Resources
Registering a Vehicle

How to own a vehicle in

Kentucky

as a non-US resident

Kentucky
Address requirements
None required.
Identity requirements
Kentucky driver's license, social security number, or US federal government issued ID required to register a vehicle in Kentucky
Average cost to own a vehicle
6% of the vehicle's value
Plus registration fees of:
$36

Presence requirements

The US states, not the national government, control vehicle ownership in the United States.
In order to own a vehicle in any US state, you must establish a presence in that state.
These are the presence requirements to own a vehicle in this state:

Address

Kentucky address required to own a vehicle in Kentucky.

Proof of Residency at Address

None required.

Identity

Kentucky driver's license, social security number, or US federal government issued ID required to register a vehicle in Kentucky

Cost of owning a vehicle

When you register a vehicle - apply for ownership and permission to drive it on public roads - two costs are due:
  • Sales tax
  • Registration fees
Sales tax and registration fees are due in the state in which the vehicle is registered, not where the vehicle is purchased.
These are the costs to own a vehicle in this state.
Sales tax is due where a vehicle is owned, not where it is bought - so owning a vehicle in Montana can save you hundreds (or thousands) of dollars.

Sales tax (state + local average)

6% of the vehicle's value

Registration fees

$36

Inspection Requirements

In order to register a vehicle (or renew a registration in this state, the vehicle must meet the following inspection requirements:
Kentucky DMV personnel must verify the vehicle’s VIN if not previously registered in Kentucky.

There are 38 states that

Don't require proof of residency.

There are 21 states that

Don't require proof of residency.
Don't require a US driver's license.

There are 7 states that

Don't require proof of residency.
Don't require a US driver's license.
Don't require vehicle inspections.

Montana is the only US state that

Allows non-residents to register vehicles through a company.
Doesn't require a US driver's license.
Doesn't require vehicle inspections.
Doesn't have vehicle sales tax.

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The South

How to register a vehicle in other states in the region

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Alabama

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Arkansas

How to register a vehicle in Arkansas as a non-US resident
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Florida

How to register a vehicle in Florida as a non-US resident
How to register a vehicle in Georgia as a non-US resident

Georgia

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How to register a vehicle in Louisiana as a non-US resident

Louisiana

How to register a vehicle in Louisiana as a non-US resident
How to register a vehicle in Maryland as a non-US resident

Maryland

How to register a vehicle in Maryland as a non-US resident
How to register a vehicle in Mississippi as a non-US resident

Mississippi

How to register a vehicle in Mississippi as a non-US resident
How to register a vehicle in North Carolina as a non-US resident

North Carolina

How to register a vehicle in North Carolina as a non-US resident
How to register a vehicle in Oklahoma as a non-US resident

Oklahoma

How to register a vehicle in Oklahoma as a non-US resident
How to register a vehicle in South Carolina as a non-US resident

South Carolina

How to register a vehicle in South Carolina as a non-US resident
How to register a vehicle in Tennessee as a non-US resident

Tennessee

How to register a vehicle in Tennessee as a non-US resident
How to register a vehicle in Texas as a non-US resident

Texas

How to register a vehicle in Texas as a non-US resident
How to register a vehicle in Virginia as a non-US resident

Virginia

How to register a vehicle in Virginia as a non-US resident
How to register a vehicle in Washington, D.C. as a non-US resident

Washington, D.C.

How to register a vehicle in Washington, D.C. as a non-US resident
How to register a vehicle in West Virginia as a non-US resident

West Virginia

How to register a vehicle in West Virginia as a non-US resident

Let's Get You on the Road

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