessary document within fifteen (15) calendar days to the county clerk as required by law in order to complete the transfer transaction, a transferor shall submit to the county clerk, in his county of residence, an affidavit that he has transferred his interest in a specific vehicle, and the clerk shall enter appropriate data into the AVIS system which shall restrict any registration transaction from occurring on that vehicle until the transfer has been processed. The Transportation Cabinet may adopt administrative regulations governing this subsection. This subsection shall not apply to any transactions involving licensed Kentucky motor vehicle dealers.

(5) This section shall not apply to a vehicle which has had the title surrendered to a county clerk or a hulk vehicle. Hulk vehicle shall mean a vehicle or part thereof that is:

(a) In a rusted, wrecked, discarded, worn out, extensively damaged, dismantled, and mechanically inoperative condition; or

(b) Of an apparent value of less than two hundred dollars ($200).

Effective: July 15, 1996

History: Amended 1996 Ky. Acts ch. 35, sec. 5, effective July 15, 1996. -- Amended 1988 Ky. Acts ch. 98, sec. 1, effective July 15, 1988. -- Amended 1984 Ky. Acts ch. 36, sec. 2, effective July 13, 1984. -- Created 1982 Ky. Acts ch. 164, sec. 40, effective July 15, 1982.

186A.220 Requirements for motor vehicle dealer upon receipt of motor vehicle or all-terrain vehicle.

(1) Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, when any motor vehicle dealer licensed in this state buys or accepts a motor vehicle or all-terrain vehicle as defined in KRS 189.010 in trade, which has been previously registered or titled for use in this or another state, and which the dealer holds for resale, the dealer shall not be required to obtain a certificate of title for it, but shall, within fifteen (15) days after acquiring such vehicle, notify the county clerk of the assignment of the motor vehicle to his or her dealership and pay the required transferor fee.

(2) Upon purchasing a motor vehicle or all-terrain vehicle, or accepting it in trade, the dealer shall obtain from the transferor, properly executed, all documents required by KRS 186A.215, to include the odometer disclosure statement thereon, together with a properly assigned certificate of title.

(3) The dealer shall execute the application for assignment upon documents designated by the Department of Vehicle Regulation, to the county clerk of the county in which the dealer maintains his or her principal place of business. The clerk shall enter the assignment into AVIS.

(4) The dealer shall retain the properly assigned certificate of title received from the transferor, and may make any reassignments on the title until the forms for dealer assignment on the certificate of title are exhausted. The Department of Vehicle Regulation may, if it deems it warranted, provide a special document to allow for additional dealer assignments without requiring system generated documents.

(5) (a) When a dealer assigns the vehicle to a purchaser for use, the dealer shall deliver the properly assigned certificate of title, and other documents if appropriate, to the purchaser, who shall make application for registration and a certificate of title.

(b) The dealer may, with the consent of the purchaser, deliver the assigned certificate of title, and other appropriate documents of a new or used vehicle, directly to the county clerk, and on behalf of the purchaser, make application for registration and a certificate of title. In so doing, the dealer shall require from the purchaser proof of insurance as mandated by KRS 304.39-080 before delivering possession of the vehicle.

(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of KRS 186.020, 186A.065, 186A.095, 186A.215, and 186A.300, if a dealer elects to deliver the title documents to the county clerk and has not received a clear certificate of title from a prior owner, the dealer shall retain the documents in his or her possession until the certificate of title is obtained.

(d) When a dealer assigns a vehicle to a purchaser for use under paragraph (a) of this subsection, the transfer and delivery of the vehicle is effective immediately upon the delivery of all necessary legal documents, or copies thereof, including proof of insurance as mandated by KRS 304.39-080.

(6) The department may make available, upon proper application from a licensed motor vehicle dealer, electronic means by which the dealer can interface directly with AVIS and the department. If the department grants this access, all fees currently required for the issuance of a certificate of title shall continue to be charged and remitted to the appropriate parties as provided by statute.

(7) The Department of Vehicle Regulation shall ensure that AVIS is capable of accepting instructions from the county clerk that a certificate of title shall not be produced under a dealer registration situation.

Effective: June 27, 2025

History: Amended 2025 Ky. Acts ch. 95, sec. 11, effective June 27, 2025. -- Amended 2016 Ky. Acts ch. 90, sec. 1, effective July 15, 2016. -- Amended 1998 Ky. Acts ch. 128, sec. 7, effective July 15, 1998. -- Amended 1996 Ky. Acts ch. 35, sec. 6, effective July 15, 1996. -- Amended 1994 Ky. Acts ch. 51, sec. 2, effective July 15, 1994. -- Amended 1988 Ky. Acts ch. 98, sec. 2, effective July 15, 1988. -- Created 1982 Ky. Acts ch. 164, sec. 41, effective July 1, 1982.

186A.225 Forms used when transferring vehicle or trailer.

The Department of Vehicle Regulation shall establish appropriate forms and procedures to be utilized in connection with the transfer of a motor vehicle or trailer by operation of law.

Effective: July 15, 1982

History: Created 1982 Ky. Acts ch. 164, sec. 42, effective July 15, 1982.

186A.230 Assignment titles used by motor vehicle dealers.

(1) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed as requiring that a trade-in vehicle received by a motor vehicle dealer licensed in this state must be titled by assignment in the dealer's name substantially, simultaneously with the registration or titling of the vehicle toward which the trade-in vehicle was received.

(2) Licensed motor vehicle dealers shall be allowed to title by assignment a trade-in vehicle into their name if they possess an original or a copy of a title for the trade-in or in lieu thereof an affidavit. The affidavit shall contain the existing owner's name, address, make, year, model, vehicle identification number, license plate number, decal number, title number, if available, and the dealer's name, address and telephone number and any additional information required by the Transportation Cabinet.

Effective: July 15, 1982

History: Created 1982 Ky. Acts ch. 164, sec. 43, effective July 15, 1982.

186A.235 Owner to notify clerk of residence or name change.

(1) Whenever any person after making application for or obtaining a certificate of registration or title for a vehicle, shall move from the address named in the application or shown upon a registration card or certificate of title, such person shall within fifteen (15) days thereafter notify the county clerk of the county in which he resides in writing of his old and new addresses as well as the current license number of all vehicles currently registered or titled in his name. The county clerk shall immediately enter such change into the automated system.

(2) Whenever the name of any person who has made application for or obtained a certificate of registration or title for a vehicle is thereafter changed by marriage or otherwise, such person shall within fifteen (15) days notify the county clerk of the county of residence of such former and new name. The county clerk shall immediately enter such change into the automated system.

Effective: July 15, 1982

History: Created 1982 Ky. Acts ch. 164, sec. 44, effective July 15, 1982.

186A.240 Cancellation of title erroneously issued.

(1) When any certificate of registration or certificate of title has been issued in error to a person not entitled to the certificate, or contains incorrect information or information has been omitted from the certificates, the Department of Vehicle Regulation shall notify in writing the person to whom the certificates have been issued or delivered and such person shall immediately return such certificate within forty-eight (48) hours, together with any other information necessary for the adjustment of the records related to it, to the county clerk of the county in which the title was originally applied for, or as otherwise directed by the Department of Vehicle Regulation.

(2) Upon receipt of the certificates and information requested, the county clerk and the Department of Vehicle Regulation shall coordinate the production of a corrected certificate of registration and certificate of title, and the cancellation of the erroneous documents by the Department of Vehicle Regulation, and ensure that corrected documents are sent to the appropriate party.

(3) Production of corrected documents shall be carried out under procedures similar to those applicable to production of an original certificate of title. The Department of Vehicle Regulation shall supply to the county clerk such forms as may be needed to assure documentation of corrective action in accordance with this section.

Effective: July 15, 1982

History: Created 1982 Ky. Acts ch. 164, sec. 45, effective July 15, 1982.

