Specialty License Plates In Georgia State

Georgia became the first state in the United States to require residents to register and display license plates on their vehicles in 1910. Since then, the state has used a variety of license plate designs, such as those for passenger, non-passenger, and, more recently, specialty or optional plates.

Standard Issue License Plates

Since 1997, all standard-issue plates have been valid for display. On the 1997 base, the original serial formats were 000 AAA, 0000 AA, and 00000 QA with narrow dies. The 0000 AAA format was introduced in March 2001 and will be used until the mid-AWT series before the base, and serial formats are changed. For new registrations, a 2005-dated base was introduced in December 2003. Beginning with AVA 0001, the debossed left sticker box was removed, as the state switched to a single sticker displaying both the month and year of expiry around November 2006, a practice that would be carried over to the 2007 base. The peach state outline graphic remains on the 2007 base, but it has been shifted to the center of the plate rather than slightly off-center to the left as in the previous design.

Specialty License Plates

The state of Georgia offers a variety of specialty or optional license plates, the majority of which are charged to motorists. The state reduced the ever-increasing number of limited-issuance plates by instituting two-letter prefixes for almost all types except standard passenger plates. Georgia State offers a variety of specialty license plates that allow citizens to express their support for specific interests, colleges, and causes. You can apply for a special tag when you register your vehicle or renew your vehicle's existing Georgia tag. You can also apply for one of these tags at any time, but you will need to turn in your current tag first. If the special tag is in our inventory and you meet all of the requirements for issuance, you can get it right away. If the tag is not in your county's inventory, a temporary operation permit can be issued to allow you to drive your vehicle until the tag is available for issuance. Non-passenger vehicles can also get license plates from the state, such as trucks, school buses, and government vehicles.

Types Of Special License Plates In Georgia

Georgia license plates come in various designs and styles, including personalized prestige plates and plates for charities and colleges. You may also be eligible for military tags or antique hobby plates for your classic car.

Personalized Prestige License Plates

Personalized license plates, known as Special Prestige License Plates, are available in Georgia. Your custom tag number must adhere to GA DOR regulations to be approved. The number on the license plate: CAN:
  • You can use up to 7 characters (including spaces).
  • Motorcycle plates, for example, have fewer available spaces.
  • Letters, numbers, and spaces are permitted.
CANNOT:
  • Make use of punctuation and symbols.
  • Be identical to an existing license plate.
  • Use obscene or profane language.
  • slander or mock a person or group
  • Incite violence or make a criminal reference.
  • Falsify your or your vehicle's identity
  • Infringe on copyright laws.
The following fees apply to personalized prestige plates:
  • The initial fee of $90 is in addition to vehicle registration fees.
  • Renewal fee of $55 PLUS standard renewal fees

Organization and College Plates

Georgia offers a variety of license plates to show your support for various organizations and causes, including plates for:
  • Organizational & Special Cause Plates
  • Collegiate Plates

Organizational & Special Cause Plates

The Georgia Department of Revenue issues organizational plates to show your support for special causes and charitable organizations. Among the plates available are:
  • Children's Healthcare of Atlanta plates.
  • Georgia Aquarium license plates.
  • Rotary International tags.
Fees for organizational plates may vary. A common example is the Georgia Aquarium license plate, which costs:
  • Ordering costs $80 plus regular registration fees.
  • Renewal costs $55 plus standard renewal fees.
  • Most charity plate proceeds benefit the organizations that sponsor the plates or a related charity.

Collegiate Plates

Georgia universities, out-of-state schools, and Greek organizations can all get license plates. Among the available plates are those for:
  • Emory University.
  • Georgia State University.
  • University of South Carolina Alumni.
  • Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
GA collegiate plate fees vary depending on the college, but the majority are as follows:
  • To order, you must pay $55 plus registration fees.
  • To renew, you must pay $55 plus renewal fees.
Fees for in-state university plates help fund undergraduate scholarships at the university of your choice. Out-of-state university plate fees are paid to the GA State Treasury.

Alternative Fuel Plate

If you have an alternate fuel license and a primary location to get one of the following, you can get an Alternate Fuel Vehicle plate from the GA DOR.
  • Compressed natural gas or propane.
  • Ethanol.
  • Electricity or solar energy.
When you order and renew your tags in Georgia, you will be charged fees for the alternative fuel plate:
  • Ordering costs $80 plus registration fees.
  • Renewal costs $55 plus renewal fees.

Military License Plates in GA

Military license plates are available from the Georgia Department of Revenue for various military branches, conflicts, and honors, such as:
  • General veteran license plates, including:
    • The Ex-POW license plate.
    • The Pearl Harbor Survivor plate.
  • Air Force veteran plates, such as:
    • The Air Force Cross license plate.
    • The Korean War plate.
  • Army veteran tags, for example:
    • The Global War on Terrorism plate.
    • The Silver Star license plate.
  • Coast Guard veteran plates, including:
    • The Desert Storm tag.
    • The Retired Coast Guard plate.
  • Marine veteran tags, such as:
    • The Defense Superior license plate.
    • The Purple Heart plate.
  • Navy veteran plates, for example:
    • The Bronze Start plate.
    • The Navy Cross tag.
Your service record must reflect the branch, conflict, and award represented by the license plate you're applying for to be eligible for a GA military plate. The Gold Star Family plate is available to the immediate surviving family members of a service member killed while serving in the United States military.

Fees

A military license plate is provided free of charge. You will still have to pay standard registration fees unless you have a tax exemption. If you want an extra military plate for another vehicle, you'll have to pay:
  • The plate costs $25 to order.
  • A registration fee of $20 is required.
  • Other registration fees (such as tax), if any.
To renew the additional plate, you must pay $20 in addition to registration renewal fees.

Antique Plates

If your vehicle is one of the following, you can order a hobby antique license plate from the GA DOR:
  • A private passenger vehicle.
  • A truck weighing less than 14,000 pounds.
  • A motorcycle.
  • Made to appear older than 25 years old.
Georgia charges the following fees for historical license plates:
  • Ordering costs $80 plus regular registration fees.
  • Renewal costs $55 plus renewal fees.

Applying For Specialty Plates In Georgia

You can apply for specialty plates at your local county Tag Office in Georgia. The renewal of specialty plates is included in your vehicle's registration renewal. If your license plates are lost or stolen, you must first file a police report before replacing specialty plates. You can transfer your special plate to your new vehicle if you sell your old one. The cost of a specialty plate varies depending on the plate type. To apply for specialty plates in Georgia, you must first visit your County Tag Office. Check the MVD website and click on your desired plate for information on requirements you may need to meet before applying for your plate, such as:
  • Application forms are required.
  • Any special eligibility criteria.
  • Fees.

Renewal

Your license plates will be renewed along with your registration. In addition to regular registration renewal fees, you may be required to pay annual fees (which vary depending on plate type).

Replacement

If you need to replace a specialty plate that has been lost, stolen, or damaged, you must do so in person at your local Tag Office:
  • If your license plates are stolen or lost, file a police report.
  • Completed Replacement License Plate (Tag) and Decal Application (Form MV-7).
  • The $8 replacement fee has been paid.
  • Your plate will be swapped out for a standard plate. If you want it replaced with the same specialty plate or another specialty plate, you must pay a $35 one-time manufacturing fee.