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Register Car
Enter your Zip Code below to get a Free Quote. We suggest getting quotes from both companies to ensure you get the best rate. There is no obligation to purchase.Top General Requirements
Registration Renewal
Visit our section on renewing registrations to prepare yourself for the registration renewal process before you head out the door.
First-Time Registration
You need to go through the first-time registration process if you:
- Just bought a vehicle
- Are transferring ownership
- Are new to Georgia
Everyone has 30 days to register their vehicles. That means:
- If you just bought a vehicle or are transferring ownership, you have 30 days from the date the vehicle you become the vehicle’s owner.
- If you just moved to Georgia, you have 30 days from the date you established residency.
Top Get Insurance
You must carry accident liability insurance for your vehicle, and provide proof of that insurance when you register the vehicle. In addition to outlining the minimum requirements, our Insurance Center helps you compare affordable rates.
Top Prepare the Paperwork
The process to register your vehicle varies depending on where in the state you live, and this is one reason it’s so helpful when dealers handle the registration for you.
If your situation doesn’t involve a dealer, you must register the vehicle on your own. Again, the registration process varies, but after you handle the titling paperwork and fees, you can expect to take care of the following kinds of paperwork before contacting your County Tax Commissioner’s tag office:
- Have your driver’s license or state-issued ID card. It’s not exactly paperwork, but it’s required documentation.
- Gather proof of residency.
- Have proof of insurance.
- If applicable, have your vehicle’s emissions inspected and obtain proof your vehicle passed.
- If you’re not titling and registering at the same time, be prepared to once again show proof of ownership.
- If the current registration certificate is from a state that doesn’t issue titles, a law enforcement officer must inspect your vehicle’s VIN and you must show proof of the passed inspection.
- If you’re applying for a registration only and your vehicle doesn’t require a Georgia title, you must present the original valid registration certificate.
- Complete a Title/Tag Application.
NOTE: If your vehicle doesn’t already have a Georgia title (for example, you’re new to the state or you purchased a vehicle from another state), you must title and register the vehicle at the same time. If your vehicle is still being financed, the state requires that you show a paper copy of your title and current registration (no e-titles are accepted as of January 2009).
Another piece of paperwork you might want to consider is a Vehicle History Report for any vehicle you’re considering purchasing. This report helps you get a better picture of the vehicle and helps you determine whether it will be a wise investment for you.
Top Calculate the Fees
The flat registration fee for regular passenger vehicles and motorcycles is $20; however, several other fees come into play when you register your vehicle.
If your vehicle isn’t a passenger vehicle or motorcycle, check the state’s rate chart.
First-Time Fees
You’ll most likely pay more the first time you register your vehicle because you’re also handling sales tax, ad valorem tax, and other title-related fees. The state provides an outline of all fees to expect depending on your situation.
Additional Fees
You may find yourself responsible for additional fees if:
- You need to replace a license plate.
- You want to order a special license plate.
- You’re having your registration information and license plate mailed to you.
- You fail to register your vehicle within the 30-day time period.
- You’re required to have your vehicle’s emissions inspected.
Check the state’s list of additional fees for more details.
Top Go to the DMV
An employee at your County Tax Commissioner’s tag office will help you title and register your vehicle.
Vehicle Inspections
The state requires certain vehicles registered in certain counties to undergo emissions inspections before they receive license plates. These inspections range from $10 to $25.
Learn more about emissions inspection requirements, exemptions, extensions, and waivers at Smog & Emission Checks.
License Plates
You can transfer your old vehicle’s license plate to your new vehicle if both vehicles require the same kind of plate. For example, you can transfer your plate from your car to your pick-up truck, but not from your car to the vehicle you use for agricultural purposes.
In addition to standard and disabled driver license plates, you can choose from among an assortment of plates that reflect your personality, your special interest or organization, or your college or university. You can even encase the license plate in a special frame.
Top Affix Your Stickers
Generally, your license plate’s sticker, or decal, goes in the bottom right corner of your license plate; however, if you receive your plate and sticker unattached, always follow the enclosed instructions or contact your County Tax Commissioner’s tag office.
Top Get a Tax Deduction
Depending on your situation, you may be eligible for a tax deduction based on the amount of taxes you paid on the vehicle and the general sales tax rate. You can read up on this benefit in Chapter 22 of the IRS’s Publication 17, but be sure to contact a tax attorney and the County Tax Commissioner with any questions.
Top Safely Get on Your Way
Before you hit the roads, make sure you’re taking precautions against, and preparing for, emergencies.
