Renewal Information
A tag renewal notice lists ad valorem tax and tag renewal fees due along with any other applicable fees that must be collected to renew the vehicle’s registration. Renewal notices are mailed approximately 45-60 days prior to the registration expiration date by the State of Georgia. If a tag renewal notice is needed, please contact us to request a notice be mailed to the address on file. Call: 478-621-6500 or Email: taxinfo@maconbibb.us
New Purchase Information
All title / registration transactions require a current Georgia driver's license reflecting your current physical address in Macon-Bibb County. The Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) offers one free change of address on a Georgia driver’s license online or in person at one of their facilities. Visit their website for more information. Businesses wishing to title a vehicle to the business must provide their active business license during each initial registration process.
Voluntary Registration Cancellation
Cancelling the registration notifies our office, law enforcement, and the Department of Revenue that said vehicle is not and will not be on the road. Cancelling the registration does not destroy the registration. It only renders it inactive.
Specialty Tags
Specialized and personalized plates are issued to private passenger vehicles only that are owned by Georgia residents. A list of all available specialty plates can be found HERE. From this list, click the desired type of specialty plate to view a sample of the plate, requirements and applicable fees.
Disabled Persons
A disabled person's license plate costs $20 (same as standard) plus any other fees and penalties which may apply, including ad valorem tax and title tax, if applicable. If the vehicle currently has a valid Georgia license plate and a disabled person's license plate is being requested for the same vehicle, a disabled person license plate will be issued at no cost. Disabled person’s license plates do not need an affidavit to renew, but are renewed each year as any registration is renewed. If you are permanently disabled, you can also apply for a disabled person plate for each vehicle you own.
Dealer
Titles may be processed by mail, walk through, or by drop off. For optimal efficiency in processing title work, all dealership applications should be complete and ready to process at time of submission. Incomplete paperwork will be returned to the dealership for correction.
Drop offs and Mail-ins are processed in the order in which they are received. Please allow 24 hours to process these submissions.
A TAVT Calculator is available on the Department of Revenue website:
https://dor.georgia.gov/motor-vehicles/vehicle-taxes-title-ad-valorem-tax-tavt-and-annual-ad-valorem-tax
The calculator does not include penalties and fees which may apply if the title is not submitted by the mandated deadline.
Fleet
Fleet renewals may be processed by mail or by drop off. For optimal efficiency in processing fleet work, review renewal notices for deletions and registration cancellations. If any renewal notices are missing, please contact our office at 478-621-6500.
When all renewal notices are ready to process, please submit the following:
Disabled Persons Placards and Plates
To obtain a disabled person's license placard (which hangs from the rear-view mirror) or plate, submit the following to our office:
Permanent Disability:
Parking Placard (Blue Hang Tag) - Permanent placards are reissued every four years but a new MV9-D is not required. To renew a permanent placard, the person who was initially issued the placard must bring their current placard and their Georgia driver's license or Georgia ID with current Macon-Bibb County address to our office. One (1) placard is valid; multiple placards may not be issued.
License Plate (Blue Emblem Plate) - A disabled person's license plate standard fee is $20 plus any other fees and penalties which may apply, including ad valorem tax and title tax, if applicable. If the vehicle currently has a valid Georgia license plate and a disabled person's license plate is being requested for the same vehicle, a disabled person license plate will be issued at no cost. Disabled person’s license plates do not need a new MV9-D to renew, but are renewed each year as any registration is renewed. If you are permanently disabled, you can also apply for a disabled person plate for each vehicle you own.
Temporary Disability:
Temporary Disabled Person's Placards (Red Hang Tag) - Temporary placards are valid for six months from the issue date. To renew a temporary placard, a newly-completed MV9-D form must be submitted.
Proof of insurance is required when issuing a tag or renewing a decal. Georgia law requires all insurance companies submit vehicle insurance policy information, and validity of same, electronically to the Georgia Electronic Insurance Compliance System (GEICS). Insurance cards are not acceptable proof of insurance coverage for motor vehicle transactions. Changes or cancellations to vehicle insurance are electronically updated to the state system by the insurance company. For most companies, this takes about 24 to 48 hours.
Printed Proof of Georgia Insurance
An original 30-day Insurance Binder with an effective date that is less than 30 days may be accepted for the following reasons:
Fleet or Self Insured policy
Fleet card or self-insurance documents are required to be submitted with all vehicle transactions including renewals. The card must be presented at the time of registration or renewal.
