---
title: HB 1465. Motor vehicles; repeal requirement to display a revalidation decal as evidence of annual motor vehicle registration renewal
collection: bills
id: 2025-2026/hb1465
cite_as: HB 1465, 2025-2026 Regular Session (Ga.)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb1465
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb1465.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb1465/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/73700
date: 2026-03-09
status: engrossed
corpus_version: bills-2026-09-13
license: Public record of the Georgia General Assembly, via LegiScan; see about.md
publisher: Georgia Commons, an independent project of Georgia Civic Data. Not the State of Georgia. Not legal advice.
up: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026.md
previous: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb1464.md
next: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb1466.md
index: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/index.md
omitted: votes and history
omitted_chars: 494
omitted_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb1465.md?full=1
bill_number: HB 1465
session: 2025-2026 Regular Session
session_slug: 2025-2026
chamber: House
bill_type: bill
status_date: 2026-03-06
last_action: Senate Read and Referred
sponsors:
- Derrick McCollum
- Chuck Efstration
- John Corbett
- Alan Powell
- Bill Hitchens
- James Hatchett
text_version: Comm Sub
has_text: true
legiscan_url: https://legiscan.com/GA/bill/HB1465/2025
upstream_id: 2124750
summaries_model: claude-sonnet-5
topic_tags:
- motor vehicle registration
- license plates
- DMV rules
- vehicle decals
- transportation law
---
# HB 1465. Motor vehicles; repeal requirement to display a revalidation decal as evidence of annual motor vehicle registration renewal
## Text
House Bill 1465 (COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE)
By: Representatives McCollum of the 30th, Efstration of the 104th, Corbett of the 174th,
Powell of the 33rd, Hitchens of the 161st, and others
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
To amend Chapter 2 of Title 40 and Code Section 48-5C-1 of the Official Code of Georgia
Annotated, relating to registration and licensing of motor vehicles and alternative ad valorem
taxation of motor vehicles and title ad valorem tax fee, respectively, so as to repeal the
requirement to display a revalidation decal as evidence of annual motor vehicle registration
renewal; to provide for conforming changes; to provide for related matters; to provide an
effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:
SECTION 1.
Chapter 2 of Title 40 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to registration and
licensing of motor vehicles, is amended in subsection (a) of Code Section 40-2-4, relating
to manufacture, sale, or issuance of license plate or revalidation decal prohibited, as follows:
"(a) Except as otherwise provided for in Article 2B of this chapter, it shall be unlawful for
any person, firm, or corporation to make, sell, or issue any license plate or revalidation
decal."
SECTION 2.
Said chapter is further amended in Code Section 40-2-8, relating to operation of unregistered
vehicle or vehicle without current license plate, revalidation decal, or county decal, as
follows:
"40-2-8.
(a) No person shall own, rent, lease, or operate any vehicle required to be registered
pursuant to Code Section 40-2-20 upon a highway in this state without registering such
vehicle. Any person who becomes a resident of this state shall register his or her vehicle
within 30 days of becoming a resident. Any person who fails to comply with this
subsection shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and punished by a fine of $100.00 for each day
in which the vehicle is in violation.
(b)(1) It shall be unlawful and punishable as for a misdemeanor to operate any vehicle
required to be registered in this state pursuant to Code Section 40-2-20 without a valid
numbered license plate properly validated with a current revalidation decal, unless such
operation is otherwise permitted under this chapter; and provided, further, that the
purchaser of a new vehicle or a used vehicle from a dealer of new or used motor vehicles
who displays a temporary operating permit issued as provided by Code Section 40-2-8.1
may operate such vehicle on the highways of this state without a current valid license
plate during the period authorized by Code Sections 40-2-8.1 and 40-2-20. An owner
acquiring a motor vehicle from an entity that is not a new or used vehicle dealer shall
register such vehicle as provided for in Code Section 40-2-29 unless such vehicle is to
be registered under the International Registration Plan pursuant to Article 3A of this
chapter.
(2) The purchaser and operator of a vehicle shall not be subject to the penalties set forth
in this Code section during the period allowed for the registration of such vehicle.