The state is fairly lenient with its cell phone regulations (only school bus drivers are restricted), but that doesn’t mean you can’t use a hands-free headset rather than leave one hand on the wheel. The state is not lenient, however, on child safety seats, so make sure your little one is securely fastened in one of many approved models.
Look into available after-market auto warranties and a reputable auto mechanic for regular maintenance and emergency repairs, but keep in mind car problems usually don’t arise in your driveway. It’s good to have a well-stocked car emergency kit in the trunk and the number of a road-side assistance program on speed dial.
Related Questions from DMV Answers
How much do inspection stations charge?
Some states standardize vehicle inspection fees; others leave it up to the individual inspection stations. Keep in mind that in addition to regular fees, you might also need to pay for repair costs (if your vehicle fails the inspection and needs repairs) as well as a fee for a re-inspection.Inspections are important in order to make sure each vehicle on the roadways is operating safely and efficiently. If your state requires a vehicle inspection, it’s most likely that’s you’ll need to take care of it before, during, or shortly after you register your vehicle or renew your vehicle’s registration. Make sure you handle the inspection within the appropriate amount of time in order to proceed with these vehicle transactions as well as avoid penalties such as citations and additional fees.The grid below lists how much you can expect to pay.NOTE: Even if the grid notes that your state doesn’t require a vehicle inspection, it doesn’t mean there aren&rsquo...
Read more >>Are vehicle inspection stations open on Saturday?
Days and hours of operation for vehicle inspection stations can vary greatly. Your state might perform vehicle inspections at privately owned inspection stations located throughout the state, in which case you’ll need to contact your closest station and ask about days and hours, or it might perform these inspections at the DMV, in which case times will depend on the DMV’s typical days and hours.In order to register your vehicle or renew your vehicle’s registration, as well as avoid citations, fines, and other penalties, it’s important to handle your auto inspection (and, in some cases, the re-inspection) within the time limits your state mandates.Check your state in the grid below.NOTE: The grid might state that your state doesn’t require vehicle inspections, but keep in mind this grid deals with safety inspections only. Your state might require other kinds of inspections, such as emissions inspections or VIN inspections in certain situations (such as w...
Read more >>Where can I get an application for a temporary license plate?
Probably because of the amount of paperwork that’s required (copies of title/registration documents, proof of identification, proof of residency, proof of vehicle identification number, fees, etc.), most states require owners to apply for temporary license plates (or temporary permits or temporary registrations, as some states call them) in person at the DMV or other state motor vehicle licensing agency. If this is the case for you, sweep through your state’s Web site and look to see if an temporary license plate application form is available online before heading out; it could save you some time.No matter what state you live in, when you purchase a new or used vehicle from a dealership your salesperson will start most of the registration-related paperwork for you and issue you a temporary license plate or equivalent; therefore, the grid doesn’t reflect the dealership option.Check your state in the grid below.
Read more >>Does my state require snowmobile registration?
Snowmobile registration requirements vary by state. You may need to register the snowmobile as you would a motorcycle, or do nothing. Certain states, such as Utah, Idaho and Wyoming, require snowmobile registration. This means you go into your motor vehicle department and register the snowmobile as you would any other vehicle. Registration fees vary depending on the age of the snowmobile, just as the registration fee varies for cars. In addition, as in the case of Wyoming, the state also charges a small annual user fee in addition to the registration fee.How often you have to register the snowmobile is also up to the state. Montana, for example, only has you register it once in a lifetime for a fee of $60.50. Washington state requires an annual registration; the period covered is October 1 to September 30. Washington charges $15.75 for snowmobiles 30 years or older and $33.75 for newer snowmobiles. North Dakota charges a $35 trail tax and a $5 registration fee every odd y...
Read more >>If I bought a car out of state, what do I need to register my car in my home sta...
At one point, drivers who needed new vehicles almost always made their purchase locally. Thanks in part to online auto Web sites, however, it's now becoming more common for people to travel out of state for their vehicle purchases. If that's your case, you may be asking, "What do I need to register my car?" Registering a vehicle purchased out of state is relatively similar to any other registration process. You'll typically need to have the following before you can register your vehicle: A completed vehicle registration application, which you can often download on your state's DMV Web site Proof of ownership in the form of the vehicle's original title, manufacturer's certificate of origin, or a registration certificate from a non-title state or country Proof of residency Proof of insurance Proof of a safety and/or emissions inspection, if required in your state of residence Demonstrating the proper payment of sales tax is where you might run into problems with your vehicle registr...
Read more >>
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