Kentucky License Plates
Here are all of Kentucky’s best license plates—from the artistic to the zoological, and everything in between.
Written by Amber Reed
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
There are over 150 different options for designer license plates in Kentucky, from environmental to social causes, military support, and more.
A license plate doesn’t have to be just a way to identify your car and make sure you stay legal—it can be a fun way to customize your car and support a cause you care about! There are over 100 different license plates to choose from, so folks from
Paducah
to Pikeville
can find something that suits their fancy. Read on for a complete guide to the many great Kentucky license plate options, including what’s available and how to get them.
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What are Kentucky license plates and why do I need them?
License plates are like ID tags for your car and first became a requirement in the early 1900s. License plates verify ownership and proper registration of your vehicle and are also used by law enforcement in tracking down
stolen vehicles
or identifying suspects when a vehicle is used during a crime. Most states require you to have a license plate on the front and the back of your car, but not Kentucky. In Kentucky, you only need one plate on the back of your vehicle. Let’s take a closer look at the options you have to choose from—there are quite a lot of them!
What license plates does Kentucky have?
There are
10 categories of Kentucky license plates
. Here’s a rundown (some categories have been combined here for simplicity’s sake), followed by a few examples from some of the categories: - Regular plates: These are your standard-issue ones, and are typically blue and white.
- Special plates: These show support for a variety of causes or organizations, from the Kentucky Dental Association to environmental causes. Also available in motorcycle plates.
- Disabled plates: There are five options here, including one motorcycle plate, for disabled persons.
- Military plates: Represent branches of the military or specific honors, and are also available in motorcycle plates.
- University and Independent College plates: Show some pride in your alma mater!
- Government/Official plates: For members of the state government or official vehicles.
- Miscellaneous plates: Anything else that doesn’t fall into one of the above categories!
Regular license plates
- Farm plates: If you’re a farmer who produces crops, dairy products, or livestock, represent with a farm plate!
- Blue and white: These are the standard blue and white plates, with a silhouette of Kentucky on them. If you like, you can choose one with “In God We Trust” on it.
Special license plates
- Ducks Unlimited: With the purchase of this plate, $10 of your registration fee goes topreserving ducks and their wetland habitats.
- Kentucky Library Association: Support literacy and an informed populace with aKentucky Library Associationplate.
- Butterfly: Sport a plate with a lovely monarch butterfly design and show your support for theKentucky Heritage Land Conservation Fund!
- Firefighters: Anyone who is affiliated with a Kentucky Fire Department can sport these stylish black and red plates that support theKentucky Firefighters Association.
- Alzheimer’s Awareness: This lovely plate with a forget-me-not flower on it will show your support for theAlzheimer’s Association of Greater Kentucky and Southern Indiana.
- Lineman: Maybe your great-grandpa was a lineman and you want to respect the hardworking folks who make sure we have power. Maybe you just like that oldGlen Campbell song. Point is, you can get a cool license plate honoring Kentucky Lineman.
- Veteran Support: A portion of the proceeds from this plate will go to theKentucky Department of Veterans Affairs.
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Start earning nowMilitary plates
- Purple Heart: Members of the military who have been wounded in combat are eligible for a special Purple Heart license plate.
- Silver Star: Veterans who have received the Silver Star for valor (or their surviving spouse) can get this special plate.
- Military branches: Plates can be purchased to honor members of or membership in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, National Guard, and other military organizations.
Miscellaneous plates
- Historic vehicle: If you have a car that is more than 25 years old and is used primarily for exhibitions or parades, you’re eligible for a historic vehicle plate.
- Street rod: If you’re really kicking it old school and have a vehicle that’s from before 1949 (or a replica) you can get a street rod plate!
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Reviewed on 5/28/2023
How do I get a Kentucky license plate?
To get Kentucky license plates, first, you will need to get your
Kentucky driver’s license
, transfer your vehicle’s title
to Kentucky with form TC 96-182
, and then register your vehicle. If you are new to the state, you’ll need to visit a County Clerk’s office
to complete your registration. To register your vehicle, you’ll need:
- Photo ID
- Your vehicle’s title
- Original proof of insurance
- Payment for fees
The
license plates in Kentucky
can vary in cost depending on what plate you choose, so check with the DMV for pricing on the plate you’re interested in. How to customize your car insurance for savings in Kentucky
Your license plate in Kentucky isn’t the only thing that you’ve got a lot of options on—it seems like there are so many different providers and policies it can make finding the right
car insurance
a bit of an arduous task! But you’re in luck—
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