Daviess County, KY Vehicle Property Tax & Registration (2026)
In Daviess County (Owensboro), the annual motor-vehicle property tax runs about $179 on a $15,000 car — a combined 1.194% of value (Kentucky's 45¢/$100 state rate plus Daviess County, school, and local levies). A one-time 6% usage tax applies when you buy, and the base registration is $21 statewide. Owensboro Independent-school + city residents pay more.
Verified July 2026 from official sources. How we verify fees.
What you'll pay in Daviess County
- Combined property-tax rate: 1.194% of value (119.4¢ per $100)
- Annual tax on a $15,000 car: $179
- One-time usage tax at purchase: 6% (statewide)
- Base registration: $21/yr (statewide) + $9 title
How the property tax works
Kentucky taxes your vehicle every year at registration renewal: the car's NADA trade-in value × Daviess County's combined rate (1.194%). That rate is the 45¢/$100 state levy plus the county, school-district, and (if you live in a city) municipal levies. Owensboro Independent-school + city residents pay more. For your exact bill, check the Daviess County Clerk. Estimate the purchase cost on our Kentucky title & tax page.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the annual car tax in Daviess County, KY?
About $179 a year on a $15,000 car — a combined 1.194% of the car's value. A newer or pricier vehicle owes more; the tax is value × the county rate.
Does Daviess County charge sales tax on a car?
Kentucky charges a one-time 6% motor-vehicle usage tax at purchase (with trade-in credit) — the same statewide. The part that varies by county is the annual property tax, not the usage tax.
Do city residents in Daviess County pay more?
Usually yes. The 1.194% figure is a county baseline. Living inside Owensboro or an independent school district adds municipal and higher school levies, so your rate can be higher.