(c) It shall be unlawful and punishable as for a misdemeanor to operate any vehicle
required to be registered in this state without a valid county name decal designating the
county where the vehicle was last registered, unless such operation is otherwise permitted
under this chapter. A county name decal shall not be required if there is no space provided
for a county name decal on the current license plate. Any person convicted of a violation
of this subsection shall be subject to a fine not to exceed $25.00 if that person shows to the
court having jurisdiction of the offense that the proper revalidation decal had been obtained
prior to the time of the offense.
(d) No violation of this Code section shall have occurred upon presentation of evidence
that the owner had properly applied for the registration of such vehicle, but that the license
plate or revalidation decal had not been delivered to such owner at the time the uniform
traffic citation was issued.
(e) The commissioner is authorized to promulgate rules and regulations necessary to
effectuate the provisions of this Code section."
SECTION 3.
Said chapter is further amended in Code Section 40-2-20, relating to registration and license
requirements, certificate of registration and temporary operating permit, and two-year
registration option for new motor vehicles, by revising subparagraph (a)(1)(A) as follows:
"(a)(1)(A) Except as provided in subsections (b) and (d) of this Code section and
subsection (a) of Code Section 40-2-47, every owner of a motor vehicle, including a
tractor or motorcycle, and every owner of a trailer shall, during the owner's registration
period in each year, register such vehicle as provided in this chapter and obtain a
license plate or revalidation decal authority to operate it for the 12 month period until
such person's next registration period."
SECTION 4.
Said chapter is further amended by revising Code Section 40-2-30, relating to purchase by
mail, as follows:
"40-2-30.
An applicant may purchase a vehicle license plate or revalidation decal required annual
registration renewal by mail, by mailing a properly completed application form to the tag
agent of the county of his or her residence along with a bank check or money order in the
amount of the license fee and all ad valorem taxes due thereon plus an additional fee of
$1.00."
SECTION 5.
Said chapter is further amended in Code Section 40-2-31, relating to license plate design,
retention of manufacturing and delivery costs, revalidation, county, and "In God We Trust"
decals, by revising subsections (b.1) through (g) as follows:
"(b.1) Notwithstanding the provisions of Code Sections 40-2-131 and 48-2-17, the
commissioner shall retain the costs of manufacturing and delivery of license plates,
revalidation decals, and county name decals from the registration fee as set forth in Code
Section 40-2-151; provided, however, that this subsection shall not apply to license plates
issued pursuant to Article 2B of this chapter.
(c) Except for license plates issued pursuant to Article 2B of this chapter, the face of the
license plate to be displayed shall be treated completely with a retroreflective material
which will increase the nighttime visibility and legibility of the plate. The department shall
prepare the specifications which such retroreflective material shall meet.
(d) In those years in which a new license plate is not issued and the license plate was not
issued pursuant to Article 2B of this chapter, a revalidation decal with a distinctive serial
number shall be issued and affixed in the space provided on the license plate issued to the
applicant which shall indicate the year and month through which the registration of the
vehicle shall be valid; provided, however, that, if the commissioner determines that it is
necessary, two revalidation decals shall be issued for each license plate to reflect the
required information. When an applicant is issued a revalidation decal and such applicant
registered the vehicle in another county the previous year, the applicant shall also be issued
a new county decal which shall be properly affixed to the license plate and shall replace the
other county decal.
(e) The commissioner shall furnish without cost to each tag agent reflective adhesive
decals in sufficient number, upon which there shall be printed the name of the agent's
county. Such a decal shall be issued with each metal license plate and shall be affixed in
the space provided on the license plate without obscuring any number or other information
required to be present on the plate. A tag agent shall offer, upon such issuance of a new
metal license plate, the option of obtaining a county decal or a decal providing for the
nation's motto, 'In God We Trust.'
(f) A county tag agent shall issue a county name decal, upon request, for the agent's county
only if:
(1) The applicant is a resident of or a business located in the county named on the decal;
(2) The applicant is registering a new vehicle in such county, is renewing a current
vehicle registration, or is transferring registration of a vehicle to the county named on the
decal;
(3) The application for registration of the vehicle is being made in the county named on
the decal; and
(4) The license plate was not issued pursuant to Article 2B of this chapter.
(g)(e) The commissioner shall furnish without cost to each tag agent reflective adhesive
decals in sufficient number, upon which there shall be printed the nation's motto, 'In God
We Trust.' A tag agent shall offer, upon such issuance of a new metal license plate, the
option of obtaining a county decal or a decal providing for the nation's motto, 'In God We
Trust.' Such a decal shall be issued, upon request and free of charge, by a county tag agent
with each new metal license plate."
