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Ultimate Guide
HOW TO JUNK A CAR IN KENTUCKY
Ready to junk your car in Kentucky? Do it without the hassle. We break down all the forms, fees, portals, and resources you need at every step of the process – organized by your situation. Junking has never been this easy.
WHAT SITUATION DO YOU NEED HELP WITH?
EXPERT SUPPORT
TOP 3 THINGS TO DO BEFORE JUNKING YOUR CAR IN KENTUCKY
Check for outstanding liens
Run the VIN through a vehicle history checker like CARFAX and make sure there are no outstanding liens on the car.
Check title brand
Not sure what title brand you’re dealing with? Run the VIN through the same checker to find out. Once you know the brand, you’ll know exactly what paperwork you need to get things moving.
Remove license plates
Before you send your car off with the tow truck, remove the license plate. Depending on your situation, you may need to transfer it to another vehicle or keep it.
HOW TO TRANSFER A CAR TITLE IN KENTUCKY
To transfer your Kentucky title to a new owner, sign the title in the presence of a notary and take the signed title, Form TC 96-182, ID, and appropriate fee to your local county clerk’s office to complete the transfer.
Got your title? We explain how to sign and notarize your Kentucky title in the next section.
Lost your title? You can apply for a replacement using Form TC 96-182. Download the form and apply in person at your local County Clerk’s office.
For more detailed instructions on replacing missing titles, with tips from our in-house experts, check out our ultimate guide to replacing missing car titles in Kentucky.
Form TC 96-182
READY TO TRANSFER YOUR CAR TITLE? USE THE FORM BELOW.
Transfer car title
- Application method: In person at your local County Clerk’s office
- Fee: $6 plus notary fee
- Processing time: In person: 10-14 days.
HOW TO SIGN YOUR CAR TITLE
How you sign your title over to the junkyard depends on whether you’re a single or joint owner.
On your Kentucky title, sign your printed name (s) and signature (s) on the back of the title. This must be done in the presence of a notary.
The buyer and notary must fill in their details in the highlighted sections to complete the transfer.
KEY INSTRUCTIONS
Find more detailed instructions on single and joint owner signing below, using the annotated images to help.
SINGLE OWNERS
Single owners must sign their name once on the ‘Transferor(s)/Seller(s) Signature’ line, and print it once on the ‘Transferor/Seller Printed Name’ line.
joint OWNERS
Joint owners must sign their name once on the second signature of sellers line, and print it once on the second ‘printed name of sellers’ line.
JUNK A CAR WITH AN ETITLE
If your car has an electronic title, you’ll generally need to get a paper copy before you can junk it. Most vehicle buyers, including Wheels Away, require a physical title to complete the sale.
Use the form below to get a physical copy of your title.
Form TC 96-182
APPLY FOR A PHYSICAL COPY OF YOUR TITLE IN PERSON USING NOTARIZED FORM TC 96-182, A VALID ID, PROOF OF LIEN RELEASE (IF APPLICABLE).
Physical copy of car title
- Application method: In person at your local County Clerk’s office
- Fee: $6 plus notary fee
- Processing time: In person: 10-14 days.
JUNK A CAR WITH NO TITLE IN KENTUCKY
In Kentucky, you can sometimes junk a vehicle without a title if it’s more than 15 years old, but this is up to the buyer. Some buyers will still ask for a physical copy of the title as it’s the most reliable way to prove ownership.
If you need a physical copy of your title and don’t have one, you can apply for one using the form TC 96-182 below.
Form TC 96-182
NO CAR TITLE? YOU CAN APPLY FOR A REPLACEMENT USING FORM TC 96-182.
Replacement car title
- Application method: In person at your local County Clerk’s office
- Fee: $6 plus notary fee
- Processing time: In person: 10-14 days.
SURRENDER OR TRANSFER YOUR LICENSE PLATES
Since 2024, in Kentucky, your plates stay with you – so there’s no need to surrender them. You can keep your plate and your unexpired registration (if you have one) and transfer it to a new vehicle of the same class.
If you’re not getting a new set of wheels and not renewing your registration, you can turn in your plate to your local county clerk.
When junking, you must also surrender your title to the local county clerk to avoid future tax liability for the vehicle. This will cancel your registration.
TRANSFER YOUR LICENSE PLATES
If you’re buying a new ride from a dealership, tell them you want to transfer your old plates to your new car. They’ll generally handle the paperwork for you.
If you’re buying a new car from a private buyer, you’ll need to transfer the title from the seller’s name to yours. You’ll then need to take the signed title (make sure your signatures have been notarized) to the county clerk, with valid ID, and proof of insurance, and explain you want to transfer the plates to the new car.
The clerk will process the title and registration transfer for you. Plate transfers cost $11.
CANCEL YOUR REGISTRATION
In Kentucky, cancelling your registration is simple.
Once you’ve junked your car, take your title to your local county clerk and pay a $1 junking fee. Your registration will be cancelled. If you don’t have a title, you’ll need to apply for a replacement or duplicate first so you can surrender it. Do this using the form below.
Form TC 96-182
NO CAR TITLE? YOU CAN APPLY FOR A REPLACEMENT USING FORM TC 96-182.
Duplicate car title
- Application method: In person at your local County Clerk’s office.
