Do You Need a Front License Plate in Georgia?
When you register a vehicle in Georgia for the first time, you will receive a metal license plate, registration sticker or decal, and registration certificate. While many states issue two license plates and require that they be displayed on the front and rear of your car, Georgia only requires a rear license plate.
Here is everything you need to know about license plate laws in Georgia, according to a car accident attorney
Is a Front License Plate Required in Georgia?
Georgia is one of several states that does not require a front license plate. Georgia Rule 560-10-10 requires that all motor vehicles have their assigned license plate attached firmly to the rear of the vehicle.
When you register a car in Georgia, you will be issued a metal license plate. However, Georgia became only the fifth state in 2022 to allow digital license plates.
Why Front License Plates Aren’t Required in Georgia
There are many potential reasons Georgia and more than one dozen other states have chosen not to require a front license plate. To begin with, a front plate would increase the costs of vehicle registration for car owners. There would be an increased need for production by the state.
Some owners would also be required to modify their vehicles to accommodate a front license plate. It’s common for new vehicles to lack a front license plate frame at purchase. A dealer may offer buyers the option, but this is less likely in states that do not require front plates. An owner moving from a one-plate state to a two-plate state may need to pay for permanent modifications or purchase a license plate frame kit.
It’s also important to note that traffic enforcement cameras and toll readers do not require front license plates. Most of these cameras only take pictures of the rear of a vehicle. However, front photos may still be taken and could offer a backup if the rear image isn’t clear enough.
There are downsides to only requiring a rear license plate. Research shows that front license plates improve daytime visibility. They also increase revenue for states because it’s easier to identify vehicles at tollways and enforcement cameras.
Front license plates offer another important benefit: they can improve public safety. A front plate can reduce the risk of car accidents thanks to greater reflectivity and visibility to other vehicles. When an accident does occur, a front plate makes it easier for injured pedestrians, cyclists, and other motorists to identify the other vehicle.
Other License Plate Laws in Georgia
When you buy or acquire a new vehicle, you must title and register it in Georgia. You can complete the title application and license plate registration at your local County Tag Office. This must be done within seven days of the purchase or transfer.
There are several important laws in Georgia regarding license plates, including how they must be displayed.
- License plates must be legible and clearly displayed. It’s illegal to cover a license plate with any material that is not transparent and colorless or use an apparatus or device that obscures the license plate.
- The license plate and decal must be unaltered. It’s a crime to mutilate, conceal, or deface any license plate marking or county name decal. It’s also a crime to knowingly operate a vehicle with any of these alterations.
- Only the license plate issued for the vehicle can be displayed. It’s a crime to knowingly display or attach a license plate registered to another vehicle that has not been transferred legally.
- Lost or stolen license plates and decals should be reported to the police. After reporting the loss or theft, you can apply for a replacement license plate at the County Tag Office.
You can transfer a Georgia license plate from a vehicle you no longer own to another vehicle. To do this, you need to visit your local County Tag Office.
In Georgia, your vehicle registration must be renewed every year unless you have a five-year plate. This can be done online, at a Georgia MV Express Self-Service Tag Kiosk, in person, or by mail. Five-year license plates can be issued to handicapped or disabled veterans, National Guard members, and certain other groups.
By understanding registration and license plate requirements in Georgia, you can avoid expensive penalties and contribute to public safety.
Contact the Car Accident Law Firm of Lawson Personal Injury Attorneys in Lawrenceville for Help Today
For more information, please contact our experienced car accident lawyers at Lawson Personal Injury Attorneys to schedule a free initial consultation today. We have a convenient location in Lawrenceville, GA.
Lawson Personal Injury Attorneys
320 S Perry St, Lawrenceville, GA 30046
(678) 446-3655