HB 257: Motor vehicles; issuance of metal fleet motor vehicle license plates to certain owners prior to registration of a vehicle; provide

Under current Georgia law, fleet vehicle owners generally register vehicles first and then receive plates. This bill creates a new process specifically for rental motor vehicle companies (a category already defined in Georgia tax law) that are enrolled in the state's fleet registration plan. It lets these companies apply to the Department of Revenue for metal fleet license plates before any specific vehicle is registered. The Department of Revenue would have 15 days to issue the plates once a proper application is filed. The department must also build a system letting these rental fleet owners assign and register vehicles using the plates they already hold. Companies must securely store unused plates, and the state can revoke and confiscate plates if a hearing finds the company failed to store them properly. The law would take effect as soon as the Governor signs it.

• Creates a new process letting certified rental motor vehicle fleet owners get metal fleet license plates before registering a specific vehicle.
• Requires the Department of Revenue to issue the plates within 15 days of a proper application.
• Directs the Department of Revenue to build a system for rental fleet owners to assign and register vehicles using pre-issued plates.
• Requires eligible rental fleet owners to securely store unused plates, with revocation and confiscation possible after a hearing finds noncompliance.
• Defines 'eligible rental vehicle fleet owner' and ties the definition of 'rental motor vehicle concern' to an existing tax code section (O.C.G.A. § 48-5C-1).

Rental car companies operating fleets in Georgia that are enrolled in the state's fleet registration plan and certified as rental motor vehicle concerns, as well as the Georgia Department of Revenue, which must process applications and build the new plate assignment system.

Rental car companies would be able to get license plates in hand before a car is registered, potentially speeding up how quickly new vehicles can be put into service. The state gains a new enforcement tool, plate revocation, if a company does not securely store unused plates.

• Section 1 adds new Code Section 40-2-53.1 to Georgia's fleet vehicle registration law (O.C.G.A. Title 40, Chapter 2, Article 2A).
• Defines 'eligible rental vehicle fleet owner' as a corporation or firm enrolled in a fleet registration plan and certified as a rental motor vehicle concern by the commissioner.
• Requires the Department of Revenue to issue metal fleet plates within 15 days of a proper application, on a form set by the commissioner.
• Requires the department to develop a system for eligible owners to assign and register vehicles using the pre-issued plates.
• Requires secure storage of unused plates and allows revocation and confiscation after a hearing finds noncompliance.
• Section 2 makes the law effective immediately upon the Governor's signature or upon becoming law without signature.

1. 2025-02-10House Withdrawn, Recommitted (House)
2. 2025-02-06House Second Readers (House)
3. 2025-02-05House First Readers (House)
4. 2025-02-04House Hopper (House)

• Bruce Williamson (R, HD-112)Primary sponsor
• Shaw Blackmon (R, HD-146)
• Trey Kelley (R, HD-016)
• Brian Prince (D, HD-132)
• Scott Hilton (R, HD-048)
• Chuck Efstration (R, HD-104)

• motor vehicle registration
• license plates
• rental car industry
• Department of Revenue