SECTION 6.
Said chapter is further amended in Code Section 40-2-33, relating to issuance of license
plates and decals, transfer of registration to a digital license plate, compensation of tag
agents, and required identification, by revising paragraph (1) of subsection (a) and
subsection (b) as follows:
"(a)(1) Upon compliance with the provisions of this chapter and the payment of the
license fee required by law, the tag agent shall accept the application for registration and,
except as otherwise provided for in this chapter, if the license plate or revalidation decal
applied for is in such tag agent's inventory, he or she shall issue the appropriate plate or
revalidation decal."
"(b) Except as provided for in Code Section 40-2-22, the amount of commission permitted
as compensation to tag agents under this Code section shall be $1.00 per license plate or
revalidation decal issued during any calendar year. Twenty-five cents for each license
plate or revalidation decal sold in excess of 4,000 during any one calendar year shall
become the property of the county and shall be turned over to the fiscal authorities of the
county by the tag agent. The remaining portion of such commissions shall be disposed of
as provided in Code Section 40-2-34."
SECTION 7.
Said chapter is further amended in Code Section 40-2-40, relating to registration of
delinquent vehicles and collection and disposition of penalties, by revising subsection (b) as
follows:
"(b) All applications for the registration of a delinquent vehicle shall, before being
accepted by a tag agent, be first endorsed by a sheriff or a deputy sheriff, a chief of police
or his or her designated representative, a state law enforcement officer, a tax commissioner,
or a tax collector. The officer endorsing the delinquent application shall indicate, with his
or her endorsement on the application, the total amount of the prescribed registration fee
together with the 25 percent penalty provided in this Code section, and the full total of such
amount shall be paid to the tag agent before any license plate or revalidation decal
registration renewal as provided for in this chapter shall be assigned to the applicant."
SECTION 8.
Said chapter is further amended in Code Section 40-2-41.1, relating to authentic historical
Georgia license plates, by revising subsections (b) through (d) as follows:
"(b) The owner of any antique motor vehicle manufactured in 1989 or earlier shall be
authorized to display in lieu of and in the same manner as the license plate otherwise
required under Code Section 40-2-41 an authentic historical Georgia license plate which
clearly represents the model year within four years of any such antique motor vehicle,
provided that the owner has properly registered such antique motor vehicle for the current
year as otherwise required under this chapter and has obtained a current license plate or
revalidation decal for such antique motor vehicle. Such currently valid license plate shall
be kept in such antique motor vehicle at all times but need not be displayed in a manner to
be visible from outside the vehicle.
(c) For purposes of this Code section, the authentic historical Georgia license plate shall
be furnished by the owner of any such antique motor vehicle.
(d) No later than January 1, 2006, the The commissioner shall have installed within the
department's computer information system applicable to the registration of motor vehicles
the necessary program which will include in the information relating to the current license
plate or revalidation decal registration renewal issued for an antique motor vehicle the
information relating to the authentic historical Georgia license plate authorized to be
displayed on such antique motor vehicle."
SECTION 9.
Said chapter is further amended by revising Code Section 40-2-42, relating to transfer of
license plates and revalidation decals, as follows:
"40-2-42.
(a) A license plate or revalidation decal, when issued, shall be transferred from one vehicle
to another vehicle of the same class acquired by the same person as provided in this
chapter. Any use of a license plate or revalidation decal by any other person or persons in
any manner not provided for in this chapter shall be a violation of this chapter.
(b) The commissioner shall provide by rules and regulations appropriate procedures
whereby, upon the payment of a fee of $5.00, and, upon preparation and filing of an
appropriate application therefor, currently valid annual and five-year license plates and
revalidation decals shall be transferred from one vehicle to another vehicle of the same
class of which ownership is acquired following that person's or those persons' ceasing to
own or operate on the public roads the vehicle for which such plate was originally issued
and during the initial registration period for the acquired vehicle. If such acquired vehicle
is of a different class than the vehicle no longer owned or operated by such person, he or
she shall submit the license plate currently issued to him or her for cancellation and, upon
payment of any additional fee for registering such acquired vehicle, the commissioner shall
issue a new license plate to such person for use on such acquired vehicle. License plates
and revalidation decals may be transferred in accordance with the provisions of this
subsection at any time after issuance or renewal thereof and until the expiration of the
period for which issued.
