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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)

Became Law

Motor VehiclesTransportationGeneral Bill

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

9 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 2 costs, 4 mixed.

Stiffer title-tax penalties and passive-entity rules

Beginning January 1, 2026, if you do not apply for a first title within 30 days, you owe a penalty of 10% of the state title ad valorem tax and 10% of the local title ad valorem tax. If unpaid after 60 days, you owe 1% interest per month on the unpaid fees and penalties. If the tax commissioner issues a temporary permit because your lienholder failed to comply, no penalty or interest applies. Penalties are doubled if you are a Georgia resident who owns at least 50% of a passive entity that owns the vehicle and you fail to title and register within 60 days. A “passive entity” is an out‑of‑state non‑individual with no Georgia office or real estate and no Georgia business activity beyond holding investments, and the commissioner may share tax information with the Chapter 47 board while keeping it confidential.

Dealer plate fees and late penalty

Beginning January 1, 2026, manufacturers, distributors, and dealers must register online and pay $62 for a master dealer plate and $12 for each extra plate. Dealer plates expire on the last day of the business’s name‑based registration period; renew no earlier than 90 days before that date. A 25% penalty applies if you fail to renew or pay on time. Lost or stolen dealer plates must be reported to local law enforcement right away, and a notarized affidavit is required to get a replacement.

New rules and caps for private towing

Beginning January 1, 2026, property owners may remove or immobilize trespassing vehicles if clear signs are posted with contact info, fees, recovery location and costs, and payment methods. Homes with four or fewer units do not have to post signs. Only permitted towing/storage firms and permitted immobilization operators in places with local authorization may tow or boot vehicles, and “immobilization device” is defined in law. The department sets fair rates and bans storage fees for the first 24 hours after removal; it may fine violators up to $2,500 and disallow fees if they broke the rules. Cities may set lower in‑city rates and higher insurance requirements, but not higher maximum charges than the state. Towing firms cannot make surveillance agreements or pay property owners for removal rights; each violation can be fined $1,000.

Electronic temp-tag system and dealer penalties

Beginning January 1, 2026, the Department of Revenue runs an electronic system for dealer temporary operating permits. The department sets a standard permit design and may allow approved third parties to distribute permits; sellers must keep permit inventory records by permit number and dealer name. The department may require background checks for access. It can suspend a dealer’s system access for substantial noncompliance after notice and an informal review, and must offer a formal hearing within 30 days if requested. It may fine up to $100 per violation and suspend or limit dealer plates for up to 24 months.

Stricter dealer title and records rules

Beginning January 1, 2026, a dealer holding a vehicle for resale may keep the delivered title and, at transfer, must promptly assign title and list the buyer and any lienholder. A non‑franchise dealer selling a vehicle without an original title must first get a title in the dealer’s name. Every dealer must keep accurate vehicle transaction records for three years, open to inspection, and cannot give buyers alternative versions; fines can be up to $500 per violating sale. A used‑car business location must have a salesroom or lot, a working phone in the licensee’s name, a permanent sign, and at least 250 square feet unless the location sells 500 or more vehicles a year. A “dealer” is someone selling or offering vehicles for profit with at least five sales in a year.

Vehicle record privacy with limited sharing

Beginning January 1, 2026, registration and title records stay exempt from public inspection. The state may share records as allowed by the Driver’s Privacy Protection Act and with listed parties. These include licensed dealers, tax officials, the Environmental Protection Division director (or designee), qualified private vendors under agreement (limited to VIN, tag number, expiration date, and tax owed), entities that notify owners of towed vehicles, and the Chapter 47 board.

Digital plates with 45-day permit

Beginning January 1, 2026, if you request a duplicated digital license plate and include the registration fees, the state provides your plate info to the digital plate provider. You get a 45-day temporary operating permit while you wait for the digital plate.

Free 45-day dealer temp tag

Beginning January 1, 2026, when you buy a new or used vehicle, the dealer must give you a temporary operating permit for free. It lasts 45 days from the purchase date. It does not apply to vehicles registered under the International Registration Plan or when the dealer’s main business is salvage. The permit cannot look like a Georgia plate, and a county tag agent may extend it if you apply.

Grace period and lower decal fines

Beginning January 1, 2026, you are not penalized for driving during the allowed registration period. If you show proof you applied for registration but have not received your plate or decal, you are not fined. If you had already obtained the correct revalidation decal before the stop, the fine is capped at $25.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • John Corbett

    Republican • House

  • Rick Jasperse

    Republican • House

  • Todd Jones

    Republican • House

  • Danny Mathis

    Republican • House

  • Jason Ridley

    Republican • House

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

Senate vote • 3/27/2025

PASSAGE BY SUBSTITUTE

Yes: 48 • No: 3

House vote • 3/4/2025

PASSAGE

Yes: 168 • No: 2

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective Date

    1/1/2026

  2. House Date Signed by Governor

    5/14/2025House

  3. Act 272

    5/14/2025

  4. House Sent to Governor

    4/10/2025House

  5. Senate Agreed House Amend or Sub

    4/2/2025Senate

  6. House Agreed Senate Amend or Sub As Amended

    3/31/2025House

  7. Senate Third Read

    3/27/2025Senate

  8. Senate Passed/Adopted By Substitute

    3/27/2025Senate

  9. Senate Read Second Time

    3/21/2025Senate

  10. Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute

    3/20/2025Senate

  11. Senate Read and Referred

    3/6/2025Senate

  12. House Third Readers

    3/4/2025House

  13. House Passed/Adopted By Substitute

    3/4/2025House

  14. House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute

    2/26/2025House

  15. House Second Readers

    2/24/2025House

  16. House First Readers

    2/21/2025House

  17. House Hopper

    2/20/2025House

Bill Text

  • HB 551/AP* (v13)

    PDF

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