- Fee: $6 plus notary fee
- Processing time: In person: 10-14 days.
JUNK AN ABANDONED CAR (PRIVATE PROPERTY)
Dealing with an abandoned car on your property?
In Kentucky, any vehicle abandoned on private property can be reported to local law enforcement. You can also use a company like Wheels Away to remove it for you. It’s considered abandoned if it’s been left for 3 days or more.
JUNK AN ABANDONED CAR (PUBLIC PROPERTY)
If you’ve spotted a vehicle abandoned on public property, such as on a highway, contact the Kentucky State Police instead. You can report an abandoned vehicle after 3 days. Reporting requirements may vary depending on your county or metropolitan area.
Kentucky State Police
KSP Headquarters
919 Versailles Rd
Frankfort, KY 40601
Note: companies like Wheels Away can’t remove vehicles that are abandoned on public property.
JUNK AN INHERITED VEHICLE
If you’re the surviving co-owner, you can usually authorize the junking yourself.
IF YOU HAVE THE VEHICLE TITLE
If you’re the surviving co-owner (your names are joined by ‘or’ on the title) and you have the original title, you can junk the title yourself, but you must supply additional paperwork.
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED
- Sign the Kentucky car title (your printed name and signature) as the surviving owner.
- Give the buyer a copy of the death certificate and your valid ID.
If you don’t have the original title, you can apply for a replacement. Apply in person using Form TC 96-182, and supply a valid ID and a death certificate.
Form TC 96-182
IF YOU’VE LOST THE ORIGINAL CAR TITLE, APPLY FOR A REPLACEMENT USING FORM TC 96-182.
Duplicate car title
- Application method: In person at your local County Clerk’s office.
- Fee: $6 plus notary fee
- Processing time: In person: 10-14 days.
JUNK A CAR THAT’S REGISTERED OUT OF STATE
Need to junk a vehicle in Kentucky that’s registered in another state? No problem. You can still junk it in Kentucky by signing the out-of-state title over to the buyer. If you’ve lost the title, you’ll usually need to request a duplicate from the state where the vehicle is registered.
Lost your title? Enter the state where your vehicle is registered into our replacement title finder below. You’ll get the forms, fees, processing times, and other details you need to request a replacement.
JUNK A CAR WITH AN EXPIRED REGISTRATION
You don’t need a current registration to junk your car. You’ll just need to prove you own it with the title and, depending on the situation, additional documents such as your driver’s license or bill of sale.
Registration expired and no title? You may need to apply for a new title using Form TC 96-182.
Keep in mind: An expired or invalid registration means you can’t legally drive the vehicle on public roads.
Form TC 96-182
EXPIRED REG AND NO TITLE? APPLY FOR A NEW TITLE USING THE FORM BELOW.
Duplicate car title
- Application method: In person at your local County Clerk’s office.
- Fee: $6 plus notary fee
- Processing time: In person: 10-14 days.
JUNK A CAR WITH A LIEN
Still have a lien on your vehicle?
Most buyers, (Wheels Away), won’t buy a vehicle with an active lien. You’ll usually need to clear the lien first by:
- Paying off the loan in full
- Getting permission from the lender to junk the vehicle and using the proceeds to pay off the lien
You must get the lender’s permission before junking the vehicle. Selling it without their approval could lead to serious legal or financial consequences.
Once the lien is paid off, you’re free to sell the car and put the cash toward whatever you like! Maybe that new set of wheels you’ve had your eye on…
After the loan is paid off, the lien will be released on your electronic title (ELT). If your buyer doesn’t accept electronic titles, you can request a physical copy using the form below before selling.
Form TC 96-182
LIEN RELEASED? MAKE SURE YOU GET A NEW TITLE – PHYSICAL COPIES CAN BE REQUESTED BELOW. IF YOU NEED AN ETITLE, CHECK WITH YOUR COUNTY CLERK.
Replacement car title
- Application method: In person at your local County Clerk’s office.
- Fee: $6 plus notary fee
- Processing time: In person: 10-14 days.
NOT SURE IF IT HAS A LIEN? RUN THE VIN.
Inherited a car or found an abandoned vehicle? Check for a lien before junking it.
Before sending the vehicle off to the junkyard, make sure there aren’t any outstanding liens attached to it. One of the simplest ways to check is to run the VIN through an NMVTIS-approved provider or a vehicle history service such as CARFAX.
Not sure where to find the VIN? No worries. It can be in a few different places depending on the vehicle’s age, make, and model. We’ve listed the most common spots to check.
HELP CENTRE
Still have questions? We’re here to help. Not sure how to junk a car without a title? Trying to work out what your vehicle is worth? Or simply don’t know where to begin? Our Kentucky Help Center breaks it all down, with expert guidance to help you figure out your next step and get the job done.
Junking a car in KY? From titles to registrations and plates, get all the forms and specialist tips you need – organized by situation. Junk cars without titles in Kentucky. See what paperwork you need, what buyers accept, and how to sell for cash today. Learn how to return or cancel a Kentucky license plate, find your County Clerk, and review forms and requirements that may apply. Curious about junk car values in Kentucky? We explain price calculations, recycling benefits, and the most lucrative car parts.
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