GeorgiaSB 3842025-2026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Motor Vehicle; optional five-year motor vehicle registration and revalidation for certain motor vehicles; provide

Sponsored By: John Albers (Republican), Jason Anavitarte (Republican), Lee Anderson (Republican), Timothy Bearden (Republican), Matt Brass (Republican), Max Burns (Republican), Clint Dixon (Republican), Greg Dolezal (Republican), Drew Echols (Republican), Russ Goodman (Republican), Bo Hatchett (Republican), Billy Hickman (Republican), Mike Hodges (Republican), Chuck Hufstetler (Republican), Kay Kirkpatrick (Republican), Ed Setzler (Republican), Brian Strickland (Republican), Carden Summers (Republican), Blake Tillery (Republican), Ben Watson (Republican), Sam Watson (Republican), Rick Williams (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Motor VehiclesPublic SafetyGeneral Bill

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to download

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

13 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 4 costs, 7 mixed.

Drivers lose one registration misdemeanor penalty

Beginning July 1, 2027, the law removes a specific misdemeanor penalty for failing to register a new or used vehicle. That penalty carried a fine of up to $100. The underlying duty to register the vehicle remains.

Guard and reservist plates need less paperwork

Beginning July 1, 2027, covered reservist and National Guard plate holders no longer present membership papers every year. They must still provide membership documentation to the county tax commissioner when applying for the plate.

Drivers cannot recover unused registration fees

Beginning July 1, 2027, registration fees are not refundable or available as credits when a registration ends or changes. This covers cancellation, termination, transfer, suspension, revocation, or plate removal for another reason. The rule includes five-year registrations, even when part of the paid period remains unused.

Missing emissions proof triggers suspension and fees

Beginning July 1, 2027, five-year registration holders must provide valid emissions proof during each required inspection term. The Department of Revenue checks records annually; owners have 30 days after notice to provide missing proof before automatic suspension. Restoring registration requires proof and $60; county tax commissioners keep $10 when they collect that fee. The department may send electronic notices 30, 20, and 10 days before suspension. Choosing five-year registration authorizes electronic notices when disclosed at registration; otherwise, notices are mailed to the address on file.

Title delays no longer earn registration extensions

Beginning July 1, 2027, county tag agents lose authority to grant the specific 30-day initial registration extension for title delays. The removed extension also covered a lienholder's failure to release a lien on time. Buyers and people receiving transferred vehicles lose this extra time.

Counties risk road funds over emissions enforcement

Beginning July 1, 2027, authorized emissions stations must electronically report each certification to the Department of Revenue within seven days. The department cannot issue or renew covered registrations without notice of required certification. Counties must require emissions proof and suspend five-year registrations when required proof is missing. The State Transportation Board may withhold state transportation funding from counties that do not comply.

Defense Force plates combine savings and fees

Beginning July 1, 2027, Georgia State Defense Force members can get one covered plate without registration or manufacturing fees. Each additional plate requires a $25 manufacturing fee. Its renewal decal costs $25 annually or $125 for five years. Members can also transfer these plates between vehicles under the state's plate-transfer rules.

Drivers get five-year registration with upfront costs

Beginning July 1, 2027, eligible Georgia vehicle owners can choose annual or five-year registration. Required state and local vehicle title taxes must be paid, and all other registration requirements still apply. Commercial and alternative-fuel vehicles do not qualify. Five-year registration costs five times the applicable annual licensing fee upfront, and emissions checks still apply. The law removes the two-year initial option for new passenger cars with paid title taxes and no prestige or special plate.

Drivers get temporary permits after emissions failure

Beginning July 1, 2027, county tag agents may issue temporary operating permits when vehicles fail emissions requirements at registration renewal. Owners must verify minimum liability insurance. They must pay applicable taxes, penalties, insurance lapse fees, and other fees, except the registration fee. The permit lasts 30 days and cannot be renewed.

Gold Star families get two free plates

Beginning July 1, 2027, eligible Gold Star relatives who lived in Georgia when the service member died can hold up to two free plates at once. Eligible relatives include spouses, parents, siblings, children, stepparents, and a sibling's surviving spouse; the Department of Defense determines the death classification. Additional plates cost $25 to manufacture. Eligible relatives who did not live in Georgia at the death can obtain a plate by paying $25 to manufacture it. Free plates have free renewal decals; plates issued for a fee cost $35 annually or $175 for five-year renewal.

More distinctive plates offer five-year renewals

Beginning July 1, 2027, eligible holders of specified distinctive plates can choose five-year renewal decals. Plates under Code Sections 40-2-61, 40-2-62, and 40-2-64.1 cost $35 annually or $175 for five years. Plates under Sections 40-2-63, 40-2-64, 40-2-65, 40-2-66, and 40-2-67 cost $25 annually or $125 for five years. For reservist and National Guard plates, the five-year fee applies to additional plates requiring an initial $25 fee. Owners must qualify for their plate type; five-year renewal means paying more upfront rather than receiving a discount.

Special plate holders get five-year fee options

Beginning July 1, 2027, covered prestige and special plate renewal decals cost $35 annually or $175 for five years. Five-year decals reduce renewal frequency but require more money upfront. Special personalized prestige plates also carry an added $35 annual fee or $175 five-year fee. For plates under Code Section 40-2-86.1, this fee rule excludes International Registration Plan vehicles. Plates issued under that section's subsection (l), paragraph (9), are exempt from the renewal fee.

Veterans get longer plate renewals with fees

Beginning July 1, 2027, additional Purple Heart plates and covered Pearl Harbor and Chosin Reservoir plates cost $25 annually or $125 for five-year renewal. Covered veterans plates use the same fees; additional plates requiring a $25 manufacturing fee also pay that charge. Veterans plates under Code Section 40-2-85.1(b)(2)(A) are excluded from that section's general renewal-fee rule. Pearl Harbor plates no longer need county-name decals. Chosin Reservoir plates can transfer between vehicles under the state's transfer rules.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Cosponsors

Martin Momtahan
Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 196 • No: 7

House vote • 3/20/2026

PASSAGE

Yes: 151 • No: 7 • Other: 10

Senate vote • 2/10/2026

PASSAGE BY SUBSTITUTE

Yes: 45 • No: 0 • Other: 6

Actions Timeline

Effective Date
7/1/2027
Senate Date Signed by Governor
5/11/2026Senate
Act 505
5/11/2026
Senate Sent to Governor
4/10/2026Senate
House Third Readers
3/20/2026House
House Passed/Adopted
3/20/2026House
House Committee Favorably Reported
3/18/2026House
House Second Readers
2/12/2026House
House First Readers
2/11/2026House
Senate Third Read
2/10/2026Senate
Senate Passed/Adopted By Substitute
2/10/2026Senate
Senate Read Second Time
2/4/2026Senate
Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute
2/3/2026Senate
Senate Read and Referred
1/13/2026Senate
Senate Hopper
1/12/2026Senate

Bill Text

SB 384/AP* (v9)
PDF

Related Bills

Back to State Legislation