Lapse of Insurance, Suspensions and Waivers
A lapse in insurance occurs when a vehicle has not carried valid Georgia liability insurance coverage for a period of more than 10 days. Insurance companies report the lapse to the Georgia Department of Revenue (DOR), and a notice of pending registration suspension is generated and mailed by the DOR. A lapse will result in a $25 pending suspension fee which must be paid within 30 days.
If the pending-suspension fee of $25 is not paid by the due date, the registration is suspended by the DOR. To reinstate the registration, the vehicle must have valid Georgia insurance coverage, the $25 pending suspension fee plus a $60 reinstatement fee must be paid, as well as any other registration fees, ad valorem taxes or penalties due. Any additional lapses in coverage and/or suspensions will result in additional fines and penalties including cancellation of the vehicle’s registration.
Cancelling Insurance
Before cancelling insurance on a vehicle, cancel the registration first to avoid penalties.
Cancelling the registration is highly recommended if the vehicle is:
Cancelling the registration notifies our office, law enforcement, and the DOR that the vehicle is not, and will not be, on the road. Cancelling the registration renders it inactive while maintaining the record.
Registration can be reactivated at any time, provided insurance is restored and any outstanding taxes due are paid.
New to Macon-Bibb County? Welcome to Macon-Bibb County…we look forward to serving you!
Moving to Macon-Bibb County from another Georgia county?
The registered owner of the vehicle must submit the change of address request. Please notify us within 30 days of establishing residency in one of the following ways:
Moving to Macon-Bibb County from another state?
Out-of-state title applications and registration require visiting the Macon-Bibb County Tax Commissioner’s Office and bringing the following:
Out of State Title:
Leased Vehicle:
Title held by Lien Holder:
* Limited Power of Attorney form must include Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and may be found HERE.
New out-of-state residents are charged 3% of the vehicle's fair market value for title ad valorem tax (TAVT) at the time of title application.
Expiration
All registrations in Georgia expire at midnight on the birthday of the owner (first person listed on title). If a renewal notice is not received in the mail at least a month ahead of the birthday of the primary owner, then contact our office and we will be happy to send you the renewal notice. Remember that it is the responsibility of the owner to renew the registration before the deadline.
New Purchases
All vehicles 1986 and newer require a title to transfer ownership. Transfer of ownership must be processed in the county in which the new owner lives.
Note: Salvage vehicles are not eligible for a Georgia registration until they have been rebuilt and have passed inspection. For more information on salvage vehicles, visit the Georgia Department of Revenue website.
Businesses wishing to title a vehicle to the business must provide their active business license during each initial registration process.
Purchased from a Dealer
When a vehicle is purchased from a dealership, the dealer submits the necessary documents to apply for title. The title application must be processed either prior to or at the same time the registration is issued. The dealer also submits proof of insurance, copy of purchaser’s driver’s license reflecting Macon-Bibb county address, prior title/MSO, title ad valorem tax (TAVT) and a completed MV-1 form.
Note: It is the sole responsibility of the dealership to collect and submit TAVT to the tag office to submit title application. If a vehicle is purchased from a dealership, the customer (or purchaser) cannot submit title application/registration or pay TAVT with a personal check.
Initial Registration
All title work must be completed before a tag will be issued.
Dealerships may purchase a tag for the customer.
If a dealership purchases and submits the tag request with the title application electronically, the tag will be mailed to the customer directly from the Department of Revenue in Atlanta.
If the dealership does not purchase a tag, the new owner must visit our office to purchase a tag. The owner must provide a copy of a valid driver’s license with current Macon-Bibb county address.
Effective July 1, 2015 - If a brand new vehicle (i.e., one that has never been the subject of a sale at retail to the general public) is purchased, the state offers the option of purchasing a two-year registration during the initial registration period for a $40 fee (standard plates only). Annual registration renewal applies thereafter. Availability offered for passenger cars designed to carry 10 passengers or less only.
Purchased from an Individual or Business
For a vehicle purchased from an individual or business (other than a dealer) in a casual/private sale, the new owner is required to apply for the title and registration. The new owner must title and register the vehicle in their name within seven (7) days of the purchase date per law enforcement if vehicle is driven and within 30 days to avoid late penalties from the Department of Revenue (DOR).
When the seller has provided a title properly signed over, the purchaser needs to bring the following items to our office:
TAVT is collected at the time of titling. To use the online TAVT calculator provided by the DOR for a TAVT estimate, click HERE.
If vehicle is purchased from an individual or business and the Certificate of Title is in the possession of a bank or other financial institution, the purchaser or lien holder must apply for the Georgia title and registration. If financing the vehicle, the lien holder normally submits the necessary documents to apply for title.
