Personalized License Plate Application Process.
All requests for new personalized license plates must be submitted to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, Department of Vehicle Regulation, Division of Motor Vehicle Licensing through the Drive.KY.Gov website:
- Once on the Drive.KY.Gov website, customers will click the "Vehicles" at the top of the home page
- Click on “License Plates”
- Click on the “Plate List application page”
- Select the Plate Category you would like to view from the drop-down menu
- Click the plate design you want from the options available — Some designs are restricted, click on the plate design to see if additional documents are necessary to qualify for the type of plate.
- A description of requirements and cost for the selected plate will be provided. Type the personalization you would like in the field provided under the image of the selected plate. Click “personalize” to see what your plate will look like. If the character combination is available and conforms to regulations, a green “Available” box will appear below the plate image.
- Click the gray “Request this Plate” box and complete the online application form.
- Every request will be reviewed by a Division of Motor Vehicle Licensing committee to ensure full compliance with state law
- Applicants will be notified of the Committee's decision by mail or e-mail within 30 days
- Denied requests will receive notification by mail or e-mail, including explanation of the appeals process. For more information, please call 502-564-1257
NOTE: Your plate request is granted on a first come, first serve basis. There is a possibility that your plate request may become unavailable if the same request was received prior to your order being placed at your County Clerk's Office.
Once you have ordered your personalized plate through your County Clerk's Office, it may take four to six weeks for the plate to be produced. Personalized plates are mailed to your County Clerk's Office.
When you are notified that your plate has been received by the County Clerk's Office, bring your current license plate, original registration, current KY insurance card, and the remainder of the plate fee and personal property tax for the year. The plate fee will vary depending on the plate design ordered. Payments can be made by credit card (Visa, MC, AMEX and Discover), cash, check, or money order.
Note: There is a payment service fee for all card transactions, 1.5% of total for Debit Cards and 2.75% of total for Credit Cards.
House Bill 530.
With House Bill 530 there will be two significant changes with regard to personalized plates:
- Personalized plate expiration date of December 31st has been transitioned to the owner's birth month.
- The plate replacement option, offered at renewal, will be discontinued. Specifically, customers will only have the option of a decal. Personalized license plates shall be replaced on the same schedule as regular issue license plates unless it is damaged or unreadable.