186A.245 Duplicate certificate of title -- Fee. (Effective until January 1, 2027)

(1) If a certificate of title is lost, stolen, mutilated, or destroyed or becomes illegible, the owner or legal representative of the owner named in the certificate shall promptly make application to the county clerk for and may obtain a duplicate, upon furnishing information satisfactory to the Department of Vehicle Regulation. The duplicate certificate of title shall contain appropriate words or symbols to indicate that it is a duplicate. Each application for a duplicate certificate of title shall be six dollars ($6), of which the county clerk shall retain four dollars ($4), and the Transportation Cabinet two dollars ($2). Each application for a duplicate certificate of title for an all-terrain vehicle shall be ten dollars ($10), of which the county clerk shall retain four dollars ($4) and the Transportation Cabinet shall receive six dollars ($6). It shall be mailed to the owner.

(2) The Department of Vehicle Regulation shall make provisions for production and issuance of a duplicate title if update of information is requested. The provisions shall be generally consistent with the procedures for production and issuance of a certificate of title in the first instance as provided in this chapter.

(3) A person recovering an original certificate of title for which a duplicate has been issued shall promptly surrender the original certificate to the Department of Vehicle Regulation.

(4) Application for documents provided for by this section shall be made to the county clerk upon forms provided to him by the Department of Vehicle Regulation.

Effective: June 25, 2009

History: Amended 2009 Ky. Acts ch. 64, sec. 4, effective June 25, 2009. -- Amended 2006 Ky. Acts ch. 255, sec. 10, effective January 1, 2007. -- Amended 1994 Ky. Acts ch. 428, sec. 33, effective July 15, 1994. -- Created 1982 Ky. Acts ch. 164, sec. 46, effective July 15, 1982.

186A.245 Duplicate certificate of title -- Fee. (Effective January 1, 2027)

(3) A person recovering an original certificate of title for which a duplicate has been issued shall promptly surrender the original certificate to the Department of Vehicle Regulation.

(4) Application for documents provided for by this section shall be made to the county clerk upon forms provided to him by the Department of Vehicle Regulation.

Effective: January 1, 2027

History: Amended 2026 Ky. Acts ch. 135, sec. 34, effective January 1, 2027. -- Amended 2009 Ky. Acts ch. 64, sec. 4, effective June 25, 2009. -- Amended 2006 Ky. Acts ch. 255, sec. 10, effective January 1, 2007. -- Amended 1994 Ky. Acts ch. 428, sec. 33, effective July 15, 1994. -- Created 1982 Ky. Acts ch. 164, sec. 46, effective July 15, 1982.

186A.250 Suspension or revocation of title -- Conditions and methods for action.

(1) The Department of Vehicle Regulation shall suspend or revoke a certificate of title, after giving notice and providing a reasonable opportunity for the holder to be heard, when authorized by any other provision of law, or, if it finds:

(a) The certificate of title was fraudulently procured or erroneously issued; or

(b) The vehicle has been scrapped, dismantled, or destroyed. Suspension or revocation of a certificate of title does not, in itself, affect the validity of a security interest noted on it.

(2) When the Department of Vehicle Regulation suspends or revokes a certificate of title, the owner or person in possession of it shall, immediately upon receiving notice of the suspension or revocation, mail or deliver the certificate to the Department of Vehicle Regulation.

(3) The department shall promptly notify the Department of Kentucky State Police of the suspension or revocation of any certificate of title.

(4) Any peace officer shall seize and impound any certificate of title which has been suspended or revoked except when such document is in the custody of the Department of Vehicle Regulation or the Department of Kentucky State Police.

Effective: June 26, 2007

History: Amended 2007 Ky. Acts ch. 85, sec. 205, effective June 26, 2007. -- Created 1982 Ky. Acts ch. 164, sec. 47, effective July 15, 1982.

186A.255 Department of Vehicle Regulation to provide notice of fraudulent documents to State Police.

The Department of Vehicle Regulation shall promptly notify the Department of Kentucky State Police of the particulars of:

(1) Any attempted or actual registration or titling in this state of a stolen motor vehicle, or trailer, or motor vehicle or trailer whose true identity is in doubt, of which it becomes aware;

(2) Counterfeit, stolen, or altered ownership documents it receives; and

(3) Attempts to supply, or supplying to it, of false or fraudulent information in any application for a certificate of registration, certificate of title for a motor vehicle or trailer in this state.

Effective: June 26, 2007

History: Amended 2007 Ky. Acts ch. 85, sec. 206, effective June 26, 2007. -- Created 1982 Ky. Acts ch. 164, sec. 48, effective July 15, 1982.

186A.260 . Tampering with automated system prohibited.

No person, including a county clerk and his employees, shall willfully utilize or tamper with a telecommunications terminal, or associated devices, linked to the automated vehicle registration and titling system and capable of entering data or electronic signals into, altering information stored within, or obtaining information or electronic signals from, the automated vehicle registration and titling system unless:

(1) He has current authorization from the commissioner of the Department of Vehicle Regulation to utilize the system;

(2) He has, previous to utilizing such terminal or associated devices in a given county, satisfactorily completed an orientation as given by the Department of Vehicle Regulation concerning the forms, procedures, and use of the system, as certified by the county clerk or county clerk-elect of the county in which his use of the system will take place; and

(3) He has been assigned, and has received, a unique personal identifying code or device from the Department of Vehicle Regulation.

Effective: July 15, 1982

History: Created 1982 Ky. Acts ch. 164, sec. 49, effective July 15, 1982.

186A.265 County clerk and employees to be trained and certified in system use.

(1) Each county clerk, or county clerk-elect, shall, before utilizing or permitting his employees to utilize the automated vehicle registration and titling system, ensure that he and his employees have satisfactorily completed an orientation course regarding the forms, procedures and use of the system as instructed by the Transportation Cabinet.

(2) The county clerk, or county clerk-elect, shall certify to the commissioner of the Department of Vehicle Regulation, those of his employees or prospective employees, who, together with himself, having satisfactorily completed the required orientation, will utilize the automated system under his direction.

(3) His certification shall be made by printing or typing upon a form supplied by the Department of Vehicle Regulation, the name of his county, and as to himself and each of his employees who will utilize the system, their last name, first name, and where available middle initial, their birth date, and Social Security account number, as to each person shown upon the certificate. The county clerk shall sign and date the certificate following a preprinted statement that shall read: I certify under penalty of forgery in the second degree that the persons whose names appear above have satisfactorily completed an orientation on use of the automated vehicle registration and titling system as provided by this chapter and that the information supplied is true and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief. I will not willfully permit anyone other than those persons shown hereon, or on another certificate of this same type executed by me, and persons authorized in writing by the Department of Vehicle Regulation, to use telecommunications terminals linked to the automated system and under my control.

(4) Each county clerk shall promptly notify the Department of Vehicle Regulation on a form supplied by it, of the name of any employee whose authorization to utilize the automated system has been terminated by him or whose employment by such clerk has ceased.

(5) Every county clerk and each of his employees who is authorized to utilize the automated system shall promptly report to the Department of Vehicle Regulation any attempted, actual, or suspected misuse of the automated system of which they become aware.

Effective: July 15, 1982

History: Created 1982 Ky. Acts ch. 164, sec. 50, effective July 15, 1982.

186A.270 Commissioner may suspend authority to utilize automated system.

(1) Upon receiving notice that a person who has previously been authorized to utilize the automated system has willfully or negligently misused the automated vehicle registration and titling system, the commissioner of the Department of Vehicle Regulation may temporarily suspend such person's authorization to utilize the system.

(2) Whenever he suspends or revokes any person's authorization to utilize the automated vehicle registration and titling system, the commissioner of the Department of Vehicle Regulation shall give immediate notice of such revocation to the person whose authorization has been suspended or revoked and if such person is not the county clerk, then notice shall be given also to the county clerk of the county in which the person is employed.

(3) No person whose authorization to utilize the automated system has been suspended or revoked shall utilize such system following notice of such action until his authorization to utilize the system is restored by the commissioner of the Department of Vehicle Regulation.

Effective: July 15, 1982

History: Created 1982 Ky. Acts ch. 164, sec. 51, effective July 15, 1982.

186A.275 Entering false information to produce title document prohibited.

