Kentucky Driver License or state I.D for non U.S citizens. Obtain the “Blue Letter”: Go to the following address with all the above mentioned documents: BUECHEL STATION SHOPPING CENTER 4109 BARDSTOWN RD, UNIT 105, LOUISVILLE, KY 40218 Ph: 502.493.1477 - 502.493.0831 - 502.493.0406. There is a $30 charge to obtain the “Blue Letter”. Payment may be made by debit card, credit card or money order. Cash is not accepted. Apply for your license or your state I.D: Please follow the next steps: Go to Bowman Field Driver’s License Branch located at 3501 Roger Schupp Street, Louisville, KY 40205. Phone: (502) 595-4405.
Applying for a license plate requires you to go to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. You can apply for customized or personalized plates.
Sample Kentucky License Plate
Types of License Plates in Kentucky
Vehicles must be registered with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) in order to drive legally on state roads. You’ll require state license plates and a validation sticker.
The standard Kentucky license plate has a blue and white background with dark blue characters and a cloud in the centre.
Alternatively, you can choose to get customized license plate or personalized for an additional fee.
Applying for a Kentucky License Plate
If you have recently moved to Kentucky or you have just bought a new vehicle, you have 15 days to register your vehicle at a KTC office.
You’ll be required to bring the following documentation:
![Driver Driver](https://image.isu.pub/190523121623-d88b9342e3dd83f852770398ae3d459d/jpg/page_1_thumb_large.jpg)
- Proof of insurance
- Title
- Bill of sale
- Valid ID
- Payment for registration fees
If you are getting a standard license plate, you may be able to receive it the same day. Other plates, such as personalized or customized plates, take longer to process.
Personalized License Plates in Kentucky
In the state of Kentucky, you are permitted to personalize the characters on your license plate. You can create anything you can think of as long as it abides by the following:
- Up to 6 characters or up to 5 characters with a dash or space
- No vulgar language or indecency
- Plate number is not currently registered
The cost for personalization is $25 in addition to the standard registration fees for a license plate. You’ll also have additional renewal fees if you get a personalized plate.
Personalized plates take anywhere between 4 to 6 weeks from the date of application to process. Keep in mind, you may not be approved for personalized plates if you violate there guidelines. You will receive a letter in the mail detailing whether your personalized plates were approved, or not.
Custom License Plates in Kentucky
You’ve likely seen them before, the non-standard license plates. There are a variety of unique and custom designed license plates you can obtain in Kentucky. The following are a few examples:
- Special Causes License Plates
- Autism Awareness
- Food Bank
- Organization/Membership License Plates
- Masonic Order
- Hobbies & Leisurely Activities License Plates
- Kentucky Sportsman
- Radio Amateurs
- Occupational License Plates
- Police Officers
- Firefighter
- EMT
- Military License Plates
- Purple Cross
- Ex-POW
- Veteran of War
- Classic Car License Plates
- Antique
- Street Rod
These custom plates come with additional fees. Please contact the KTC for more details about available custom license plates.
Replacing License Plates in Kentucky
If your license plates have been lost, stolen, or damaged, you can visit a KTY office to apply for a replacement.
You’ll be required to submit the following documents:
- Form TC 96-167
- Payment (for replacement fee): $25
If you believe that your plates were stolen, it is advised to contact the police to file a report. This prevents your license plates from being used and abused by someone else, however, you are not obliged to contact the police.
Renewing License Plates in Kentucky
The decals attached to your license plate indicate when your plate expires. You should renew your vehicle’s registration in advance to avoid any additional late fees.
You can apply for new decals online, in person, or by mail. When you receive your new decal stickers you can place them right over top of the old ones.
The renewal fees will be fixed each year based on your vehicle and the type of license plate you have.
Transfer License Plates in Kentucky
Your license plates become your property. This means, when you sell, trade, or donate your car, you will keep your license plates. The person obtaining your vehicle would be responsible for registering the car under their name and obtaining a new set of license plates.
If you are to purchase a new vehicle, you will be permitted to transfer your license plates over to the new vehicle. You must go to the KTC and apply for the transfer.
Note: you cannot transfer license plates from a car to a motorcycle. They can only be transferred to the same vehicle type.
Surrendering License Plates in Kentucky
If you (1) sell your car, (2) move to a new state, or (3) cancel your insurance, you may have to surrender your license plates.
You can surrender your plates by mailing them to the KTC office or dropping them off in person.
Costs of License Plates in Kentucky
The fees associated with your vehicle’s registrations are based on weight and the type of vehicle you drive. Some of the standard fee you can expect to pay include:
- Standard Plates Fee: $21
- Renewals: $25
- Personalization: $25
- Plate & Decal Replacement Fee: $6
- Transfer Fee: $3
When you register your vehicle, you are expected to make payment right away. You’ll be required to pay property tax, service fees, and additional fees before being able to receive your plates.
Note: the above fees may vary by county. Be sure to contact your local KTC office to confirm the costs before you register your vehicle.
How to lookup Kentucky license plates
It's a good idea to look up license plates if you are going to:
- Purchasing a used vehicle
- Personalize your license plates
All you have to do to look up license plates in Kentucky is enter the plate number and wait for the results. You’ll obtain access to detailed information about the plates and you can check to see if the plate you want is available.
