The Trouble with Personalized License Plates in Kentucky

The Battle for ‘DEBRA’: Louisville Woman Fights to Keep Personalized License Plate

Debra Humphrey has been proudly sporting her personalized license plate with her first name since 1987. However, a recent hiccup in Kentucky’s new vehicle registration system has put her cherished plate in jeopardy.

After trying to transfer the plate to her new car, Humphrey discovered that someone else also had the same ‘DEBRA’ plate. Despite multiple visits to the clerk’s office to resolve the issue, she has been unable to reclaim her beloved plate.

The new system, KAVIS, has caused a host of problems for both drivers and dealerships in Kentucky. Delays in registrations and titles have become the norm, with some car-buyers waiting up to a month to receive their titles.

To address the backlog of work caused by KAVIS glitches, two motor vehicle branches in Jefferson County have temporarily closed. Employees are working diligently to resolve the issues, but the challenges extend beyond just personalized plates like Humphrey’s.

As Humphrey waits for a resolution, her old plates sit in a bag in her car while a random combination of letters and numbers adorns her new vehicle. She remains hopeful that a solution can be found and is not alone in her frustrations.

The Jefferson County Clerk’s Office is actively working with licensing officials to address cases like Humphrey’s and plans to address the ongoing issues with KAVIS at a transportation committee meeting next week in Frankfort.

In the meantime, Humphrey’s battle to keep her personalized plate serves as a symbol of the larger struggles faced by many in navigating Kentucky’s new vehicle registration system.