Just bought a car in Kentucky and need to get it home legally? A KY temporary license plate—commonly called a “temp tag”—is your legal authorization to drive while permanent plates are being processed.
Kentucky has specific (and somewhat unique) rules about who issues them, how long they are valid, and the taxes you must pay to get one. Getting any of these details wrong puts you at risk of a citation before you even leave the parking lot. This guide walks you through everything Kentucky drivers actually need to know about getting legal plates.
Complete Guide to How to Get Kentucky Temp Tags
Vehicle registration in Kentucky is administered by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC), but the actual day-to-day processing is handled locally by your County Clerk’s office (not the DMV, and not the Circuit Court). How you get your plates depends on how you bought the car.
Scenario A: You Bought from a Kentucky-Licensed Dealer
What you get: A 60-Day Paper Temp Tag
This is the most common and streamlined scenario. When you buy from a licensed Kentucky dealer (new or used), they handle the temporary authorization entirely in-house.
- The Process: The dealer submits the paperwork to the state, collects your taxes, and prints a 60-day temporary paper tag. They will affix this to your rear window before you drive off the lot.
- Next Steps: You simply wait. The dealer will process your permanent metal plates and either mail them to you or have you pick them up within that 60-day window.
Scenario B: You Bought from a Private Seller in Kentucky
What you get: Permanent Metal Plates (Immediately)
If you buy a used car from a private party in Kentucky, you generally skip the “temporary plate” phase entirely.
- The Process: You and the seller (or just you, if the seller has already notarized their signature on the title) must go to your local County Clerk’s office.
- What to Bring: The notarized original title, proof of active Kentucky auto insurance, your KY driver’s license, and payment for taxes/fees.
- The Result: The County Clerk will process the title transfer and hand you your permanent metal license plate right across the counter.
Scenario C: You Bought Out-of-State or Are a New Resident
What you get: A 15-Day Window & Mandatory Sheriff Inspection
If you buy a car across state lines, or you just moved to Kentucky, you have 15 days to register your vehicle with your County Clerk. Before the clerk will give you plates, you must jump through an extra hoop.
- Step 1 (The Sheriff Inspection): Kentucky law requires all out-of-state vehicles to be inspected by the County Sheriff. This is a basic “road-worthy” and VIN-verification check. You must take the car, the title, your ID, and a small fee (usually $5 to $15 cash) to the Sheriff’s office or designated inspection lane.
- Step 2 (The County Clerk): Once the Sheriff signs off on your inspection form, take that form, your out-of-state title, proof of KY insurance, and your ID to the County Clerk to get your permanent plates.
Kentucky Vehicle Registration Costs
Many buyers—especially new residents—are caught off guard by the cost of registering a vehicle in Kentucky. Be prepared to pay the following at the County Clerk’s office:
| Fee Type | Approximate Cost | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Title Transfer Fee | $9.00 | Standard fee to put the title in your name. |
| Permanent Plate Fee | ~$21.00 | For standard issue KY plates. |
| Sheriff Inspection | $5.00 – $15.00 | Required only for out-of-state vehicles. |
| Motor Vehicle Usage Tax | 6% of vehicle value | This is the big one. Kentucky assesses a 6% tax on the retail price of the vehicle (based on the purchase price or NADA clean trade-in value, whichever is higher). If you bought a $20,000 car, budget an additional $1,200 for this tax at the clerk’s office. |
How to Display Your Temp Tag
- Location: It must be placed in the rear window of the vehicle, visible from the outside. (Motorcycles and vehicles without a rear window should display the permit at the rear of the vehicle in a clearly visible manner).
- Legibility: It must be readable under normal conditions, undamaged, and right-side up.
- No Obstructions: It cannot be covered by dark window tint, dirt, debris, or license plate frames.
What Happens If Your Temp Tag Expires?
Driving with an expired temporary tag or no registration in Kentucky is a misdemeanor. Law enforcement can verify temp tag validity in real-time through KYTC systems.
- Penalties: Fines range from $20 to $100+ for a first offense, plus court costs. In aggravated cases, it can lead to vehicle impoundment.
- Extensions: Kentucky does not offer automatic extensions. If your 60-day period is expiring and your dealer hasn’t provided permanent plates, contact your County Clerk’s office immediately to discuss your options. Do not alter a temp tag—that is a felony.
Frequently Asked Questions
Only if the car is coming from out of state. Kentucky does not require an annual state vehicle safety inspection or emissions test for vehicles already titled in the state. If it has an out-of-state title, it requires a one-time Sheriff’s inspection.
If the dealer is a Kentucky-licensed dealer, yes. If you are buying from a dealer in Ohio or Indiana, for example, they will issue you a transit tag from their state, which legally covers you to drive it back to Kentucky. You then have 15 days to get your KY plates.
You cannot register the car or get plates. The seller must apply for a duplicate title through their County Clerk before they can legally sell the vehicle to you.
A replacement for a lost or damaged tag may be obtainable from the issuing dealer. However, time extensions beyond the original 60 days are extremely rare and require intervention from the clerk’s office.
Conclusion
Kentucky’s registration system routes everything through your local County Clerk, making the process highly localized. If you buy from a dealer, enjoy your 60-day temp tag while they handle the paperwork. If you buy privately, ensure you have a notarized title and your checkbook ready for the 6% Usage Tax, and you’ll walk out of the clerk’s office with your metal plates in hand. Act quickly within your legal timeframes, and you will have no trouble navigating the Bluegrass State’s vehicle registration process.
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