(c) The commissioner shall provide appropriate procedures whereby, when the registered
owner of a jointly owned motor vehicle is deceased, the license plate issued for the motor
vehicle may, upon appropriate application and payment of fees, be transferred to the
surviving owner's name, provided that the surviving owner acquires a new certificate of
title under subsection (d) or paragraph (1) of subsection (e) of Code Section 40-3-34 and
makes the payment of appropriate ad valorem taxes."
SECTION 10.
Said chapter is further amended by revising Code Section 40-2-44, relating to reporting of
theft, loss, or mutilation of license plates or revalidation decals and issuance of duplicates or
replacements, as follows:
"40-2-44.
(a) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this Code section, the owner of a motor vehicle
shall immediately report the theft, loss, or mutilation of a license plate or revalidation decal
to the appropriate law enforcement agency or official, including but not limited to a
municipal or county police department or officer, the county sheriff, the Department of
Public Safety, or the Georgia State Patrol. Said Such owner shall obtain a copy of the
police report and shall submit such copy to the commissioner with a fee of $8.00 to obtain
a duplicate license plate or revalidation decal. Alternatively, the copy of the police report
may be submitted to the applicant's county tag agent with a fee of $8.00 in which case the
county tag agent is authorized to issue a replacement license plate or decal. In those
instances in which a vehicle owner is unable to obtain a police report of such theft, loss,
or mutilation of a license plate or revalidation decal, the owner shall be authorized to
submit to the appropriate law enforcement agency or official and to either the
commissioner or to the county tag agent a sworn affidavit as to such theft, loss, or
mutilation in lieu of a police report and obtain a replacement license plate or decal. The
county tag agent shall be entitled to retain as compensation for issuance of a replacement
license plate or decal the same commission as provided for issuance of a new license plate
or decal under the terms and conditions provided in subsection (b) of Code Section
40-2-33.
(b) If the license plate or revalidation decal is mutilated but still legible and if such license
plate or revalidation decal is surrendered with the application for the duplicate, the
requirements of subsection (a) of this Code section, relating to reporting the theft, loss, or
mutilation of a license plate or decal and submitting a copy of a police report, shall not
apply.
(c) A duplicate county decal when the original has been lost, defaced, or destroyed may
be obtained from the commissioner at no cost. A replacement license plate or revalidation
decal when the original has been lost in the mail prior to receipt by the registered owner
shall be issued by the commissioner without charge upon application and completion of the
form and affidavit prescribed by the commissioner setting forth the circumstances of
nonreceipt of the license plate or decal. The owner shall report the nonreceipt or loss of
the license plate or decal to the appropriate law enforcement agency or official, including,
but not limited to, a municipal or county police department or officer, the county sheriff,
or the Department of Public Safety. Said Such owner shall obtain a copy of the police
report on which the license plate or decal number is listed and shall submit such copy to
the commissioner. The owner shall not be charged a fee by the Department of Public
Safety or the local law enforcement agency or official for a copy of such police report.
(d) The commissioner is authorized to establish procedures and promulgate rules and
regulations for carrying out this Code section."
SECTION 11.
Said chapter is further amended in Code Section 40-2-45, relating to transferring license plate
or revalidation decal for "salvage", "rebuilt", damaged, or demolished motor vehicles, by
revising subsection (a) as follows:
"(a) No person shall transfer a license plate or decal from one vehicle to any other motor
vehicle which is a 'salvage' or 'rebuilt' motor vehicle as provided in Chapter 3 of this title
unless the owner of such vehicle submits satisfactory proof to the commissioner that the
motor vehicle inspection required by Code Section 40-3-37 has been performed and such
vehicle has been determined to be in full compliance with the law."
SECTION 12.
