Kentucky fuel tax permits and temporary KYU permits

Apply for the permits in https://www.kentuckytruckingonline.com/

1. Kentucky Fuel Tax Permits (IFTA & Temporary Fuel Permits)

IFTA Requirement

Kentucky participates in the International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA).
If your commercial vehicle meets all the following criteria, you must either (a) hold a valid IFTA license and decals or (b) obtain a temporary Kentucky fuel permit:

• GVW over 26,000 lbs, OR

• Three+ axles, regardless of weight

• Operates in interstate commerce

With an IFTA license, you do not need a separate Kentucky fuel permit—IFTA covers fuel reporting for KY and other member states.

When a Temporary Kentucky Fuel Permit Is Required

If you don’t have IFTA or are waiting for new decals, you must buy a Kentucky Temporary Fuel Permit before entering the state.

Purpose:
Covers Kentucky’s fuel tax obligations for non-IFTA carriers.

Valid for:
Usually 10 days.

What it allows:
Legally travel through Kentucky without IFTA credentials.

Common use cases:

• Trip-specific movements

• New or leased trucks not yet added to IFTA fleet

• Out-of-state carriers making a one-time trip through KY

• Owner-operators waiting for IFTA stickers

2. KYU Number (Kentucky Weight Distance Tax)

Kentucky is one of only a few states with a weight-distance tax (WDT).
This tax applies to heavy commercial vehicles traveling on Kentucky highways.

Who Must Have a KYU Number?

Any carrier operating a power unit with:

• Licensed weight > 59,999 lbs

must obtain and maintain a KYU account.

This applies even if the carrier is IFTA-licensed—IFTA does NOT replace the KYU requirement.

What the KYU Number Does

A KYU account requires you to:

• File quarterly Kentucky weight-distance tax reports

• Pay per-mile tax based on mileage traveled in Kentucky

• Maintain accurate distance records

3. Temporary KYU Permit

If you plan to make only one trip or occasional trips into Kentucky with a vehicle over 59,999 lbs and do NOT want to open a full KYU account, you can purchase a Temporary KYU Permit.

What a Temporary KYU Permit Allows

• Legal operation of heavy commercial vehicles in Kentucky

• Compliance with KY Weight-Distance Tax requirements for a single trip

• Avoids needing a permanent KYU account (useful for rare KY travel)

Validity

Valid for 10 days:

Common Uses

• One-time loads passing through Kentucky

• Out-of-state carriers who rarely run in KY

• Specialized hauling or oversize/overweight moves

• New trucks not yet added to existing KYU account

4. Penalties for Non-Compliance

Operating in KY without:

• A valid IFTA license or Kentucky fuel permit

• A KYU number (or temporary KYU permit)

…can result in:

• Fines

• Detainment of vehicle

• Back taxes owed

• Late filing penalties

• Suspension of KYU account

Kentucky CVE (Commercial Vehicle Enforcement) is strict about these credentials at weigh stations.

5. Summary Table