Kentucky License Plate Lookup

Kentucky License Plate Lookup

If you are going to buy a vehicle in Kentucky. In Kentucky, you may use the Kentucky License Plate Lookup. That is, you may search for the reports, conditions of your vehicle, and previous accidents. The state of Kentucky requires you to register your vehicle and apply for a driver’s license before you apply for a license plate. The Kentucky Department of Revenue issues the licenses that allow you to lawfully drive.

You can also use the license plate lookup for getting a personalized license plate.

Kentucky License Plate Lookup Tools and Process

The Kentucky License Plate Lookup tools can help you to discover more about the vehicle you are going to buy. It can also enable you to see if the personalized license plate combination is available or not. Whenever you use the lookup service, you can find out the following information:

  • First of all, you can find out when and where the vehicle has been produced.
  • Secondly, you can check out the model of the vehicle, see its condition and vehicle details (car engine, color, etc.)
  • You can as well find out the engine specifications. You’ll see the number of cylinders, the type of gasoline utilized, and so on.
  • Finally, you may check out the number of airbags, the color and material inside, and any other features that are important to you.

Kentucky License Plate Lookup services enable you to see the vehicle’s public photos and videos. All you need is to open the website and enter the vehicle’s license plate number.

The license plates that issue Kentucky State usually have a unique design. The license plate number is unique for every vehicle thus it enables you to find out the whole information about it.

If the vehicle you want to look up is produced not in the U.S.A, you will see a different license plate. The same is for the vehicles that have been registered in Kentucky earlier in 2011. The latter will have a blue background and with the state name written on the top. In fact, Kentucky is a two-plate state. So, if during the lookup you can’t find the two plates attached to the vehicle, you need to be cautious.

Application for a Kentucky License Plate

Whenever you want to conduct a vehicle on Kentucky public roads, your first step must be registering your vehicle. If you haven’t registered your vehicle before you must visit your local county clerk’s office. The registration licenses are issued by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet.

So, if you have decided on buying a vehicle and registering it in Kentucky, you will need to take the following steps:

  • You need to provide the insurance documents for your vehicle.
  • Secondly, you will have to show your vehicle’s title and bill of sale.
  • Of course, you will need to have proof of identity and make all the required payments.

If you apply for a standard license plate in Kentucky, you might be able to obtain it on the same day. Other plates, such as personalized ones, require you to wait for a couple of days.

The standard Kentucky state license plate consists of six characters and includes dashes and spaces. You can also use any letters or figures you want. In fact, you cannot even find two license plates that are completely the same. If the vehicle is for a company, it may contain any colors, shapes, or characters that are allowed by state law.

The registration costs for your vehicle are determined by its weight and the type of vehicle you drive. For example, a standard license plate costs $25 if you apply for the first time and you may need to pay $25 to renew it.

Personalized License Plates in Kentucky are also $25.

If you want to replace your plate and decals you need to pay $6.

Before you can get your license plates, you must pay property tax, service fees, and other expenses.

Kentucky Personalized License Plate

If you are applying for a license plate in Kentucky, you can choose your own letter and number combinations. It is called a Personalized License Plate.

The Kentucky Personalized License Plate can contain up to 6 letters and numbers. However, space and the dash are also considered as characters. The Kentucky state law bans the use of inappropriate combinations.

Before you apply for a personalized license plate you can use the lookup services and find out if the combination is available. As we have mentioned, the license plates are unique. The personalized license plate costs $25 in Kentucky. But sometimes you may need to make extra payments. When you have applied for a Kentucky Personalized License Plate you need to wait from 4 up to 6 weeks.

You may not be granted for a personalized license plate if it somehow doesn’t meet the state requirements. During the process, you will get a letter about the status of your application; whether it is approved or not.

Kentucky Custom License Plate

In Kentucky, you can see several types of licenses. In Kentucky, you may choose one-of-a-kind and custom-designed license plates.

Below you can find some of that licenses:

  • Organization/Membership License Plates Masonic
  • Occupational License Plate is available for police officers, firefighters, etc.
  • Military License Plate is available for military workers, war veterans, etc.
  • If your vehicle is antique you can apply and get a Classic Car License Plate.

Of course, the custom license plates have additional fees. The fees are based on the type of the license and sometimes you may even get the license free of charge. It mainly concerns military license plates.

License Plate Renewal

If you own a vehicle in Kentucky, you should be attentive and renew the vehicle’s registration. In fact, the decals on your license plate carry the information about the expiration day. It is more convenient to apply for a license plate renewal some days before.

When you apply for a license plate renewal late than needed, the Kentucky State may require you to pay late fees or penalties.

The renewal process is quite simple. You need either to visit the local county clerk’s office or submit your application online/ by email. You will need your vehicle’s title number, your Kentucky license plate number, and a bank card or cash money. In fact, you cannot renew all the license plates online. You need to check if the service is available.

You need to take the following steps to renew your license plate/registration of your vehicle:

  • Firstly, you need to visit the county’s office or enter the website.
  • Then you must sign in to your account and fill out the application form.
  • Finally, you will need to pay the fees and wait for the new recalls.

Take into account that your vehicle must have valid insurance from Kentucky State. If you have obtained your vehicle’s insurance during the past 45 days, you need to check if you are on the database before you apply for a renewal.

In case you have decided on the online renewal, you must remember that the County Clerk must review your application. After you need to wait for up to 5 working days. The fees for online renewal may vary and you need to pay extra 2 dollars for mailing.

License Plate Replacement

If you have ever lost or damaged your license plate, you don’t need to worry. You only need to apply for a license plate replacement as soon as possible.

All you need is to fill out the  TC 96-167 application form and make a payment of $25. After, the county clerk will give you a standard license plate. If you have issues with your personalized license plate, you cannot replace it until the January of that year. In case you have damaged your personalized license plate you must return it to the County Clerk’s office. If someone has found a license plate, they should return it back to the home county.

You will be notified when your new personalized plate is ready for pickup at the County Clerk’s office.

Transferring or Surrendering Your License Plate in Kentucky

Whenever you get a license plate it becomes your property. This means you’ll maintain your license plates if you sell, trade, or give your automobile.

Before you sell or exchange your car with a personalized plate, you must notify the County Clerk. So that you may maintain your personalized plate, the clerk must assign a new standard-issue plate to the car. A replacement plate and decal costs $6.00.

The new owner of your vehicle for example must register the vehicle and get a new license plate. But if you already own a license plate and need to buy a new car, you can just transfer the license plate. In this case, you need to visit the KTC and fill out the application form. But you need to take into account that you can transfer your license plate to a vehicle of the same type as yours.

In case you are going to sell your car and don’t want to buy a new car, or if you are moving to another state you can surrender your Kentucky License Plate. The same you can do if you need to cancel your vehicle’s insurance,

To surrender your license plate you will need either to visit the KTC or mail them the required documents.

Amalik B

Amalik B

Amalik is a junior content writer. She has graduated from YSU as a pedagogy philologist of the French language. During a year of her experience as a content writer, Amalik has written content for several websites and took part in some social media campaigns. Since 2017, she has been a volunteer in PAVU being an interpreter in various events. Nowadays she is also volunteering in Children of Regions, and in the frames of some projects teaches English and French.