No county clerk or other person who is authorized to utilize the automated vehicle registration and titling system, shall knowingly enter into such system, information enabling the system to produce a certificate of title and registration, certificate of registration, or certificate of title, or enter the record of a lien or its release, unless he has in his official custody at the time he enters such information into the system, an application which he believes to be bona fide and in proper form, or if the information entry involves a lien, a proper financing or termination statement, which is consistent with the information he enters.

Effective: July 15, 1982

History: Created 1982 Ky. Acts ch. 164, sec. 52, effective July 15, 1982.

186A.280 Entering false information into automated system prohibited.

No county clerk or other person shall knowingly enter any information or record into a telecommunications terminal or other device connected to the automated vehicle registration and titling system, knowing that the information or record entered into such device is false, fraudulent, illegitimate, or contains erroneous information that:

(1) Creates, or enables the system to create, a certificate of title and registration, certificate of registration, or certificate of title, that is illegitimate or that contains information that is false, fraudulent or erroneous; or

(2) Results in the system storing information or a record that is false, fraudulent or contains erroneous information; or

(3) Fraudulently, illegitimately, or maliciously alters information or records stored within the system.

Effective: July 15, 1982

History: Created 1982 Ky. Acts ch. 164, sec. 53, effective July 15, 1982.

186A.285 Permission to connect automated system required -- Exceptions -- Notification of county attorney if vehicle is not properly insured.

(1) No person shall, without prior specific written approval of the commissioner of the Department of Vehicle Regulation and the executive director of the Commonwealth Office of Technology, connect with the automated vehicle registration and titling system, directly or indirectly, by wire, electronic, electromagnetic induction, systemic, or any other means, any device, system or apparatus capable of putting information or electronic signals into, or receiving information or electronic signals from, or blocking, diverting, or altering transmission of data or signals within, the automated vehicle registration and titling system, its components, and its communications network.

(2) This section does not apply to or prohibit connection of devices or systems to the automated vehicle registration and titling system by persons who are acting in accordance with a contract or agreement with the Commonwealth of Kentucky, which in addition to any other required approval, has been approved in writing by the commissioner of the Department of Vehicle Regulation and the executive director of the Commonwealth Office of Technology.

Effective: June 20, 2005

History: Amended 2005 Ky. Acts ch. 85, sec. 613, effective June 20, 2005. -- Amended 2000 Ky. Acts ch. 506, sec. 23, effective July 14, 2000; and ch. 536, sec. 23, effective July 14, 2000. -- Created 1982 Ky. Acts ch. 164, sec. 54, effective July 15, 1982.

186A.287 Use of automated motor vehicle information system for titling and registration restricted to county clerks and Transportation Cabinet.

(1) The ability to use the automated motor vehicle information system to carry out the functions of titling and registration of motor vehicles shall be restricted to county clerks and the Transportation Cabinet.

(2) Any other access granted to the automated motor vehicle information system shall be for informational purposes only.

Effective: January 1, 2014

History: Created 2011 Ky. Acts ch. 5, sec. 6, effective January 1, 2013.

Legislative Research Commission Note (7/12/2012).The creation of this statute in 2011 Ky. Acts ch. 5 was to be effective January 1, 2013, pursuant to Section 7 of that Act. However, in 2012 Ky. Acts ch. 12, sec. 1, 2011 Ky. Acts ch. 5, sec. 7, was repealed, and a new effective date of January 1, 2014, was established for the 2011 creation of this statute, pursuant to 2012 Ky. Acts ch. 12, sec. 2.

186A.290 County clerk may omit sending duplicate copies of title.

(1) Regardless of other provisions of the statutes, the county clerk may omit sending duplicates of each certificate of title and registration, or certificate of registration he issues, to the Transportation Cabinet and Department of Revenue, and the property valuation administrator, and may omit the production and filing of one of the copies formerly known as either county clerk's alpha or his numeric copy, when it is determined by the agencies indicated that their need for "duplicates" of each certificate or "receipt" is obviated by the automated system.

(2) The Department of Vehicle Regulation and the Department of Revenue shall, as agreed between them, provide appropriate system support or computerized listings on magnetic tape or disc, printouts, or system access, to fulfill the information needs formerly requiring duplicates of each certificate or receipt.

Effective: June 20, 2005

History: Amended 2005 Ky. Acts ch. 85, sec. 614, effective June 20, 2005. -- Created 1982 Ky. Acts ch. 164, sec. 55, effective July 15, 1982.

186A.295 Owner to surrender title on destroyed vehicle or trailer -- Salvage title exception.

(1) (a) Subject to the limitations in paragraph (c) of this subsection, any person or entity having a motor vehicle or trailer that has been destroyed, to the extent that its repair cannot be obtained through usual commercial repair services, at a cost less than its retail value as prescribed by a nationally accepted used car valuation guide or tool identified under KRS 304.20-110, or from which two

(2) or more parts which typically bear a vehicle identification number placed thereon by the manufacturer have been removed, or which he or she removes, shall surrender the certificate of title for the vehicle for which he or she has a certificate of title in his, or her, or another name, to the county clerk of the county in which the vehicle is located. The clerk shall immediately forward the surrendered title to Frankfort with instructions for canceling the title.

(b) Any person or entity engaged in the sale of used motor vehicle or trailer parts, or the recycling or salvage of them, shall surrender the certificate of title for any vehicle in his or her possession, and for which he or she has a certificate of title, whether in his or her or another name, if the vehicle is destroyed within the meaning of paragraph (a) of this subsection, or from which two (2) or more parts which typically bear a vehicle identification number placed thereon by a manufacturer have been removed, or which he or she removes, to the county clerk of the county in which the vehicle is located. The clerk shall immediately forward the surrendered title to Frankfort with instructions for canceling the title.

(c) 1. The calculation of the cost of repair referenced in paragraph (a) of this subsection shall only include labor and parts for actual damage to the suspension, motor, transmission, frame or unibody, and designated structural components, and shall not include cosmetic damages.

Subparagraph 1. of this paragraph shall not alter the calculation of the cost of repair for any existing obligation of an insurer to pay for the cost of parts and labor for cosmetic repairs to a motor vehicle or trailer that affects the vehicle's appearance in accordance with KRS 186A.520.

(d) The surrender of the certificate of title pursuant to this section shall be made within ten (10) working days, next succeeding the day when the vehicle was received, destroyed, or next succeeding the day during which a second part was removed.

(2) Each county clerk shall receive without charge, a certificate surrendered in accordance with this section, cancel it, and remit it to the Department of Vehicle Regulation, and take any other action related to it, as required by the Department of Vehicle Regulation.

(3) If the calculation of the cost of repair in subsection (1) of this section exempts a vehicle from having the certificate of title surrendered, the title shall be branded as a salvage title in accordance with KRS 186A.520.

Effective: July 15, 2026

History: Amended 2026 Ky. Acts ch. 100, sec. 1, effective July 15, 2026. -- Amended 2025 Ky. Acts ch. 95, sec. 13, effective March 27, 2025. -- Amended 2005 Ky. Acts ch. 85, sec. 615, effective June 20, 2005. -- Created 1982 Ky. Acts ch. 164, sec. 56, effective July 15, 1982.

186A.297 Filing of affidavit of conversion to real estate when manufactured home is permanently affixed to land -- Requirements for surrender of certificate of title.

(1) When a manufactured home is or is to be permanently affixed to real estate, the owner may execute and file an affidavit of conversion to real estate with the county clerk of the county in which the real estate is located. The affidavit shall attest to the fact that the home has been or will be permanently affixed to the real estate and be accompanied by a surrender of the Kentucky certificate of title. The county clerk shall file the affidavit of conversion to real estate in the miscellaneous record book.

(2) A county clerk shall not accept a surrender of a Kentucky certificate of title which displays an unreleased lien unless it is accompanied by:

(a) A release of the lien; or

(b) An affidavit, signed under oath by the attorney who satisfied the liens noted on the Kentucky certificate of title, attesting that all liens noted on the Kentucky certificate of title have been paid. An affidavit filed by an attorney under this paragraph may only be signed by an attorney licensed to practice law in the Commonwealth.

