Free Kentucky Odometer Disclosure Bill of Sale
Kentucky vehicle transfers must comply with the federal Truth in Mileage Act (TIMA), 49 U.S.C. § 32705, requiring odometer disclosure on all non-exempt transfers. Everything model year 2010 or older is exempt, as is any vehicle over 16,000 lbs GVWR; 2011-and-newer models disclose until age 20 in model years. In Kentucky the odometer disclosure appears on the Certificate of Title itself; both seller and buyer sign the title's odometer section — the critical risk in Kentucky is missing the 15-day deadline to transfer the title to the buyer, which can expose the seller to penalties and ongoing liability.
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Odometer disclosure is a federal requirement under 49 CFR §580, not just a best practice — and falsifying mileage is a federal crime. Our guide explains exactly what each field requires, when the 10-year exemption applies, and what to do if the odometer has rolled over. Read: Odometer Disclosure Statement: What It Is & What to Write →
Kentucky Odometer Disclosure Bill of Sale — What You Need to Know
Primary Form
Standard bill of sale
Agency
Kentucky TC DMV
Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, Division of Motor Vehicle Licensing
Primary ID Field
VIN
Sales Tax
0.06%
Title Required
Yes
Inspection
Not required
Kentucky Odometer Disclosure Sale — Step-by-Step Checklist
- Check the model year first — only 2011-and-newer vehicles (GVWR 16,000 lbs or under) owe the disclosure; 2010 and older are exempt.
- Read and record the exact odometer mileage on the date of sale.
- Select the correct certification on the Kentucky title: 'Actual mileage', 'Exceeds mechanical limits', or 'Not actual mileage'.
- Seller prints name, signs, and dates the odometer disclosure section on the Kentucky Certificate of Title.
- Buyer prints name and countersigns to acknowledge the disclosed reading.
- Both parties retain photocopies of the signed title.
- Submit the title to a Kentucky county clerk's office within 15 days of the sale — this is Kentucky's strictly enforced deadline.
- Pay Kentucky's 6% usage tax at the county clerk's office at time of transfer.
Common Pitfalls
- Selling 'as-is' does not exempt the seller from federal TIMA odometer disclosure requirements.
- Missing Kentucky's 15-day title-transfer deadline — this is the single highest-risk pitfall unique to Kentucky and results in penalties for the buyer and potential ongoing seller liability.
- Not selecting a certification type; a blank odometer section causes rejection at the county clerk's office.
- Assuming the buyer will handle the transfer on their own timeline — Kentucky holds the seller partially accountable if the buyer fails to transfer within 15 days when the seller delayed providing the title.
- Making any alteration or correction to the Kentucky title — corrected titles must be replaced through the Transportation Cabinet before transfer.
Kentucky Odometer Disclosure Bill of Sale — FAQs
Why is the 15-day deadline so important in Kentucky?
Kentucky imposes penalties on buyers who fail to transfer the title within 15 days. If the seller delays handing over the signed title, the buyer cannot meet that deadline, and the seller can face legal exposure. Always sign and hand over the title on the day of sale.
Is a 2001 model-year vehicle exempt from odometer disclosure in Kentucky in 2026?
Yes. Exempt — the federal test is model year: 2010 and older owe nothing, and a 2001 model clears that comfortably. No odometer disclosure is required, though sellers may voluntarily provide it.
What if the odometer is broken?
Select 'Not actual mileage' on the title and note the inoperative condition in the bill of sale. Do not estimate or fabricate a mileage figure.
Does Kentucky have a separate odometer form for private-party sales?
No. The odometer disclosure is on the Certificate of Title itself. Both seller and buyer sign the title's odometer section at the time of sale.
What are the penalties for odometer fraud in Kentucky?
The statute allows $10,000 per violation and three years of prison time. Civil liability is triple actual damages, minimum $1,500, plus attorney's fees under 49 U.S.C. § 32710.