When can a dealer issue a temporary tag?
At the time of sale, a licensed motor vehicle dealer in this state is required to
issue one free temporary dealer-issue tag for their customer's use in operating
their vehicle during the thirty-day (30) period of time the customer has to register
it.
The customer has thirty-days (30) from the purchase date to either register &
obtain a license plate or to transfer their valid license plate from another vehicle
they no longer own to their newly acquired vehicle. The customer should apply for
a license plate or license plate transfer at the Tax Commissioner's office in the county in Georgia where
they reside. The dealer cannot issue an extension or another
tag nor can the customer operate the vehicle legally with an expired
dealer-issued temporary tag. The customer will be unable to register & obtain
a license plate or transfer a license plate to the newly purchased vehicle if a
title has not been issued for the vehicle in their name (when a title is
required). The dealer is responsible for applying for a title for their customer
when the vehicle requires a title but is not required to apply for a license
plate or a license plate transfer.
If the selling dealer fails to obtain a title for transfer to their customer within
five- (5) days of the expiration date of the tag (25 days from the purchase date),
the customer may apply for one thirty-day (30) temporary tag at their County Tax Commissioner's office. The customer will be required
to turn in the dealer-issued tag at that time for destruction & show proof of
ownership (dealer's invoice) & identification (Valid Georgia driver's license
or state-issued identification card). The customer will be required to complete
a T-226 Application to Extend the Registration Period of a Motor Vehicle
Purchased from a Georgia Motor Vehicle Dealer to obtain a temporary tag
from the Tax Commissioner's office.
When the Dealer Cannot Issue A Temporary Tag
- The vehicle is to be registered under the International Registration Plan (IRP).
- The vehicle is a salvage vehicle.
- The vehicle is not self-propelled.
- The dealer did not sell the vehicle.
**Example: The customer can transfer their license plate from their
passenger car they no longer own to a pickup truck they have purchased, but they
cannot transfer their license plate from their trailer to their pickup truck
because they are issued different types/prices of tags. Click here for a chart showing the different types/prices
license plates.