KRS 186.170: Retention of receipt -- Display of registration plates -- Registration years.

(1) (a) Except as provided in this subsection and KRS 186A.127 and 186.045, the

owner shall have the receipt issued by the cabinet through the county clerk

constantly in his possession, and shall display the registration plate

conspicuously upon the rear of the motor vehicle, except that the registration

plate upon a semitrailer-tractor shall be displayed upon the front of the tractor.

(b) The owner's copy, o r a reproduced copy thereof, of the registration receipt of

every motor vehicle, except motorcycles, licensed under KRS 186.050 shall

be kept in the vehicle at all times and shall be available for inspection.

(c) Plates shall be kept legible at all times a nd the rear plate shall be illuminated

when being operated during the hours designated in KRS 189.030. No rim,

frame, or other covering around the plate shall in any way obscure or cover

any lettering or decal on the plate.

(d) If the cabinet has prescribe d that plates shall continue in use, it shall each

year, in addition to the registration receipt, select and give to the owner as

further evidence of registration some insignia which may conveniently be

attached permanently and conspicuously to the motor v ehicle during each

registration year. It shall be the duty of the owner to attach the insignia in the

prescribed manner and no person may operate a motor vehicle unless the

insignia is affixed upon it. The cabinet shall have placed on the insignia either

figures, letters, writing, marks, or a combination thereof, which indicate that

the motor vehicle has been registered and which in conjunction with the

records of the cabinet make identity of the registrant readily ascertainable.

(2) The registration year f or commercial vehicles, trailers, semitrailers, mobile homes,

and recreational vehicles shall be from April 1 to March 31.

(3) At the discretion of the vehicle owner, the title to a motor vehicle may be held in

the system and subsequently printed and mailed to the owner at the owner's request.