KRS 186.190: Change of registration upon transfer of ownership -- Permitted

registration plate transfers -- Clerk's fee. (Effective until January 1, 2027)

(1) (a) Except as provided for in paragraph (e) of this subsection, when a motor

vehicle that has been previously registered changes ownership, the registration

plate shall not remain upon the motor vehicle, but shall be retained by the

seller and may be transferred to another vehicle owned or leased by the seller

in accordance with paragraph (b) or (c) of this subsection.

(b) An individual who sells a motor vehicle which has a valid registration plate

may transfer that plate to another vehicle of the same classification at the time

the individual transfers the vehicle. If the individual does not have a vehicle to

transfer the plate to at the time the individual sells a vehicle, the individual

may hold the registration plate for the period of registration. At any time

during the period of registration, the individual shall notify the county clerk

and transfer the plate to a vehicle of the same classification that he or she has

obtained prior to operating that vehicle on a public highway. If the plate

transfer occurs in the final month in which the existing registration is still

valid, the individual shal l be required to renew the registration on the newly

acquired vehicle.

(c) An individual who trades in a motor vehicle with a valid registration plate

during the purchase of a motor vehicle from a licensed motor vehicle dealer

shall remove the plate from t he vehicle offered in trade. A photocopy of the

valid certificate of registration shall be included with the application for title

and registration for the purchased vehicle, and the plate shall be retained by

the purchaser. The dealer shall equip the purc hased vehicle with a temporary

tag in accordance with KRS 186A.100 before the buyer may operate it on the

highway. When the buyer receives a valid certificate of registration from the

county clerk, the buyer shall remove the temporary tag and affix the

registration plate to the vehicle.

(d) All vehicle transfers and registration plate transfers shall be initiated within

the fifteen (15) day period established under KRS 186.020 and 186A.070.

(e) This subsection shall not apply to transfers between motor vehi cle dealers

licensed under KRS Chapter 190. A secured party who repossesses a vehicle

shall comply with KRS 186.045(6).

(2) (a) A person shall not purchase, sell, or trade any motor vehicle without

delivering to the county clerk of the county in which the sale or trade is made

the title, and a notarized affidavit if required and available under KRS

138.450 attesting to the total and actual consideration paid or to be paid for

the motor vehicle.

(b) Except for transactions handled by a motor vehicle dealer licensed pursuant to

KRS Chapter 190, the person who is purchasing the vehicle shall present

proof of insurance in compliance with KRS 304.39 -080 to the county clerk

before the clerk transfers the registration on the vehicle.

(c) Proof of insurance shall be in the manner prescribed in administrative

regulations promulgated by the Department of Insurance pursuant to KRS

Chapter 13A.

(d) Proof of insurance for a personal motor vehicle shall be determined by the

county clerk as provided in KRS 186A.042.

(3) (a) Upon delivery of the title, and a notarized affidavit if required and available

under KRS 138.450 attesting to the total and actual consideration paid or to be

paid for the motor vehicle to the county clerk of the county in which the sale

or trade was made, the seller shall pay to the county clerk a transfer fee of two

dollars ($2), which shall be remitted to the Transportation Cabinet.

(b) If an affidavit is required, and available, the signatures on the affidavit shall

be individually notarized before the county clerk shall issue to the purchaser a

transfer of registration bearing the same data and information as contained on

the original registration receipt, except the change in name and address.

(c) The seller shall pay to the county clerk a fee of six dollars ($6) for the clerk's

services.

(4) (a) If the owner junks or otherwise renders a motor vehicle unfit for future use,

the owner shall deliver the registration plate and registration receipt to the

county clerk of the county in which the motor vehicle is junked.

(b) The county clerk shall return the plate and motor vehicle registration receipt

to the Transportation Cabinet.

(c) The owner shall pay to the county clerk one dollar ($1) for the clerk's

services.

(5) A licensed motor vehicle dealer sha ll not be required to pay the transfer fee

provided by this section, but shall be required to pay the county clerk's fee provided

by this section.

(6) The motor vehicle registration receipt issued by the clerk under this section shall

contain information required by the Department of Vehicle Regulation.

Effective: June 27, 2025