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Motor Vehicle Licensing is the most frequently visited area of the Clerk’s office. Motor vehicle licenses must be renewed annually.

Process to Apply for a Personalized Plate

  • Go to drive.ky.gov and select the plate style you would like to personalize.
  • Check to see if your personalization is available.
  • If available, you will submit an online pre-application to the Division of Motor Vehicle Licensing (MVL).
  • A committee within MVL will approve or deny your request.
  • If approved you must bring your pre-approval form and application to the County Clerk to process your application at that time you will pay the $25 fee.
  • Your plate is created within 4-8 weeks and when it arrives at the County Clerk’s office you will come back in to put your personalized plate on your vehicle. Be sure to bring in your current plate to exchange for your personalized plate.

WAYS TO RENEW YOUR MOTOR VEHICLE:

  1. Renew online: You can renew your registration online through the Kentucky Motor Vehicle Licensing System. Visit their website to get started. www.drive.ky.gov
    You will receive your completed renewal by mail in 3 – 5 business days.
  2. Mail-In Renewal Service: A $2.00 fee is added to cover postage and handling. Send registration certificate, current KY insurance card, and payment (plus a $2.00 mail-in fee) to:
    Carroll County Clerk
    440 Main Street
    Carrollton, KY 41008
    You will receive your completed renewal by mail once processed.
  3. Renew in Person:
    Carroll County Clerk’s Office
    440 Main Street, 1st Floor
    Carrollton, KY 41008

When renewing your motor vehicle remember these important items:

  • Proof of current Kentucky liability insurance is required for all vehicles.
  • You may also provide the current registration and/or renewal notice received in the mail
  • Most motor vehicle license plates are renewed in the owner’s birth month with the exception being some specialty plates (such as disabled, farm plates)
  • Special Plates are available for additional fees. 
  • **Please keep in mind if you are switching to a specialty plate, during the time of renewal, your current plate must be turned in to our office.

TRANSFER OF A KENTUCKY TITLE VEHICLE:

A person who purchases a vehicle or brings a vehicle from another state is required to title the vehicle(s) within 15 days. If the owner of a motor vehicle does not reside in Kentucky, the vehicle shall be registered with the County Clerk of the county in which the motor vehicle is principally operated (KRS 186.020).

Currently, there are several types of Kentucky Titles that have been issued. The procedures followed are based on what type of title the seller was issued. Titles issued after February 2000 have the assignment portion and vehicle transaction record form combined on the back of the Certificate of Title. These titles would not require the VTR form # TC96-182 in order to transfer a vehicle.

Titles issued prior to February 2000 only have the assignment portion on back of the Certificate of Title and would require the VTR form # TC96-182 submitted along with the Title.

The following documents and information are required:

  • Kentucky Certificate of Title clear of all liens, with assignment portion properly completed by buyer & seller. Depending on what year your title was issued determines the procedure that you follow for a transfer.
  • Application for title/registration: If title issued before February 2000 must be completed, signed by all registered owners, and notarized. Persons that have power of attorney for the owner(s) may sign, but a copy of the power of attorney must be submitted with the application. If County Clerk staff notarizes signatures, identification must be presented.
    Note: Titles that contain AND (instead of OR) between the names of owners require the signature of all owners and/or require both to sign & notarize.
  • Buyer Proof of Insurance (in their name) for vehicle purchasing. Title Only transfers may be done if insurance is not available or if the vehicle is inoperable, but the license plate must be surrendered.
  • Social Security Number for each party appearing on the title or Federal ID Number for companies.

Notes

Property Tax: The owner of a vehicle as of January 1st of each tax year is responsible for the tax for that year. If at the time of transfer, the property tax has not been paid, the seller will be responsible for the tax. To avoid delinquent tax, it is recommended that the seller pay taxes at the time of transfer. If not, the seller will be sent a notification by the Kentucky Revenue Cabinet of the tax due. This does not relinquish the responsibility to pay property tax timely.

