GeorgiaHB 5512025-2026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Motor vehicles; conditions, procedures, and limitations for issuance of temporary operating permits; provide

Sponsored By: John Corbett (Republican), Rick Jasperse (Republican), Todd Jones (Republican), Danny Mathis (Republican), Jason Ridley (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Motor VehiclesTransportationGeneral Bill

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

11 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 4 costs, 3 mixed.

Daily fines for unregistered vehicle owners

Beginning January 1, 2026, vehicles required to be registered in Georgia must be registered before use on Georgia highways. The rule covers people who own, rent, lease, or operate these vehicles. New Georgia residents must register within 30 days. Violations are misdemeanors carrying a $100 fine for each day the vehicle remains in violation.

Higher penalties for entity-owned vehicle delays

Beginning January 1, 2026, late required title applications carry a 10% penalty on state and local title taxes. Interest adds 1% per month starting 60 days after the required date, alongside other penalties; lienholder-related temporary permits provide an exception. Specified title and registration penalties double, including the tax penalty to 20%, for qualifying entity-owned vehicles. This applies when a Georgia resident owns at least 50% of the entity and it misses the 60-day title and registration deadline. The entity must be formed outside Georgia, lack a Georgia business location or real estate, and only hold investment assets.

Stricter temporary permit rules for dealers

Beginning January 1, 2026, the Department may operate or authorize an electronic temporary-permit system and set access rules, including background checks. Dealers must show at least five annual vehicle sales through Department records or approved documents to qualify for issuing permits. Dealers must keep permit inventory records; the Department may also require vendors to track permit numbers and dealer identities. Access suspension requires substantial noncompliance, no satisfactory explanation of extenuating circumstances, notice, and an opportunity for informal review. A requested review conference must be scheduled within 10 business days, with a decision within seven business days afterward. A formal hearing must occur within 30 days of suspension; afterward, sanctions include up to $100 per unlawful permit and suspensions or plate restrictions lasting up to 24 months, or dealer-registration revocation.

Consistent sales records protect vehicle buyers

Beginning January 1, 2026, dealers cannot give buyers transaction records that differ from those kept for Department inspection. Dealers must retain written records of vehicles bought, sold, or exchanged for three years and allow Department inspection. The Department may fine dealers up to $500 for each sale that violates the record rules.

Fee protections for towed vehicle owners

Beginning January 1, 2026, towing providers cannot charge storage fees for the first 24 hours after removing a vehicle. Providers found to violate the governing law cannot charge for booting, removal, or storage. State regulators may set reasonable maximum charges for nonconsensual private-property booting, towing, storage, and required owner notices. Cities may set lower local rate limits or higher insurance requirements, but cannot exceed state maximum charges. State regulation of booting operators is limited to jurisdictions that authorize booting.

Limits on paid towing patrols protect drivers

Beginning January 1, 2026, towing firms cannot contract to routinely patrol private property for vehicles or personal property to remove. The property possessor must call the firm for each individual trespass. No one may directly or indirectly pay a property possessor for the right to boot or remove trespassing property. Each prohibited practice carries a $1,000 fine.

Temporary permits and fine relief for drivers

Beginning January 1, 2026, dealers may issue standardized temporary permits showing their name and location, generally free for 45 days after purchase. Fee exceptions include certain interstate registrations and salvage or total-loss vehicles; county tag agents may extend permits with registration extensions. Properly registered applicants awaiting a plate or decal avoid penalties during the permit period. Owners also avoid a plate or decal violation by proving they properly applied and delivery had not occurred when cited. An approved digital-plate application comes with a 45-day temporary permit while delivery is pending. A county decal conviction carries a fine of no more than $25 if the driver proves the decal was obtained before the offense, replacing fixed $25 first-offense and $100 later-offense fines.

New title and location rules for dealers

Beginning January 1, 2026, non-franchise dealers must get a title in their own name before reselling vehicles never issued an original title. Dealers holding titles for resale must promptly complete the title assignment and warranty when transferring the vehicle. Covered used-vehicle businesses and parts dealers need a business location of at least 250 square feet. The size minimum does not apply at locations with at least 500 vehicle sales annually. Retail used-car dealers also need an established business location, a working telephone in the licensee's name, and permanent signs.

New rules for private-property vehicle booting

Beginning January 1, 2026, private-property possessors or authorized agents may arrange removal or booting of unauthorized vehicles. Booting is limited to jurisdictions that authorize it by ordinance or resolution, and operators need a state permit. Conspicuous notices must warn of owner-paid removal or booting and give company, contact, fee, payment, and recovery information. Residential properties with four or fewer units are exempt from posting requirements. Removal requires towing or storage firms with required local licenses or permits and secure impound facilities.

Vehicle records become private with exceptions

Beginning January 1, 2026, state and county vehicle title and registration records are exempt from public inspection. Disclosure remains allowed under federal driver-privacy law and for specified licensed dealers, tax officials, and environmental officials. Approved electronic registration providers may receive only needed data, and authorized services may use records to notify owners of towed vehicles. The state board established under Chapter 47 of Title 43 may access records for its duties. The Commissioner may also share related title-tax information with that board, but confidentiality protections and penalties for unauthorized disclosure remain.

Dealer plate access carries fees and limits

Beginning January 1, 2026, eligible dealers, manufacturers, and distributors pay $62 annually for a master plate and $12 per additional plate. Dealers must apply electronically. Plates allow vehicle or trailer demonstrations and transport for sale or lease, including transport by someone driving for a dealer; other uses are limited, and mopeds are excluded. Lost or stolen plates require a police report and an affidavit for replacement; renewal applications open 90 days before expiration. Late renewals add 25% of total registration fees, and unlawful use can lead to plate revocation or confiscation after a hearing.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Cosponsors

Jason Anavitarte
Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 428 • No: 11

Senate vote • 4/2/2025

AGREE TO HOUSE AMENDMENT TO SENATE SUBSTITUTE

Yes: 50 • No: 3

House vote • 3/31/2025

Agree to Senate Sub as Am

Yes: 162 • No: 3 • Other: 4

Senate vote • 3/27/2025

PASSAGE BY SUBSTITUTE

Yes: 48 • No: 3 • Other: 3

House vote • 3/4/2025

PASSAGE

Yes: 168 • No: 2 • Other: 6

Actions Timeline

Effective Date
1/1/2026
House Date Signed by Governor
5/14/2025House
Act 272
5/14/2025
House Sent to Governor
4/10/2025House
Senate Agreed House Amend or Sub
4/2/2025Senate
House Agreed Senate Amend or Sub As Amended
3/31/2025House
Senate Third Read
3/27/2025Senate
Senate Passed/Adopted By Substitute
3/27/2025Senate
Senate Read Second Time
3/21/2025Senate
Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute
3/20/2025Senate
Senate Read and Referred
3/6/2025Senate
House Third Readers
3/4/2025House
House Passed/Adopted By Substitute
3/4/2025House
House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute
2/26/2025House
House Second Readers
2/24/2025House
House First Readers
2/21/2025House
House Hopper
2/20/2025House

Bill Text

HB 551/AP* (v13)
PDF

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