all-terrain vehicle.
(1) Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, when any motor vehicle dealer
licensed in this state buys or accepts a motor vehicle or all-terrain vehicle as defined
in KRS 189.010 in trade, which has been previously registered or titled for use in
this or another state, and which the dealer holds for resale, the dealer shall not be
required to obtain a certificate of title for it, but shall, within fifteen (15) days after
acquiring such vehicle, notify the county clerk of the assignment of the motor
vehicle to his or her dealership and pay the required transferor fee.
(2) Upon purchasing a motor vehicle or all-terrain vehicle, or accepting it in trade, the
dealer shall obtain from the transferor, properly executed, all documents required
by KRS 186A.215, to include the odometer disclosure statement thereon, together
with a properly assigned certificate of title.
(3) The dealer shall execute the application for assignment upon documents designated
by the Department of Vehicle Regulation, to the county clerk of the county in
which the dealer maintains his or her principal place of business. The clerk shall
enter the assignment into AVIS.
(4) The dealer shall retain the properly assigned certificate of title received from the
transferor, and may make any reassignments on the title until the forms for dealer
assignment on the certificate of title are exhausted. The Department of Vehicle
Regulation may, if it deems it warranted, provide a special document to allow for
additional dealer assignments without requiring system generated documents.
(5) (a) When a dealer assigns the vehicle to a purchaser for use, the dealer shall
deliver the properly assigned certificate of title, and other documents if
appropriate, to the purchaser, who shall make application for registration and
a certificate of title.
(b) The dealer may, with the consent of the purchaser, deliver the assigned
certificate of title, and other appropriate documents of a new or used vehicle,
directly to the county clerk, and on behalf of the purchaser, make application
for registration and a certificate of title. In so doing, the dealer shall require
from the purchaser proof of insurance as mandated by KRS 304.39-080 before
delivering possession of the vehicle.
(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of KRS 186.020, 186A.065, 186A.095,
186A.215, and 186A.300, if a dealer elects to deliver the title documents to
the county clerk and has not received a clear certificate of title from a prior
owner, the dealer shall retain the documents in his or her possession until the
certificate of title is obtained.
(d) When a dealer assigns a vehicle to a purchaser for use under paragraph (a) of
this subsection, the transfer and delivery of the vehicle is effective
immediately upon the delivery of all necessary legal documents, or copies
thereof, including proof of insurance as mandated by KRS 304.39-080.
(6) The department may make available, upon proper application from a licensed motor
vehicle dealer, electronic means by which the dealer can interface directly with
AVIS and the department. If the department grants this access, all fees currently
required for the issuance of a certificate of title shall continue to be charged and
remitted to the appropriate parties as provided by statute.
(7) The Department of Vehicle Regulation shall ensure that AVIS is capable of
accepting instructions from the county clerk that a certificate of title shall not be
produced under a dealer registration situation.
Effective: June 27, 2025
History: Amended 2025 Ky. Acts ch. 95, sec. 11, effective June 27, 2025. -- Amended
2016 Ky. Acts ch. 90, sec. 1, effective July 15, 2016. -- Amended 1998 Ky. Acts ch.
128, sec. 7, effective July 15, 1998. -- Amended 1996 Ky. Acts ch. 35, sec. 6,
effective July 15, 1996. -- Amended 1994 Ky. Acts ch. 51, sec. 2, effective July 15,
1994. -- Amended 1988 Ky. Acts ch. 98, sec. 2, effective July 15, 1988. -- Created
1982 Ky. Acts ch. 164, sec. 41, effective July 1, 1982.
Notes of Decisions
Gainsco Companies v. Gentry, 191 S.W.3d 633 (Ky. 2006).
· cites it 36× “A licensed motor vehicle dealer is not the owner of a vehicle when he "transfers physical possession of a motor vehicle to a purchaser pursuant to a bona fide sale, and complies with the requirements of KRS 186A.220." KRS 186.010(7)(c). KRS 186A.”
Auto Acceptance Corp. v. T.I.G. Ins. Co., 89 S.W.3d 398 (Ky. 2002).
· cites it 8× “Because of an intervening revision to KRS 186A.220, we disagree and *400 hold that the owner was the purchaser, Appellee, Wayne Chandler.”
Ellis v. Browning Pontiac-Chevrolet-GMC Truck-Geo, Inc., 125 S.W.3d 306 (Ky. Ct. App. 2003).
· cites it 13× “215(8) applied to all transfers including those covered by KRS 186A.220. A delay of thirty-nine days, for no stated reason, was deemed not prompt and Browning Pontiac was held to be the owner.”
