Just Sold My RV in Kentucky — What’s Next? (2026)
Need Kentucky bill of sale documentation?
If you haven’t generated a Kentucky-compliant bill of sale yet, do it now — your proof-of-sale window closes the moment the buyer leaves.
Start My Kentucky RV Bill of Sale →Kentucky RV sale facts
| Titling agency | Kentucky DMV ↗ |
| Title transfer deadline | 15 days from sale |
| Release of liability | File with Kentucky DMV within 5 days |
| Buyer’s sales / use tax | 6% (Motor vehicle usage tax applies to all sales) |
| Bill of sale notary | Not required |
| Title fee (buyer pays) | $9 |
| RV identifier | chassis VIN (and coach serial if applicable) |
Your Kentucky RV post-sale checklist
- 1
Keep your signed Kentucky bill of sale
This is your proof that you sold the RV on the sale date. If the buyer gets a ticket, is in an accident, or fails to transfer the title within 15 days from the sale date, the Kentucky bill of sale shields you from liability. Keep both your copy and a scan for at least 5 years.
- 2
File a release of liability with Kentucky DMV
Most Kentucky sellers file this online through Kentucky DMV within 5 days of the sale. Filing removes you from records as the registered owner so any post-sale tickets, tolls, or accidents become the buyer's responsibility, not yours. Kentucky requires the buyer to title the RV within 15 days — your release filing protects you if the buyer misses that deadline.
- 3
Cancel or transfer your RV insurance
Contact your insurer the same day you hand over the keys. Kentucky does not require you to maintain insurance on a vehicle you no longer own, but you must not cancel before the sale is complete. If you are replacing the RV with another, transfer the policy instead — many insurers offer a short grace period to bind coverage on the new vehicle.
- 4
Remove your license plates
In Kentucky, plates go with the seller — not with the RV. Remove the plate(s) before the buyer drives or rides away. You can return them to Kentucky DMV or transfer them to your next vehicle.
- 5
Verify the 15-day title transfer window
Kentucky requires the buyer to retitle the RV at Kentucky DMV within 15 days of the sale date. If you have not received confirmation that the title has been transferred by day 20, contact Kentucky DMV with your bill of sale and release-of-liability filing number to confirm the change of ownership.
- 6
Confirm your Kentucky tax obligations (seller's side)
Kentucky charges 6% sales/use tax on private-party RV sales — the buyer pays this at Kentucky DMV when titling. Motor vehicle usage tax applies to all sales. Sellers generally do not owe Kentucky sales tax, but if the RV sold for more than your original purchase price you may owe federal capital gains tax. Consult a tax advisor.
- 7
Watch for liens or loan payoff confirmation
If you had a loan on the RV, confirm the lender received the buyer's payoff and has released the lien on the Kentucky title before you deliver the title. Kentucky uses TC 96-132 as the lien release form — your lender will file this with Kentucky DMV to clear the title record.
RV-specific note
Motorhomes (Class A/B/C) title under the chassis VIN; towable RVs (5th-wheels, travel trailers) title separately from the tow vehicle and may use a trailer-specific title category. Confirm both VIN and coach serial are recorded on the bill of sale.
Kentucky lien release procedure
- Obtain Form TC 96-132 from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet or the lienholder.
- Lienholder completes and signs TC 96-132 releasing the lien.
- Submit TC 96-132 with the existing title and title application at a county clerk's office.
- Pay the title fee and receive a clean Kentucky title.
Frequently Asked Questions — Kentucky
How long do I have to file a release of liability in Kentucky?▾
Kentucky sellers should file a release of liability with Kentucky DMV within 5 days of the sale. Most Kentucky sellers can file this online directly through Kentucky DMV. Filing removes you from records as the registered owner so any post-sale tickets, tolls, or accidents fall on the buyer.
What is the Kentucky title transfer deadline for an RV?▾
Kentucky requires the buyer to title the RV within 15 days of the sale date. Missing the deadline can trigger late fees and back-dated registration penalties.
Do I owe Kentucky sales tax on the RV I just sold?▾
Kentucky charges 6% sales/use tax on private-party RV sales. Motor vehicle usage tax applies to all sales. The buyer typically pays this at Kentucky DMV when titling — sellers generally owe no Kentucky sales tax on the proceeds. You may owe federal capital gains if you sold for more than the original purchase price.
Does Kentucky require a notary on the RV bill of sale?▾
No. Kentucky does not require notarization for a private RV bill of sale. A signed bill of sale with both parties' full names, addresses, signatures, and the date is sufficient for Kentucky DMV.
How does the buyer register the RV in Kentucky?▾
The buyer brings the signed bill of sale and endorsed title to Kentucky DMV, pays the title fee (~$9) plus 6% sales/use tax, and receives a new Kentucky title in their name. Transfer must be completed within 15 days of the sale date.
Do I record the chassis VIN or the coach serial number on the bill of sale?▾
Both — the chassis VIN is the one that titles the motorhome (it is the VIN of the cab chassis built by Ford, Chevy, Mercedes-Benz, or Freightliner). The coach serial is built by the RV manufacturer (Winnebago, Thor, Forest River, etc.) and identifies the living-quarters build. Record both on the bill of sale so the buyer has a complete record. Towable RVs (5th-wheels, travel trailers) carry their own single VIN and title separately from the tow vehicle.
Do weight-class title fees apply when I sell my RV?▾
In several states (CA, TX, NY, PA, IL, OH, GA, MI, WA, OR) title fees scale with the RV's GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating). The buyer pays these fees at the DMV — sellers do not pay them. Make sure your bill of sale records the GVWR so the buyer can confirm the fee at title transfer.
Used BillOfSaleNow for your sale?
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Source: Kentucky DMV ↗ · Last verified 2026-05-07