(3) The provisions of subsection (2) of this section shall not excuse a lender who placed a lien on the certificate of title from filing a release of the lien.

(4) Upon receipt of the information identified in subsection (2) of this section, the county clerk shall accept the affidavit of conversion and the surrender of the Kentucky certificate of title.

(5) In the event of an inaccurate or fraudulent affidavit, the title surrender becomes null and void.

(6) The county clerk shall be held harmless if he or she relies upon receipt of the information identified in subsection (2) of this section.

(7) When the county clerk files the affidavit of conversion to real estate, the county clerk shall furnish a copy to the property valuation administrator for inclusion in the real property tax rolls of the county. A filing of an affidavit of conversion to real estate and a surrender of a Kentucky certificate of title shall be deemed a conversion of the property as an improvement to the real estate upon which it is located.

Effective: July 14, 2022

History: Amended 2022 Ky. Acts ch. 113, sec. 3, effective July 14, 2022. -- Created 2000 Ky. Acts ch. 166, sec. 1, effective July 14, 2000.

186A.298 Filing of affidavit of severance from real estate for manufactured home previously converted to real estate. (Effective until January 1, 2027)

(1) The owner of a manufactured home that has been converted to real estate in accordance with KRS 186A.297 may detach or sever the home from the real property only by filing an affidavit of severance with the clerk of the county in which the affidavit of conversion originally took place and in which the real estate is located. The affidavit of severance shall include the following information:

(a) The manufacturer and, if applicable, the model name of the manufactured home;

(b) The legal description of the real property on which the manufactured home is or was placed, with the source of title setting forth the book and page number of how the owner of the real estate acquired the property;

(d) A Class B1 or B2 Seal as required under KRS 227.600;

(e) Certification of an attorney that, as of the date of the titling of the severance, there are no security interests or liens in the manufactured home that have not been released by the secured party and that the title to the real estate is marketable, free, and clear of liens, or certification of any holder of a security interest in the manufactured home of:

The amount of any existing security interest; and
The secured party's consent to issuance of a title;

(f) The owner's affidavit that the manufactured home has previously been or will be removed from the described real estate within thirty (30) days of the date of filing the affidavit of conversion, and that, before moving the manufactured home the owner will apply for and receive;

A certificate of title as required under KRS 186A.070; and
A manufactured home registration as required under KRS 186.675; and

(g) There shall be a limit of one (1) affidavit of severance issued to an owner on a property.

(2) When the county clerk files the affidavit of severance, the county clerk shall provide a copy to:

(a) The property valuation administrator for adjustment of the real property tax rolls of the county; and

(b) The Transportation Cabinet, Department of Vehicle Regulation.

(3) An owner who fails to file an affidavit of severance prior to removal of the manufactured home shall be liable for actual damages or five hundred dollars ($500), whichever is greater, payable to any first lien holder of record, or if no such lien holder exists, to be payable to the clerk of the county in which the affidavit of conversion first took place, upon notice to the clerk that the manufactured home was not removed within thirty (30) days of the date of filing of the affidavit of severance.

(4) The county clerk shall receive a fee of sixteen dollars ($16) for the service provided under this section.

(5) If the owner of the manufactured home provides inaccurate or fraudulent information to the county clerk, the clerk shall not be held liable in any subsequent action relating to the severance of the manufactured home from the real estate.

(6) For the purposes of this section, "owner" means the party who holds the legal title to the real estate where the manufactured home is located prior to being moved. It shall not include the party who is acquiring the manufactured home.

Effective: June 29, 2017

History: Created 2017 Ky. Acts ch. 98, sec. 1, effective June 29, 2017.

186A.298 Filing of affidavit of severance from real estate for manufactured home previously converted to real estate -- Clerk's fee -- Definition of "owner" for section. (Effective January 1, 2027)

(a) The manufacturer and, if applicable, the model name of the manufactured home;

(d) A Class B1 or B2 Seal as required under KRS 227.600;

The amount of any existing security interest; and
The secured party's consent to issuance of a title;

A certificate of title as required under KRS 186A.070; and
A manufactured home registration as required under KRS 186.675; and

(g) There shall be a limit of one (1) affidavit of severance issued to an owner on a property.

(2) When the county clerk files the affidavit of severance, the county clerk shall provide a copy to:

(a) The property valuation administrator for adjustment of the real property tax rolls of the county; and

(b) The Transportation Cabinet, Department of Vehicle Regulation.

(4) The county clerk shall receive a fee established by the cabinet by administrative regulation under KRS 186.017 for the service provided under this section.

(6) As used in this section, "owner" means the party who holds the legal title to the real estate where the manufactured home is located prior to being moved. It shall not include the party who is acquiring the manufactured home.

Effective: January 1, 2027

History: Amended 2026 Ky. Acts ch. 135, sec. 35, effective January 1, 2027. -- Created 2017 Ky. Acts ch. 98, sec. 1, effective June 29, 2017.

186A.300 Possession of blank, uncompleted or partially executed title and registration documents prohibited -- Exceptions.

(1) No person, except as provided in subsection (2) of this section shall have in his possession any blank, uncompleted, or partially executed "certificate of title and registration," "certificate of registration," "certificate of title," or other similarly styled form or document, whether genuine or counterfeit, of this or any other state or country, which is of a type that, when genuine and properly issued, evidences ownership of a vehicle under the laws of this or another state or country, and surrender of which is required in order to sell, transfer, register or title a motor vehicle or trailer in this state.

(2) A person who possesses forms or documents of the type described in subsection (1) of this section, is not in violation of this section if he:

(a) Is an employee of a manufacturer or printer of such forms or documents and possesses such forms or documents in the normal course of the business of design or manufacture of them in connection with bid invitation, bid, or contract with a governmental agency related to supplying such forms for governmental use.

(b) Is an employee of a shipper, or agency, under whose direction such forms are being shipped or delivered to a state or local agency charged with receiving, distributing or issuing such forms or documents, when they are in a container sealed under governmental direction.

(c) Is an employee of a state agency who possesses such forms or documents in the course of carrying out his official duties when his duties are to handle such forms or documents.

(d) Is a county clerk, or employee of a county clerk whose official work duties require the handling of such forms or documents, and he possesses them within the confines of the county clerk's office or official storage space or immediately incidental to placing them in such places.

(e) Possesses such form or document and it is prominently and indelibly marked on its face either: specimen, or void, or sample.

Effective: July 15, 1982

History: Created 1982 Ky. Acts ch. 164, sec. 57, effective July 15, 1982.

186A.305 Alteration or removal of motor vehicle identification number prohibited.

(1) No person shall intentionally remove, deface, cover, destroy, alter, or obscure any vehicle identification number, or other distinguishing number, of a motor vehicle or trailer or any part thereof in this state, without written authorization from the Department of Kentucky State Police, nor shall any person place or stamp, in place of the original manufacturer's serial, motor, or other number or mark upon a vehicle, any number except one assigned thereto by the Department of Vehicle Regulation under the provisions of KRS 186.1911 or authorized agency of another state.

(2) This section does not prohibit the restoration by an owner of the original vehicle identification number when the restoration is authorized by the Department of Kentucky State Police, nor prevent any manufacturer from placing in the ordinary course of business numbers or marks upon new motor vehicles or new parts thereof.

(3) This section shall not apply to a scrap processor who loads, unloads, crushes, flattens, destroys, grinds up, handles, shreds, or otherwise reduces a motor vehicle or motor vehicle part into metallic scrap for the purpose of recycling such metallic content.

Effective: June 26, 2007

History: Amended 2007 Ky. Acts ch. 85, sec. 207, effective June 26, 2007. -- Created 1982 Ky. Acts ch. 164, sec. 58, effective July 15, 1982.

186A.310 Selling or receiving of vehicle with identification number removed or altered prohibited.