Usage Tax: A six percent (6%) motor vehicle usage tax is levied upon the “retail price” of vehicles transferred in Kentucky. On used vehicles, the usage tax is 6% of the current average retail as listed in the NADA Used Car Guide or 6% of the total consideration paid. On used vehicles, the total consideration paid is the total given less any trade-in allowance, if applicable. Trade-in allowance applies to used vehicles only and the vehicle being traded must be previously registered in Kentucky.

Usage Tax Exemptions are on the following types of Kentucky transfers:

  1. Charitable/Education Organization
  2. Corporation/Subsidiary (LLC)*
  3. Dealer Registration
  4. Husband/Wife
  5. Military Exempt*
  6. Parent/Child
  7. State Government
  8. US Government
  9. Corporation/Proprietorship (LLC)*
  10. Court Order/Will*
  11. Grandparent/Grandchild
  12. Local Government
  13. Name Change
  14. Repossession*
  15. Stepparent/Stepchild

*Documentation must be provided

Fees

Kentucky Duplicate Title Fee for Motor Vehicle: $8.00

Notary Fee: $2.00 (Any document that we have to notarize will include this fee.)

Kentucky Speed Title: $25.00 (A speed title is mailed to the owner the following business day by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, Title Branch, Frankfort, KY 40601.)

Transfer Fee (Standard fee for the title-only transfer.) $9.00

Yearly Renewal Registration Fee: $21.00 (Could vary depending on plate type or date of purchase.)

Usage Tax: 6% of “retail price” (See Usage Tax definition above)

Title Lien Statement recording fee: $22.00 (charge of an additional $2 if lien after 20 days)

OUT OF STATE VEHICLES:

Documents required:

Application for Title/Registration Form (TC96-182).
The Owner/Buyer and Seller (if the ownership is changing) sections must be signed and notarized.
When completed, Form TC 96-182 serves as your odometer statement which is necessary.

  1. Original title from previous state. If the title is being held by a lien holder, it must be released to the Jefferson County Clerk. The release is requested by the owner through a “Bank Letter” which may be obtained from our office. Our office will file a lien on your new Kentucky title. The County Clerk’s Office will notify you of receipt of your title from the lien holder. If you do not apply for title and registration in Kentucky within thirty (30) days from the date the County Clerk’s Office receives the title from the lien holder, the title will be returned to the lien holder on the thirty-first (31st) day.
  2. A Sheriff’s Inspection is required on all out-of-state vehicles. You must take the title and vehicle to the Sheriff’s Office for the Sheriff Inspection or contact the Sheriff’s Office at (502)732-7010 to make arrangements for them to come to you if you are unable to bring the vehicle to the courthouse.

There is a fee of $15.00 (cash or check made out to Carroll County Sheriff Office or CCSO) for inspections.