Said chapter is further amended in Code Section 40-2-53, relating to license plates for fleet
motor vehicles, by revising subsections (b) and (c) as follows:
"(b) Fleet motor vehicle license plates shall be similar in design to regular license plates
issued under Code Section 40-2-31, except that such fleet motor vehicle license plates shall
contain such words or symbols, in addition to the numbers and letters otherwise prescribed
by law, so as to distinctively identify the motor vehicles on which they are placed as fleet
motor vehicles. Such motor vehicle license plates shall contain the word 'FLEET' in the
location of and in lieu of the revalidation decal required under Code Section 40-2-8 so as
to distinctly identify the motor vehicle as part of an enrolled fleet.
(c) License plates issued under this Code section shall be renewed annually upon payment
of a renewal fee to the department. Such fee shall be the same amount that would be
charged for a revalidation decal for such vehicle."
SECTION 13.
Said chapter is further amended in Code Section 40-2-57, relating to application for digital
license plate, renewals, and fees, by revising subsection (b) as follows:
"(b) A motor vehicle owner with a digital license plate shall renew the registration
annually as provided by this chapter. The department shall notify the digital license plate
provider upon satisfactory renewal. Evidence of such renewal shall be displayed upon the
digital license plate in a manner that indicates the year and month through which the
registration of the vehicle shall be valid. Compliance with this subsection shall satisfy the
revalidation decal requirements of this chapter."
SECTION 14.
Said chapter is further amended in Code Section 40-2-60, relating to prestige license plates,
by revising subsection (a) as follows:
"(a) Motor vehicle owners who are residents of Georgia, upon complying with the motor
vehicle laws relating to registration and licensing of motor vehicles and, except as provided
in subsection (c) of this Code section, upon the payment of a fee of $35.00 in addition to
the regular motor vehicle registration fee, shall be issued special personalized prestige
license plates by the commissioner. Special personalized license plates issued pursuant to
this Code section shall be subject to an additional annual registration fee of $35.00 as a
condition of obtaining an annual revalidation decal for renewing such license plate which
fee shall be collected by the county tag agent at the time of collection of other registration
fees and shall be remitted to the state as provided in Code Section 40-2-34."
SECTION 15.
Said chapter is further amended in Code Section 40-2-60.1, relating to standardized
administrative process for special license plates, designs, fees, and application process, by
revising paragraph (5) of subsection (c) as follows:
"(5) 'Special license plate renewal fee' means a $35.00 fee paid at the time a special
license plate is renewed and a revalidation decal is issued."
SECTION 16.
Said chapter is further amended by revising Code Section 40-2-61, relating to license plates
for U.S. Senators and Congressmen, state constitutional officers, Speaker of the House of
Representatives, Justices of Supreme Court, Judges of Court of Appeals, and Public Service
Commission members, as follows:
"40-2-61.
The commissioner shall design and issue distinctive license plates to each United States
Senator and Congressman elected from the State of Georgia, each state constitutional
officer, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, each Justice of the Supreme Court
and each Judge of the Court of Appeals, and each member of the Public Service
Commission to be placed on such official's personal motor vehicle. Each such distinctive
license plate shall indicate the individual's elected office and no county name decal need
be affixed to such plate as required pursuant to Code Section 40-2-9. The special license
plate authorized by this Code section shall be issued to such elected official upon
application and payment of a manufacturing fee of $25.00 and upon compliance with the
state laws relating to registration and licensing of motor vehicles and shall be transferred
as provided in Code Section 40-2-80. Distinctive license plates issued pursuant to this
Code section shall be renewed annually, and revalidation decals shall be issued upon
compliance with the laws relating to registration and licensing and upon payment of an
additional registration fee of $35.00 which shall be collected by the county tag agent at the
time for collection of other registration fees and shall be remitted to the state as provided
in Code Section 40-2-34. For purposes of this Code section, the term 'state constitutional
officer' means the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, Attorney General,
State School Superintendent, Commissioner of Insurance, Commissioner of Agriculture,
or Commissioner of Labor."
SECTION 17.
Said chapter is further amended by revising Code Section 40-2-62, relating to license plates
for current and former members of the General Assembly, as follows:
"40-2-62.
