Kentucky Personalized License Plates

 

Kentucky Personalized License Plates

In Kentucky, to operate a vehicle on state roads and highways without state authorization is illegal. This means that after purchasing a new automobile or newly establishing a residency here, you have to title and register your car as soon as possible.

After completing the registration procedure, the state issues standard license tags. There are also Kentucky personalized plates accessible that are an addition of a unique touch to your numbers.

In our article, we are going to talk about KY personalized plates, show the main requirements of the customization and provide details of the application process.

Personalized Tags

In Kentucky, several types of license plates (both standard and special ones) may be personalized. Besides customizing text, you may also pick out a placard template that best suits you and your interests.

There are certain limits for the characters on the customized tags:

  • You can choose up to 6 characters (both letters and digits, plus a dash or a space) for the standard plates for cars and trucks.
  • For motorcycles, you can choose up to 5 characters or 6 characters with a dash or a space.
  • The character limit for special tags varies depending on a certain type.

You have to choose a unique combination that hasn’t been used before and has no compliance with combinations used by public agencies or police.

Application Procedure

Residents may apply for Kentucky personalized plates through Drive.KY.Gov which is the official website of the Commonwealth of KY. Starting from July 17, 2017, all the license-plate-related issues are under the control of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

To apply for the customized authorization, you have to take the following steps:

  • First of all, visit Drive.KY.Gov online portal, find the Vehicle Services at the top of the leading page, click on it and choose License Plates from the dropdown menu.
  • Secondly, you will be directed to the online lookup page, where you should select a category and check its availability.
  • Then if the tag is accessible, the customer may fill out a special online request form.
  • To ensure full relevance with the state law, the DMV Licensing Committee should approve each request.
  • Within a month the DMV will notify the applicant about Committee’s decision by mail or email.

Steps of the Availability Checking

To check the availability of the preferable customized tag, first of all, you should visit the Drive.KY.Gov website. Then you have to review the tags and choose the template that best fits your interests. Then click on the preferred template and choose the function of “Personalize the Plate”. A small box will appear where you have to fill out the desired combination and see the availability of the placard.

If it is available, you can obtain it within 4 to 6 weeks. Try an alternative combination, if the placard is not accessible. You may also select the “partial match list” option to check the availability of similar combinations.

After ordering your customized tags through your local Clerk’s Office, you have to wait from 4 to 6 weeks to receive your placards from County Clerk’s Agency. After 6 to 8 weeks, you can call 502-574-5700 and give the details of a preferred branch from where you want to obtain the tags.

While visiting licensing agency, make sure you have your current license plate, original authorization, valid KY insurance, and a necessary amount of money to pay for the registration fee of $25, renewal fee of $21, and property tax for a year.

NOTE: You will receive notification by post or through email in case of denial of your request. The notification contains an explanation of the appeals process too. For more details on a denied request, please call 502-564-1257

House Bill 530

According to House Bill 530, the expiration date of customized placards changed from the 31st of December to the owner’s birth month. Besides, the placard replacement procedure, suggested at renewal, has been stopped.

Customers may only apply for the decal replacement. The state will replace the personalized placards, as the standard ones, on the same schedule; when they are damaged or unreadable.

If you need more info on the above-mentioned procedures, you may contact to:

Transportation Cabinet

200 Mero Street

Frankfort, Kentucky 40622

TELEPHONE: 502-564-5301

Visit the official website of the Commonwealth of KY and check the detailed information on these procedures.