  1. When registering an out-of-state vehicle proof of Commonwealth of Kentucky insurance is required. When providing the Clerk’s Office with an insurance card it cannot have an Effective/Issue date older than 45 days from the date that it is presented. It is important to note that the effective date of the policy may be different than the effective date of the insurance card. For acceptance, the Clerk’s Office is concerned with the date the card was issued, not the policy. This applies to Personal Policies only. Mandatory Insurance Law
  2. Upon first time registration of a vehicle in Kentucky, the County Clerk collects a 6% usage tax. On a used vehicle, the tax is based on the current trade-in value according to the NADA guide. Tax credit may be obtained for any previous sales or usage tax paid to another state by the current registered owner. Tax credits will not be issued to vehicles purchased in Georgia after 3/1/2013. If there is a difference between previous tax paid by current owner and tax due Kentucky, then the applicant will be expected to pay the difference. The tax proof must be in your name and be on an invoice from the dealer or from the Department of Revenue where the vehicle was registered. Acceptable proof of sales or usage tax paid in another state must include the name of registered owner, vehicle identification number (VIN), and amount of state sales tax paid. It may also be listed on the Out-of-State Title. If the vehicle was previously registered in Kentucky under the current owner’s name, then Usage Tax will be waived. When registering a ‘brand new’ vehicle in Kentucky, it is necessary for you to complete the Total Consideration Section on the Application for Title/Registration (TC 96-182) attesting to the purchase price of the vehicle. TC 96-182 form must be signed by both the seller and buyer and notarized. If both signatures cannot be obtained to sign the TC 96-182 form, it is necessary for you to present the window sticker or factory invoice stating the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price of the vehicle, including options and destination charges. Kentucky residents registering a vehicle purchased out of state must also complete the Total Consideration section on the TC 96-182 form, the application must be signed by both the seller and the buyer attesting to the purchase price of the vehicle. If the seller is not available to sign the TC 96-182, the tax will be based on 6% of the average retail value according to the NADA guide.
  3. The fee required for Application of Title is $9.00. The annual license fee is $21.00 which will be pro-rated, based on the owner’s birth month. For each required notarization, there is a $2.00 fee. Accepted methods of payment are cash, money order, Visa/MasterCard and Discover, or personal check. Out-of-state checks are not accepted. Valid Kentucky I.D. is required for notarization and/or acceptance of personal checks.
  4. If the title reflects a lien holder a Title Lien Statement (T.L.S.) is required. The Carroll County Clerk’s Office will file your lien in Carroll County. The lien-filing fee is $22.00.
  5. If there are two (2) names with “or” on a Certificate of Title, one signature is required to be notarized ($2.00 fee) on the Application for Title/Registration Form  (TC 96-182) to license a vehicle in the State of Kentucky. If there are two (2) names with “AND” on a Certificate of Title or no connector; both signatures are required. If signatures are notarized in our office, Kentucky I.D. is required.

DUPLICATE TITLE:

If the original Motor Vehicle or Boat Certificate of Title has been lost, stolen, or mutilated you may apply for a duplicate title. The duplicate title will void any title previously issued in the state of Kentucky.

  • The current owner of the vehicle must apply for duplicate title.
  • If your name has changed since the title was issued, for identification purposes only, please attach a copy of the legal document authorizing the name change, i.e. copy of marriage certificate, divorce decree, or other court documents. The name cannot be changed in duplicate title process.
  • If owner is deceased, Probate or Trust papers along with a death certificate must be provided to the Clerk’s Office at time of application. The petitioner, executor, or trustee must be the person making application.
  • If application is being signed by a Power-of-Attorney, the Clerk’s Office must be provided a copy of the signed POA papers at time of application.

How to obtain a Duplicate Title

  1. Complete a Motor Vehicle Application of Title TC96-182 or Motor Boat Transaction Record TC96-184. The applications are available at any branch office or you may download the appropriate application from the Carroll County Clerk’s website.
  2. On the application you must complete the Vehicle/Boat Information Section and Owner/Buyer information. Signature must be notarized.
  3. Mail the completed Motor Vehicle Application or Motor Boat Transaction Record (include TC96-167 – boats only) along with $8.00 for each duplicate title requested to the Carroll County Clerk.

How to Register Street-Legal Special Purpose Vehicles (SLSPV):

A “Special Purpose Vehicle” means an all-terrain vehicle, utility terrain vehicle, minitruck, pneumatic-tired military vehicle, or full-sized special purpose-built vehicle, including a vehicle that is self-constructed or built by the original equipment manufacturer and a vehicle that has been modified. It does not include low-speed vehicles as defined in KRS 186.010 (MVL).

Effective June 27, 2025, Special Purpose Vehicles that meet special road worthy requirements, pass inspection by a certified sheriff inspector, and are insured by KY insurance, can be registered as a Street-Legal vehicle and can be operated in jurisdictions that allow them by local ordinance. Vehicles that are designated SLSPV are subject to the same registration and tax requirements as any other Kentucky registered vehicle.