The commissioner shall mail special and distinctive license plates printed for members of
the General Assembly and former members of the General Assembly who are hereby
deemed to have emeritus status after having served in the General Assembly eight or more
years to the local tag agent in the counties wherein such members or former members
reside on or before the owner's registration period each year. Such special and distinctive
license plates shall be issued only upon applications made to the local tag agent and
payment of a $25.00 manufacturing fee. License plates may be issued by the local tag
agent upon a proper application and in accordance with the terms of this chapter. License
plates issued pursuant to this Code section need not contain a place for the county name
decal, and no county name decal need be affixed to a license plate issued pursuant to this
Code section. Special and distinctive license plates issued pursuant to this Code section
shall be renewed annually, and revalidation decals shall be issued upon compliance with
the laws relating to registration and licensing and upon payment of an additional
registration fee of $35.00 which shall be collected by the county tag agent at the time for
collection of other registration fees and shall be remitted to the state as provided in Code
Section 40-2-34. The special license plates issued pursuant to this Code section shall be
transferred to another vehicle as provided in Code Section 40-2-80."
SECTION 18.
Said chapter is further amended in Code Section 40-2-63.1, relating to license plates for
public safety first responders injured in the line of duty, by revising subsection (b) as follows:
"(b) License plates issued pursuant to this Code section need not contain a place for the
county name decal as required pursuant to Code Section 40-2-9, and a county name decal
need not be affixed to a license plate issued pursuant to this Code section. Special and
distinctive license plates issued pursuant to this Code section shall be renewed annually,
and free revalidation decals shall be issued upon compliance with the laws relating to
registration and licensing without payment of an annual renewal fee. The special license
plates issued pursuant to this Code section shall be transferred to another vehicle as
provided in Code Section 40-2-80."
SECTION 19.
Said chapter is further amended in Code Section 40-2-81, relating to license plates for
members of the Georgia State Defense Force, by revising subsection (f) as follows:
"(f) Special license plates issued under this Code section, except as provided in
subparagraph (b)(2)(A) of this Code section, shall be renewed annually with a revalidation
decal as provided in Code Section 40-2-31 without payment of an additional $25.00 annual
registration fee."
SECTION 20.
Said chapter is further amended in Code Section 40-2-85, relating to license plates for
veterans who survived attack on Pearl Harbor, by revising subsection (e) as follows:
"(e) Special license plates issued under this Code section shall be renewed annually with
a revalidation decal as provided in Code Section 40-2-31. It shall be a requirement that a
county name decal shall be affixed and displayed on license plates issued under this Code
section."
SECTION 21.
Said chapter is further amended in Code Section 40-2-85.1, relating to license plates for
certain veterans, by revising subsection (f) as follows:
(f) Special license plates issued under this Code section, except as provided in
subparagraph (b)(2)(A) of this Code section, shall be renewed annually with a revalidation
decal as provided in Code Section 40-2-31 without payment of an additional $25.00 annual
registration fee."
SECTION 22.
Said chapter is further amended in Code Section 40-2-85.2, relating to license plates for
veterans of the Chosin Reservoir Campaign, by revising subsection (e) as follows:
"(e) Special license plates issued under this Code section shall be renewed annually with
a revalidation decal, as provided in Code Section 40-2-31, without payment of an
additional $25.00 annual registration fee. Special license plates issued under this Code
section shall be transferred between vehicles as provided in Code Section 40-2-80."
SECTION 23.
Said chapter is further amended in Code Section 40-2-85.3, relating to license plates for Gold
Star family members, by revising subsections (d), (g), and (h) as follows:
"(d) Any motor vehicle owner who is a resident of Georgia, other than one registering
under the International Registration Plan, upon complying with state laws relating to
registration and licensing of motor vehicles shall be issued such a special license plate upon
application therefor. Special license plates issued under this Code section shall be renewed
annually with a revalidation decal as provided in Code Section 40-2-31. Upon payment
of all ad valorem taxes and other fees due at registration of a motor vehicle, an eligible
family member may apply for a Gold Star license plate. In order to qualify as an eligible
family member for purposes of this Code section, the person must be related to the fallen
service member as a spouse, mother, father, sibling, child, stepparent, or surviving spouse
of such service member's sibling. Up to two free license plates shall be allowed for any
eligible family member and they may purchase additional license plates for each motor
vehicle they register in this state. If a Gold Star license plate is lost, damaged, or stolen,
the eligible family member must pay the reasonable cost, to be established by the
department, but not to exceed the cost of other specialty license plates, to replace the Gold
Star license plate."
