Georgia License Plates: Types, Fees & How to Get One

Amani TurnageUpdated March 18th, 2025

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In Georgia, a state-issued Georgia license plate is a legal requirement for vehicle registration. Valid, current license plates are essential for vehicle identification, accident investigations, traffic monitoring, and recovering lost or stolen cars.

This guide covers the different types of Georgia license plates (standard, specialty, and personalized) as well as the requirements and costs associated with getting a new license plate, renewing or replacing an old one, or transferring a plate from one car to another.

How To Get a Georgia License Plate

For New Vehicle Purchases

Typically, car dealers will submit title and registration paperwork for you, and you’ll receive your new Georgia license plate in the mail or pick it up at the dealership or a county tag office.

For Used Vehicle Purchases and New Georgia Residents

If you buy a used car or are moving an out-of-state vehicle to Georgia, you’ll need to do the following:

1. Get your car titled at a Georgia DMV (county tag office) or the Georgia Department of Revenue.
2. Complete a Tag/Title Application (MV-1) form.
3. Visit a county tag office and provide your driver’s license, proof of ownership, proof of insurance, and proof of emissions testing (if applicable in your county).
4. Pay the required fee for a standard plate ($20) or a personalized plate ($43), plus applicable taxes.

You may also need to provide lienholder information if your car is financed.

Types of Georgia License Plates Available

Standard Georgia license plate options include:

• Default standard plate: The default design features an image of a peach.
• Alternate standard plate: The alternate standard design is simpler, displaying only the state name.

Specialty License Plates

There are hundreds of designs available for Georgia drivers who want a specialty license plate. Specialty plate designs include the following:

• Military and veteran plates: There are many Georgia license plate designs available for active-duty service members, military veterans, and their families.
• Disabled persons plates: If you meet the requirements, you can apply for a disabled persons license plate and an official parking permit.
• College and university plates: Students, alumni, and their family members can choose from an array of plate designs representing Georgia colleges and universities.
• Sports teams plates: There are many specialty Georgia car license plate designs for fans of professional and college sports teams in the state.
• Organizational plates: Supporters of charitable causes like cancer awareness, wildlife conservation, and humanitarian aid can choose from a variety of Georgia plate designs.
• Historical plates: You can register authentic historical license plates from the model year of your vehicle up to 1989.

There are eligibility requirements for certain specialty plates, including Georgia disabled veterans license plates and historical plates. Check with your county tag office for eligibility requirements.

Personalized License Plates

Also called “prestige” or “vanity” plates, personalized plates are subject to availability and approval and can include up to seven characters. You can check the availability of individual plates and apply for a prestige plate online.

Transferring or Replacing a Georgia License Plate

How To Transfer a License Plate

You can transfer a Georgia license plate to another vehicle as long as both vehicles are registered in your name:

1. Visit your local county tag office.
2. Provide your current plate, car registration, new vehicle information, and a completed Tag/Title Application (MV-1) form.
3. Pay the transfer fee (usually $20), plus any title fees or taxes.
4. Receive your updated registration.

How To Replace a License Plate

If your license plate is missing or unreadable due to damage, you must get a new one. You can replace your damaged, lost, or stolen license plate through the following steps:

1. File a police report if your plate was stolen.
2. Visit your local county tag office.
3. Provide your current Georgia driver’s license, vehicle registration, and a completed Application for a Replacement License Plate (Tag) or Decal (MV-7) form.
   1. If your plate was stolen, provide a copy of the police report.
   2. If your plate was damaged, provide the damaged plate.
   3. If your plate was lost in the mail, provide form T-200.
   4. If you’re applying for a prestige plate, provide Form MV-9B.
4. Pay the replacement fee.
5. Receive the replacement (issued immediately or sent by mail).

Georgia License Plate Renewal Requirements

You should receive an annual renewal notice in the mail. To renew your license plate in Georgia, you’ll need to visit a county tag office and provide:

• A valid Georgia driver’s license or other official identification
• Proof of Georgia car insurance
• The renewal notice
• Payment for renewal fees (usually $55 plus taxes)
• Proof your vehicle passed emissions inspection (if applicable)

Reporting Lost or Stolen Georgia License Plates

If your plate was stolen, lost, or damaged by vandalism, you should file a police report. You’ll need to provide your name, address, contact details, license plate number, the location of the incident, and a description of what happened. Make sure you obtain a copy of the police report for your records and apply for a replacement plate.

How To Surrender a Georgia License Plate

You may be required to surrender your license plate if you’ve cancelled insurance on your car, you’re moving out of state, or you’re selling your vehicle and not planning to transfer the plate to another car.

To surrender a Georgia license plate:

1. Remove the license plate from your car.
2. Take the plate to your local county tag office, along with a written statement or a Report of and/or Surrender of Georgia License Plate (T-158) form (if required).
3. Receive a receipt, which may be necessary for insurance or tax purposes.

Update Your Car Insurance After Getting Your Plate

Every car registered in Georgia must have a state-issued license plate, and every Georgia driver needs car insurance. Unfortunately, shopping for car insurance and comparing different quotes can be time-consuming and frustrating.

With EverQuote, you can compare quotes side by side without having to go through the same tedious process again and again. Get the coverage you need without the hassle.

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