Register Car in Georgia

All Georgia drivers must register their vehicles with the Department of Revenue's Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) to get license plates and legally drive on public roads.

If you already have a registered vehicle and are looking for information on how to renew your registration, visit our Registration Renewal page.

New to Georgia?

You have 30 days from the date you establish Georgia residency to register your vehicle with the MVD.

Before you get started with the registration process, have in your possession:

• Proper car insurance coverage that meets Georgia's liability requirements.
• A valid Georgia driver's license.

Once you have these, visit your local Tax Commissioner's Tag Office with:

• A completed Title/Tag Application (Form MV-1).
• Proof of auto insurance.
• Your GA driver's license.
• Proof of vehicle ownership. Your title or registration certificate will work.
  ―If you don't have a title, complete a Certification of Inspection (Form T-22B).
  ―If the car's title is being held by a lienholder, complete an Affidavit of Title Being Held by Lien or Security Interest Holder or Leasing Company (Form T-17).
• Proof of passing a smog check, if applicable.
• Submit proof of Georgia residency (lease, utility bill, moving/shipper's bill, etc.)
• Payment for all applicable fees and taxes (see below).

Registering Your Vehicle in Georgia

Whenever you get a vehicle―whether purchased, gifted, or inherited―you must complete a new registration. You have seven days from acquiring the vehicle to register it and get plates.

Before you get started, you must have auto insurance and a valid GA driver's license.

To register, go to your local County Tax Commissioner's office with:

• A completed Title/Tag Application (Form MV-1).
• Proof of car insurance.
• Your Georgia driver's license.
• Proof of car ownership. Your title or registration certificate will suffice.
  ―If no title is available, complete and submit a Certification of Inspection (Form T-22B).
  ―If the car's title is being held by a lienholder, complete an Affidavit of Title Being Held by Lien or Security Interest Holder or Leasing Company (Form T-17).
• Proof of passing a smog test, if applicable.
• Submit proof of Georgia residency (lease, utility bill, moving/shipper's bill, etc.)
• Payment for all applicable fees and taxes (see below).

Registration for Active Military

Service members may have different options for their vehicle registrations depending on whether or not they are Georgia residents.

Non-Resident Military Members

If you're stationed in Georgia, but not a resident of the state, you must maintain proper registration and insurance from your home state to operate your personally owned vehicle (POV) in Georgia.

If you decide to make Georgia your permanent home, you must adhere to the same policies for registering your vehicle as a new resident would follow (see section above). The state gives you 30 days after establishing residency to register your POV.

Georgia Resident Military Members

Service members from Georgia should follow the steps listed in the Registering a Vehicle in Georgia section above.

Maintaining Vehicle Registration for Military

Regardless of where you are stationed, you must maintain your vehicle registration and car insurance coverage as long as your vehicle is being operated on public roads by you or someone else. Visit our Registration Renewal page in Georgia to learn how to keep your vehicle legal to drive.

Canceling Registration for Deployment/Out-of-State

Georgia residents who are being deployed or stationed somewhere outside of Georgia, whose vehicles will not be driven while they are out of state, may voluntarily cancel the registration on their vehicle by visiting their local county tax commissioner's office.

Reinstating Vehicle Registration

When you return from deployment, reinstate your registration by visiting your local County Tax Commissioner's office with:

• A completed Service Member's Affidavit for Mandatory Insurance Relief (Form MV-18G). It must be notarized and signed by your Commanding Officer.
• Proof of auto insurance.
• Proof of emissions testing, if required.
• Payment for all required fees and taxes.

GA Registration Fees

All registration fees must be paid by cash, check, or money order.

• Tag fee: $20 for all passenger vehicles and lightweight trucks.
• Original title fee, if required: $18.
• Replacement title fee, if required: $8.
• Sales tax: fee varies.
• Emissions inspection fees, if required: $10-$25 (price will be posted at the emissions inspection station).
• License plates: fees vary based on what type of plate you order.
• Ad valorem tax fee: based on the value of your vehicle.

Penalty Fees

If you are late registering your vehicle, you will be subject to the following penalties:

• Title penalty: $10 (not registering within 30 days of getting the vehicle)
• Additional title penalty: $10 (if application was returned for more information and you have not complied within 60 days)

If you are pulled over by the police while driving a vehicle with an expired registration or no registration, you can be given fines of up to $100.

GA License Plates

There are a number of options for Georgia license plates. If you choose anything beyond the standardized Georgia plate, you will be charged an additional fee.

Other GA Vehicle Registrations

Georgia requires proper registration and titling on a number of other kinds of vehicles, including:

• Motorcycles
• RVs and Motorhomes
• Boats and Watercraft
• Custom-Built Cars
• Mopeds, Scooters, ATVs, and Homemade Trailers

Lost Your Georgia Registration?

Visit our Registration Replacement page for information on replacing a lost registration certificate or license tag.

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