FRANKFORT, Ky. — The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet is advising people to avoid visiting county clerk offices for motor vehicle services in early January as the state moves to a new information database system.

KYTC says the agency is taking a major step forward in modernizing the state’s vehicle information database system to a new, “customer centric” system. All county clerk offices will temporarily pause in-person and online motor and vessel-related services in early January to accommodate the transition.

The suspension of services starts Jan. 1, 2024 and will last between four to 10 business days. It may cause longer wait times when services resume in January.

The following services will be unavailable during the migration: vehicle and boat registration renewals, vehicle and boat titling and transfers, disabled parking permit issuance and license plate issuance. Vehicle owners due to renew in December are encouraged to do so early before holiday closures.  

“This launch represents the culmination of years of behind-the-scenes work to modernize our robust system to better serve Kentuckians,” said Department of Vehicle Regulation Commissioner Matt Cole.

Administered by the KYTC, the state’s 40-year-old legacy system AVIS (Automated Vehicle Information System) will sunset this year, and the seventh and final module of the new KAVIS (Kentucky Automated Vehicle Information System) will be fully integrated by early January. The system upgrade is a part of KYTC’s commitment to enhancing operational efficiencies within the Department of Vehicle Regulation, the Division of Motor Vehicle Licensing and County Clerks’ offices throughout the state.  

A statewide break of services is necessary to allow for an optimal transfer of over 350 million records. The move to KAVIS will not affect driver license issuance at Driver Licensing Regional Offices, KYTC said.