by Armando Martinez
License Plate Transfer Process in Kentucky
When you sell a car in Kentucky, the license plates stay with the seller. The buyer has ten days to transfer ownership and obtain new license plates. In the sale of a vehicle, the seller must sign the back of the title in the presence of a notary. This will sign over ownership of the vehicle. The buyer takes the signed title, proof of Kentucky Insurance, proof of Identification, and money for fees and applicable taxes to their local County Clerk's office for transfer. Older Titles before 2000 may require a completed TC96-182 to complete the transfer process. To complete the transfer ownership, the seller must provide the buyer with the signed, notarized, and dated title, a Bill of Sale, and a current odometer reading. If there's a lien on the vehicle, the seller should get the title from the lien holder before selling the car.
Once the buyer has the necessary documentation, they must visit their local county clerk's office to transfer the title and register the car. The clerk's office will issue new license plates and a registration sticker.
License Plate Fees in Kentucky
The license plate fees in Kentucky can vary depending on the type of vehicle, type of license plate chosen, and other factors. Here are some of the fees you may need to pay:
- Title fee: $9
- Transfer fee: $25
- Registration fee: varies based on vehicle type, weight, and location
- Sales tax: 6% of the purchase price
If you're obtaining a new license plate, there will be an additional fee for the plate and registration sticker. Kentucky issues over 150 different types of passenger and motorcycle license plates. License plates can be categorized into the following types: Regular (Standard Issue), Special, University, Independent College, Military, Military Motorcycle, Miscellaneous, Disabled,and Special Motorcycle Plates. You can visit the state’s Plate List application page for a list and image of all plates.
Conclusion
When selling your car in a private party sale in Kentucky, understand the license plate transfer process and fees involved. Make sure to provide the necessary documentation, including a notarized, signed and dated title, Bill of Sale, and current odometer reading. Expect to pay title fees, transfer fees, registration fees, sales tax, and additional fees for new license plates. For additional information visit https://drive.ky.gov/Vehicles/Pages/Vehicle-Registration-Renewals.aspx.
By following these steps, you can successfully navigate the license plate process and have a successful private party car sale in Kentucky. Good luck!
This article was written by Armando Martinez. Armando Martinez is among the nation’s experts on automotive titling, registration, DMV services and document operations. With nearly two decades of experience across a broad range of financial services functions and some of the largest names in auto, from Wells Fargo to Uber, Armando combines vision and ingenuity with a wealth of information so auto shoppers and sellers can learn from his experience.
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