Kentucky
Kentucky Truck Permits for trip, fuel, KYU, oversize & overweight
A truck without Kentucky on its IRP needs a temporary IRP trip permit, good for up to 10 days, and without IFTA a 10-day temporary IFTA that covers Kentucky only. From 60,000 lbs combined licensed weight, Kentucky also charges its KYU weight-distance tax, separate from IFTA; a 10-day KYU permit covers one vehicle in its place. Oversize and overweight permits come from KYTC. Tell us the truck, load and route, and we file every Kentucky credential the trip needs.
Start here
What are you running through Kentucky?
Pick what fits your truck and load. Each answer opens the Kentucky rules and what we need from you.
Not sure which one? Call the 24/7 permit desk
(312) 395-7322- Load over 8 ft 6 in wide, 13 ft 6 in high or 80,000 lbs
Oversize & overweight permits
10-day single-trip and 365-day annual permits from KYTC, with lower legal limits off the designated network. - Not apportioned for Kentucky, no IFTA
Trip & fuel permits
A temporary IRP trip permit for up to 10 days and a 10-day temporary IFTA good for Kentucky only, both sold online by KYTC. - 60,000 lbs combined licensed weight and up
KYU weight-distance permit
A 10-day permit for one vehicle, in place of the KYU tax. Trucks over 59,999 lbs owe KYU on top of IFTA.
Source: KYTC Division of Motor Carriers — commercial vehicle credentials, OW/OD permits and travel provisions; 601 KAR 1:200; 601 KAR 1:018.
Kentucky and its neighbors
How Kentucky permits differ from the states around it
Kentucky touches seven states. Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Tennessee each handle the same truck differently.
The Transportation Cabinet, not Revenue
Kentucky's oversize permits come from KYTC. Across the river in Indiana they come from the Department of Revenue's Motor Carrier Services.
Ten days of fuel coverage
Kentucky's temporary IFTA runs 10 days. Ohio's fuel permit runs 24 hours, up to four in a row, and Illinois' fuel trip permit 96 hours.
No holiday blackouts, unlike Tennessee
Permitted loads in Kentucky keep moving through holidays. Tennessee parks escorted loads around Thanksgiving, Christmas week and other holidays.
Same rush hours as Tennessee's cities
Kentucky stops oversize loads 7–9 a.m. and 4–6 p.m. on weekdays around Louisville, Lexington and Northern Kentucky. Tennessee uses the same hours for escorted loads around Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville and Chattanooga.
How it works
Your Kentucky permit in three steps
Send the load and route
Truck, trailer, dimensions, weight, origin and destination. Your fleet details are saved for next time.
We check and file
Our permit desk checks the Kentucky rules for your load and files with KYTC Division of Motor Carriers.
Get your permit
You get the permit PDF, a written route and an interactive route map to share with the driver.
What will an oversize permit in Kentucky cost?
Enter your pickup and delivery locations, choose your permit type, and compare estimated permit costs across route options.
- Oversize and overweight permits across the lower 48 and DC
- State-by-state fee breakdown for each route option
- Order your permit or talk to a specialist
FAQ
Kentucky permit questions
Which trucks owe Kentucky's KYU tax?
Vehicles with a combined licensed weight of 60,000 lbs and above. KYU is a weight-distance tax separate from IFTA, so a truck over 59,999 lbs pays both.
Is there a short-term KYU permit for a single trip?
Yes. KYTC offers a 10-day KYU permit for one specific vehicle, bought in lieu of the KYU tax. We file it with the rest of your Kentucky credentials.
Does a Kentucky temporary IFTA cover other states?
No. It is good for 10 days in Kentucky only. Every other state on the route needs its own fuel permit unless the truck carries an IFTA license.
What is a KIT license in Kentucky?
KIT is the fuel license for Kentucky-based carriers whose trucks never leave Kentucky. A truck coming in from another state uses IFTA or the temporary IFTA instead.
Can you file my KYU, trip, fuel and oversize permits in one order?
Yes. Send us the truck, load and route; our permit desk lines up the temporary IRP, IFTA and KYU credentials with the KYTC oversize permit and every other state you cross, around the clock.
Keep going
Kentucky permit pages
Permit types in Kentucky
All states
Neighboring states
24/7 permit desk
Need a permit in Kentucky for this load?
Send the details once. We file with KYTC Division of Motor Carriers, plus every other state on your route.