Kentucky · KY · Vehicles
Kentucky: Do you need a front license plate?
Rear plate only
Kentucky requires only a rear license plate on a passenger car.
Kentucky issues one plate, which must be displayed on the rear of the vehicle. The rear plate must be lit at night, and frames or covers may not hide any lettering or decal. Plates and registration renewals are handled by county clerks.
What the law says
Except as provided in this subsection and KRS 186A.127 and 186.045, the owner shall have the receipt issued by the cabinet through the county clerk constantly in his possession, and shall display the registration plate conspicuously upon the rear of the motor vehicle, except that the registration plate upon a semitrailer-tractor shall be displayed upon the front of the tractor.
Sources
- KRS 186.170 Official · apps.legislature.ky.gov
Confirm with the state
- Agency
- Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, Department of Vehicle Regulation (via county clerks)
- Phone
- 502-564-1257
- Website
- drive.ky.gov
How bordering states compare
- Illinois Front and rear platesIllinois requires passenger cars to display registration plates on both the front and the rear.
- Indiana Rear plate onlyIndiana requires only a rear license plate on a passenger car.
- Missouri Front and rear platesMissouri requires passenger cars to display license plates on both the front and the rear.
- Ohio Rear plate onlyOhio requires only a rear license plate on a passenger car, since July 1, 2020.
- Tennessee Rear plate onlyTennessee requires only a rear license plate on passenger cars.
- Virginia Front and rear platesVirginia requires ordinary cars to display license plates on both the front and the rear.
- West Virginia Rear plate onlyWest Virginia requires only a rear license plate on passenger cars.