Our deputies and office personnel are certified through the Commonwealth of Kentucky to inspect your vehicle for the purpose of registering from out of state. Per KY HB 833 HCS 1, the cost is $15.00 per vehicle, and you must provide a valid Operator’s License.
For on post inspections, pull into the drive through area located at the west side of our building.
Under KRS 186A.115, 601KAR9:090 and KRS 189, to complete the Sheriff’s pre-printed section on the TC96 182 application for Kentucky Certificate of Title or Registration, the following information will be required:
- Vehicle title
- Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
- Odometer reading
- Vehicle brought in for inspection
- Driver’s license and state of license, and the person requesting the inspection
(NOTE: Inspections of motor vehicles that meet the definition of a “Classic Motor Vehicle Project” as set forth in KRS 186A.510 shall be limited to verification of the vehicle identification number with supporting documents.)
To comply with the statutory requirements as set forth in KRS 186A.115 and 601KAR 9.090, all vehicles coming to the Commonwealth are required to be roadworthy at the time of inspection, to include the following:
- Two front head lamps, upper and lower beam (KRS 189.040)
- Turn signals-fully operable (KRS 189.040 section 8)
- Rear, side clearance lights-red in color (KRS 189.050)
- Emergency flashing lights (KRS 189.043)
- Side mirrors (KRS 189.130)
- Windshield wipers (KRS 189.110)
- Windshield safety glass, free from obstructions (KRS 189.120)
- Door windows-in place with no damage (KRS 189.110)
- Horn (KRS 189.080)
- Seat belts [any vehicle manufactured after 1981 is required to have seatbelts] (KRS 189.125)
- Brakes, adequate to control movement, to stop the vehicle (KRS 189.090)
- Steering device not to be defective (KRS 189.100)
- Mufflers (KRS 189.140)
- Good tires (KRS 189.190)
*Airbags cannot be covered if they have been deployed.
FREQUENTLY ASKED VEHICLE INSPECTION QUESTIONS
Q: WHAT IF I DON’T HAVE A TITLE?
CONTACT THE CHRISTIAN COUNTY CLERK’S OFFICE, LOCATED AT 511 SOUTH MAIN STREET, HOPKINSVILLE, HOUSED IN THE OLD COURTHOUSE. YOU MAY ALSO REACH THEM AT 270-887-4105.
Q: DO YOU NEED MY INSURANCE CARD?
NOT FOR THE INSPECTION. BUT THE CLERK’S OFFICE NEEDS AN INSURANCE CARD TO REGISTER OR TRANSFER VEHICLES.
Q: MAY I USE A DRIVER’S PERMIT?
NO, VALID OPERATOR’S LICENSE IS NEEDED WHEN INSPECTING A CAR OR TRUCK. HOWEVER, WHEN HAVING A MOTORCYCLE INSPECTED, A MOTORCYCLE OPERATOR’S LICENSE OR PERMIT IS ACCEPTABLE.
Q: DOES MY VEHICLE HAVE TO BE BROUGHT TO THE SHERIFF’S OFFICE?
IF YOU COME TO THE OFFICE FOR AN INSPECTION, YES, THEN YOUR VEHICLE MUST BE PRESENT. UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES (Title only, or other exigent circumstances) A DEPUTY MAY BE ABLE TO COME TO YOUR LOCATION TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. CONTACT OUR DISPATCH CENTER, 270-890-1300 TO SEE WHICH OPTION IS BEST. IF WE COME TO YOUR HOME OR BUSINESS, WE WILL TRY AND COMPLETE THIS INSPECTION AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE, HOWEVER, THE PATROL DEPUTIES WORK THE INSPECTIONS IN BETWEEN THEIR ROUTINE AND EMERGENCY CALLS FOR SERVICE.
Q: WHAT IS THE COST IF A DEPUTY INSPECTS THE VEHICLE AT YOUR LOCATION?
A TRIP FEE OF $20.00, PLUS $15.00 FOR THE INSPECTION – A TOTAL FEE OF $35.00. IF PAYING IN CASH, PLEASE HAVE THE EXACT AMOUNT, AS THE DEPUTY DOES NOT CARRY CHANGE.
Q: WITH MOTORCYCLES, ARE THE REQUIREMENTS THE SAME?
YES, BUT WITH A MOTORCYCLE, THE VIN NUMBER MUST BE FOUND NOT ONLY ON A STICKER BUT ALSO STAMPED ON THE FRAME. (BE ADVISED THAT WHEN INSPECTING A MOTORCYCLE, A MOTORCYCLE PERMIT OR OPERATOR’S LICENSE IS ACCEPTABLE.)
Q: CAN I GET MY VEHICLE INSPECTION IN ALL TYPES OF WEATHER?
YES. YET IN TORRENTIAL RAIN, LIGHTNING, OR OTHER POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS WEATHER CONDITIONS, THE INSPECTION MAY BE SLIGHTLY DELAYED. OUR BUILDING LOCATED AT 701 WEST MAIN STREET HAS A COVERED AREA FOR VEHICLE INSPECTIONS.
Q: WHERE IS THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER LOCATED?
THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER, COMMONLY REFERRED TO AS THE VIN NUMBER IS LOCATED ON LATE MODEL VEHICLES ON THE DASHBOARD AND SHOULD BE CLEARLY VISIBLE. PLEASE ASSIST THE INSPECTOR BY HAVING THE AREA FREE OF DEBRIS, PAPERS AND ETC. OLDER VEHICLES AND CLASSIC CARS WILL HAVE THEIR VIN NUMBERS LOCATED SOMEWHERE ELSE ON THE VEHICLE OTHER THAN THE DASHBOARD. BEFORE ARRIVING AT THE OFFICE OR HAVING A SHERIFF’S DEPUTY AT YOUR LOCATION, PLEASE LOCATE THE VIN NUMBER AND MAKE SURE IT MATCHES YOUR CERTIFICATE OF TITLE.
