Custom Car Registration in Kentucky

When applying for either street rod or historic car registration in Kentucky, vehicle owners can complete the procedure through the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KTC). The required documentation and payment for street rod or historic vehicle registration and license plates may be submitted at a local KTC office. The registration procedure is somewhat the same as for a regular car registration, with an additional application for street rod or historic license plates.

When applying for a registration, drivers will be mandated to provide the necessary paperwork along with payment for the applicable fees and potential taxes in order to obtain a registration and license plates for their motor vehicles. If you want to find out more information about how to register a custom car in Kentucky, continue reading the sections below.

Definition of a Street Rod or a Historic Vehicle in Kentucky

Before registering a historic car or a street rod in Kentucky, drivers need to know the specific regulations that may apply to such vehicles and make sure that their car belongs in the category of street rod or historic vehicles. A historic car is a motor vehicle that is at least 25 years or older and is used as an exhibition item in shows, tours and parades.

A street rod is a motor vehicle manufactured prior to 1949, or designed and manufactured to look like the vehicles that were manufactured in 1949. The main difference between a historic vehicle and a street rod is that the former is not a passenger vehicle and has not been altered and remanufactured, while the latter is a modernized passenger vehicle which is altered to resemble an old vehicle.

Steps in the Kentucky Street Rod or Historic Vehicle Registration Process

Vehicle owners who are applying for a street rod or a historic vehicle registration in Kentucky must contact the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KTC). In order to register a custom car or historic vehicle, drivers need to provide certain documentation at a nearby KTC branch.

The street rod or vintage vehicle registration process follows the same application procedure for regular auto registration. Drivers need to complete the following general requirements for obtaining a car registration:

Applicants will also be mandated to apply for classic car tags, in addition to these general requirements for registering a motor vehicle. Applying for street rod or antique license plates in KY may be done at a local County Clerk’s office by applicants who are either owners of historic motor vehicles or street rods.

When drivers receive the new plates, they will be required to surrender their regular plates issued to another passenger vehicle.

Fees to Register a Street Rod or a Historic Vehicle in Kentucky

The final step in the custom rod or vintage vehicle registration procedure is to submit payment for the issuance of license plates. The cost of the street rod classic car license plates is $46, but if you want to have them personalized, you will be required to pay additional $25 on an annual basis.

When renewing these street rod license plates, drivers will be mandated to pay $21 for license plate renewal. Applying for KY historic license plates will require drivers to pay a fee of $59. However, these license plates are permanent and there is no need to have them renewed.

Note: In addition to the renewing procedure for a street rod or a historic vehicle registration, drivers are also required to renew car registrations for their standard passenger vehicles.

Last updated on Monday, March 9 2020.