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In all 50 states, it is illegal to drive a vehicle without registration. No matter where you are, you must register with the local Department of Motor Vehicles (or similar government agency) any vehicles that you own. That means cars, trucks, minivans, and more. If it has wheels and a motor, odds are you cannot drive it without first registering it.

Georgia’s Registration Laws

Georgia’s motor vehicle registration laws are relatively straightforward but nonetheless come with serious consequences, which we’ll discuss later in the section entitled “Penalties for Driving Without Valid Registration in Georgia.” Suffice for now to say that driving without registration in Georgia is a misdemeanor offense with criminal penalties.

How Often Do I Need to Renew My Registration?

Your existing registration expires one calendar year from the date of registration. In other words, a vehicle registration dated 12/1/2021 must be renewed prior to 12/1/2022. Failure to renew your registration can prevent you—or anybody else—from being legally permitted to drive the vehicle in question.

Registering your vehicle with the local authority takes only a simple appointment (unless you live in an area where online registration renewals are accepted) and a couple hours out of your day. Making sure that your registration does not lapse is important to avoid potentially being arrested for driving without registration in Georgia.

How Much Does It Cost to Renew My Registration in Georgia?

The cost to renew your registration in Georgia is roughly similar to what it costs to do so in other states as well. The general price that most vehicle-owners will have to pay for to renew their vehicle’s registration is $20. This is due at the time of registration to the county tag office of the county in which the vehicle is to be registered. 

Vehicles That Are Exempt from Registration Laws

Not every vehicle has to be registered in the state of Georgia. To begin with, only vehicles owned by Georgia residents must be registered in Georgia. That being said, if you are not a Georgia resident but your vehicle is still not registered with the relevant authority in your home state, you can still get a ticket in Georgia for driving without registration.

Vehicles intended for use solely in farming applications are also not necessary to register in the state of Georgia. That is to say, you do not have to register a tractor, plow, or harvester in order to legally operate them. However, it is important to also note that many of these vehicles are also not permitted to be operated on public roadways.

Trailers (but only those with no springs) used to haul farm products or fertilizers are also exempt from Georgia’s registration laws. So are motorized carts and mopeds.

How Long Do I Have to Register My Vehicle in Georgia?

Whether you are a new resident of Georgia or are a resident of Georgia who just obtained a vehicle, you will have 30 days to register that vehicle with the county tag office in the county in which you live.

Whether you buy a new vehicle, buy a used vehicle, receive a vehicle as a gift, or build your own street-legal vehicle, you are required by law to register it within 30 days of taking ownership of it. Failure to register a vehicle with the state can result in severe financial penalties and even a potential jail sentence.

Penalties for Driving Without Valid Registration in Georgia

The penalties for driving without valid registration in Georgia can be severe enough to have life-altering consequences. Due to the fact that this violation legally qualifies as a crime (up to and including a “high and aggravated misdemeanor,” to be exact), you can wind up in hail for months on end only to come out with a criminal record that follows you for the rest of your life.

If you are convicted of a traffic-related crime, regardless of the nature of the crime, that conviction can appear on your permanent criminal record. That is, unless you are under the age of 18 and tried as a minor. In which case, you may have your record concealed after you serve your time and turn 18 years of age.

First Offence

First-time offenders will find that the courts afford them more leniency in sentencing and less severe penalties. If you have a clean record and this would be your first conviction for driving without registration in Georgia, you will be charged with a standard misdemeanor, which bears the following penalties:

• A fine of up to $1,000.
• Potential jail time of up to 12 months.

Second Offence

The second time you are convicted with the same crime in most states, you will be facing penalties that are even more serious than the first time around. This crime is no different.

Whereas a first-time conviction of driving without registration in Georgia is considered a misdemeanor, a second-time conviction for that same offense is considered a “high and aggravated misdemeanor.” As the name suggests, the penalties therefore are significantly worse. They are as follows:

• A fine of up to $2,500.
• Mandatory jail time of up to 12 months.

Relevant Fees

In addition to all of the above penalties, regardless of whether this is your first or subsequent offence, you may be forced to pay any of the following additional fees: