New Location

DEPT OF DRIVERS SERVICES

749 West Lanier Ave,
Suite 102,
Fayetteville, GA 30214

Registration

Most vehicle registration questions are answered on this web site.
If you need additional information please call our tag office at (770) 461-3611 and someone will be happy to help you.

Or you may use the link https://eservices.drives.ga.gov to:

• Renew vehicle registration
• Pay insurance fines
• Change address
• Cancel Registration
• Apply for a tag
• Replace registration

Tax Valuations

Uniform tax valuations used in calculating Title Ad Valorem Tax (TAVT) and motor vehicle ad valorem taxes are certified to county tax commissioners by the Georgia Department of Revenue. TAVT is calculated at fair market value multiplied by the TAVT rate, which is currently 6.6%.If you wish to dispute the assessed value of your vehicle you may appeal the value at the time of your transaction.

For estimated TAVT valuations please use the following link: https://eservices.drives.ga.gov

Ad Valorem Tax

Ad valorem tax is a value tax that is assessed annually and must be paid at the time of registration. Payment of ad valorem taxes is a prerequisite to receiving a tag or renewal decal. Ad valorem taxes are due each year on all vehicles including vehicles that are not operational, even if a tag or registration is not being applied for. Taxes must be paid by the last day of your registration period to avoid a 10% penalty (minimum $5). Tax amounts vary according to the vehicle make and model and the tax district in which the owner resides. Ad valorem tax receipts are distributed to the state, county, schools, and cities. These levying authorities use this revenue to fund their general operations.

Tags and Fees

An annual state tag fee of $20 is required for issuance of regular passenger or light duty truck license plates or renewal decals. Prestige, college, commemorative, or some special tags require a one-time $25 manufacturing fee plus an additional $35 annual special tag fee. Specialty plates are available with an annual tag fee of $35; wildlife plates will be available for an annual tag fee of $25. When ordering a prestige, or college commemorative tag, be sure to include a copy of the State approval letter and the appropriate fees. Other special tags do not require a letter.

Click here for form MV9B to request a prestige tag.

Tag Registration Bills

The registration bills are mailed out 45 days prior to the vehicle owner’s birthday (expiration date).

In order to provide the best service to our taxpayers you have the option to renew by mail, on line or at a renewal kiosk. Registration payments should be mailed early so as to allow time for return of your tag or renewal decal before your current tag expires on your birthday. When mailing your registration payment, please allow 10 days for processing and return of your tag or renewal decal. Registration payments must be postmarked no later than your birthday to avoid penalties. Late penalties are 10% of the ad valorem tax (minimum $5), plus 25% of the tag fee. Please carefully read the instructions that are included with your registration renewal form.

Not receiving a registration bill does not relieve the registrant/taxpayer from the obligation to register and pay taxes during their birthday registration period.

Emissions

The Fayette County Tax Commissioner is required by law to ensure emissions compliance at the time of the tag sale. The State Department of Natural Resources and its Georgia Clean Air Force have responsibility over the design, implementation, and public awareness aspects of the emissions program.

Georgia vehicle emission inspection and testing presently covers a 13-county region. Any vehicle more than 3 years old and up to 25 years old requires yearly emission testing prior to renewal. When registering your vehicle you must submit a current emissions inspection certificate (if applicable) along with your registration bill, as a prerequisite to receiving a tag or renewal decal.

Vehicles exempt from emission requirements are current year model and last two preceding year model vehicles, vehicles with diesel engines, vehicles with a gross vehicle weight (GVW) of 8500 pounds or more, and motorcycles. Out-of-state students, military personnel stationed out of state and senior citizens may be eligible for extensions or waivers in certain circumstances. Call the Georgia Clean Air Force at 1-800-449-2471 for more information or check with www.cleanairforce.com.

SENIOR CITIZEN EMISSIONS WAIVER: A vehicle that is driven less than 5,000 miles per year, is 10 years old or older, AND is owned by a person 65 years of age or older, may qualify for an exemption. The waiver for this exemption will be processed for approval at the Fayette County Tag Office. Please have your current millage when renewing.

