Free Kentucky Vehicle Bill of Sale Form (KYTC Form TC 96-182 PDF)

Q: Does a vehicle bill of sale have to be notarized in Kentucky?

Yes. Under Kentucky Revised Statutes § 186A.215, all vehicle title transfers and sworn affidavits of consideration require notarization. Both the seller and buyer must sign in the presence of a Notary Public or Deputy County Clerk to certify the vehicle assignment and purchase price.

Q: How is vehicle usage tax calculated in Kentucky?

Under KRS § 138.460, the Commonwealth of Kentucky levies a 6% Motor Vehicle Usage Tax based on the sworn total purchase price stated on the Bill of Sale or Form TC 96-182, provided the price is within fair market range according to the clean retail NADA valuation guide. The buyer pays this tax directly to the local County Clerk.

Q: How long do you have to transfer a car title in Kentucky?

Under Kentucky law (KRS § 186A.215 and KRS § 186.190), the buyer must submit the title, bill of sale, proof of valid Kentucky insurance, and pay usage taxes at their local County Clerk's Office within 15 calendar days from the date of purchase.

Q: Do license plates stay with the vehicle in Kentucky?

No. Under KRS § 186.190, license plates in Kentucky belong to the seller, not the vehicle. The seller must remove the license plate prior to turning over physical custody of the vehicle to the buyer. The seller may retain the plate for another vehicle or surrender it to the County Clerk.

Q: What is Kentucky Form TC 96-182?

Form TC 96-182 ('Application for Kentucky Certificate of Title or Registration') is the statutory document utilized by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) Division of Motor Vehicle Licensing. It incorporates the motor vehicle bill of sale, odometer disclosure, and joint affidavit of consideration required to register the vehicle with the County Clerk.

FORM SBF-KY-VOS Statutory Year: 2026

KRS §§ 186A.215, 138.460 & 186A.060

COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY STATUTORY BILL OF SALE

Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale, Sworn Affidavit of Consideration & Odometer Disclosure

Compliant with Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) & County Clerk Standards (Form TC 96-182)

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS: That the undersigned Seller, for and in consideration of the total sales price set forth herein, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, does hereby bargain, sell, grant, transfer, and deliver unto the undersigned Buyer all legal rights, title, equity, and interest in and to the motor vehicle described below, to have and to hold forever.

SECTION A: JURISDICTION & COUNTY CLERK FILING

State:

Kentucky County *:

SECTION B: COMPLETE MOTOR VEHICLE DESCRIPTION

Year *

Make *

Model *

Body Type *

Color

KY Plate # (Retained)

Vehicle Identification Number (VIN - 17 Characters) *:

SECTION C: IDENTIFICATION OF PARTIES (TRANSFEROR & TRANSFEREE)

1. SELLER (Transferor Information)

Full Legal Name *

Physical Address (No P.O. Box) *

City *

State

ZIP Code *

Phone Number

KY Driver License #

2. BUYER (Transferee Information)

Full Legal Name *

Physical Address (No P.O. Box) *

City *

State

ZIP Code *

Phone Number

Driver License #

SECTION D: SWORN CONSIDERATION, PAYMENT & FEDERAL ODOMETER DISCLOSURE

Total Price (USD) *:

Date of Sale *:

Paid by: Cash Cashier's Check Wire Gift

Federal & Kentucky Truth-in-Mileage Odometer Disclosure (49 U.S.C. § 32705 & KRS § 186A.215) Federal and state law requires odometer disclosure. False statements incur civil and criminal penalties.

Odometer Reading:

Miles

1. Actual Mileage: Reflects actual vehicle mileage to best of knowledge. 2. Exceeds Mechanical Limits: Mileage exceeds 5-digit mechanical limits (rollover). 3. Warning — Not Actual Mileage: Odometer reading is NOT actual mileage (discrepancy).

STATUTORY "AS-IS" WARRANTY DISCLAIMER (KRS § 355.2-316): The Buyer acknowledges and agrees that this motor vehicle is bargained, sold, and transferred in its present "AS-IS, WHERE-IS" condition, WITH ALL FAULTS AND DEFECTS, WHETHER KNOWN OR UNKNOWN. The Seller expressly disclaims all warranties of any kind, whether express or implied, including any warranty of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. Seller assumes no responsibility for post-sale mechanical repairs or defects. Buyer has exercised full opportunity to inspect or test-drive the vehicle or has knowingly waived this right. Basis for Kentucky 6% Motor Vehicle Usage Tax assessment under KRS § 138.460.

