How to Renew Your Vehicle Registration in Kentucky

As a vehicle owner in Kentucky, it is your responsibility to complete a car registration renewal every year before your license plates expire. You must be aware of when your registration expires so that you can complete the renewal before you face any legal consequences for driving with expired registration documents. There are a few requirements that you must keep in mind when completing a DMV car registration renewal in Kentucky.

Moreover, it is important to understand that you have three different options for renewing: online, in person or through the mail. As long as you are aware of all the necessary renewal procedures before you begin and ensure that you are eligible for renewal ahead of time, you can expect a smooth and efficient process. To learn more, read the sections below.

Requirements for Car Registration Renewal in Kentucky

In order to request for a motor vehicle registration renewal you must meet eligibility requirements. The requirements that you must meet include:

• Being a Kentucky resident.
• Being able to pay the necessary DMV registration renewal fees.
• Having acceptable auto insurance coverage for at least 45 days.

Your registration will typically expire during your birth month. However, to determine your exact DMV registration renewal status and when you are subject to renew, check your renewal notice form or contact your local Kentucky County Clerk’s office. Ensure that you renew before your expiration date so that you do not face any consequences from driving with invalid registration.

What do you need to renew your car registration in Kentucky?

Understanding what you need to renew auto registration in Kentucky is very important before you begin the renewal process. However, it should be noted that the requirements may vary slightly depending on your renewal method. If you are renewing in person, you must have the following:

• Photo ID
• Original Kentucky Certificate of Registration. Photocopies are not accepted.
• Proof of auto insurance, if applicable
• Payment for applicable fees and taxes

If you are renewing online or through the mail, you must have the following:

• Title number
• Plate number
• Proof of auto insurance, if applicable
• Payment for applicable fees and taxes

Kentucky Vehicle Registration Renewal Notice

The Kentucky Revenue Cabinet mails out a vehicle registration renewal notice the month before your license plate expiration date. The renewal notice contains information about the date by which you must renew and the specific property taxes and license fees you must pay. This notice is sent out as a courtesy reminder for renewing your plates and is not a necessary document for completing the renewal.

Kentucky Car Registration Renewal Notice Lost or Not Received

You must renew a vehicle registration before it expires, regardless of whether or not you received a renewal notice in the mail.

If you have lost a registration renewal notice or you simply did not receive the notice in the mail, you may contact your local Kentucky County Clerk’s office to inquire about receiving another notice.

Kentucky Car Registration Renewal Options

There are a few different renewal methods that you can choose from. You can process a Kentucky DMV registration renewal online, through the mail or in person at your local County Clerk’s office. To learn more about each of these available methods, read the sections below.

How to Renew Your Car Registration Online

Before you can renew a car registration online, you must determine whether you are eligible for an online renewal. You may renew online only if all of the following are true:

• Your vehicle is not leased. You must perform a leased car registration renewal in person.
• Your KY vehicle registration is not expired.
• You do not have any overdue property taxes on your owned vehicle.
• Your vehicle has been insured for at least 45 days with the same insurance company.

If you discover that you are eligible to renew online, you must:

1. Provide your title number and plate number.
2. Verify that all information listed is correct.
3. Pay the DMV registration renewal fees and taxes. Accepted payment methods include American Express, Discover, MasterCard and VISA.
4. Print your confirmation and receipt.

Once you have completed the online process, allow five to seven business days for your online renewal to be processed.

How to Renew Your Car Registration by Mail

Knowing how to renew a car registration in Kentucky involves following the instructions stated on your renewal notice. You must mail in the following items to the address listed on that notice:

• Original Certificate of Registration
• Proof of Kentucky liability insurance
• Payment for the renewal fees and taxes

Note: Make sure to read the instructions on your renewal notice form thoroughly because some counties in Kentucky require you to provide additional documentation when completing a mail-in renewal. This may include providing your Social Security number or a tax bill, depending on where you live.

How to Renew Your Car Registration in Person

You can complete a motor vehicle registration renewal in person, regardless of whether or not you have a renewal notice. To process the renewal in person, you must visit your local Kentucky County Treasurer’s Motor Vehicle’s office and:

1. Provide your photo ID.
2. Provide your Original Certificate of Registration.
3. Provide current original proof of Kentucky liability insurance. Copies are not accepted.
4. Pay the applicable renewal fees and taxes.

Military & Out of State Vehicle Registration Renewal in Kentucky

There are no special car registration renewal exceptions provided to anyone located outside of the state of Kentucky. Out-of-state Kentucky residents and members of the U.S. military must complete a vehicle registration renewal online or by mail if their license plates are about to expire.

However, if you are active duty military, you may provide proof of an out-of-state insurance provider instead of a Kentucky insurance provider. To do so, you must provide acceptable proof of active duty military status, such as:

• A military ID.
• A letter from the Provost Marshal.
• LES pay stub.

The 45-day issue date requirement for the insurance does not apply to service members.

Kentucky Vehicle Registration Renewal Fees

The general registration renewal fees are as follows:

• Standard vehicle: $21.00
• Motorcycle: $18.50
• Farm vehicle: $31.00

Keep in mind that you will also be required to pay taxes. The exact amount of taxes you must pay depends on the county in which you reside.