1. Commercial Motor Vehicle Credentials
Out‑of‑state carriers must ensure they have the proper federal and state credentials to legally enter and operate in Kentucky.
Federal & Basic Requirements
-
USDOT Number — Required for any commercial vehicle with a gross vehicle weight ≥ 10,001 lbs used in commerce.
-
FMCSA Operating Authority (MC #) — Needed for interstate for‑hire carriers transporting goods across state lines.
-
Unified Carrier Registration (UCR) — Required for interstate carriers; fees are based on fleet size and must be paid annually.
Note: If you already have valid US DOT and interstate operating authority, Kentucky recognizes those for carriers that are merely passing through or doing interstate transport.
2. Kentucky‑Specific Credentials
KYU License (Kentucky Highway Use Tax)
-
Required for carriers with commercial vehicles that have a combined registered or actual weight of 60,000 lbs or more operating in Kentucky.
-
Kentucky assesses a highway usage tax (KYU) on carrier mileage within the state.
Temporary Permits for Out‑of‑State Carriers
If your fleet isn’t registered under the International Registration Plan (IRP) or International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA):
-
Temporary Vehicle Trip Permits — Valid for about 10 days; can substitute for non‑apportioned registration.
-
Temporary Fuel Permits — Valid for about 10 days; substitute for IFTA fuel tax credentials.
These are useful for carriers entering Kentucky before their full IRP/IFTA credentials are active.
3. Intrastate vs. Interstate Requirements
Kentucky distinguishes between:
Interstate Operations
These are carriers operating across state lines:
-
Must have USDOT number, interstate operating authority (MC#), UCR, IRP, and IFTA if relevant based on weight and distance.
Intrastate Operations
Carriers operating solely within Kentucky boundaries may need:
-
Kentucky Intrastate Authority (depending on cargo and service type)
-
Kentucky Intrastate Tax (KIT) if operating with vehicles over 26,000 lbs.
4. Oversize/Overweight Requirements
If your vehicle or load exceeds Kentucky’s legal size or weight limits, you must obtain a Kentucky Oversize/Overweight (OS/OW) Permit before entering the state. It applies to vehicles that are:
-
Wider than posted limits
-
Taller than 13 ft 6 in
-
Heavier than standard weight limits
-
Long combinations or special cargo loads
Types of permits include:
-
Single‑trip OS/OW permits
-
Annual oversized permits
-
Superload permits for extremely large/heavy loads
These are issued by the https://www.kentuckytruckingonline.com/
5. Summary Checklist for Out‑of‑State Carriers
Before entering Kentucky, make sure you have:
Federal Credentials
-
USDOT number
-
Inter‑state authority (MC#)
-
UCR registration
State Credentials
-
KYU License (if ≥60,000 lbs)
-
Temporary trip/fuel permits if IRP/IFTA aren’t active
-
Intrastate authority if operating wholly within KY
Permits
-
OS/OW permit if your vehicle exceeds legal size/weight limits