(1) No person shall knowingly buy, sell, offer for sale, receive, or have in his possession, any titled motor vehicle or trailer or component part thereof, from which the original manufacturer's vehicle identification number, or serial number, has been removed, defaced, altered, obscured or destroyed, unless such vehicle or component part has attached thereto an identification number assigned or approved by the Department of Vehicle Regulation under the provisions of KRS 186.1911 or authorized agency of another state in lieu of the manufacturer's number.

(2) Whenever such vehicle or component part comes into the custody of a peace officer it shall be forfeited under the procedure established in KRS 500.090. Nothing in this section shall, however, preclude the return of such vehicle or parts to the lawful owner thereof following presentation of satisfactory evidence of ownership and assignment of an identification number by the Department of Vehicle Regulation.

Effective: July 15, 1982

History: Created 1982 Ky. Acts ch. 164, sec. 59, effective July 15, 1982.

186A.315 . Possession of manufacturer's identification number plates prohibited --

Exceptions.

(1) No person shall have in his possession a manufacturer's vehicle identification number plate unless it is attached to the vehicle, or vehicle part, to which it was originally affixed by the manufacturer, nor shall any person have any facsimile of such a plate.

(2) This section shall not prohibit possession of legitimate plates by persons:

(a) Whose possession is incident to a contract to supply them to a manufacturer of new motor vehicles, or when such plates are in the possession of a manufacturer of new vehicles, or such manufacturer's employee, who possesses them within the scope of his work when his work involved the manufacture or storage of such plates, for legitimate placement upon newly manufactured vehicles, legitimate affixing of such plates upon newly manufactured vehicles, or legitimate affixing of a replacement plate.

(b) Who possess such plate immediately incident to transferring it from being legitimately attached to a wrecked part or portion of a vehicle to a replacement part or portion for installation on, or installed on, the same vehicle on which the plate was originally placed by the manufacturer, when such possession and transfer is authorized in writing by the Department of Vehicle Regulation.

(c) Who are authorized in writing, by the commissioner of the Department of Vehicle Regulation under the provisions of KRS 186.1911 to possess such plates.

Effective: July 15, 1982

History: Created 1982 Ky. Acts ch. 164, sec. 60, effective July 15, 1982.

186A.320 Duties of peace officer in the event a stolen vehicle is located.

(1) When any peace officer has probable cause to believe that a motor vehicle or trailer, or any component part of such vehicle is stolen, he shall impound such vehicle or part and notify its lawful owner, and when applicable, the agency to which the theft was reported, of the recovery of such vehicle or part and where it may be claimed.

(2) A vehicle or component part thereof which has been impounded pursuant to this section shall be released to its lawful owner when such owner presents satisfactory evidence of his ownership.

(3) A vehicle or component part thereof that has been impounded under this section, and which has not been claimed within ninety (90) days following notice of recovery to the owner, or if the owner cannot be located after a reasonable effort, within ninety (90) days following impoundment, is forfeited and shall be disposed of in accordance with procedures set forth in KRS 500.090.

Effective: July 15, 1982

History: Created 1982 Ky. Acts ch. 164, sec. 61, effective July 15, 1982.

186A.325 Trafficking in stolen vehicles or stolen vehicle parts.

(1) Any person or entity knowingly in possession or control of two (2) or more motor vehicles or trailers or their major component parts or assemblies such as, but not limited to, an engine, transmission, chassis, frame, front clip, rear clip:

(a) That are stolen; or

(b) Have had their identity obscured, removed or altered, except as an immediate result of the final destruction by crushing, flattening, grinding up, or shredding of a vehicle or vehicle part for purpose of recycling its metallic content; or

(d) Are comprised of any combination of the above; shall be deemed to be trafficking in stolen vehicles or stolen vehicle parts.

(2) Trafficking in stolen vehicles or stolen vehicle parts is a Class D felony.

Effective: July 15, 1982

History: Created 1982 Ky. Acts ch. 164, sec. 62, effective July 15, 1982.

186A.330 Duties of law enforcement officer in the event of arrest for violation of trafficking in stolen vehicles or stolen parts.

(1) Upon the arrest of any person or entity for violation of KRS 186A.325, the law enforcement officer may cause the seizure, pending disposition by the court as provided by subsection (2) of this section, of:

(a) All vehicles or vehicle parts, held in violation of KRS 186A.310(1) or 186A.325;

(b) All vehicles and other equipment used to transport property in violation of KRS 186A.325;

(c) All tools, equipment, and other materials, and all real and personal property used in furtherance of a violation of KRS 186A.325; and

(d) All money or other proceeds gained from the violation of KRS 186A.325.

(2) Upon the conviction of any person or entity for violation of KRS 186A.325, all items seized in accordance with subsection (1) of this section may be forfeited to the state in a manner consistent with procedures for forfeiture set forth in KRS 500.090.

Effective: July 15, 1982

History: Created 1982 Ky. Acts ch. 164, sec. 63, effective July 15, 1982.

186A.335 Renumbered as KRS 186A.520.

[Renumbered as KRS 186A.520.]

186A.340 Appeal of administrative action to court.

Any person aggrieved by any administrative action pursuant to this chapter or regulations promulgated pursuant thereto, may appeal such action to a court of competent jurisdiction.

Effective: July 15, 1982

History: Created 1982 Ky. Acts ch. 164, sec. 65, effective July 15, 1982.

186A.345 Definitions to be consistent with KRS 186.010.

Unless the context requires otherwise, terms used in this chapter shall be defined, where applicable, as provided by KRS 186.010.

Effective: July 15, 1982

History: Created 1982 Ky. Acts ch. 164, sec. 67, effective July 15, 1982.

186A.350 Fees credited to trust and agency account.

All fees to be credited to the state shall be deposited to a trust and agency account within the transportation fund to be used in defraying the cabinet's costs and expenses of administering a vehicle titling program.

Effective: July 15, 1982

History: Created 1982 Ky. Acts ch. 164, sec. 68, effective July 15, 1982.

Damaged Motor Vehicles Damaged Motor Vehicles

186A.500 Legislative finding.

The General Assembly finds that purchasers when buying vehicles are entitled to know if the vehicle has sustained prior severe damage. The most feasible mechanism for conveying that information is a designation on the title that the vehicle has previously sustained severe damage or has been rebuilt after being declared "junk," "salvage," or "water damaged."

Effective: July 15, 1994

History: Created 1994 Ky. Acts ch. 243, sec. 1, effective July 15, 1994.

186A.510 Definitions for KRS 186A.500 to 186A.550.

As used in KRS 186A.500 to 186A.550, unless the context otherwise requires:

(1) "Brand" means a designation that is affixed as required by this chapter, or that has previously been affixed, to a motor vehicle title that establishes a portion of the history of the motor vehicle and that shall be fixed to all subsequently issued titles for that vehicle;

(2) "Classic motor vehicle project" means a motor vehicle that is:

(a) At least twenty-five (25) years old;

(b) Not in roadworthy condition; and

(c) Either currently in this state and not titled or being brought into this state with a regular title from another state that does not denote it as "salvage," "junk," "rebuilt," or any similar designation;

(3) "Dealer" means a person or business as defined in KRS 190.010 who sells or offers for sale a motor vehicle;

(4) "Junk vehicle" means a vehicle which meets the description set forth in KRS 186A.295(1)(a);

(5) "Motor vehicle" means a motor vehicle as defined in KRS 186.010(8)(a) and (b);

(6) "Owner" means a person who holds the legal title of a vehicle or a person who pursuant to a bona fide sale has received physical possession of the vehicle subject to any applicable security interest;

(7) "Rebuilt vehicle" means a vehicle that has been repaired to a road worthy condition after having been registered as a salvage vehicle pursuant to KRS 186A.520, or a similar salvage designation from another licensing jurisdiction;

(8) "Roadworthy condition" means a vehicle in a safe condition to operate on the highway and capable of transporting persons or property that complies fully with the provisions of KRS Chapter 189 pertaining to vehicle equipment; and

(9) "Water damage" means damage to a motor vehicle caused by submerging or partially submerging the vehicle in water to the extent that the vehicle was submerged or partially submerged at any water level above the dashboard of the vehicle, regardless of the actual dollar amount of the damage.

