Permit Fees and Payment Options for Kentucky Carriers

Nov. 12, 2025, 5:29 p.m.
When operating in the Commonwealth of Kentucky, motor carriers must be aware of the various permit fees and payment methods administered by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (via its Division of Motor Carriers). Below is a breakdown of key fee-types and how carriers can pay them.
Permit Fees for Kentucky

1. Key Permit & Tax Fee Categories

  • Overweight/Over-Dimensional (OW/OD) Permits — For vehicles or loads exceeding the standard size/weight limits. For example, the single-trip or annual OW/OD permit fees vary by route and type.  

    • Example: The “Metal Commodities” permit: Annual fee is $2,250; Single-trip fee is $200. 

    • Example: Annual “Feed” permit (for divisible load of feed, up to 88,000 lbs) – fee is $250. 

    • Additional categories such as “Annual Non-Divisible <14ft wide” – fee $450 each; “14-16ft wide” – $850 each. 

  • Kentucky Highway Use Tax (KYU) – A tax license for carriers operating vehicles with combined licensed weight over 59,999 lbs. The tax is calculated at $0.285 per mile within Kentucky. 

  • Application fees for intrastate for-hire certificate – For example: A Kentucky-based for-hire carrier picking up and delivering solely within Kentucky must pay a $125 application fee plus $50 per vehicle under that authority. 

  • Some credentialing applications (e.g., KYU, IFTA, KIT) have “no application fee” for the license itself, though tax returns, miles, or usage triggers liability. 

2. Payment Options & Filing Requirements

  • For KYU tax filing: Carriers must file quarterly tax returns online through the Motor Carrier Portal. Payment must be made electronically (Credit Card or ACH). 

  • For OW/OD permits: These can be applied for via the Kentucky Overweight/Over-Dimensional Portal. It implies payment is processed online as part of the portal transaction.

  • For certain application credentials (intrastate for-hire certificate) payments are via check or money order payable to “Kentucky State Treasurer”. 

  • Note: Even if a carrier has a KYU license but reports zero miles for a quarter, they must still file the return to avoid penalty. 

3. Best Practices for Carriers

  • Always verify your permit category (e.g., single trip vs annual; divisible vs non-divisible load) and pay the correct fee to avoid delays.

  • Keep digital proof of permit/credential in the vehicle when required. For annual OW/OD permits, the original permit must be carried in the power unit. 

  • Make sure online filings are made timely—late filing or payment (for KYU tax or other credential returns) can result in fines or revocation of license. 

  • For out-of-state carriers: If you travel into Kentucky occasionally, evaluate whether a temporary permit is appropriate versus a full KYU license. 

4. Example Fee Scenarios

  • Scenario A: A carrier plans a single trip with a non-divisible load, less than 14 ft wide – the annual permit fee is $850.

  • Scenario B: A carrier is delivering metal commodities (non-divisible or divisible) up to 120,000 lbs – a special permit fee of $2,250 for the annual permit.

  • Scenario C: A carrier heavier than 59,999 lbs in combined licensed weight must hold a KYU license, pay the per-mile tax ($0.285) and file quarterly returns—even if they did not travel in the quarter, they still must file.

5. Summary

Permit and tax fees in Kentucky vary significantly depending on load type, weight, dimensions, and whether the operation is single trip or annual. Payment and filing largely occur via the state’s online portals, with electronic payment (credit/ACH) standard. Missing filings or payments can lead to fines and operational delays.