Insurance

Georgia law requires that all vehicle owners carry at all times minimum liability insurance. A record of your insurance coverage must be electronically transmitted to the Georgia GRATIS data base prior to registration and obtaining a license plate for a vehicle. You may provide a valid binder or declaration page indicating coverage in lieu of electronic transmission. A binder should be dated within the current 30 day period, and a declaration page should be dated within the current 20 day period.

Use the following link to check your insurance status: https://eservices.drives.ga.gov

Military Personal (Non-Resident Service Member)

Military personnel who are claiming residency in other states, and who are in Georgia solely by virtue of military orders, are not subject to Georgia TAVT (Title Ad Valorem Tax).

Qualifications:

• Current orders reflect a Georgia military base
• Current leave & earnings statement (LES) reflecting state/county of record other than Georgia
• PT472NS form
• Dependent ID card for qualifying dependents
• The soldier must comply with all inspection requirements in their particular jurisdiction (i.e., emissions);

Registration Renewal Period

For Persons: Registrations expire on the vehicle owner/lessee’s birthday and must be renewed during the 30 day period preceding and ending on the owner/lessee’s birthday.

For Business: Registrations in the name of a business, corporation, or organization expire at the end of the business owner’s designated registration month. Business registrations are staggered by month according to the first letter of the company name as shown on the registration application. Business owned vehicle registrations must be renewed during and no later than the end of the designated renewal month.

Registration renewal applications postmarked after the end of any registration period will accrue a 10% ad valorem tax penalty (with minimum $5), a 25% tag penalty.

Methods of Payment

Payment may be in the form of cash, a Company or Personal Check, Money Order, Certified Funds or by Credit Card (Visa, Master Card, American Express, or Discover). A service charge of 2.5% will be added to any credit/debit transaction, and debited against your credit/debit card account to cover the cost of the third party processing company for completing the transaction.

Checks should be made payable to: Fayette County Tax Commissioner and should have name of registrant, local address (P O Boxes are not acceptable), and bank account number preprinted on the check. Please enter your home and business phone numbers, a driver’s license number, and tag number on the face of your check. We cannot accept starter, counter, third party, payroll, or checks with an out of state, out of county, or P.O. Box address.

Tag renewals can be processed online through the Department of Revenue using a credit card or debit card @ https://eservices.drives.ga.gov

New Georgia Residents

New residents from out of state must register in person at our office within 30 days of establishing residency. The original certificate of title from out of state will be required. The owner listed on the face of the original title must be present. If the title lists multiple owners, all owners must be present, or those owners who cannot be present must provide an original notarized Power-of-Attorney. The Power-of-Attorney must include the year, make, model and vehicle identification number of the vehicle being registered. The current registration from the former state will also be requested along with the current mileage of the vehicle. A valid Georgia insurance carrier must have provided the State database with minimum liability insurance coverage prior to registration. A valid binder or declaration page from the insurance policy can be used at initial registration, and either must indicate minimum liability coverage, the vehicle VIN and dates of coverage. A Georgia Emissions Certificate will also be required. If the title is being held by a lien holder, out of state registration, showing the owner or owners of the vehicle, a complete description of the vehicle and the name and mailing address of the lien-holder must be presented. If the vehicle is leased, the lessee must have the lease agreement showing a complete description of the vehicle and the complete name and address of the lessor. Also, an original notarized Power-0f-Attorney from the lessor is required to be completed. New residents entering the state of Georgia will be required to pay TAVT (Title Ad Valorem Tax) at the time of initial registration. Documentation will be required to show proof of when residency was established in Georgia. The title tax is 3% of the fair market value at the time of registration.

Acceptable documents are:

• Georgia driver’s license
• If you have a leased vehicle, you must have a Power-of-Attorney from the leasing company.
• Title - if you own your vehicle.
• Registration - if you have a lien, we will need complete lien holder’s name and mailing address. If the state you move from is a non-title holding state, you must present the title.
• 30 day insurance binder or declarations page
• Odometer reading
• Date of purchase of vehicle (day, month, and year).
• Current Emissions test
• Cost: $18 per title, $20 per plate, plus TAVT tax based or 3% of the fair market value of the vehicle. If you pay by check, your check must have your Fayette County address printed on it.
• All vehicles 1986 and newer, travel trailers, pop-up campers, and trainers exceeding 2,000 pounds require a title for registration.

