From Rules and Regulations of the State of Georgia:
560-10-30-.08. Unconventional Motor Vehicle or Unconventional Motorcycle.
(1) "Unconventional" motor vehicle or "Unconventional" motorcycle is any motor vehicle or motorcycle that is manufactured and not in compliance with:
(a) Chapter 8 Title 40 of the Code, relating to equipment and inspection of motor vehicles; (b) Applicable federal motor vehicle safety standards issued pursuant to 49 U.S.C.A. Section 30101 et seq., unless the United States Customs Service or the United States Department of Transportation has certified that such motor vehicle or motorcycle complies with such applicable federal standards; (c) Applicable federal emissions standards; or (d) Does not qualify as an Assembled motor vehicle or Assembled motorcycle.
(2) An Unconventional motor vehicle or Unconventional motorcycle shall not be issued a certificate of title or registered by the State of Georgia.
560-10-30-.09. Certificate of Title of an Assembled Motor Vehicle or Assembled Motorcycle.
(1) An owner applying for a certificate of title, and to register an assembled motor vehicle or assembled motorcycle in Georgia, shall submit:
(a) A title application on a form provided by the Commissioner along with the requisite supporting documentation; (b) A Manufacturer's Statement of Origin or present certificate of title and required supporting documentation; (c) A labor and parts form prescribed by the Commissioner; (d) A request for inspection of the assembled motor vehicle or assembled motorcycle on a form provided by the Commissioner; and (e) Payment of all applicable fees for such inspection.
(2) The Department shall assess the following state fees for inspection of Assembled Motor Vehicles and Assembled Motorcycles:
(a) Motorcycle: $125.00 (b) Motor Vehicle: $150.00
(3) Upon completion and submission of all required forms and payment of all fees as set forth by the Commissioner, the Department shall:
(a) Schedule an inspection of the motor vehicle or motorcycle; and (b) Complete the inspection report on the form prescribed by the Commissioner.
(4) Upon determination by the Department that the application is acceptable along with the appropriate documentation that payment of all required fees has been received by the Department and that the Assembled Motor Vehicle has passed the inspection, the Department shall issue a Georgia Certificate of Title that states "Assembled Vehicle" in the legend.
(5) A person who has received the Georgia Certificate of Title for an Assembled motor vehicle or Assembled motorcycle shall then register such vehicle in the manner set forth by the Code.
560-10-30-.10. Inspection of an Assembled Motor Vehicle or Assembled Motorcycle.
(1) In addition to the requirements set forth in O.C.G.A. § 40-3-30.1, prior to applying for a certificate of title for an Assembled vehicle or Assembled motorcycle, an applicant shall have that vehicle inspected in the manner set forth by the Department.
(2) The applicant shall provide the following information at the time of inspection of the Assembled vehicle or Assembled motorcycle:
(a) The existence of a verifiable Manufacturer's Statement of Origin (MSO) or other appropriate documentation of the purchase of all major components; and
(b) That the vehicle complies with:
1. Chapter 8 Title 40 of the Code, and 2. Applicable Federal emissions standards.
(3) The purpose of the inspection shall be solely to establish whether or not the vehicle is eligible to receive a Georgia Certificate of Title as an Assembled motor vehicle or Assembled motorcycle.
(4) The Department shall charge a fee for all such inspections.
560-10-30-.11. Registration of an Assembled Motor Vehicle, Assembled Motorcycle, or Unconventional Vehicle.
(1) Prior to an applicant for registration of an Assembled vehicle or Assembled motorcycle being issued a Certificate, the applicant must have been issued a Georgia Certificate of Title in compliance with the Code and Regulations governing Assembled motor vehicles or Assembled motorcycles.
(2) Upon presentation of a Georgia Certificate of Title, a Certificate of Registration will be issued in the same manner as are motor vehicle registrations.
(3) Any Unconventional vehicle or Unconventional motorcycle, or any motor vehicle that has not been issued a certificate of title in compliance with the Code and these Regulations, shall not be registered in the State of Georgia.
§ 40-3-30.1. Inspection of assembled motor vehicle or motorcycle
(a) As used in this Code section and in Code Section 40-2-27, the term:
(1) "Assembled motor vehicle or motorcycle" or "kit motor vehicle or motorcycle" means any motor vehicle or motorcycle that is:
(A) Manufactured from a manufacturer's kit or manufacturer's fabricated parts, including replicas and original designs:
(i) By an owner; (ii) At the request of the owner by a third-party manufacturer of motor vehicles or motorcycles; and (iii) Such manufacturer is not manufacturing and testing in accordance with federal safety standards issued pursuant to 49 U.S.C.A. Section 30101, et seq., unless and until the United States Customs Service or the United States Department of Transportation has certified that the motor vehicle complies with such applicable federal standards;
(B) A new vehicle and consists of a prefabricated body, chassis, and drive train;
(C) Handmade and not mass produced by any manufacturer for retail sale; or
(D) Not otherwise excluded from emission requirements and is in compliance with Chapter 8 of Title 40, relating to equipment and inspection of motor vehicles.
