Have you recently moved to Georgia or purchased a vehicle as a Georgia resident? You might be wondering whether the state requires you to have a front license plate. Georgia’s license plate laws are relatively straightforward, but they’re different from many other states.
Here’s everything you need to know about Georgia’s license plate requirements.
Does Georgia Require a Front License Plate?
The simple answer is no. Georgia does not require a front license plate. Georgia is one of 21 states in the U.S. that only requires a rear license plate to be displayed on vehicles. When you register your car in Georgia, you will be issued one metal license plate that must be securely fastened to the back of your vehicle.
According to Georgia Rule 560-10-10, all motor vehicles must display their assigned license plate on the rear of their vehicle. It’s essential to ensure the plate is clearly visible and legible at all times, as failure to display it properly could result in a citation.
Why Doesn’t Georgia Require Front License Plates?
Georgia does not mandate front license plates for several reasons. For one, requiring two plates would increase the cost of registration for vehicle owners. Many newer vehicles don’t come equipped with front plate holders, which means owners would need to modify their cars to comply at their own expense.
Another factor is that Georgia’s traffic enforcement relies primarily on rear plates. Cameras used for toll collection, red light enforcement, and speed tracking typically capture images of the rear of the vehicle, making a front plate less necessary from an enforcement standpoint.
However, it’s worth noting that some advocates argue that front plates improve public safety. Vehicles with front plates are more visible during daylight hours, potentially reducing car accidents. They can also make it easier for law enforcement and witnesses to identify vehicles involved in hit-and-run accidents, including pedestrian and bicycle accidents.
One study also found that two license plates increase the opportunities to identify a vehicle for toll violations, running red lights, speeding, and even theft. In Virginia, 23% of toll violators could not be pursued because their rear plate wasn’t readable. Colorado’s E-470 corridor would lose $23.1 million (34.5%) of annual revenue without front plates. The read rate for parked and moving cars was significantly lower in states with one license plate.
Other License Plate Requirements In Georgia
As a Georgia resident, when you buy a vehicle, it must be titled and registered in Georgia. You have 30 days to register your vehicle after moving to Georgia. Georgia residents have seven days to register a vehicle from the date of purchase. You can submit the title application and register your car at your local County Tag Office.
Vehicle registrations must be renewed annually except for five-year license plates, which are only issued to certain individuals, such as disabled veterans. You can renew your registration online, in person, by mail, or using a Self-Service Tag Kiosk.
Even though you only need a rear plate, Georgia has several other important laws regarding how your license plate should be displayed:
- Your license plate must be visible and legible. It’s illegal to obscure your plate with any material, such as tinted covers or dirty frames, that makes it difficult to read.
- Tampering is prohibited. It’s a crime to alter, deface, or obscure any part of your license plate, including the county name decal that is affixed to the plate.
- Only display a license plate on the registered vehicle. You can only display the license plate that was issued for your specific vehicle. Using a plate registered to another car is illegal and can lead to serious penalties.
- Report lost or stolen plates. If your license plate is lost or stolen, report it to local law enforcement right away. You can get a replacement plate by visiting your local County Tag Office.
These regulations are in place to ensure that vehicles can be easily identified, which is crucial in the event of an accident, theft, or other incidents requiring law enforcement.
Georgia does not require a front license plate, but this is only one of several important rules regarding vehicle registration and license plate display. By making sure you follow these rules, you can avoid potentially costly penalties.
Contact the Kennesaw Car Accident lawyers from Starks Byron, P.C. for Help Today
For more information, don’t hesitate to contact our team at Starks Byron, P.C. to schedule a free consultation with a car accident lawyer in Kennesaw, GA today.
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Starks Byron, P.C.
1275 Shiloh Rd NW Ste 2710,
Kennesaw, GA 30144
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