Question: The Fayette County Clerk’s office charges $2 postage and handling fee to renew motor vehicle registrations by mail. Stamps are currently forty-one cents. What is involved in handling that adds to this excessive charge?

Answer: To answer this question, I spoke with Fayette County Clerk Don Blevins. He says that the $2.00 charge is both statutory and mandatory by section five of KRS 186.020. And, he says, a lot of work goes into the handling of mail transactions. Clerk office staffers spend a lot of time contacting people who don’t fill out the forms correctly or completely.

186.020 Registration requirement — Application for registration — Application and other documents to be sent to Transportation Cabinet — Renewal by mail — Extension of renewal period for military personnel stationed outside United States.
(5) At least forty-five (45) days prior to the expiration of registration of any motor vehicle previously registered in the Commonwealth as provided by KRS 186A.035, the owner of the vehicle shall be notified by mail on the same notice required by KRS 134.805(5) of the date of expiration. In addition, the department shall provide appropriate forms and information to permit renewal of motor vehicle registration to be completed by mail. Any registration renewal by mail shall require payment of an additional two dollar ($2) fee which shall be received by the county clerk.Nonreceipt of the notice herein shall not constitute a defense to any registration related offense.
Effective: April 25, 2006

And, don’t forget – on May 12 the cost of a stamp goes to forty-two cents.

Linda Niemi

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