When Do You Need a KYU Temporary Permit?

Although the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration issues rules and regulations governing the trucking industry, individual states also have requirements for vehicles traveling on their roads. One such state is Kentucky, which requires some commercial vehicles to have a KYU permit or a KYU temporary permit to travel through the state. 

The specific permits you need for your trucking company depend on the location of your home base, the size of your vehicles, the type of cargo you haul, your typical routes, and more. FMCA Filings helps owners and co-operators understand the requirements and streamlines the process of making critical filings like USDOT number registration, Unified Carrier Registration, and more. 

In this blog, we’ll explain the basics of Kentucky temporary permits and when you need them. 

What Is a Kentucky Temporary Permit?

The Kentucky Weight Distance Permit, or KYU permit, is a tax license. The state issues these permits to out-of-state trucks that travel through Kentucky with a license for 59,999 pounds or more. Trucks that frequently travel through the Bluegrass State need a permanent number, but those that don’t travel through Kentucky very often can get a one-time temporary KYU registration for up to ten days of travel. 

Whether you get a permanent or a temporary KYU permit, you need it to file quarterly taxes with the state on the same schedule as the International Fuel Tax Association payments. The tax amount equals the miles driven in the state multiplied by the current tax rate. That rate is typically only a few cents per mile, and if you only drive through Kentucky, the tax bill will be significantly less than the fines and penalties you’ll pay for not filing.

If you have a temporary permit, you only need to file taxes in the quarter when you drive in Kentucky, but if you have a permanent number, you must file in every quarter even if you didn’t have any Kentucky miles in that period. 

The Kentucky Weight Distance Tax is not the same as IFTA, which applies a surcharge to the fuel a vehicle consumes. Carriers or co-operators must pay both fees. 

Getting and Maintaining a Kentucky Permit

For a KYU temporary permit application, the requirements for the trucking company are the same as for a permanent one:

• A USDOT number and registration as an interstate carrier
• An active Motor Carrier number
• A current Unified Carrier Registration 
• Proof of insurance from the carrier
• Detailed information about the vehicle, including the make, model, and plate number

Permanent KYU numbers are free (other than the nominal application fee), but you’ll pay a fee for a temporary permit in addition to the application fee. Once you complete the application, you’ll receive the KYU number immediately. With the number, you can file the quarterly taxes online. 

The KYU permit duration is ongoing if you file your taxes on time every quarter. If you have a one-time KYU temporary permit, it is only valid for ten days from the issue date. If you come back to Kentucky at a later date, you will need to apply for a new permit, as there is no option for temporary KYU permit renewal. 

If you have any type of KYU permit and fail to file the quarterly taxes, you will be subject to a $500 fine and revocation. To reinstate it, you’ll have to pay the outstanding taxes and a late fee plus interest and post a bond. 

Using Your KYU Permit 

When you get a temporary KYU permit, the number automatically connects to your USDOT number. You do not receive a physical permit or license from the state. You do not need to display the number on your vehicle anywhere, either. 

If you have a permanent number and lease the truck from another carrier and operate under their DOT authority, the permanent KYU number must appear on the truck exterior. Otherwise, the only time you ever need to use the number is to file quarterly taxes. 

FMCA Filings Can Help Keep You Moving with a Temporary KYU Number 

If an upcoming route includes travel through Kentucky, you need a KYU permit to avoid trouble and costly penalties. Not having this number could result in violations from the DOT and FMCSA during a roadside inspection, not to mention the fines and penalties you can face related to the quarterly tax filings. 

If your commercial vehicle weighs more than 60,000 pounds, FMCA Filings makes it simple to get the KYU temporary permit you need to drive on Kentucky roads legally. Even if you’re just passing through on your way to your final destination, acquiring this number and filing the correct taxes can help you avoid headaches. If you need help with this or want to make any other filing or pause your trucking authority, reach out via Live Chat or fill out the online form to learn more about how we can streamline the process.