Kentucky Vehicle Property Tax by County (2026)
Kentucky charges an annual motor-vehicle property taxat registration — the car's value × a combined rate of about 1.08%–1.36% that varies by county (state 45¢/$100 + county + school + city). The one-time 6% usage tax and $21 registration are flat statewide. Find your county below.
Rates verified July 2026 from the KY DOR Motor Vehicle Property Tax Rate Book. Figures are a county baseline; residents inside cities and independent school districts pay more.
| County (seat) | Combined rate | Tax on a $15,000 car |
|---|---|---|
| Jefferson (Louisville) | 1.201% | $180 |
| Fayette (Lexington) | 1.218% | $183 |
| Kenton (Covington) | 1.357% | $204 |
| Warren (Bowling Green) | 1.235% | $185 |
| Boone (Burlington) | 1.157% | $174 |
| Hardin (Elizabethtown) | 1.142% | $171 |
| Daviess (Owensboro) | 1.194% | $179 |
| Madison (Richmond) | 1.266% | $190 |
| Campbell (Newport) | 1.171% | $176 |
| Bullitt (Shepherdsville) | 1.133% | $170 |
| Christian (Hopkinsville) | 1.176% | $176 |
| Oldham (La Grange) | 1.341% | $201 |
| McCracken (Paducah) | 1.203% | $180 |
| Pulaski (Somerset) | 1.097% | $165 |
| Laurel (London) | 1.083% | $162 |
Frequently asked questions
Does Kentucky charge an annual car tax?
Yes. Kentucky levies a motor-vehicle ad valorem (property) tax collected every year when you renew your registration. It's the vehicle's value (NADA trade-in value) times a combined rate — state 45¢ per $100 plus county, school, and city levies that vary by where you live.
Why does Kentucky car tax vary by county?
The state portion (45¢ per $100) is the same everywhere, but the county, school-district, and city levies stack on top and differ by county — and independent-school-district cities like Covington, Newport, and Owensboro add a much higher school rate. So two identical cars can owe noticeably different amounts in different counties.
How much is the one-time tax when I buy a car in Kentucky?
A 6% motor-vehicle usage tax on the price (with credit for a trade-in). That's uniform statewide — it doesn't vary by county. The annual property tax is the part that differs locally.
How much is vehicle registration in Kentucky?
The base annual registration is $21 statewide. The bigger yearly number is the property tax, which depends on your car's value and your county's combined rate.