These vehicles cannot be operated on a limited access highway (interstate/parkway), a highway with pavement markings for more than 20 miles, or in an area that the US Department of Agriculture prohibits.

Required paperwork:

  • Current title or Certificate of Origin (no photocopies)
    • If the vehicle is not currently titled on a Kentucky title, Form TC 96-182 will be required.
  • Proof of KY insurance
  • Proof of sales tax paid (bill of sale or sales receipt)
    • If proof of paid sales tax is not available, the vehicle will be taxed 6% of the current trade-in value
  • Form TC 96-365 – Street-Legal Special Purpose Vehicle Inspection
    • This inspection is performed by the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office for a $25.00 fee)
    • Please contact the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office (502)732-7010 for hours of inspections
  • Vehicle must have a VIN (vehicle identification number)
    • If the vehicle does not have a VIN, the owner must apply for a Kentucky issued VIN plate, which must be verified by a Sheriff inspection with Form TC 96-182 in addition to Form TC 96-365
  • IF YOUR OFF-ROAD VEHICLE HAS AN ACTIVE LIEN ON IT YOU MUST DO THE FOLLOWING:
    • Pick up a form letter from our office to send to your lien holder requesting permission to release and re-file the lien on the new title converting the vehicle to street legal or lien holder gives authorization to copy current lien information to new title.
    • We MUST receive authorization from lien holder before we can proceed with converting your vehicle to street legal.

 

SLSPV Requirements:

  • Vehicles that are designated SLSPV must be registered if titling from off-road to on-road usage
  • Vehicles that are designated SLSPV must maintain Kentucky proof of insurance
  • Vehicles that are designated SLSPV will be subject to annual Ad Valorem taxes
  • Registration fees will be $19.50 per year
    • If the registered owner of an SLSPV no longer wishes to maintain registration, insurance, and pay Ad Valorem taxes, they must transfer the SLSPV title to an “Off-Road Vehicle” title. The owner will pay title transfer fees and must present proof of the sales tax paid (sales receipt) to receive usage tax credit for the title transfer.
  • By renewing your SLSPV registration, you are certifying that the street-legal special purpose vehicle still meets all the equipment requirements listed in KRS 186.077
  • Vehicles that are designated SLSPV are to be registered in the county of residence of the owner. If the vehicle is operated primarily from a different address, please be prepared to provide this information at time of title transfer and registration.
  • Vehicles that are designated SLSPV can only be operated on Kentucky public roads in jurisdictions that allow them by local ordinance.

Inspection Requirements:

  • One (1) or more head lamps
  • One (1) or more tail lamps
  • One (1) or more brake lamps
  • A tail lamp or other lamp constructed and placed to illuminate the registration plate with a white light
  • One (1) or more red reflectors on the rear of the vehicle
  • Amber or red electric signals on the rear of the vehicle
  • A braking system, other than a parking brake
  • A horn or other warning device
  • A working muffler
  • Rearview mirrors on the right and left side of the driver
  • A windshield, unless the operator of the vehicle wears eye protection while operating the vehicle
  • A speedometer, illuminated for nighttime operation
  • A roll bar or roll cage
  • For multi-passenger vehicles, a seatbelt assembly that conforms to the federal motor vehicle safety standard provided in 49 C.F.R. sec. 571.209 for each designated seating position.
  • Tires that have at least two thirty-seconds (2/32) of an inch or greater tire tread

Accepted methods of payment to the Carroll County Clerk’s Office are cash, money order, MC, Visa, AMEX and Discover or personal check. No out-of-state checks accepted. Valid Kentucky I.D. is required for acceptance of personal checks.

Note: There is a payment service fee for all card transactions, 2.75% of total for ALL Card payments.

If you have any questions regarding this information, you may call our office at (502)732-7005.

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