Peacock v. Damon Corp., 458 F. Supp. 2d 411 (W.D. Ky. 2006).
· cites it 6× “§ 186A.220. That statute requires, in relevant part, that when the dealer “assigns the vehicle to a purchaser for use, he shall deliver the properly assigned certificate of title, and other documents if appropriate, to such purchaser, who shall make application for registration…”
Calhoun v. Provence, 395 S.W.3d 476 (Ky. Ct. App. 2012).
· cites it 5× “” It argues that the application of the second statute, KRS 186A.220, reveals that Yaden’s Auto Sales was the owner of the vehicle at the time of the accident, making it the primary insured.”
Kelly v. McFarland, 243 F. Supp. 2d 715 (E.D. Ky. 2001).
· cites it 4× “§ 186A.220. There is not a dispute among the parties that Gambrel Toyota is a licensed motor vehicle dealer and that the 1990 Corolla was “delivered” to the plaintiffs pursuant to a bona fide sale.”
Hartford Accident & Indem. Co. v. Maddix, 842 S.W.2d 871 (Ky. Ct. App. 1992).
· cites it 4× “See KRS 186A.220. It does not seem to be disputed that Justice Auto Sales complied with the requirements of KRS 186A.”
Kling v. Geary, 667 S.W.2d 379 (Ky. 1984).
“120(3)(b), KRS 186A.220 and KRS 186A.230, it is unconstitutional in its application, as automobile dealers are exempt from paying the tax, making this special legislation under Ky.”
Delores Zepeda v. Cent. Motors, Inc. (Ky. Ct. App. 2021).
· cites it 32× “The parties also agree that Central Motors did not pay the transfer fee within 15 days, as required by KRS 186A.220. On July 24, 2014, Garcia executed a purchase agreement with Central Motors for the vehicle.”
— Ky. Rev. Stat. § 186A.220(1) — 9 cases
Delores Zepeda v. Cent. Motors, Inc. (Ky. Ct. App. 2021).
“The parties also agree that Central Motors did not pay the transfer fee within 15 days, as required by KRS 186A.220. On July 24, 2014, Garcia executed a purchase agreement with Central Motors for the vehicle.”
— Ky. Rev. Stat. § 186A.220(2) — 3 cases
— Ky. Rev. Stat. § 186A.220(3) — 2 cases
— Ky. Rev. Stat. § 186A.220(4) — 2 cases
— Ky. Rev. Stat. § 186A.220(5) — 17 cases
Gainsco Companies v. Gentry, 191 S.W.3d 633 (Ky. 2006).
“A licensed motor vehicle dealer is not the owner of a vehicle when he "transfers physical possession of a motor vehicle to a purchaser pursuant to a bona fide sale, and complies with the requirements of KRS 186A.220." KRS 186.010(7)(c). KRS 186A.”
Ellis v. Browning Pontiac-Chevrolet-GMC Truck-Geo, Inc., 125 S.W.3d 306 (Ky. Ct. App. 2003).
“215(8) applied to all transfers including those covered by KRS 186A.220. A delay of thirty-nine days, for no stated reason, was deemed not prompt and Browning Pontiac was held to be the owner.”
Auto Acceptance Corp. v. T.I.G. Ins. Co., 89 S.W.3d 398 (Ky. 2002).
“Because of an intervening revision to KRS 186A.220, we disagree and *400 hold that the owner was the purchaser, Appellee, Wayne Chandler.”
Calhoun v. Provence, 395 S.W.3d 476 (Ky. Ct. App. 2012).
“” It argues that the application of the second statute, KRS 186A.220, reveals that Yaden’s Auto Sales was the owner of the vehicle at the time of the accident, making it the primary insured.”
— Ky. Rev. Stat. § 186A.220(5)(a) — 2 cases
Delores Zepeda v. Cent. Motors, Inc. (Ky. Ct. App. 2021).
“The parties also agree that Central Motors did not pay the transfer fee within 15 days, as required by KRS 186A.220. On July 24, 2014, Garcia executed a purchase agreement with Central Motors for the vehicle.”
— Ky. Rev. Stat. § 186A.220(5)(b) — 8 cases
Delores Zepeda v. Cent. Motors, Inc. (Ky. Ct. App. 2021).
“The parties also agree that Central Motors did not pay the transfer fee within 15 days, as required by KRS 186A.220. On July 24, 2014, Garcia executed a purchase agreement with Central Motors for the vehicle.”
— Ky. Rev. Stat. § 186A.220(5)(c) — 1 case
— Ky. Rev. Stat. § 186A.220(5)(d) — 1 case
— Ky. Rev. Stat. § 186A.220(l) — 2 cases
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