SECTION E: AUTHORIZED SIGNATURES & AFFIDAVIT OF TOTAL CONSIDERATION

AFFIDAVIT OF TOTAL CONSIDERATION (KRS § 138.460 & KRS § 523.040): We hereby swear or affirm under penalties of false swearing that the purchase price stated herein is the actual, full, and total consideration paid or to be paid for this motor vehicle, that the seller is lawful owner with clear title free of unrecorded liens, and that no consideration was concealed.

Seller (Transferor) Signature & Date

Signature: ✕

Seller Printed Name

Date

Buyer (Transferee) Signature & Date

Signature: ✕

Buyer Printed Name

Date

SECTION F: COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY DUAL NOTARY JURAT (KRS § 186A.215)

COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY COUNTY OF:

Subscribed, sworn to, and acknowledged before me this _____ day of ________________, 2026, by the Seller and/or Buyer named above, who proved their identity through government-issued photo identification and affirmed that the consideration stated herein is true and correct under KRS § 138.460.

Notary Public / Deputy County Clerk Signature

MM/DD/YYYY

My Commission Expires (and ID #)

★ Affix Notary Seal
/ Stamp Here Mandatory under KRS § 186A.215

FORM SBF-KY-VOS (Rev. 2026) • StateBillForms.com KRS §§ 186A.215, 138.460 & 186A.060 • KYTC Form TC 96-182 Standards PAGE 1 OF 1

Official Process

Kentucky KYTC 3-Step Private Vehicle Title Transfer Guide

Follow statutory Commonwealth of Kentucky requirements to legally execute your vehicle bill of sale, complete the joint affidavit of consideration, and register with the County Clerk within 15 days.

Execute Title & Form SBF-KY-VOS

The seller signs the assignment section on the back of the original Kentucky Certificate of Title. Both parties execute this statutory Bill of Sale, certifying the exact purchase price and certified odometer reading.

Mandatory Notarization & Plate Removal

Under KRS § 186A.215, both the seller and buyer must have their signatures notarized (Section F). Prior to releasing custody of the vehicle, the seller must remove their Kentucky license plate under KRS § 186.190.

County Clerk Filing (15-Day Rule)

Within 15 calendar days of purchase, the buyer visits the local County Clerk's Office with the notarized title, this Bill of Sale, current Kentucky insurance proof, and pays the 6% Motor Vehicle Usage Tax (KRS § 138.460).

Statutory Summary

Kentucky Vehicle Sale Legal Requirements

Document / Requirement	Governing Authority	Status	Statutory Purpose
Dual Notary Jurat	KRS § 186A.215	Mandatory	Both seller and buyer must sign under oath before a Notary Public or County Clerk to transfer vehicle title in Kentucky.
Affidavit of Total Consideration	KRS § 138.460	Mandatory	Sworn legal basis to assess Kentucky's 6% motor vehicle usage tax. False swearing carries felony penalties (KRS § 523.040).
15-Day Title Transfer Window	KRS § 186A.215 / § 186.190	15 Calendar Days	Buyer must file the transfer application with their County Clerk within 15 days to avoid administrative late fees and penalties.
Kentucky Motor Vehicle Usage Tax	KRS § 138.460	6.0% State Rate	Assessed on the sworn total purchase price or clean retail NADA valuation, paid directly to County Clerk at registration.
Seller Plate Removal Rule	KRS § 186.190	Mandatory for Seller	License plates remain with the seller and must be removed; plates never transfer with the vehicle in Kentucky.

Frequently Asked Questions

Kentucky Vehicle Bill of Sale Legal FAQs

Does a vehicle bill of sale have to be notarized in Kentucky?

How is vehicle usage tax calculated in Kentucky?

How long do you have to transfer a car title in Kentucky?

Do license plates stay with the vehicle in Kentucky?

What is Kentucky Form TC 96-182?