How To Register A Car in Georgia: Everything You Need To Know


in Buying By State
Atlanta skyline at night

Source: Pixabay

No matter what state you occupy in the United States of America, vehicle registration is a must. Georgia is no different from the others. If you have a vehicle and live in Georgia, you might wonder how to register a car in Georgia. The more you know, the easier it will be to register your vehicle.

If you’re interested in learning more about how to register a car in Georgia, you’ve come to the right place. Read on to learn more about the necessary items to legalize a vehicle, how to act as a new resident, and other things that might come in handy. The more you know, the easier registration will be.

Necessary Documents to Register a Car

If you want to know how to register a car in Georgia, start with the documents necessary to finish the process. If you move to the MVD without these items, it might extend the process.

According to dor.georgia.gov, here are the documents you need to register a vehicle in Georgia:

  • Georgia license plate
  • Proof of ownership, including the legal title of the vehicle
  • Title/tag application
  • Proof of insurance

These items will prove you own the car and display proof of ownership.

If you’re unsure what you need to properly register the vehicle, reach out to your local DOR or MVD to determine the proper documents for the process. The more items you have gathered ahead of time, the faster the process will be.

If you are a new resident in Georgia, you might need a few different items. Let’s talk about how to register a car in Georgia if you are a new occupant of this area.


NOT JUST FOR CAR SHOPPING

The CoPilot app isn’t just for buying a car - our new CoPilot for Owning tool will help you keep track of recalls and gives you advice on which scheduled maintenance tasks are most important.


New Resident Registration

If you are new to Georgia, it’s critical to register your vehicles as soon as possible. These will make you legal on the road and further solidify your stance as a Georgia resident. You need a few additional items to complete the process without issue.

According to carregistration.com, here are the items you need before you can legally register your vehicle in Georgia: 

  • An active auto insurance policy to meet Georgia standards
  • A legal Georgia driver’s license
  • A vehicle inspection if it applies to your car
  • Out-of-state lien information if the car has an attached lien
  • Current registration certificate if there are no titles attached to the car

These will make it simple to register a car in Georgia if you are a new resident of the state.

If you move to Georgia, you have thirty days to register your vehicle from the first day of registration of residency in the state, providing plenty of time to get the job done. If you’re not sure what to do, speak to your local MVD to determine what to bring. They will provide any information you are missing about your transfer of membership. 

How to Register

We’ve talked about the documents necessary to register your car and what to do if you aren’t from the state. Now, let’s talk about how to register a car in Georgia.

Accordion to dor.georgia.gov, here is the process to register your car in Georgia:

  • Gather your proper documentation and visit the MVD
  • Bring insurance and a completed vehicle inspection
  • Get temporary plates and documentation
  • Wait for the official plates and documentation in the mail

Your car is legal to hit the road after these steps.

If you gather the right documents early enough, it won’t take long to register the vehicle. Patience is a must in this process.


THE 10 MOST RELIABLE USED SEDANS

If you’re ready to start shopping for a used car and reliability is a priority for you, take a look at our list of the top 10 most reliable used sedans on the market today. 


Necessary Vehicle Inspections

Some states require drivers to get an inspection before they can legally register their vehicles. It’s critical to know where Georgia stands in this area for an efficient process.

There are no official inspections required to register a car in Georgia. However, some cases may require an inspection if legal locations think there might be something wrong with your vehicle. Ensure you contact the MVD for further information.

Fees

Some states don’t require drivers to pay for their vehicles when registering them. Georgia does, but the fees may shift depending on a few factors. Expect to pay something during vehicle registration.

According to carregistration.com, here are some fees that might come with registration in Georgia:

  • Fees based on the size and type of vehicle
  • Standard or specialty license plate
  • Titling fees based on applicability
  • Ad valorem tax

Keep a couple hundred dollars on the side just in case to avoid being blindsided in registration.

If you’re unsettled by potential hidden costs and fees, reach out to your local MVD. They will provide you with an estimate for the process.


HOW MANY SPARK PLUGS DOES A DIESEL ENGINE HAVE?

The answer to this question isn’t as  simple as you’d expect. Let’s look explore the difference between gas and diesel engines and explore just how many spark plugs a diesel engine actually has.


Items That Could Suspend a Vehicle Registration

Many think that registering your vehicle provides permanent legal status to your car. However, many items could bring suspension to your car and raise a red flag on your record.

According to dor.georgia.gov, here are a few items that could suspend your vehicle’s registration:

  • The car is sold, repossessed, stolen, or totaled and does not work anymore
  • There is a lapse in the liability insurance coverage
  • There is no insurance on the vehicle

These may cause your vehicle to undergo suspension in Georgia.

It’s illegal to drive a vehicle without proper registration. If you note this suspension, contact your local MVD to determine the best next steps to earn back this legal standing.

Final Thoughts

If you drive a vehicle in Georgia, it’s vital to know the registration process. Once you have the proper documents, fees, and inspections, it won’t take long to put your car into the system. Soon, you will be on the road without illegal driving.

We hope this information was helpful! The more you know about how to register a car in Georgia, the easier it will be to get your technology organized in the state. It will become easier to legalize your vehicles over and over again when new machines come into your life.



Get a Curated List of the Best Used Cars Near You

The CoPilot car shopping app is the easiest way to buy a car. Tell us what you’re looking for and we’ll search the inventories of every dealership in your area to make you a personalized list of the best car listings in your area.

Only looking for newer models? CoPilot Compare is the search engine for nearly-new cars. Only see cars five years or newer with low mileage — CoPilot Compare is the best way to find off-lease, early trade-in, and CPO cars.

The best part? CoPilot is built using the same technology that dealerships use to buy and sell their inventories, so we have more info on each vehicle than competitors. CoPilot doesn’t work with dealerships, so there are no sponsored posts or other shady practices — just the most info on the best cars. Check out our About Us page to see how CoPilot works.

trade-in