WILLIAMSTOWN, Ky. — Throughout January, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet has been converting its Automated Vehicle Information System (AVIS), implemented in the late 1970s, to the Kentucky Automated Vehicle Information System (KAVIS). Compared to the previous system, the new database is modernized. 

What You Need To Know

  • County clerk’s offices across the state continue to see ongoing delays and challenges since the new KAVIS motor vehicle database came online

  • The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet has been phasing out its AVIS system, implemented in the late 1970s 

  • A statewide shutdown of the system has now ended, following days of closed doors for business at county clerk’s offices across Kentucky

  • According to the Kentucky County Clerks Association, the conversion has not gone as smoothly as hoped 

However, county clerk’s offices across the state have continued to see ongoing delays and challenges since the database came online. These issues are having a significant effect on operations, creating extended wait times for customers with motor vehicle transactions.

A statewide shutdown of the system has now ended, and following days of closed doors for business at county clerk’s offices across Kentucky, all motor vehicle branches and locations are open.

After being sworn in as president of the Kentucky County Clerks Association (KCCA) in November, Tabatha Clemons has spent six weeks preparing for Kentucky's transition to the new database. She said this process has been a roller coaster. 

“We’re talking millions and millions of vehicle files that were transferred into the new system; that’s presented some issues," Clemons said. "We knew that there would be some bugs ... where we’ve been probably most disappointed is that we’re not able to move past it as quickly as we thought we would.”

Getting tasks done quickly is something clerks pride themselves on, Clemons said. 

“Unfortunately, with the system’s shortfalls that we have right now, we’re not able to do that to the best of our ability, the expectation we have for ourselves,” she said. “Transactions that used to take less than two minutes now take 20 to 25 minutes.”

While lines weren't too long at a Grant County location, it may be something people see in more populated parts of the state.

Bobbie Holsclaw, Jefferson County clerk, said the new system has led to several unexpected and time-consuming processing errors, resulting in delays for customers. Many parts of the new system still aren't in place, he added. 

“For the transactions KAVIS will allow us to process, doing so sometimes takes a 5-minute job and multiplies the timeframe tenfold," Holsclaw said. "We’re asking our customers to please allocate additional time than normal when they come to our offices for a motor vehicle transaction." 

Here are things people can do to have a smooth experience at the clerk's office:

  • Have your driver's license ready
  • Proof of insurance printed, emailed or faxed to the office
  • Have all vehicle registrations or renewal cards 

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