Effective: July 15, 2008

History: Amended 2008 Ky. Acts ch. 157, sec. 1, effective July 15, 2008. -- Amended 1996 Ky. Acts ch. 67, sec. 1, effective July 15, 1996. -- Created 1994 Ky. Acts ch. 243, sec. 2, effective July 15, 1994.

186A.520 Salvage titles -- Conditions for issuance -- Operation of vehicle with salvage title.

(1) Except as provided in KRS 186A.555, a salvage title shall be obtained by the owner of a motor vehicle that meets the following definition of a salvage vehicle:

(a) 1. A vehicle that has been wrecked, destroyed, or damaged, to the extent that the total estimated or actual cost of parts and labor to rebuild or reconstruct the vehicle to its preaccident condition and for legal operation on the roads or highways, not including the cost of parts and labor to reinstall a deployed airbag system, exceeds seventy-five percent (75%) of the retail value of the vehicle, as prescribed by a nationally accepted used car valuation guide or tool identified under KRS 304.20- 110.

The value of repair parts for purposes of this paragraph shall be determined by using the current published retail cost of the parts equal in kind and quality to the parts to be replaced or the actual retail cost of the repair parts used in repair.
The labor costs of repairs for purposes of this paragraph shall be computed by using the hourly labor rate and time allocations which are reasonable and customary in the automobile repair industry in the community where the repairs are performed.
Airbag reinstallation costs which are excluded from the seventy-five percent (75%) computation as set forth in subparagraph 1. of this paragraph shall be included by an insurer in the computation of the total physical damage estimate according to the terms and conditions of individual policies, provided that the total costs payable by an insurer do not exceed the total retail value of the vehicle; or

(b) A vehicle that is exempt from certificate of title surrender under KRS 186A.295(3).

(2) The owner or an authorized agent of a motor vehicle that meets the definition of a salvage vehicle as set forth in subsection (1) of this section shall, within fifteen (15) days from the receipt of all necessary paperwork required by this chapter, submit an application to the county clerk, on a form prescribed by the Department of Vehicle Regulation, for a salvage title, accompanied by a properly endorsed certificate of title and any lien satisfactions, if any appear, as may be required.

(3) The county clerk shall retain a copy of each salvage title application received and shall forward the original and its supporting documents to the Department of Vehicle Regulation in a manner similar to that for handling of an application for a title.

(4) The county clerk shall rely on the information provided by the owner or authorized agent, including a county of residence designation, on:

(a) Any approved, notarized state form utilized in lien titling or the title transfer process signed by the owner or authorized agent; and

(b) Any document submitted during the transfer of a salvage vehicle from an owner to an insurer. Reliance on the foregoing by the county clerk shall relieve the office of the county clerk from liability to any third party claiming failure to comply with this section.

(5) The Department of Vehicle Regulation shall process the salvage title application in a manner similar to that used in processing a title application and the salvage title shall be delivered in a like manner of a title. Salvage titles shall be construed as proof of ownership of a vehicle in a state as to be unusable upon the highways of the Commonwealth.

(6) A vehicle shall not be issued a registration for highway use as long as a salvage title is in force. The only time a vehicle with a salvage title may be operated upon the highways of the Commonwealth is when it is in route to or from an inspection by the certified inspector prior to obtaining a certificate of title after having been rebuilt as per KRS 186.115.

(7) Notwithstanding the provisions of KRS 369.103, when a salvage vehicle is transferred from an owner to an insurer, the following shall be exempted from the requirements of notarization, including exemption from the notarization of electronic signature requirements of KRS Chapter 423:

(a) The transfer of ownership on the certificate of title;

(b) Any power of attorney required in connection with the transfer of ownership to the insurer;

(d) The application for a salvage certificate of title; and

(e) The transfer of ownership on the salvage certificate of title issued.

(8) Subsections (2) to (5) of this section shall not apply to applications for salvage title using the electronic title application and registration system established under KRS 186A.017.

Effective: July 15, 2026

History: Amended 2026 Ky. Acts ch. 100, sec. 2, effective July 15, 2026. -- Amended 2025 Ky. Acts ch. 95, sec. 14, effective March 27, 2025. -- Amended 2024 Ky. Acts ch. 123, sec. 38, effective July 15, 2024. -- Amended 2023 Ky. Acts ch. 6, sec. 6, effective January 1, 2024. -- Amended 2020 Ky. Acts ch. 49, sec. 1, effective July 15, 2020. -- Amended 2009 Ky. Acts ch. 54, sec. 1, effective October 1, 2009. -- Amended 2003 Ky. Acts ch. 97, sec. 3, effective June 24, 2003. -- Amended 2000 Ky. Acts ch. 230, sec. 2, effective July 14, 2000. -- Amended 1994 Ky. Acts ch. 243, sec. 3, effective July 15, 1994; renumbered by the Reviser of Statutes, effective July 15, 1994. -- Created 1982 Ky. Acts ch. 164, sec. 64, effective July 15, 1982. Formerly codified as KRS 186A.335.

186A.525 Title for motor vehicle previously with branded title or salvage title.

If a motor vehicle had a brand previously affixed to its title or previously has been issued a salvage title in this or any other jurisdiction, the applicant for a title for that motor vehicle may, at the time of the application, notify the Transportation Cabinet of the prior existence of a brand on the motor vehicle's title or of the previous salvage title for the motor vehicle. The notification to the Transportation Cabinet shall include the title number and the jurisdiction where the previous brand was issued. Upon verification, the Transportation Cabinet shall issue a title with the appropriate brand for the motor vehicle.

Effective: July 15, 1996

History: Created 1996 Ky. Acts ch. 67, sec. 2, effective July 15, 1996.

186A.530 Titles of rebuilt, water-damaged, and junk vehicles -- Insurance claim

settlements for salvage vehicles -- Disclosure of title brand by owner or dealer - - Voidability of sale without disclosure -- Exemption -- Administrative regulations.

(1) The owner of a motor vehicle that meets the definition of a salvage vehicle as set forth in KRS 186A.520(1) and has been issued a salvage certificate of title in Kentucky, or the equivalent thereof by another licensing jurisdiction, and has been rebuilt, may make application for a new certificate of title pursuant to KRS 186.115. The Transportation Cabinet may promulgate administrative regulations pursuant to KRS Chapter 13A governing the form of application.

(2) Upon receipt of a salvage certificate of title issued pursuant to KRS 186A.520, or similar title issued by another state if the title does not disqualify the vehicle from being titled for use on the highway in that state, and proof of passing the inspection required by KRS 186A.115, the cabinet shall issue a new certificate of title with the words "rebuilt vehicle" printed on the face of the title. The brand shall be carried forward and printed in the appropriate section on the face of all titles issued thereafter for that motor vehicle.

(3) If ownership of a motor vehicle has been transferred to an insurance company through payment of damages, the insurance company making the payment of damages shall be deemed the owner of the vehicle.

(4) The owner of a water damaged vehicle shall make application to the cabinet for a salvage certificate of title as provided for in KRS 186A.520. The owner of a vehicle with a brand from another jurisdiction identifying the vehicle as water damaged or other similar designation who is making application for a Kentucky title shall be issued a title with the words "water damaged" printed on the face of the title.

(5) A Kentucky salvage certificate of title may be issued from an out-of-state junking certificate or other ownership document bearing a designation of "junk," "unrebuildable," or other similar classification that disqualifies the vehicle from being titled for use on the highway in that state with the following provisions:

(a) The out-of-state junking certificate of title or other ownership certificate shall be an original, secure document;

(b) The applicant shall submit a minimum of two (2) photographs of the motor vehicle showing the damage to the motor vehicle. The photographs shall be included in the application for a salvage certificate of title;

(c) The applicant shall submit a minimum of two (2) estimates of damage verifying that the condition of the vehicle which has been issued the junking certificate constitutes less than seventy-five percent (75%) of the retail value of the vehicle, as prescribed by a nationally accepted used car valuation guide or tool identified under KRS 304.20-110; and

(d) A salvage title issued under this subsection shall be branded "SALVAGE." The Transportation Cabinet shall use a unique method of identification to differentiate a salvage title issued under this subsection from other salvage titles.

