Motor Vehicle Taxes

Taxes on Motor Vehicles are due on the owner’s birth date. Vehicles owned by a business pay tax based on the first letter of the Business name. The tax is based on the 40% value of the vehicle. Taxes are due on a vehicle, even when the vehicle is not in use.

Motor Vehicle Registration

The owner of the vehicle bears the responsibility of insuring their vehicle is properly registered. New residents to Georgia must have the following documents in order to register a vehicle:

For a Vehicle With No Lien:

1. Out of State Title
2. Current Registration from Previous State
3. Proof of Georgia Insurance
4. Georgia Drivers License with Franklin County Address
5. Current Mileage

For a Vehicle With a Lien:

1. Loan Agreement with Complete Name and Address of Lien Holder
2. T-17 Affidavit of Lien Holder (available at tag office)
3. Proof of Georgia Insurance
4. Georgia Drivers License with Franklin County Address
5. Current Mileage

Motor Vehicle Registration fees are as follows: 

*Trailers with a gross vehicle weight of less than 2,000 pounds are not required to be titled in Georgia. The previous registration is required. Trucks with a gross vehicle weight over 14,000 (Truck and load) fees are based on the weight.

The penalty for late registration is 10% of the tax and 25% of the tag fee. These penalties begin immediately following the due date. We accept check, cash, Visa, Master Card, or Discover for payments of Tag Renewals.

The telephone number for the tag office is (706) 384-3455. The office is located in the Franklin County Court House Annex at 1221 Hull Avenue, Carnesville, Georgia 30521. Our office hours are Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.

Motor Vehicle Tag Renewals

Vehicle Tag Renewals can be processed by mail by completing the renewal form received in the mail and returning it to the Tax Commissioners Office, or by bringing the form to the office, or renewal is available online.

You may renew your registration over the internet, anytime, 24 hours per day, 7 days per week at the Georgia Department Of Revenue web site. You must have your Internet Renewal Identification number or your RIN available when renewing online. This number is available on your renewal notice or you may call our office with your tag number or VIN number to your vehicle and we can pull this information up in our system. Renewals must be made on or before the birth date of the primary owner when owned by an individual, or the last day of the month for a business.

New residents must register their vehicles within thirty days of establishing residency in Georgia. A Georgia Driver’s License must be obtained before registering your vehicle.

Out-of-state titles must be surrendered and transferred to Georgia titles (year models 1985 and older are not required to be titled in Georgia). If there is a lien on the vehicle and you do not have the title, we must have the current registration and name and address of the lien holder. Additionally leased vehicles require a power of attorney from the leasing company.

Georgia liability insurance is required to be transmitted to the state’s data base by your insurance company in order to register your vehicle. The vehicle must be covered by liability insurance at all times or a lapse in coverage penalty will apply.  If you cancel the insurance, you must also cancel the registration.

The penalty for late registration is 10% of the tax ($5.00 minimum) and 25% of the tag fee. These penalties begin immediately following the due date.

New and Used Vehicles

Newly purchased vehicles must be registered within 30 days. Sales Tax is due before the title is applied for on vehicles purchased from an out-of-state dealer or business. Sales Tax is due at the time the title is applied for on vehicles purchased from an out-of-state dealer or business.

If you sell a vehicle, you keep your tag. Tags can be transferred to new vehicles that are registered to the same first owner. Proof of title (bill of sale for 1985 and older) is required to purchase a tag or transfer a tag from a vehicle you no longer own.

Specialty License Plates

For available samples of specialty plates, please visit the Plate Samples web page: http://motor.etax.dor.ga.gov/motor/plates/PlateSelection.aspx

For additional Motor Vehicle forms please visit: http://motor.etax.dor.ga.gov/forms/motor.aspx 

For general information regarding vehicle registration and forms, please visit the State of Georgia Department of Motor Vehicle Website.