Kentucky Personalized License Plates
In Kentucky, residents can personalize license plates for various vehicle types, including passenger vehicles and motorcycles. Personalized plates allow for a combination of letters, numbers, and spaces, subject to specific character limits and guidelines.
Get Kentucky plate ideas
Describe yourself — name, job, hobbies — and we'll suggest personalized plate ideas you can preview on a Kentucky plate.
Stuck for an idea? Browse our plate lists for nurses, teachers, jeep owners, dog lovers and fishing, or all plate idea lists. Every idea fits Kentucky's character limit or can be trimmed to it.
How to Get a Personalized Kentucky Plate
- Check Plate Availability: Before applying, verify if your desired plate combination is available using the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet's Plate List application page.
- Submit a Request: If the desired plate is available, complete the online request form through the Kentucky Personalized Plate Request Form.
- Await Approval: The Cabinet's Personalized Plate Review Committee will review your request. You will receive an email notification regarding the approval or rejection of your request.
- Apply at County Clerk's Office: If approved, take your pre-approval notification to your local County Clerk's Office to complete the application process.
- Receive Your Plate: Once processed, your personalized plate will be mailed to your County Clerk's Office within approximately 4-6 weeks. You will be notified when your plates are ready for pickup.
Important Notes for Kentucky Residents
- Character Limits:
- Standard Plates: Up to 6 characters for passenger vehicles.
- Motorcycle Plates: Up to 5 characters.
- Prohibited Content: Plates must not contain offensive or inappropriate language. The Cabinet reserves the right to deny any combination deemed offensive to good taste and decency.
- Restricted Letters: The letters "I", "Q", and "U" are no longer allowed in new personalized plate applications.
- No Punctuation: Punctuation marks or special characters are not permitted. Spaces and dashes are allowed and count as characters.
- Plate Ownership: Personalized plates are generally tied to the vehicle owner, not the vehicle itself.
- Renewal: Personalized plates must be renewed annually, along with your vehicle registration.
Fees:
| State | Initial Fee | Renewal Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky | $43 | $43 |
These fees are in addition to standard vehicle registration fees.
Kentucky Transportation Cabinet - License Plates