Here is a step by step guide on how to lookup Kentucky License Plates and report bad drivers:
- Open a web browser
- Go to FindByPlate.com
- Enter the plate number and select state
- View the report
- View images submitted by the community
- View videos submitted by the community
- Add comments
- Add pictures of the vehicle
- Add videos related to the vehicle
There are three phases to getting your Kentucky drivers license, depending on your age. Taking a Graduated License course – such as the online Kentucky GDL course we offer – is just a part of that process. Here’s how it works.
Step 1: The Kentucky Permit Phase
You may begin the process at age 16 by taking the written knowledge test and the vision test.
- Online driving manuals are available on the Kentucky State Police site.
- You must provide proof of identification: Social Security card, certified birth certificate, or an acceptable proof of residence.
- If you are under 18 years old, you also must provide a compliance verification form issued by your school.
Once you pass your permit test, you will be issued a Kentucky permit. If you are under 21 years old, you must keep the permit for 180 days. If you are 21 and older, you only need to keep it for 30 days.
During the permit phase, certain restrictions will apply to all permit holders. You are only allowed to drive when accompanied by a licensed Kentucky driver (21 and older). This passenger must ride in the front seat.
Additional restrictions for Kentucky permit holders under 18:
- Must complete a total of 60 hours of practice driving. At least 10 of these hours must be at night.
- Not allowed to drive between midnight and 6:00 a.m. Exceptions will be made for drivers who have demonstrable reason for driving during these hours (school/work activities, emergencies, etc).
- Must not have more than 1 unrelated person under the age of 20 in the vehicle at any time.
- If a driver receives a moving traffic violation (under KRS 186, 189, or 189A) the driver’s 180-day waiting period begins again.
- Must complete one of the following New Driver Education Programs:
- Graduated License Course (4 hours)
- High School Drivers Education
- Private Driver Training Course (training school must be approved)
Additional restrictions for permit holders under 21:
If you are under 21, you are subject to Kentucky’s Zero Tolerance law. This means driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is strictly prohibited. The tolerance level is defined as 0.02% blood alcohol content.
Restrictions for All Drivers:
Kentucky’s point system states that drivers could face license suspension if:
- Under 18: driver accumulates more than 6 points.
- Over 18: driver accumulates more than 12 points.
For more information, please refer to the Kentucky Point System page.
If, for some reason, you don’t pass on your first try, you may try again on the next available testing day. You can repeat this process for up to 6 attempts. If you fail 6 times, you must wait 6 months before trying again.
Step 2: The Intermediate Drivers License Phase
Once you have held your Kentucky permit for the appropriate time period (180 days for 21 and under, 30 days for 21 and over), you can do the following:
- Apply for your Kentucky intermediate drivers license.
- Take your driving skills test.
Keep in mind that to make your appointment, you must contact your county’s Circuit Clerk’s Office.
Driving Skills Test Requirements:
- Driver’s parent or guardian must verify the driver has completed their 60 hours of practice driving (10 of which were done at night).
- Proper registration and proof of insurance for the vehicle used for the test.
Passing the Skills Test
Under 18:
- After you pass, your Kentucky State Police driving examiner will place an “intermediate license” sticker on your Kentucky driver’s permit.
- After passing, you must successfully hold this intermediate drivers license for 180 days, adhering to all restrictions:
- No driving between the hours of midnight and 6:00 a.m. (unless driver can provide legitimate reason, such as work or school).
- If driver receives a moving traffic violation (under KRS 186, 189, or 189A) the driver’s 180-day waiting period begins again.
- Must not have more than 1 unrelated person under the age of 20 in the vehicle at any time.
- Must complete one of the following New Driver Education Programs:
- Graduated License Course (4 hours)
- High School Drivers Education
- Private Driver Training Course (training school must be approved )
- If a driver gets more than 6 points during this time, he or she can have their license suspended.
Additional restrictions for intermediate Kentucky drivers license holders under 18:
If you are under 21, you are subject to Kentucky’s Zero Tolerance law. This means driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is strictly prohibited. The tolerance level is defined as 0.02% blood alcohol content.
If you are under 21, you are subject to Kentucky’s Zero Tolerance law. This means driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is strictly prohibited. The tolerance level is defined as 0.02% blood alcohol content.
If You Don’t Pass
If you fail the Driving Skills test on your first attempt, you must wait one week before taking it again. If you fail 6 times, you must wait a period of 6 months before you’re allowed to take it again. From there, you’ll only have 2 attempts to pass.
Step 3: The Full, Unrestricted Kentucky Drivers License Phase
IF YOU ARE UNDER 18: Once you have held your intermediate license for 180 days and completed your New Driver Education Program, you may apply for the full, unrestricted Kentucky drivers license.
IF YOU ARE OVER 18: Once you have held your permit for 180 days and completed your New Driver Education Program, you may apply for the full, unrestricted Kentucky drivers license.
Things to Remember:
- You must bring a Graduated Licensing Eligibility Letter with you when applying for the full unrestricted Kentucky drivers license.
- If you are over 21, it will be indicated on your drivers license.
- If you are under 21, you are subject to Kentucky’s Zero Tolerance law. This means driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is strictly prohibited. The tolerance level is defined as 0.02% blood alcohol content.
- Kentucky’s point system states that drivers could face license suspension if:
- Under 18: driver accumulates more than 6 points.
- Over 18: driver accumulates more than 12 points.