New Residents to Fayette County

New residents moving into Fayette County from within the state of Georgia can come to the tag office or update their address through https://eservices.drives.ga.gov

You should bring documentation indicating your current Fayette County address, such as utility bill or lease agreement.

Imported Vehicles

The Georgia Department of Revenue, Motor Vehicle Division has issued an updated Motor Vehicle Manual. This manual is detailed and addresses the State's requirements for titling and registering vehicles in the State of Georgia.

To view this manual online use the following link: https://dor.georgia.gov/mvd-manual

To apply for a title for an imported vehicle, the following documents and fees must be submitted to the Fayette County Motor Vehicle Office. If the required documents cannot be obtained for a 1986 or newer year model vehicle, a title can only be obtained on the basis of a surety bond. Refer to the “Surety Bonds” section for additional information. However, if a vehicle was last registered in a foreign country, the title application supported by a surety bond must also be supported by the federal forms described under the heading “Federal Compliance”.

New Vehicles

Our office will assist you in completing an MV-1 Tag Title Application. The owner(s) or an authorized representative of the owner(s) must sign the title application. The authorized document (Power of Attorney) must be submitted if the application is signed by a representative. The full, legal name(s) of the owner(s), Georgia identification card number(s) or driver’s license number(s) and the name(s) of the issuing state/country are required for the first certificate of title.

Transfer Document – The original, valid and properly assigned MSO must be submitted to show a complete chain of vehicle ownership. The MSO for passenger vehicles and motorcycles must be on a standard secure document. The Motor Vehicle Department accepts documents that have been stamped with a signature stamp by an agent/representative authorized by the dealership. All liens noted on any assignment must either be released or shown on the application.

If the vehicle was most recently registered in a foreign country, the valid, foreign registration certificate issued by the country where the vehicle was last registered in the current owner(s)’ name(s) must be submitted. For the vehicle to be titled as new, the foreign registration certificate must be issued in the current owner(s)’ name(s) as shown on the title application.

Since a Georgia title is required for 1986 and newer year model vehicles, the state of Georgia will not issue a title based on a registration certificate from a foreign country for 1985 and older year model vehicles. Georgia will issue a title based on the submission of a foreign registration certificate for 1963 and newer manufactured or mobile homes.

Any lien/security interest noted on any assignment or the foreign registration certificate must either be released or shown on the application.

Form T-22B (Serial Plate Verification Form) – If a foreign registration certificate is submitted, Form T-22B must be completed by a Georgia law enforcement officer after a visual inspection of the vehicle’s serial plate. You may find this form at https://dor.georgia.gov/search?search=T-22B&sm_site_name=dor.

Federal Compliance – All imported vehicles must go through U.S. Customs before entry into the United States. Proof that an imported vehicle conforms to U.S. EPA and DOT Standards and the Customs and Board Protection Form CBP-7501 must be submitted. When a motor vehicle, not a trailer or a vehicle imported from Puerto Rico, is imported into the United States, three (3) federal forms are required. The required forms are:

• U.S. DOT Form HS-7
• U.S. EPA Form 3520-1
• U.S. Customs & Border Protection Form CBP-7501

The form CBP-7501 must be stamped and signed by a U.S. Custom’s representative. No one, not a resident, non-resident or the military are exempt from providing these forms. In lieu of the Form CBP-7501, you may submit a military Form DD 1252 or Form DD 1854. If you do not have these forms or you need additional information, please contact a U.S. Customs office, located throughout Georgia. The applicant must submit the original(s) and copies of these forms; the original(s) will be returned upon request.

Note:U.S. Customs documents are not required to be submitted when applying for a Georgia title and license plate for a vehicle sold through Overseas Military Sales Corporation (OMSC) when the following documents are submitted:

Fees – Pay all fees and taxes due with a check or money order payable to the Fayette County Tax Commissioner. The Fayette County Motor Vehicle Office also accepts cash and credit cards (VISA, MasterCard American Express & Discover). There is a 2.5% (for VISA MasterCard or Discover) or 3% convenience fee (American Express) charged when paying with a credit card. The title fee is $18 if the title application was submitted within thirty (30) days of the date on the DOT certification. If a title is not applied for within thirty (30) days of the DOT certification, a title penalty fee of $10 must be included in your payment.