(6) (a) Upon receipt of a salvage certificate of title issued pursuant to subsection (5) of this section, or an out-of-state junking certificate or other ownership document bearing a designation of "junk," "unrebuildable," or other similar classification that disqualifies the vehicle from being titled for use on the highway in that state, and proof of passing the inspection required by KRS 186A.115, the cabinet shall issue a new certificate of title with the words "REBUILT VEHICLE" printed on the face of the title. The Transportation Cabinet shall use a unique method of identification to differentiate a rebuilt brand issued under this paragraph from other rebuilt brands. The brand shall be carried forward and printed in the appropriate section on the face of all titles issued thereafter for that motor vehicle.

(b) A person who obtains a rebuilt title under this subsection shall permanently affix a plate of metallic composition within the opening for the driver's side door which states "REBUILT VEHICLE - May Not Be Eligible For Title In All States."

(7) (a) When an insurance company makes a claim settlement on a vehicle that has been stolen and recovered, if the vehicle meets the definition of a salvage vehicle as set forth in KRS 186A.520, the company shall apply for a salvage certificate of title as provided for in KRS 186A.520. Upon receipt of this information, the cabinet shall issue the company a certificate of title to replace a salvage certificate of title. The cabinet shall promulgate administrative regulations pursuant to KRS Chapter 13A regarding the forms and any additional information which insurance companies shall be required to obtain and submit when seeking a certificate of title to replace a salvage certificate of title.

(b) In claim settlements that do not involve transfer of the vehicle to the insurance company, an insurer shall not render payment on a damage claim for a vehicle whose damage meets or exceeds seventy-five percent (75%) of the value of the vehicle, until the insurer has received proof that the owner has surrendered the title or has applied for a salvage certificate of title as set forth in KRS 186A.520. The owner shall apply for a salvage certificate of title within three

(3) working days of the agreed settlement. This subsection shall not apply to hail-damaged vehicles under KRS 186A.555.

(c) An insurance company shall not refuse coverage to, and shall not reclassify coverage of, a vehicle that has been issued a rebuilt title pursuant to the provisions of this section.

(8) A motor vehicle owner or a motor vehicle dealer licensed in this state who offers for sale, trade, or transfer a motor vehicle which carries a title brand, as set forth in subsection (2) or (6) of this section, shall disclose the nature of the brand to any prospective buyer or transferee, prior to the sale, and according to the following:

(a) Dealer disclosure shall be located on a sticker placed on the vehicle. The sticker wording shall be printed in at least ten (10) point, bold face type, on a background of obviously different color, and shall include the following: "THIS IS A REBUILT VEHICLE." This disclosure information shall not appear on vehicles that do not have a branded title. Dealer disclosure shall also be located on a buyer's notification form to be approved by the Transportation Cabinet. The form shall inform the buyer that the vehicle is a rebuilt vehicle and may include any other information the cabinet deems necessary; and

(b) Nondealer disclosure shall be made in accordance with the procedures provided for in KRS 186A.060. The Department of Vehicle Regulation shall ensure that disclosure information appears near the beginning of the application for title and informs the buyer that the vehicle is a rebuilt vehicle.

(9) Failure of a dealer to procure the buyer's acknowledgment signature on the buyer's notification form or failure of any person other than a dealer to procure the buyer's acknowledgment signature on the vehicle transaction record form shall render the sale voidable at the election of the buyer. The election to render the sale voidable shall be limited to forty-five (45) days after issuance of the title. This provision shall not bar any other remedies otherwise available to the purchaser.

(10) The notification provisions of this section shall not apply to motor vehicles more than ten (10) model years old.

(11) A manufacturer licensed under KRS Chapter 190 shall not prohibit or restrict the installation of vehicle software on a vehicle that has been issued a rebuilt title under this section.

(12) The Transportation Cabinet shall promulgate administrative regulations pursuant to KRS Chapter 13A, regarding the administration of the title branding procedure. The administrative regulations shall include the manner in which salvage titles and rebuilt brands on vehicles previously declared unrebuildable by another state are differentiated from other salvage titles and rebuilt brands. The administrative regulations may include designation of additional brands which provide significant information to the owner.

Effective: July 15, 2026

History: Amended 2026 Ky. Acts ch. 135, sec. 42, effective July 15, 2026. -- Amended 2025 Ky. Acts ch. 95, sec. 15, effective March 27, 2025. -- Amended 2015 Ky. Acts ch. 95, sec. 2, effective June 24, 2015. -- Amended 2005 Ky. Acts ch. 22, sec. 1, effective June 20, 2005. -- Amended 2000 Ky. Acts ch. 230, sec. 3, effective July 14, 2000. -- Amended 1998 Ky. Acts ch. 128, sec. 8, effective July 15, 1998. -- Amended 1996 Ky. Acts ch. 35, sec. 7, effective July 15, 1996. -- Created 1994 Ky. Acts ch. 243, sec. 4, effective July 15, 1994.

Legislative Research Commission Note (7/15/96). The reference to KRS 186A.335 in subsection (2) of this statute has been changed to KRS 186A.520 to reflect a renumbering by the Reviser of Statutes pursuant to KRS 7.136(1).

186A.535 Title for classic motor vehicle project -- Administrative regulations.

(1) The owner of a motor vehicle that meets the definition of a classic motor vehicle project may apply for a classic motor vehicle project certificate of title, which shall:

(a) Bear on the face of the title the words "CLASSIC MOTOR VEHICLE PROJECT--NOT FOR ROAD USE"; and

(b) Not bear the designation of "salvage," "junk," "rebuilt," or any other similar brand.

(2) The owner of a motor vehicle that meets the definition of a classic motor vehicle project as set forth in KRS 186A.510, has been issued a classic motor vehicle project certificate of title under subsection (1) of this section, and has been restored to roadworthy condition may make application for a new certificate of title pursuant to KRS 186A.115. The Transportation Cabinet may promulgate administrative regulations pursuant to KRS Chapter 13A governing the form of application.

(3) Upon receipt of a classic motor vehicle project certificate of title issued pursuant to subsection (1) of this section and proof of passing the inspection required by KRS 186A.115, the cabinet shall issue a new regular certificate of title with no special brand printed on the face of the title.

(4) The only time a vehicle with a classic motor vehicle project certificate of title may be operated upon the highways of the Commonwealth is when it is en route to or from an inspection by the certified inspector prior to obtaining a certificate of title after having been restored in accordance with KRS 186A.115.

(5) The Transportation Cabinet shall promulgate administrative regulations pursuant to KRS Chapter 13A, regarding the administration of the classic motor vehicle project certificate of title procedures. The administrative regulations shall include the manner in which classic motor vehicle project titles are differentiated from salvage titles and rebuilt brands. The administrative regulations may include designation of additional brands which provide significant information to the owner.

Effective: July 15, 2008

History: Created 2008 Ky. Acts ch. 157, sec. 2, effective July 15, 2008.

186A.540 Written disclosure of damages to motor vehicle.

(1) An individual, or a dealer required to be licensed pursuant to KRS Chapter 190, shall disclose all damages to a motor vehicle:

(a) Of which the individual or the dealer has direct knowledge;

(b) Which result in repairs, for items other than wheels, tires, or glass, that exceed two thousand dollars ($2,000); and

(c) That occur while the motor vehicle is in the individual's or the dealer's possession and prior to delivery to a purchaser.

(2) Disclosure under this section shall be in writing and shall require the purchaser's signature acknowledging the disclosure of damages.

Effective:June 29, 2017

History: Amended 2017 Ky. Acts ch. 139, sec. 1, effective June 29, 2017. -- Amended 2009 Ky. Acts ch. 54, sec. 2, effective June 25, 2009. -- Amended 2000 Ky. Acts ch. 23, sec. 7, effective February 22, 2000. -- Created 1994 Ky. Acts ch. 243, sec. 5, effective July 15, 1994.

