If you have driven in Georgia, you might have noticed an interesting phenomenon. None of the vehicles on the road with Georgia plates have a license plate located on the front of them. In Georgia, state law does not require them. However, you may still encounter drivers on the streets and highways who have a license plate in front of their car for decorative purposes only. Whether a car has license plate on the front, rear, or no plate at all, could have an impact on your ability to file a claim after a car accident.
Why Is Georgia One of the Few States That Don’t Require a Front License Plate?
A vehicle is considered “street legal,” or permitted to drive on the road, as long as it has a rear license plate, according to the Rules & Regulations of the State of Georgia. The rear license plate must be attached to the back so that it is plainly visible and does not swing, dangle, or otherwise fall off while driving.
For a number of reasons, Georgia law requires rear plates but does not require front license plates. First, traffic enforcement such as toll collection, red light violations, and speeding depend on the collection of information from the rear of the car, which makes a front plate unnecessary. Second, newer vehicles often don’t have a location where a front license plate can be placed. This requires the owner of the car to spend extra money and time modifying the vehicle at their own expense. For some owners, this modification can be cost-prohibitive.
What Vehicles in Georgia Must Have a License Plate?
The Rules & Regulations of the State of Georgia dictate that all vehicles must display rear license plates. The rule applies to passenger cars, station wagons, utility vehicles, motorcycles, buses, and motor scooters. Standard fees for a license plate vary from year to year. In one recent year, the Georgia Department of Revenue charged $20 for a passenger vehicle and motorcycle license plate, and $12 for trailers.
Can You Have a Specialized License Plate on the Front of Your Car?
Although they are not required by Georgia state law, some drivers like to display a specialized license plate on the front of their vehicle. While Georgia law allows for freedom of expression at the front of the car, this decorative plate does not take the place of or otherwise interfere with the legal rear license plate. Front license plates are not legally recognized in the state of Georgia.
What If You Drive to a State That Requires a Front Plate?
More than half of the 50 states, including California, New York, New Jersey, and Massachusetts, require vehicles registered in their states to have both a front and a rear license plate. Some Georgia drivers will drive to one or more of those states that require two plates on the car. They may wonder if their vehicle is considered “street legal” in those states.
Fortunately, there is no cause for concern. As long as your vehicle is street-legal in Georgia, or the state where it is registered, it will be recognized as street-legal in all 50 states. However, you should make sure to follow all local and state traffic laws in other states, including speed limits.
Are There Any Requirements for License Plates in Georgia?
Georgia has requirements for its license plates. All first-time registrations must be done in person at the nearest County Tag Office or done through the mail. Subsequent renewals of your registration, which take place during your birthday month, you can make in person, via mail, or online.
If you buy a new car from a dealership, the dealership may offer registration service as a professional courtesy with your purchase. However, Georgia law still places the onus on the vehicle owner, not the dealer, to register the car. If the dealership does not offer the registration service, you have 30 days from the date of purchase to register the car and get rear license plates.
However, in a private sale — that is, one where you purchase a vehicle from a private person — the vehicle’s new owner has only seven days from the date of purchase to register the vehicle. If you have just moved to the state of Georgia, you have 30 days from your move-in date to register your vehicle with the state and get rear license plates.
Failure to comply with state requirements for license plates in Georgia is a criminal offense and can result in penalties. Failure to display a license plate, as well as failure to register a vehicle, are misdemeanor offenses. Misdemeanors can result in spending as many as 12 months in a county jail and a maximum fine of $1,000.
Why Do Some States Require a Front License Plate?
Some states — California, New York, New Jersey, and Massachusetts among them — require a front license plate for a myriad of reasons. For the most part, those reasons involve law enforcement. It is much easier for law enforcement officers to enforce red light violations or track down would-be criminals if the car has both front and rear license plates. Front license plates also have reflective properties, making it easier to see the vehicle in the dark. Finally, front license plates make it easier to identify the other driver in the event of an accident.
How Can Vehicles Without a Front Plate Affect a Car Accident Claim?
Vehicles without a front license plate may negatively affect a potential car accident claim. It may be difficult to track down the other driver in the event of a hit-and-run accident where the driver strikes when coming from the opposite direction. It may also be difficult for law enforcement to get all the necessary information needed for an accurate police report.
Contact a Georgia Car Accident Lawyer Today
No matter what the circumstances, you need an experienced Georgia car accident lawyer to handle your claim if you are injured in a motor vehicle accident caused by someone else. With more than 85 years of combined experience, Sherrod & Bernard, P.C., can provide the highly personalized and professional legal assistance that you need during this time. As Douglasville personal injury lawyers who treat each client like family, we have earned our slogan: “Respect. Reputation. Results.” Contact us today for your free consultation, and let’s work on pursuing the compensation you deserve.
