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.

In accordance with Policy 10 Section 7.2, each agency shall assign one unique identification number to each vehicle. Each agency shall use only one number -- in addition to the manufacturer's vehicle identification number -- to identify a vehicle. Identification numbers shall be up to a seven-digit number. The identifying number will be affixed to the vehicle as noted in Appendix B. Where identification exemptions apply, the vehicle identification number is not required. This one number shall be used for each manual and automated system maintained by the agency.

Those vehicles not specifically exempted by law pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 50-19-2, shall be marked. These markings shall be placed as shown in Appendix B, by having affixed to the front door on each side of such vehicle a clearly visible decal or seal containing the name of or otherwise identifying the governmental entity owning, leasing, or operating such vehicle. Such markings may be removed only if the vehicle is authorized by the Department of Revenue to have confidential tags.

Agencies are authorized to have their vehicles marked with their own specially designed seals, so long as each such specially designed seal shall clearly identify the agency as being a part of State Government. Otherwise, generic State seals and departmental identification strips shall be used to mark the vehicles. Decals should be secured using the procurement procedure established within each individual state agency.

O.C.G.A. § 40-8-91 contains special instructions for the marking for vehicles used for making arrests for traffic violations in the state.

Outside of Capitol Hill, vehicles must be centrally pooled. Where possible, state vehicles should be parked or garaged in state owned facilities. A system for dispatching the vehicles shall be used that shows the vehicles’ location at any given time. Agencies may develop their own tracking method if the required information is obtained. All sets of keys, as well as the vehicle fuel card, must be protected and inventoried. 

An example of a log is contained in Appendix C-1, “Pool Vehicle Utilization Log”.

Agencies outside the Capitol Hill geographical area may possess pooled vehicles for their state employees' use. Unless exempted, agencies inside the Capitol Hill geographical area shall not possess pooled vehicles. (Please see Appendix C-4 for a map outlining the area).

State employees working within the Capitol Hill area shall utilize the statewide vehicle rental agreement and rent vehicles for their trips. Agencies that need to have pool vehicles located on Capitol Hill may complete an exemption form available from OFM. OPB and OFM reserve the right to validate agency compliance and usage regarding agency pooled vehicles.

State vehicles are authorized only for use in the performance of essential travel duties related to the completion of state business. Following are examples of authorized use:

• Travel between the place where the vehicle is dispatched and the place where the official state business is performed.
• When on official travel status between the place of state business and the place of temporary lodging.
• When on official travel status and not within reasonable walking distance between either of the above places and to obtain:
  • meals
  • medical assistance, including drug store
  • supplies/materials needed for the completion of state business
• Transport of other officers, employees, or guests of the state when they are on official state business.
• Transport of consultants, contractors, or commercial firm representatives when such transport is official state business. (Independent contractors must provide his/her own insurance even though he/she is an authorized passenger in state vehicles)
• Transport of materials, supplies, parcels, luggage, or other items belonging to or serving the interests of the state.
• Transport of any person or item in an emergency.
• Travel between the place of dispatch or place of performance of state business and a personal residence, when specifically authorized by the proper authority and approved through the DOAS MV-1 process. Out of state travel if part of their official duties, is subject to the same limitations.

Vehicles are not authorized to be used for any personal trips unrelated to the state business for which they were assigned or to transport passengers who are not state employees unless on state business. Unauthorized use of state vehicles may result in immediate disciplinary action from the operator’s agency. Such action may include suspension of all privileges to operate state vehicles and in some cases, dismissal. Furthermore, state drivers are not covered by liability insurance when engaging in unauthorized use of state vehicles. The following uses and activities while operating a state vehicle are prohibited:

• Any use for personal purposes other than commuting which has been authorized.
• Transport of hitchhikers.
• Transport of cargo that has no relation to the performance of official state business.
• Transport of hazardous materials such as acids, explosives, weapons, ammunition, or highly flammable material, except by specific authorization or in an emergency.
• Except when in an official business travel status, transport of other employees from work centers to restaurants, café's or drugstores.
• Attending sporting events including hunting and fishing other than those activities which are part of the employee’s official duties.
• Transporting any political campaign literature or matter or to engage in soliciting votes or to transport any person or persons soliciting votes in any election or primary.
• Smoking in a state vehicle by any occupant.
• Attaching personal property to state vehicles.
• Applying decals not authorized by OFM.
• Improper vehicle use that is beyond the vehicle’s rated capabilities.
• Non-state employee “passengers” not on state business or specifically approved for travel by your agency head.

The State of Georgia is not exempt from tolls charged on highways. Each individual operator is responsible for paying all tolls and filing for reimbursement with his/her individual agency as a part of their travel expenses if official state business. Agencies may obtain a Peach Pass for fleet vehicles; however, the pass may not be used in assigned vehicles as it cannot be utilized for personal use such as commute miles.

Fines for traffic violations incurred by individual operators of state vehicles are the responsibility of the operator and will be paid by the operator.

Contractors are not authorized to drive state vehicles except when specifically authorized by state law. State insurance is limited to state officers and employees, and independent contractors are specifically excluded from the definition of the “state officer and employee.” The only exception is certain non-profit contractors authorized by O.C.G.A. § 45-9-42 and in these limited circumstances there must be a written contract outlining the scope of the non-profit contractor’s use of the vehicles and the premium that has been paid for the contractor provided insurance. Policy limits in these contracts must be equal to or exceed state coverage limits.