Initial Registration
All title work must be completed before a tag will be issued. Tag may be applied for at the time of title application.
If financing, the lien holder will send notification to the new owner that the title application has been processed. The new owner will then need to visit our office to register the vehicle.
Renewal notices are mailed approximately 45-60 days prior to the registration expiration* date by the Georgia Department of Revenue (DOR). A tag renewal notice lists ad valorem tax (if applicable) and tag renewal fees due along with any other applicable fees that must be collected to renew the vehicle’s registration.
*Birthday of primary owner for individuals and alphabetically for businesses
If a tag renewal notice has not been received, call 478-621-6500 to request a duplicate renewal notice, check the DOR website or email request to taxinfo@maconbibb.us.
Failure to receive a renewal notice does not relieve the registered owner/taxpayer from the obligation to register/renew the vehicle’s registration by the due date (midnight of the primary owner’s birthday). If the owner does not receive a renewal notice, it is still the owner’s responsibility to renew by the expiration date. Penalties applied by the state cannot be waived due to the owner not receiving a renewal notice.
If the primary owner has recently moved and has not received a renewal notice, notify us of the change of address. A valid driver’s license with a Macon-Bibb County address or a copy of your lease agreement must be submitted. If the primary owner is a company, a valid business license at the new address must be submitted. Also, please include a copy of the fleet card if renewing fleet vehicles.
We offer 5 ways to renew your registration:
Legislation Effective July 1, 2015 impacting renewals
Georgia House Bill 170 adds new fees for alternative fuel vehicle owners. More information House Bill 170 also adds new highway impact fees for all vehicles over 15,500 lbs. - gross vehicle weight rating. More information
Specialized license plates may be applied for at our office. If the specialty plate is in inventory and all requirements for issuance are met, the plate will be issued at the time of application. If the plate is not in inventory, a temporary permit will be assigned until the plate can be issued and mailed from the Department of Revenue in Atlanta.
Specialized and personalized plates are issued to private passenger vehicles only that are owned by Georgia residents.
A list of all available specialty plates can be found here: Plate Selection
From this list, click the desired type of specialty plate to view a sample of the plate, requirements and fees.
College and University Plates
See list of Available College and University specialty plates here: Plate Selection
No special requirements.
Requires special qualifications. Surviving spouses are entitled to apply for the following military license plates in his or her name through our office as long as they do not remarry. A list of military tags can be found here: Plate Selection
1 free tag per eligible category; fees are waived for manufacturing and yearly tag renewals.
Special Interest
Certain special interest plates require additional documentation before issuance and renewal. More information about requirements and pricing, as well as samples, can be found here: Plate Selection
Personalized - Special License Plate with Name and/or Other Letters or Numbers
To view if the prestige tag combination you would like is available for purchase please check here: Plate Selection
To request a special prestige license plate, submit the following to our office:
Relinquishing the Ownership of a Special License Plate
Owners of prestige, college, commemorative or other specialty plates (tags), not requiring special qualifications to obtain, may relinquish the ownership of their tag to another person or persons by providing them with:
IMPORTANT: By signing the form and accepting the plate and registration certificate, the new owner understands that any applicable registration fees and vehicle ad valorem tax will be calculated based on his or her registration period and not the registration period of the previous owner of the plate. The new owner of the specialty plate should not place the plate on their vehicle until it has been properly registered to him or her through our office.
Cancelling Vehicle Registration
Vehicle registration may be cancelled at any time. However, to avoid insurance suspension fines, it is advised to cancel the registration before cancelling the insurance policy. The vehicle's ad valorem tax must be current.
Cancelling the registration notifies our office, law enforcement, and the Department of Revenue that the vehicle is not, and will not be, on the road. Cancelling the registration renders it inactive but does not remove it.
Cancelling the registration is highly recommended if the vehicle is:
Reactivating Vehicle Registration
Reactivation of a registration can be done at any time, provided the insurance has been restored and any outstanding taxes due have been paid.
We offer 2 ways to cancel registration:
Reactivating a Voluntarily Cancelled Vehicle Registration
To reactivate a vehicle’s registration, please provide/complete the following:
We offer 2 ways to reactivate registration:
Wade McCord
Tax Commissioner
Main Office
188 Third Street.
Macon, GA 31201
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Click here for map >
Phone
(478) 621 - 6500
Taxpayer Brochure
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GovtWindow Help
(877) 575-7233
support@governmentwindow.com