"(g) Renewal decals shall be issued at no cost to No fee shall be required for the renewal
of a registration for any person that received a free license plate under the provisions of this
Code section upon the payment of ad valorem taxes and other registration fees, provided
that the renewal is applied for on or within 30 days prior to the renewal date of the eligible
person. If the eligible person fails to renew within such time, he or she shall pay a standard
renewal fee and be subject to the standard penalties for late payment of ad valorem taxes
due on the motor vehicle."
"(h) An eligible family member may request a Gold Star license plate at any time during
his or her registration period. If such a license plate is to replace a current valid license
plate, the license plate shall be issued with appropriate renewal decals attached."
SECTION 24.
Said chapter is further amended in Code Section 40-2-86, relating to license plates promoting
or supporting certain agencies, funds, or nonprofit corporations with proceeds disbursed to
the general fund and the agency, fund, or nonprofit corporation, by revising subparagraph
(a)(1)(C), subsection (d), and subsection (f) as follows:
"(C) 'Special license plate renewal fee' means a $35.00 fee paid at the time a
revalidation decal is issued the registration for a special license plate is renewed."
"(d) Any Georgia resident who is the owner of a motor vehicle, except a vehicle registered
under the International Registration Plan, upon complying with the motor vehicle laws
relating to registration and licensing of motor vehicles and upon the payment of the
appropriate fees in addition to the regular motor vehicle registration fee shall be able to
apply for a special license plate listed in this Code section. Revalidation decals shall be
issued for special license plates in the same manner as provided for general issue license
plates."
"(f) An applicant may request a special license plate any time during the applicant's
registration period. If such a license plate is to replace a current valid license plate, the
special license plate shall be issued with appropriate decals attached upon payment of the
manufacturing fee and the special license plate renewal fee."
SECTION 25.
Said chapter is further amended in Code Section 40-2-86.1, relating to license plates
promoting or supporting certain agencies, funds, or nonprofit corporations or issued to
qualified motor vehicles or owners with proceeds deposited in the general fund, by revising
subsections (d) and (g) and subparagraph (l)(9)(B) as follows:
"(d) Any Georgia resident who is the owner of a motor vehicle, except a vehicle registered
under the International Registration Plan, upon complying with the motor vehicle laws
relating to registration and licensing of motor vehicles and upon the payment of a
manufacturing fee of $25.00 and a special license plate fee of $35.00, in addition to the
regular motor vehicle registration fee, shall be able to apply for a special license plate listed
in subsection (l) of this Code section. Revalidation decals shall be issued for special
license plates in the same manner as provided for general issue license plates, with the
addition of a A $35.00 special license plate renewal fee shall be required for registration
renewals, provided that special license plates issued pursuant to paragraph (9) of
subsection (l) of this Code section shall be exempt from such special license plate renewal
fee."
"(g) An applicant may request a special license plate any time during the applicant's
registration period. If such a license plate is to replace a current valid license plate, the
special license plate shall be issued with appropriate decals attached, upon the payment of
any applicable registration fees, the manufacturing fee, and the special license plate fee."
"(B) Should a certified firefighter or volunteer firefighter who has been issued a special
and distinctive license plate be separated from such firefighter's department for any
reason other than retirement from employment, the separated firefighter shall, within
14 days of such separation, return such special and distinctive license plate to the
issuing county tag agent. Upon receipt of such special and distinctive license plate, a
county tag agent shall reissue a regular license plate and the appropriate revalidation
decal for the applicable registration period, at no additional charge, to such former
firefighter to replace the special and distinctive license plate. Should a firefighter return
to service with the same or another fire department, the chief of the fire department
employing such firefighter shall secure the regular license plate of such person and
return same to the commissioner, along with a certificate to the effect that such person
has become a member of the fire department, and the effective date thereof, whereupon
the commissioner shall, upon application and upon the payment of a $35.00
manufacturing fee and all other applicable registration and licensing fees at the time of
registration, reissue a special and distinctive license plate to such new member to
replace the returned regular license plate."
SECTION 26.
Said chapter is further amended in Code Section 40-2-135, relating to revocation and seizure
of license plates and renewal decals, by revising subsection (c) as follows:
"(c) Any state or county law enforcement officer or any special agent or enforcement
officer appointed under Code Section 40-2-134 may, upon the direction or request of the
commissioner, go upon public or private property to seize a license plate or renewal decal
which has been revoked as provided in subsection (a) of this Code section."
