The Georgia Department of Revenue, Motor Vehicle Division has issued an updated Motor Vehicle Manual. This manual is detailed and addresses the State's requirements for titling and registering vehicles in the State of Georgia. To view this manual online click 'Motor Vehicle Online Manual'. General Information on Georgia Titles and Registration. License Plate Laws. The main requirements for automobile license plates are very straightforward. Specifically: The plate should be currently valid and clearly visible. The plate should be mounted to the car in the proper place in a manner that is free of obstruction. You may transfer Georgia tags (i.e. License plates) from a vehicle you no longer own to a new vehicle you recently purchased or acquired as long as: The license plate type and price are the same (e.g. Passenger car to passenger car but not trailer to passenger car). You complete the tag transfer within 30 days of acquiring your vehicle.

If you live in Georgia and drive a car, motorcycle, or other vehicle on public roads, you must register it and get a license plate. You will most likely register and apply for plates when you get a new car or move to GA. You may even be able to transfer a license plate from your last vehicle. You're also required to renew your plate by renewing your vehicle registration, and if your plate is lost, stolen, or damaged, you can request a duplicate tag or decal.

Looking for vanity plates? See our GA Specialty Plates and Applying for Special Plates pages.

Need information about GA disability plates? See our Disability Placards & Plates page.

Keep reading for more information about license plates and tags in Georgia, including application forms, the cost of GA license plates, and other details.

Types of GA License Plates & Tags

You must have a GA license plate if you live in the state and operate a vehicle on Georgia's roads. License plates are required for:

• Passenger vehicles.
• Motorcycles.
• Trailers.
• Other vehicles, such as large trucks and recreational vehicles (RVs).

License plates are issued by the Georgia Department of Revenue (DOR) county tag offices.

Your license plate number is actually a combination of letters and numbers. It will also have the following decals:

• One listing the county where your car is registered.
• One showing the month and year that your registration expires.

The state issues standard license plates as well as vanity plates and special interest plates.

Apply For Georgia License Plate

To get a license plate in Georgia, you must register your car. To keep your license plate valid, you must regularly renew your registration.

Temporary Tags

Temporary tags are issued by car dealers when you buy a car.

These temporary license plates are valid for 30 days and allow you to operate your vehicle on GA roads until you register and title it.

You must register your car with the GA DOR before your temporary tag expires.

If your car dealer doesn't provide you with the vehicle's manufacture certificate or title within 25 days, you can apply for a temporary tag extension from your local GA DOR office.

Apply for Georgia License Plates

You apply for a license plate when you register your car at a GA county tag office.

To register your vehicle, you will need:

• A completed Motor Vehicle Title/Tag Application (Form MV-1).
• Payment for your vehicle registration fees:
  • License plate fees:
    • $20 for passenger vehicles.
    • $20 for motorcycles.
    • $12 for homemade trailers.
  • Ad valorem tax, which varies by vehicle and county.
• A form of identification.
• Proof of insurance.
• Your vehicle title or manufacturer certificate of origin.

Our GA car registration page has more details about registration applications, requirements, and fees.

Renew a GA License Plate

Your GA license plate will have a decal in the lower, right corner showing the date and year your registration expires.

Before the expiration date, you should receive a registration renewal notice by mail. You can renew your registration:

• Online (in some counties).
• By mail.
  OR
  
• In person.

NOTE: Be sure the GA DOR has your correct address so you don't miss any renewal notices! If you have moved, you must update your address.

Once you've renewed your registration, you will get a new decal to put on your license plate, showing that your registration is up to date.

For more information about registration renewal, including fees and other requirements, see our GA registration renewal page.

Duplicate License Plates in Georgia

If your license plates or decals are lost, stolen, or damaged, you can order duplicates from the GA DOR.

To order replacement license plate or decals, you will need to:

• File a police report with your local law enforcement agency.
• Apply for a replacementin person from the GA DOR.

To replace your license plates or decals, the GA DOR requires:

• The Application for Replacement License Plate (Tag) and/or Decal (Form MV-7).
• A copy of the police report.
• The damaged plate or decal, if applicable.
• The $8 replacement fee by:
  • Cash.
  • Check or money order payable to “Department of Revenue.'

If you didn't receive your original plate from the GA DOR, you should apply for a replacement plate within 90 days. In addition:

• Include the Affidavit of Non-Receipt of an Original License Plate/Renewal Decal (Form T-200).
• You DO NOT have to pay the $8 fee.

Transfer or Surrender License Plates

In Georgia, the license plate on your car belongs to you. This means you can keep or transfer plates to a new car when you sell your current car.

In rare circumstances, the law may require you to surrender your license plate.

Transfer a License Plate

If you sell or trade your car, you can transfer your GA license plate to your next vehicle IF the vehicles are the same type AND both vehicles belong to a GA resident. For example, you can transfer a plate:

• From a passenger car to another passenger car.
• From a motorcycle to another motorcycle.

For a license plate transfer, you'll need to:

• Have a GA driver's license.
• Submit the title and registration paperworkin person at a Georgia tag office within 7 days.
• Pay a $20 license plate transfer fee in addition to other title and registration fees.

NOTE: If your registration renewal is due, you must also include required renewal documents and fees.

For more information about transferring your license plate, see our Georgia car buyers page.

Surrender a License Plate

If you move to another state, you DO NOT have to surrender your license plate to the GA DOR.

You may be required to surrender your plates or the DOR may take them from you for certain moving violations, vehicle abandonment, or vehicle repossession.

Fees for Georgia License Plates

There are several fees associated with GA license plates:

• New license plates:
  • Passenger vehicle: $20.
  • Motorcycle: $20.
  • Homemade trailer: $12.
• License plate renewal: Varies by vehicle type and county.
• Replacement license plate or decal: $8.
• License plate transfer fee: $20.

Fees for vanity and specialty license plates vary. See our page on types of Georgia specialty license plates for more information, and visit Applying for Special Plates for application information.

Forms

Georgia Motorcycle License Plate Requirements

Georgia Car Tags License Plate

This form is provided by your state's agency/department.

Current Georgia License Plate

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