Car Registration Requirements for New Georgia Residents
Transferring vehicle registration when relocating to Georgia involves multiple steps that must be completed within established timeframes. The state requires new residents to register vehicles brought from other states, obtain Georgia titles, and meet insurance obligations before operating on Georgia roads.
Timeline for New Georgia Residents
Vehicles brought into Georgia by new residents must be registered within 30 days from the date of establishing residency. This deadline applies regardless of whether the out-of-state registration remains valid.
Failure to register within the specified period results in penalties. The state assesses a $10 title penalty when title applications are not submitted within 30 days of the purchase or transfer date. Registration penalties include 10% of the ad valorem tax due plus 25% of license plate fees for vehicles not registered during the required period.
Establishing Georgia Residency
An individual becomes a resident for vehicle registration purposes when they accept employment in Georgia, engage in any trade, profession, or occupation within the state, or enroll children in Georgia public schools. Meeting any of these conditions triggers the obligation to register vehicles within 30 days, regardless of maintaining residency in another state.
Required Documentation for Car Registration in Georgia
New residents transferring an out-of-state vehicle must submit documentation to county tag offices:
Essential Documents
- Valid Georgia driver's license or ID card
- Completed and signed MV-1 Title/Tag Application
- Original valid out-of-state title issued in the applicant's name or properly assigned
- Out-of-state valid registration certificate, if applicable
- Completed and signed Form T-22B Certification of Inspection
- Georgia liability insurance reported by insurance company
- Emission Inspection Certificate, if applicable
- English translation of documents not printed in English
Vehicle Inspection Requirements
Georgia law enforcement officers must complete Form T-22B to certify physical inspection of vehicles being titled in the state. This certification verifies the vehicle identification number and confirms the vehicle's physical characteristics match documentation.
Insurance Requirements
Georgia law requires minimum liability insurance coverage that includes:
- Bodily Injury Liability: $25,000 per person
- Bodily Injury Liability: $50,000 per incident
- Property Damage Liability: $25,000 per incident
Vehicles with Liens
When an out-of-state financial institution or leasing company holds the title, the county tag office agent will contact the lienholder by mail, requesting submission of the out-of-state title before processing the Georgia title application.
Application Submission Methods
Registration applications for new residents must be submitted in person at county tag offices. Georgia maintains county-operated tag offices throughout the state that process title and registration transactions.
Applicants may complete the MV-1 application online before visiting the county tag office to expedite processing.
Georgia Vehicle Inspection Requirements
Emissions Testing
Georgia operates an emissions inspection program administered by Georgia's Clean Air Force in 13 metropolitan counties. Residents of Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, Coweta, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry, Paulding, and Rockdale counties must obtain emissions inspections before registering motor vehicles.
Emissions inspections cost up to $25, with fees posted at certified inspection stations. Testing locations can be found through the Clean Air Force station locator system.
Georgia's Clean Air Force
P.O. Box 1458, Atlanta, GA 30301
Phone: (888) 426-5233
Official Website: Georgia's Clean Air Force
Registration Fees and Costs in Georgia
Title Fees
Georgia assesses a $18.00 title fee when titling vehicles. Applications must be submitted within 30 days of the purchase or transfer date to avoid the additional $10 penalty.
License Plate Fees
The state charges a $20.00 license plate fee for regular passenger vehicles and lightweight pickup trucks. Other vehicle types vary according to the motor vehicle schedule.
Title Ad Valorem Tax
New residents to Georgia pay Title Ad Valorem Tax at a rate of 3% of the vehicle's fair market value. This one-time tax replaced the sales tax and the annual ad valorem tax for vehicles titled in Georgia. The TAVT estimator calculates estimated costs based on vehicle information.
Additional Costs
- Emissions inspection: Up to $25 (applicable counties only)
- Replacement license plates: $8.00
- Special handling fee for expedited title processing: $10.00
- Mailing fee: $1.00
Total costs for new residents depend on vehicle value, applicable emissions testing requirements, and county of residence.
Contact Information
Georgia Department of Revenue - Motor Vehicle Division
4125 Welcome All Road, Atlanta, GA 30349
Phone: (855) 406-5221
Official Website: Georgia Department of Revenue