SECTION 27.
Code Section 48-5C-1 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to alternative ad
valorem taxation of motor vehicles and title ad valorem tax fee, is amended by revising
paragraph (5) of subsection (d) as follows:
"(5) Any motor vehicle subject to state and local title ad valorem tax fees under
paragraph (1) of subsection (b) of this Code section shall continue to be subject to the
title, license plate, revalidation decal, and registration requirements and applicable fees
as otherwise provided in Title 40 in the same manner as motor vehicles which are not
subject to state and local title ad valorem tax fees under paragraph (1) of subsection (b)
of this Code section."
SECTION 28.
This Act shall become effective on January 1, 2027.
SECTION 29.
All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.
## Summaries written by Georgia Commons
The following was written by claude-sonnet-5 from the text above and is not part of the bill. Quote the text, not the summary.
HB 1465 would eliminate Georgia's annual revalidation decal (the small sticker on license plates) as proof of registration renewal, removing dozens of related references from the state motor vehicle code, effective January 1, 2027.
### Plain-language summary
Georgia currently requires vehicle owners to affix a revalidation decal to their license plate each year as visible proof that registration has been renewed. HB 1465 repeals that requirement. It amends more than two dozen sections of Title 40 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, striking references to revalidation decals from laws covering unregistered vehicles, mail-in renewals, license plate design, tag agent commissions, lost or stolen plates, fleet vehicles, digital license plates, prestige plates, and specialty plates for veterans, legislators, firefighters, and other groups.
In place of the decal, most sections simply require that the vehicle's registration be renewed, without a physical sticker serving as evidence. A related change to the title ad valorem tax fee law (O.C.G.A. § 48-5C-1) also drops references to the decal. The bill also removes decal-related fines and fees tied to failing to display a valid decal. The changes would take effect January 1, 2027.
### What it does
- Repeals the legal requirement that vehicle owners display a revalidation decal on their license plate as proof of annual registration renewal.
- Removes decal-related language from the criminal penalty for driving with an invalid or missing decal, since the decal requirement itself is eliminated.
- Strikes revalidation decal references from license plate manufacturing, mail purchase, transfer, and replacement procedures across dozens of Code sections.
- Updates specialty license plate laws (for veterans, legislators, judges, firefighters, and Gold Star family members) to remove decal issuance requirements while keeping annual renewal and fee obligations.
- Removes the decal-based compliance option for digital license plates and fleet vehicle plates, since decals will no longer exist.
- Sets the effective date for all these changes as January 1, 2027.
### Who it affects
All Georgia vehicle owners who currently must apply revalidation decals to their license plates each year, county tag agents who issue plates and decals, the Department of Revenue, and holders of specialty plates such as veterans, legislators, judges, firefighters, and Gold Star family members whose renewal procedures reference decals.
### Why it matters
Drivers would no longer need to peel and affix a small sticker to their plate each year to show current registration; renewal would rely on other means of verification. This changes how law enforcement and drivers demonstrate valid registration, and removes fines tied specifically to missing or invalid decals.
### Key provisions
- Section 1 removes the ban on making, selling, or issuing a revalidation decal, since decals will no longer exist.
- Section 2 rewrites the misdemeanor offense for operating a vehicle without a valid license plate, dropping the decal validation requirement and removing a $25 fine exception tied to having obtained a decal.
- Section 5 strikes multiple subsections of O.C.G.A. § 40-2-31 describing how revalidation decals are manufactured, issued, and affixed to plates.
- Sections 14 through 25 update specialty and prestige license plate laws to replace 'obtaining a revalidation decal' with plain renewal language for groups like legislators, veterans, and firefighters.
- Section 27 removes 'revalidation decal' from the title ad valorem tax fee law (O.C.G.A. § 48-5C-1) so vehicles under that system are no longer described as needing one.
- Section 28 sets the effective date as January 1, 2027.
- Section 29 repeals any conflicting laws.
## Status
- Status: Engrossed (2026-03-06)
- Last action: Senate Read and Referred (2026-03-09)
- Sponsors: Derrick McCollum, Chuck Efstration, John Corbett, Alan Powell, Bill Hitchens, James Hatchett
- Official page: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/73700
> The history, votes, and amendments (494 characters) are at https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb1465.md?full=1