What you need to know about Georgia license plates

Georgia issues several types of license plates depending on your vehicle type and what you want the plate to say or support. The standard plate shows your registration number and expires every year or every three years, depending on your vehicle class. You get a new plate when you first register a vehicle in Georgia, and you can keep the same number if you renew on time — or you can request a different one by paying an extra fee.

The Georgia Department of Revenue handles all plate issuance. When you register a vehicle, they mail your plate to the address on your registration. If you want a specialty plate — one that supports a cause, shows a military affiliation, or displays a custom message — you order it through the same registration process, though some specialty plates cost more and take longer to arrive.

Key Takeaways

  • Standard Georgia plates expire every three years for most vehicles, and you renew through the Department of Revenue by mail, online, or in person at a county tag office.
  • Specialty plates support causes like wildlife conservation or military service and cost between $25 and $50 more than a standard plate, depending on the type.
  • You can request a personalized plate with up to seven characters, but you pay an extra fee and the Department of Revenue must approve the message before it is issued.
  • If your plate is lost, stolen, or damaged, you can get a replacement from your county tag office or through the Department of Revenue website.
  • Vanity plates and specialty plates take four to six weeks to arrive by mail, so plan ahead if you need one by a specific date.

Standard plates and renewal timing

A standard Georgia plate is valid for three years from the date of issue for most passenger vehicles. Your expiration month depends on when you first registered the vehicle. The plate itself shows your registration number in white letters on a blue and white background, with "GEORGIA" across the top and the state peach symbol on the left side.

You renew your registration — and keep your plate number — by paying the renewal fee before your expiration date. You can renew online through the Georgia Department of Revenue website, by mail, or in person at your county tag office. If you renew on time, the Department of Revenue mails you a new decal (a sticker) that you place on your plate; you do not receive a new plate itself unless you request one or your plate is damaged.

If your registration lapses and you do not renew within a grace period, your plate becomes invalid and you cannot legally drive the vehicle. When you do renew after a lapse, you may receive a new plate number rather than your old one, depending on how long the lapse lasted.

Specialty plates that support causes and organizations

Georgia offers more than 100 specialty plate designs. These plates look different from standard plates — they may feature wildlife, military insignia, university logos, or messages supporting specific causes — and a portion of the extra fee you pay goes to the organization or cause the plate represents.

Specialty plates cost $25 to $50 more per year than a standard plate, depending on which one you choose. Some examples include plates supporting wildlife conservation (proceeds go to the Georgia Wildlife Resources Division), military veteran plates, university alumni plates, and plates supporting breast cancer awareness or other health causes. You choose your specialty plate when you first register a vehicle or during renewal, and you can switch to a different specialty plate at your next renewal.

The specialty plate arrives by mail four to six weeks after you order it. If you need the plate by a specific date, contact your county tag office to confirm the timeline before you order.

Personalized and vanity plates

A personalized plate lets you choose your own message — up to seven characters, including numbers and letters. You might display your name, a hobby, or any combination the Department of Revenue will approve. Personalized plates cost an extra $50 to $100 on top of your registration fee, depending on whether you combine it with a specialty plate design.

The Department of Revenue reviews all personalized plate requests to make sure the message does not contain offensive language or impersonate government plates. If your request is denied, you can try a different message. Personalized plates take four to six weeks to arrive, so order early if you want one for a specific event or important date.

Once you have a personalized plate, you keep that message when you renew — you do not have to request it again. If you want to change the message, you pay the personalization fee again and go through the approval process a second time.

Military and veteran plates

Georgia offers several military-related plates for active duty service members, veterans, and military families. These include plates for Purple Heart recipients, former prisoners of war, disabled veterans, and military retirees. Some military plates are free or cost less than specialty plates; others follow the standard specialty plate pricing.

To order a military plate, you must provide proof of military status or service. This might be a military ID, discharge papers (DD Form 214), or a letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs. You provide this documentation when you register or renew at your county tag office or through the mail-in process.

Military plates do not expire on the same schedule as civilian plates. Some military plates are valid for five years instead of three, which reduces how often you need to renew. Check with your county tag office about the specific renewal timeline for the military plate you want.

Replacing a lost, stolen, or damaged plate

If your plate is lost, stolen, or damaged, you can get a replacement from your county tag office or by mail from the Department of Revenue. A replacement plate costs between $20 and $35, depending on whether it is a standard or specialty plate. You do not need to wait until your renewal date to replace a damaged plate.

To order a replacement in person, bring your vehicle registration and a photo ID to your county tag office. They can issue a temporary plate on the spot if you need to drive the vehicle when ready. To order by mail, contact the Department of Revenue with your registration number and vehicle information; they will mail the replacement plate to your address.

If your plate was stolen, you may want to file a police report. Some insurance policies cover plate theft, and a police report helps if you need to dispute charges or if the stolen plate is used in a crime.

Transferring a plate to a new vehicle

You can transfer your current plate to a different vehicle if you own both vehicles and both are registered in Georgia. You do not have to keep the same plate — you can request a new one when you register the new vehicle — but if you want to keep your plate number, you can move it over.

To transfer a plate, bring your current registration, the new vehicle's title and registration documents, and your plate to your county tag office. They will reassign the plate to the new vehicle and issue an updated registration. If your plate is personalized or a specialty plate, the transfer process is the same, and you keep the same message or design.

If you sell a vehicle, the plate stays with you — it does not transfer to the new owner. The new owner must register the vehicle and receive their own plate.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know when my plate expires?

Your expiration month is printed on the decal (sticker) on your plate. The decal shows the month and year your registration expires. You can also check your registration documents or log into your account on the Georgia Department of Revenue website to see your expiration date.

Can I keep my plate number if I move out of Georgia?

No. Georgia plates are only valid in Georgia. If you move to another state, you must register your vehicle in that state and receive a new plate. You cannot transfer a Georgia plate out of state.

What happens if I drive with an expired plate?

Driving with an expired plate is a traffic violation in Georgia. You can be stopped by law enforcement and issued a citation. If your registration has lapsed, your vehicle is not insured under Georgia law, and you may face fines or other penalties. Renew before your expiration date to avoid this.

Do I have to get a new plate every time I renew my registration?

No. When you renew, you receive a new decal to place on your existing plate. You only get a new plate if you request one, if your plate is damaged, or if the Department of Revenue determines your plate needs to be replaced.

Can I order a specialty plate online?

You can begin the specialty plate order through the Georgia Department of Revenue website, but you must complete the registration or renewal process through your county tag office, by mail, or online through the full registration system. Some specialty plates require additional documentation, which you may need to provide in person or by mail.