Georgia Registration Renewal

Renewing Your Registration in Georgia

You may renew your Georgia registration online, by phone, by mail, via participating Georgia MVD Express Self-Service Tag Kiosks, or in person at your nearest GA MVD County Tag Office.

You’ll receive a registration renewal notice from the GA MVD at the beginning of your registration month – this is your birthday month.

Online Registration Renewals

To renew your GA vehicle registration online, please visit Georgia DRIVES.

Under the Vehicle Title and Registration section, click the Renew Vehicle Registration button.
Be ready to submit all required fees and have your documents ready. That includes your Driver’s License or ID Card, as well as your License Plate Number and VIN (Vehicle Identification Number).

Once you pay your renewal fees online, it’ll take up to 3 weeks for your registration and stickers to arrive by mail. If you do not receive them within 30 days, please contact your nearest GA MVD office to check your vehicle registration application status.

NOTE: The Annual Ad Valorem Tax shown will be exactly the same figure as on your renewal notice. For 2022-2023, the GA MVD incorrectly labeled this information on the notice as “Previous Year(s) Taxes/Fees.” However, the amount is correct.

By Phone Renew Registration

To renew your GA vehicle registration by phone:

• Call (877) 496-0249 and follow the prompts.
• Gather your documents, such as:
  • Renewal notice w/ your Letter ID
  • Driver’s license or ID
• Have your license plate number or VIN ready.
• Be prepared to submit payment for your fees via a credit or debit card.

Once you complete the process, your County Tag Office will mail your updated Georgia registration document and license plate stickers within approximately 30 days.

By Mail Renew Registration

Having your GA registration renewal notice will be helpful when renewing by mail. Refer to your renewal notice for specific requirements.

To renew Georgia registration by mail:

• Have proof of liability car insurance on file with the MVD.
• Include a passing emissions inspection certificate, if applicable.
• Find the address of your County Tag Office.
  • Some offices have different addresses for mail correspondence and in-person services, so be sure to choose the right one.
• Prepare a check or money order for all registration fees, taxes, and convenience fees.
  • Look up your Renewal Fee Estimate.
• Make copies of all documents for your records.
• Mail everything to your County Tag Office.

Renewing by mail generally takes more time than online renewals or visiting in person. Go with the other available options if your registration will be expiring soon. Contact your Local GA County Tag Office if you have any specific questions about your Georgia renewal application.

Express Self-Service Tag Kiosks Renewal

NOTE: You can only renew your registration at a Georgia MV Express Self-Service Tag Kiosk if you are a resident in a participating county. Your renewal notice will indicate if this is an option.

To renew your GA registration at a Georgia MV Express Self-Service Tag Kiosk:

• Pass an emissions inspection, if applicable.
• Find the physical address and hours of a MV Express Self-Service Tag Kiosk.
• Visit the kiosk and follow the step-by-step prompts on the machine.
• Be sure to have all required documents (and an acceptable payment method). You may:
  • Scan the barcode on your renewal notice, OR Enter your license plate number AND the last 4 digits of your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).

Pay your taxes and fees via credit card or, where available, by cash.

When you renew at a kiosk, you’ll receive your documents and a decal (sticker) upon completion.

In Person Vehicle Registration Renewals

To renew Georgia car registration in person, visit your nearest DMV Office and:

• Provide your current Georgia registration renewal notice.
• Show your Georgia Emissions Inspection Certificate, if applicable.
• Submit your driver’s license or ID card.
• Pay the renewal fee.
  • Look up your Renewal Fee Estimate.
  • Contact your local County Tag Office for acceptable forms of payment. Generally, they accept cash, check or money order, credit or debit cards.
• Make copies of all documents for your records.

Once you handle this process in person, the Georgia MVD will provide you with new license plate decals and a registration document.

GA Registration Renewal Notice

Some counties in Georgia send a renewal notice by mail as a reminder your registration is about to expire. Not all licensing offices send these out. Be sure to renew your registration on time, whether or not you received a renewal notice. Otherwise, penalties at the MVD will apply.

The renewal notice usually contains various details, including:

• Information about your vehicle.
• The Letter ID for online renewals (if applicable in your county).
• The fees for your vehicle registration renewal in Georgia.
• The name and address under which your vehicle is currently registered.
  • If you need to update your address, be sure to handle that prior to renewing.

Military Member Registration Renewals

If you’re a non-resident military member from out of state who is stationed in Georgia,, you may continue using a valid out-of-state registration.

If you choose to register your vehicle(s) in Georgia, you must comply with all requirements of vehicle registration and apply at the County Tag Office in the county where you are residing.

On the other hand, you may choose to title and register your vehicle in Georgia as long as you comply with all requirements. For more assistance with your situation, please contact your local County Tag Office.

Emissions & Smog Tests in Georgia

Emissions testing is required in certain counties in Georgia. You’ll need to provide a Georgia Emissions Inspection Certificate when renewing your vehicle registration.

The GA MVD requires you to pass a vehicle emissions inspection if you live in one of the metro Atlanta counties. For further details, please contact or visit the GA MVD office in your county.

Once your vehicle passes emissions inspection, you can even renew online or at a participating kiosk (if available).

Find a local smog test station on the DMVGO.com Nationwide Directory today.

GA Registration Renewal Fees

Your GA registration renewal fees are shown on your Georgia registration renewal notice.

You can also use the Renewal Fee Estimator to get an idea what you must pay the GA MVD.

To find out which payments are acceptable for in person transactions, please check with your County Tag Office directly.

Acceptable payment methods for online payments on DRIVES e-Services include VISA, Master Card, American Express, Discover, and electronic checks. There may be a processing charge for credit cards depending on your county.

When you register your vehicle online in Georgia, you will be able to see the actual cost before you complete the transaction.

Late Fees, Penalties, & Fee Refunds for Registration Renewal in Georgia

If you fail to renew your Georgia registration before it expires, penalties may apply.

In Georgia, the penalty fee will be 10% of Ad Valorem Tax due + 25% of License Plate Fees.

The minimum penalty for your Ad Valorem Tax is $5.

To find out how much you must pay in renewal penalty fees, contact your local County Tag Office.