KRS 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 establi shed 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:

1. 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

2. 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 excep tion

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 res ides 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.