Newly Acquired Vehicles

Georgia residents with newly acquired vehicles must register within 7 days of vehicle purchase. New vehicle owners must apply for a title prior to or at the time of registration. Registration must be made in person at our tag office. If an owner is unable to appear in person, an original notarized Power-of-Attorney for that person must be presented at the time of registration. The Power-of-Attorney must include the year, make, model and vehicle identification number of the vehicle.

Please read over your title completely before signing. Titles differ from state to state, with some requiring signatures on the front, while others require that you complete the back. Make sure all areas on the original title are completed, recording the buyer name, the seller name, both signatures, the date of sale and current odometer reading. Do not use whiteout, or cross through an error on the back of the title. A notarized affidavit of correction will need to be completed which must accompany the title, and MV1 form if correction to a title must be made. Please note both seller and buyer may need to complete an affidavit of correction, depending on the error. The affidavit of correction form below must be completed if you determine there has been an error in the transfer of your title and must be presented at the time of registration. If white-out has been used on your title, please note that the title will be voided. If you are the original owner, you may request a new title from the state. If you are the purchaser, you must go back to the original owner to have the title replaced.

Download the affidavit of correction form

If the vehicle is purchased from an automobile dealer, dealers must apply for title work electronically through the Georgia Department of Revenue.

If you purchase a titled vehicle or trailer from a business, we must have a bill of sale.

Tag Transfers

License plates are the personal property of the vehicle owner. During a change of ownership, license plates should be removed from the vehicle and retained by the seller. This will allow the seller to transfer the tag to a newly acquired vehicle.

• If you trade-in, sell, or dispose of your vehicle, retain your license plate and transfer it to your new vehicle. Eligibility to transfer a tag follows these guidelines:
• The new registration must read exactly as the previous registration. Ownership must be the same. For example: If the previous registration reads John Smith and Suzie Smith, the new registration must read John Smith and Suzie Smith.
• The tag must be applied to a vehicle of the same kind. Passenger vehicle to passenger vehicle, trailer to trailer, motorcycle to motorcycle, etc.

Name Change (Marriage or Divorce)

If you wish to have your name changed on your registration due to marriage or divorce, you must first apply for a new title. A name change requires that you appear in person with your original certificate of title and supporting certified legal documents (i.e., certified copy of the marriage certificate or divorce decree). In case of divorce, the divorce decree must give the Year and Make of the vehicle. If a vehicle is financed, only the security lien holder can change the name.

Vehicle Inheritance

When there is a probated will, the applicant must provide the title in the deceased party’s name, if available, along with a Letter of Testamentary. If the will was not probated, provide the title, if available, a death certificate, will, if available, and an affidavit of inheritance form. https://dor.georgia.gov/form-t-20-affidavit-inheritance

Also required are current validated registration, an original Georgia emission certificate, and proof of Georgia Liability insurance on the vehicle.

Handicapped Person Parking Permit

Handicapped person parking permits are issued in this office.

For a temporary or permanent handicapped permit, you must have a signed and notarized letter from your physician, indicating your current medical limitations.

Please use the link below to obtain the form for completion by your primary physician:
https://dor.georgia.gov/documents/mv-9d-disabled-persons-parking-affidavit

Driver's License

In Fayette County the tests for driver's licenses are given Tuesday through Friday at the Department of Drivers Services — 749 West Lanier Ave, Suite 102, Fayetteville, GA 30214 — from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., or on Saturdays from 8 – 12 noon. Applicants need to be at this location for testing by 4:00 p.m. due to the large volume of applicants. The telephone number is 678-413-8400 or 1-800-754-3687. For more information, check https://dds.georgia.gov.

Accepted methods of payments are Credit/Debit Cards including Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express, cash, checks or money orders. For more information, please click on the link below.

The Georgia State Patrol will answer questions at 678-413-8400. It is important that you listen to the tape in its entirety.