Kentucky KYU Number Explained — who needs it, how to apply, renew, or cancel

Oct. 17, 2025, 4:14 p.m.
Here’s a detailed guide to Kentucky KYU (Weight-Distance) Number / KYU Permit — who needs it, how to apply, maintain/renew, and how to cancel or lose it.
Kentucky KYU Number Explained — who needs it, how to apply, renew, or cancel

1. What Is a KYU Number / KYU Permit?

  • “KYU” refers to Kentucky’s Weight Distance Tax (aka highway / road usage tax) for heavy commercial vehicles traveling on Kentucky roads.  

  • The KYU Number is essentially a tax license/account identifier with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet / Division of Motor Carriers.  

  • It is a permanent license (there is no annual renewal as long as filings are kept current) — i.e. once issued, it remains valid unless revoked or cancelled for noncompliance.  

2. Who Needs a KYU Number?

You must obtain a KYU Number (i.e. be subject to Kentucky’s Weight Distance tax) under certain conditions:

  • Weight threshold: Commercial vehicles with a combined / declared gross weight over 59,999 pounds (i.e. 60,000 lbs or more) that travel on Kentucky roads are subject to KYU.  

  • This applies whether the vehicle is intrastate or interstate in nature for the portion of travel that uses Kentucky highways. 

  • The KYU is separate from IFTA (fuel tax). Even if a carrier files IFTA, if vehicle weight and Kentucky travel criteria are met, KYU may also apply.  

  • Kentucky-based carriers may also have KIT (Kentucky Intrastate Tax) obligations under some circumstances, but that is separate from KYU.  

3. How to Apply for a KYU Number

Here is the application process, requirements, and timeline:

Application Methods

  • Online via the Motor Carrier Portal (Kentucky’s online system)  

  • By mail / paper form, using Kentucky Trucking Application (Form TC 95-1) 

Requirements / Pre‐requisites

Before applying, ensure:

  1. USDOT number is active and registered for interstate operations (if applicable)  

  2. If you are “for-hire,” an active MC number / operating authority might be required  

  3. Current Unified Carrier Registration (UCR) registration must be up to date  

  4. Provide vehicle details (VIN, plate number, gross vehicle weight, etc.) for all units to be covered under the KYU account  

  5. Ensure your name / address on the application matches your USDOT registry (to avoid mismatch rejections). 

Cost / Fees

  • No fee is required to obtain the permanent KYU number. 

  • You will, however, owe the quarterly mileage tax based on your miles traveled in Kentucky.  

Processing Time

  • Online applications are issued immediately (i.e. upon completing application). 

  • Mailed / paper applications take about 7–14 business days to process.  

Once approved, the state will mail you a license issuance letter specifying your KYU number and the quarterly tax forms you will use.  

4. Maintain / Renew / Requirements After Issuance

Because KYU is a permanent license, there is no annual renewal, but there are ongoing obligations:

Quarterly Filings

  • You must file a KYU return every quarter (even if no miles were driven in Kentucky during that quarter).  

  • The due dates are the last day of the month following the end of each quarter.  

  • The tax is computed by applying the appropriate rate (mills per mile) times the Kentucky miles traveled, based on the declared weight class of the vehicle.  

Vehicle Inventory / Updates

  • Maintain a vehicle inventory under your KYU account. As you add or remove trucks, you must update the KYU inventory.  

  • Your KYU number is tied to your USDOT number; changes in your USDOT record (name, address) should be consistent to avoid conflicts.  

Penalties, Suspension & Revocation

  • Failing to file a quarterly return or pay the tax on time can lead to penalties, revocation / suspension of the KYU license/account.  

  • Reinstating a revoked KYU may require payment of a “failure to file” fee, interest, and possibly posting a bond.  

5. How to Cancel or Surrender a KYU Number

If you no longer operate in Kentucky with heavy vehicles (i.e. your fleet drops below threshold or you exit service), here's how to cancel or surrender:

  • You typically contact the Kentucky Division of Motor Carriers / Motor Carrier Unit to request cancellation or marking the KYU account as inactive. (The Drive KY site handles KYU via its Motor Carrier portal)  

  • Ensure that all outstanding quarterly returns and payments are filed and paid before cancellation.

  • After cancellation, you will no longer need to file KYU reports, but if you re-enter heavy trucking in Kentucky later, you may need to re-activate or reapply.