186A.550 Authority for administrative regulations to conform to federal requirement of uniformity, if imposed.

Notwithstanding the provisions of KRS 186A.510, 186A.520, and 186A.530, if the United States Department of Transportation requires a uniform method for titling salvage and junk vehicles, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet shall promulgate administrative regulations, pursuant to KRS Chapter 13A, to bring the provisions of KRS 186A.510, 186A.520, and 186A.530 into compliance with federal law.

Effective: July 15, 1994

History: Created 1994 Ky. Acts ch. 243, sec. 6, effective July 15, 1994.

186A.555 Titles of hail-damaged vehicles. (Effective until January 1, 2027)

(1) Notwithstanding KRS 186A.500 to 186A.550, the owner of a motor vehicle that has been damaged solely by hail shall have the regular title of the vehicle branded as follows "Hail Damage" if:

(a) The vehicle is in a condition that it can be legally operated on the highway;

(b) The total estimated or actual cost of parts and labor to rebuild or reconstruct the vehicle to its pre-hail condition exceeds seventy-five percent (75%) of the retail value of the vehicle, as prescribed by a nationally accepted used car valuation guide or tool identified under KRS 304.20-110; and

(2) A person seeking to have the title of a vehicle branded for hail damage under subsection (1) of this section shall present the sheriff with a statement from the person's insurance company that the damage exceeds seventy-five percent (75%) of the retail value of the vehicle and is solely the result of hail damage, and shall have the vehicle inspected by the sheriff of the county in which the vehicle is registered. Upon completion of inspection of the vehicle, the sheriff shall indicate on the vehicle transaction record form if he or she has received a statement from the person's insurance company that the damage to the vehicle is the result of hail damage and if the total estimated or actual cost of parts and labor to rebuild or reconstruct the vehicle to its pre-hail condition exceeds seventy-five percent (75%) of the retail value of the vehicle, as prescribed by a nationally accepted used car valuation guide or tool identified under KRS 304.20-110. The sheriff shall be paid a fee of fifteen dollars ($15) to conduct an inspection under this subsection.

(3) Upon completion of the inspection required under subsection (2) of this section, a person shall take the vehicle transaction record form and the title to the vehicle to the office of the county clerk in the county in which the vehicle is registered. If the sheriff has certified on the vehicle transaction record form that the damage to the vehicle is the result of hail damage and if the total estimated or actual cost of parts and labor to rebuild or reconstruct the vehicle to its pre-hail condition exceeds seventy-five percent (75%) of the retail value of the vehicle, as prescribed by a nationally accepted used car valuation guide or tool identified under KRS 304.20- 110, the clerk shall enter into the Automated Motor Vehicle Registration System (AVIS) the information required to brand the title with a "Hail Damage" brand. The county clerk shall be paid a fee of three dollars ($3) to carry out this subsection.

(4) A title branded "Hail Damage" under the provisions of subsection (3) of this section shall retain the brand for as long as the person holds title to the vehicle, and upon the sale or transfer of the vehicle, the new title issued shall continue to carry the brand "Hail Damage."

(5) An insurance company shall not render payment on a vehicle damaged solely by hail in excess of seventy-five percent (75%) of the retail value of the vehicle until the title has been branded "Hail Damage."

Effective: July 15, 2026

History: Amended 2026 Ky. Acts ch. 135, sec. 23, effective July 15, 2026. -- Amended 2025 Ky. Acts ch. 95, sec. 16, effective March 27, 2025. -- Amended 2024 Ky. Acts ch. 123, sec. 39, effective July 15, 2024. -- Created 2000 Ky. Acts ch. 230, sec. 1, effective July 14, 2000.

186A.555 Titles of hail-damaged vehicles. (Effective January 1, 2027)

(1) Notwithstanding KRS 186A.500 to 186A.550, the owner of a motor vehicle that has been damaged solely by hail shall have the regular title of the vehicle branded as follows "Hail Damage" if:

(a) The vehicle is in a condition that it can be legally operated on the highway;

(3) Upon completion of the inspection required under subsection (2) of this section, a person shall take the vehicle transaction record form and the title to the vehicle to the office of the county clerk in the county in which the vehicle is registered. If the sheriff has certified on the vehicle transaction record form that the damage to the vehicle is the result of hail damage and if the total estimated or actual cost of parts and labor to rebuild or reconstruct the vehicle to its pre-hail condition exceeds seventy-five percent (75%) of the retail value of the vehicle, as prescribed by a nationally accepted used car valuation guide or tool identified under KRS 304.20- 110, the clerk shall enter into the Automated Motor Vehicle Registration System (AVIS) the information required to brand the title with a "Hail Damage" brand. The county clerk shall be paid a fee established by the cabinet by administrative regulation under KRS 186.017 to carry out this subsection.

Effective: January 1, 2027

History: Amended 2026 Ky. Acts ch. 135, sec. 23, effective July 15, 2026; and ch. 135, sec. 38, effective January 1, 2027. -- Amended 2025 Ky. Acts ch. 95, sec. 16, effective March 27, 2025. -- Amended 2024 Ky. Acts ch. 123, sec. 39, effective July 15, 2024. -- Created 2000 Ky. Acts ch. 230, sec. 1, effective July 14, 2000.

Legislative Research Commission Note (1/1/2027). This statute was amended by 2026 Ky. Acts ch. 135, secs. 23 and 38, which do not appear to be in conflict and have been codified together.

Penalties Penalties

186A.990 Penalties.

(1) Any person who knowingly gives false, fraudulent, or erroneous information in connection with an application for the registration, and when required, titling of a vehicle, or any application for assignment of a vehicle identification number, or replacement documents, or gives information in connection with his or her review of applications, or falsely certifies the truthfulness and accuracy of information supplied in connection with the registration and when required, titling of a vehicle, shall be guilty of forgery in the second degree.

(2) Any person who violates KRS 186A.260 or KRS 186A.275 to 186A.285 shall be guilty of a Class D felony.

(3) Any person who violates KRS 186A.300 to 186A.315 shall be guilty of a Class D felony.

(4) (a) Any person who operates a motor vehicle or trailer upon the highways of this state without a temporary tag when one is required, or with one that is expired, improperly executed, or displayed on a vehicle other than the one (1) to which it was legitimately and lawfully issued, shall be guilty of a Class B misdemeanor.

(b) Any person who steals, fraudulently produces, copies, or acquires a temporary tag in a manner not authorized under this chapter shall be guilty of a Class D felony.

(5) Any person who violates the disclosure provisions of KRS 186A.530(8) shall be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.

(6) Any person who violates any provisions of this chapter, or regulations promulgated pursuant thereto, and for which a specific penalty is not prescribed by statute, shall be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.

(7) Criminal remedies or sanctions provided in this chapter are in addition to, and not exclusive of, any other criminal remedies or sanctions provided elsewhere in the statutes.

(8) Any person who intentionally or willfully divulges his, her, or another person's certified inspector number to any person other than those designated individuals within the offices of the sheriff, county clerk, or other state office, except in the course of his or her official assigned duties, shall be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.

(9) Any person who intentionally or willfully sells his, her, or another person's certified inspector number to any person or persons shall be guilty of a Class D felony.

(10) A motor vehicle dealer, salesperson, or agent who violates subsection (4) of this section or KRS 186A.100, 186A.105, or 186A.110 shall, in addition to the penalties prescribed in this section, be subject to the penalties in KRS 190.990.

Effective: June 27, 2025

History: Amended 2025 Ky. Acts ch. 70, sec. 4, effective June 27, 2025. -- Amended 2024 Ky. Acts ch. 103, sec. 2, effective July 15, 2024. -- Amended 2005 Ky. Acts ch. 22, sec. 2, effective June 20, 2005. -- Amended 1994 Ky. Acts ch. 243, sec. 7, effective July 15, 1994. -- Created 1982 Ky. Acts ch. 164, sec. 66, effective July 15, 1982.