KentuckyHB 7832025 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

AN ACT relating to temporary motor vehicle tags.

Sponsored By: Kevin Jackson (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Corrections ImpactLocal MandateCounty ClerksCrimes and PunishmentsLicensingMotor Vehicles

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 4 costs, 1 mixed.

Dealers risk fines and license loss

The Motor Vehicle Commission can warn licensees or fine them up to $1,000 per violation for a first covered temporary-tag offense. A second offense within two years can bring fines up to $2,000 per violation and license suspension up to one year. A third offense within two years can bring fines up to $2,000 per violation and license revocation. Dealers and their salespeople or agents are separately liable for covered violations.

Dealers face stricter temporary tag handling rules

Dealers, salespeople, and agents cannot issue tags before sale, for vehicles barred from highway use, or twice for one vehicle. They cannot supply tags to another dealership, copy tags, or reuse them on another vehicle; closing dealerships must return unused tags. Dealers must keep clear, date-ordered logs on Transportation Cabinet forms, including voided tags; electronic records are allowed. Logs must stay at the main business and be available to law enforcement or authorized Motor Vehicle Commission agents on request. Each log sheet must be kept for at least two years after its last recorded tag issuance.

Vehicle dealers face temporary tag purchase limits

Dealers must apply for temporary tags through the county clerk where their main business is located. Applying in another county requires Motor Vehicle Commission permission. Dealers must report prior-year vehicle sales, and their initial tag purchase cannot exceed 125% of those sales. The Commission may approve more tags when dealers show sales exceeded 85% of the tags received in that initial purchase.

Temporary tag theft and fraud are felonies

Stealing, fraudulently making, copying, or unlawfully obtaining a temporary tag is a Class D felony. Displaying a canceled temporary tag on a vehicle counts as initial evidence of guilt under the tag-theft rule. That evidence does not by itself establish a conviction.

Vehicle buyers pay $3 for temporary tags

Dealer-issued temporary tags cost $3, up from $2, and last up to 60 days after vehicle delivery. Dealers can also temporarily move a buyer’s existing Kentucky plate from a traded-in vehicle to the purchased vehicle. The purchased vehicle must be titled and registered in Kentucky. This option costs $3 and does not replace separate plate reissuance fees. The county clerk keeps $2 of either fee.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Kevin Jackson
Republican • House

Cosponsors

Daniel Grossberg
Democrat • House
Michael Meredith
Republican • House
Robert Duvall
Republican • House
Shawn McPherson
Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 129 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/13/2025

3rd reading, passed

Yes: 36 • No: 0

House vote • 3/6/2025