4.1 Titles, Registration, Plates and Special Lighting

The Department of Revenue is the responsible agency for vehicle titles, registration, plates and special lighting. In accordance with O.C.G.A. § 40-2-37, all state vehicles must be registered prior to operation. Ownership remains with the agency purchasing the vehicle. The agency purchasing the vehicle will retain original title. State agencies are advised to correct the names of their agencies on file with the Department of Revenue so that only the official name of each agency is used for each vehicle title and registration.

O.C.G.A. § 40-2-37 requires all state vehicles shall be affixed with regular state government license plates obtained from the local county tag office, except those vehicles employed in covert or secret investigatory police functions, those assigned for the transportation of employees of the Georgia Lottery Corporation to which regular Georgia license plates are issued and those vehicles owned by the Department of Public Safety. Regular Georgia license plates for vehicles employed in covert or secret investigatory police functions are controlled and issued directly by the Department of Revenue. Obtaining non-government tags from a local tag office is not authorized.

O.C.G.A § 40-8-92 provides that all emergency vehicles shall be designated as such by the Commissioner of Public Safety. The Commissioner shall so designate each vehicle by issuing to such vehicle a permit to operate flashing or revolving emergency lights of the appropriate color. The Commissioner shall authorize the use of blue, red or amber flashing or revolving lights only when the person or agency shall demonstrate to the Commissioner a proven need for equipping a vehicle with emergency lights.