Kentucky Title Transfer Cost
Transferring a car title in Kentucky costs $9 in title fees. Buying a used car privately for $15,000, you'd pay about $930 in total, with $900 of that in tax and the rest for title and registration.
Kentucky title fees
These are the title-related fees in Kentucky's official schedule (source). Most buyers pay only the standard title fee, plus a lien fee if the car is financed.
| Title | $9 |
|---|---|
| Speed title | $25 |
| Plate clerk collected | $21 |
| Plate statutory | $11.50 |
| Lien | $22 |
| Duplicate title | $6 |
Example: buying a used car from a private seller in Kentucky
A 4-year-old car bought from a private seller for $15,000, worked out with the Kentucky car tax calculator:
| Title | $9 |
|---|---|
| Tax on the sale | $900 |
| Registration (if you register it now) | $21 |
| Estimated total | $930 |
Local taxes, county fees and inspections aren't included. Run your own numbers in the calculator.
Deadline and late fees
Kentucky charges a penalty if the title isn't transferred on time. Late penalties: plate clerk collected $21; plate statutory $11.50.
Transferring a title to a family member or as a gift
| Family transfer with prior Kentucky title (KRS 138.470(6)) | Tax $0; listed relationships only (not siblings or friends) |
|---|---|
| Inheritance of out-of-state titled vehicle | Treated as a gift; taxed on average trade-in value |
Inherited vehicles
| Inheritance with prior Kentucky title (KRS 138.470(9)) | Tax $0 |
|---|---|
| Inheritance of out-of-state titled vehicle | Treated as a gift; taxed on average trade-in value |
Other cases that change the cost in Kentucky
| Military buying from a Kentucky dealer while on duty in Kentucky (KRS 138.470(4)) | Tax $0 |
|---|---|
| Tax paid to a reciprocal state | Credit allowed; non-reciprocal credits (e.g. Georgia TAVT) blocked |
| Nominal ($1) bill of sale | Treated as a sale |
How Kentucky works out what you owe
- Taxable value from the applicable method
- Tax = max($6, taxable value x 6%)
- Total = tax + title + plate + EV fee + property tax + lien + doc fee
What to bring
The title signed over by the seller (with the odometer reading), a bill of sale, proof of insurance and your ID. If the car still has a loan, the lender must release the lien first.
Official sources checked for Kentucky: revenue.ky.gov, drive.ky.gov.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to transfer a car title in Kentucky?
The title fee is $9. For a used car bought privately for $15,000, the title, tax and registration come to about $930.
Do I pay sales tax when a title is transferred in Kentucky?
Usually yes. On a $15,000 private sale, Kentucky charges about $900. Gifts, family transfers and inheritances can be treated differently (see below).
Is there a late fee for transferring a title in Kentucky?
Yes. Plate clerk collected: $21; Plate statutory: $11.50.
How do I transfer a car title to a family member in Kentucky?
Family transfer with prior Kentucky title (KRS 138.470(6)): Tax $0; listed relationships only (not siblings or friends). Inheritance of out-of-state titled vehicle: Treated as a gift; taxed on average trade-in value.
What happens to a car title after a death in Kentucky?
Inheritance with prior Kentucky title (KRS 138.470(9)): Tax $0. Inheritance of out-of-state titled vehicle: Treated as a gift; taxed on average trade-in value.