Gov. Andy Beshear said concerns expressed by Jefferson County Clerk Bobbie Holsclaw that the state’s vehicle and boat registration system will be shut down for at least two weeks to implement a new system are not likely to come to fruition.
The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) is installing a new Vehicle Title and Registration System in January 2024, transitioning from the current system known as AVIS, to the new Kentucky Automated Vehicle Information System (KAVIS), with the last day county clerks will be able to issue decals, plates, disabled parking permits, registrations for cars and boats, and process vehicle transfers, will be Friday, Dec. 29.
Beshear said on Thursday “KAVIS will be a streamlined internal process, giving improved customer service and enhanced overall efficiency, once fully implemented.”
He noted parts of the new system have already been implemented over the past eight years, a little at a time.
“Previous phases have included a standardized point of sale system, a new flat place license system, and disabled placard improvements. The upcoming rollout is to try to finalize what has been going on for eight years, and we don’t want to go on another four to six years,” he said.
Kentuckians will be able to choose from than 20 special license plate designs that promote non-profit agencies, once the changeover is complete, Beshear said.
“We have to move millions of records,” he noted, “and it’s really hard to move records one little piece at a time. Online vehicle registration renewal and all services utilizing AVIS in clerk’s offices will end Dec. 29.”
The week of Jan. 1, Beshear says, all systems will be shut down. “Starting the following Monday, Jan. 8, services will gradually resume, and clerks will be able to communicate their opening date. They will have some flexibility with that in each office. The gradual reopening will allow for technical assistance and support from KYTC.”
He said moving systems is not an easy process. “But when we look at how antiquated our Unemployment Insurance system had become, the need to make this move is here. It’s never great to shut down systems for a week at a time, but we want to get this thing done.”
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Written by Tom Latek. Cross-posted from Kentucky Today.