(2)(A) "Unconventional motor vehicle or motorcycle" means any motor vehicle or motorcycle that is manufactured, including, but not limited to, all-terrain vehicles, off-road vehicles, motor driven cycles, mopeds, and personal transportation vehicles, and that is not in compliance with the following:
(i) Chapter 8 of Title 40, relating to equipment and inspection of motor vehicles; (ii) Applicable federal motor vehicle safety standards issued pursuant to 49 U.S.C.A. Section 30101, et seq., unless and until the United States Customs and Border Protection Agency or the United States Department of Transportation has certified that the motor vehicle complies with such applicable federal standards; or (iii) Applicable federal emission standards issued pursuant to 42 U.S.C.A. Section 7401 through Section 7642, the "Clean Air Act," as amended.
(B) Such term shall not include former military motor vehicles.
(b) In addition to the requirements contained in Code Section 40-3-30, prior to the issuance of a certificate of title to the owner of an assembled motor vehicle or motorcycle, the owner shall cause such assembled motor vehicle or motorcycle to be inspected in order to establish:
(1) The existence of a verifiable Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin (MCO) or other verifiable documentation of purchase of all major components; and
(2) That such assembled motor vehicle or motorcycle complies with:
(A) Chapter 8 of Title 40, relating to equipment and inspection of motor vehicles; and (B) If applicable, federal emission standards issued pursuant to 42 U.S.C.A. Section 7401 through Section 7642, the "Clean Air Act," as amended.
(c) The inspection conducted under subsection (b) of this Code section shall only be for the purpose of establishing that such assembled motor vehicle or motorcycle is eligible to receive a certificate of title.
(d) The department shall be authorized to charge an inspection fee.
(e) Unconventional motor vehicles or motorcycles shall not be titled or registered.
From Georgia Code:
§ 40-3-4. Exclusions
No certificate of title shall be obtained for:
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(14)(A) A vehicle, other than a mobile home or crane, the model year of which is prior to 1986.
(B) The owner of any vehicle which has a valid certificate of title and which becomes subject to the exclusion provided in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph may retain the certificate of title. Each subsequent transferee of any vehicle covered by subparagraph (A) of this paragraph, for which the certificate of title has been retained, may obtain a certificate of title by complying with Code Section 40-3-32. However, the failure of any subsequent transferee to comply with Code Section 40-3-32 shall preclude transferees subsequent to that transferee from obtaining a certificate of title. The department shall maintain such records as may be necessary to allow owners to obtain a certificate of title under this subparagraph. No certificate of title authorized to be issued under this subparagraph shall be issued under Code Section 40-3-28.
(C)(i) A security interest in or lien against a vehicle which is subject to the exclusion provided for in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph and which arises after such vehicle becomes subject to the operation of subparagraph (A) of this paragraph may be perfected in the same manner as such security interests and liens are perfected on vehicles required by this chapter to have certificates of title.
(ii) The transferee of any vehicle which is subject to the exclusion provided for in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph, regardless of whether that vehicle has a certificate of title issued pursuant to subparagraph (B) of this paragraph, shall take such vehicle subject to any security interest or lien perfected under this paragraph;
(15)(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B) of this paragraph, a trailer with an unladen gross weight of 2,000 pounds or less.
(B) The exclusion provided in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph shall not apply to a travel trailer or camper, regardless of its unladen gross weight;
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(17) A vehicle with a model year prior to 1963;
§ 40-2-27. Certificates of registration and title not to be issued to motor vehicles not manufactured to comply with federal emission and safety standards
(a) No application shall be accepted and no certificate of registration shall be issued to any motor vehicle which was not manufactured to comply with applicable federal emission standards issued pursuant to 42 U.S.C.A. Section 7401 through Section 7642, known as the Clean Air Act, as amended, and applicable federal motor vehicle safety standards issued pursuant to 49 U.S.C.A. Section 30101, et seq., unless and until the United States Customs Service or the United States Department of Transportation has certified that the motor vehicle complies with such applicable federal standards and unless all documents required by the commissioner for processing an application for a certificate of registration or title are printed and filled out in the English language or are accompanied by an English translation.
(b) The provisions of subsection (a) of this Code section shall not apply to applications for certificates of registration for such motor vehicles that have a manufactured date that is 25 years or older at the time of application. Certification of compliance shall only be required at the time of application for the issuance of the initial Georgia certificate of registration.
(c) Applications for registration of such motor vehicles shall be accompanied by a Georgia certificate of title, proof that an application for a Georgia certificate of title has been properly submitted, or such other information and documentation of ownership as the commissioner shall deem proper.
(d) Before a certificate of registration is issued for an assembled motor vehicle or motorcycle, such assembled motor vehicle or motorcycle shall have been issued a certificate of title in Georgia and shall comply with the provisions of Code Section 40-3-30.1.
(e) The provisions of subsection (a) of this Code section shall not apply to applications for certificates of registration for former military motor vehicles that are less than 25 years old and manufactured for the United States military.
§ 40-2-41.1. Display of authentic historical Georgia license plates
(a) As used in this Code section, the term "authentic historical Georgia license plate" means a license plate originally issued in the year 1989 or earlier and originally required to be displayed on motor vehicles operated upon the streets and highways of this state in the year 1989 or earlier pursuant to former motor vehicle registration laws of this state.
(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 Georgia license plate or revalidation decal for such antique motor vehicle. Such currently valid Georgia 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 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 Georgia license plate or revalidation decal 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.
§ 48-5-473. Return for taxation; payment of due taxes; issuance of license plates; certification of antique or hobby or special interest motor vehicles
(a)(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, every owner of a motor vehicle subject to taxation under this article shall be required to return the motor vehicle for taxation and pay the taxes due on the motor vehicle at the time the owner applies or is required by law to apply for registration of the motor vehicle and for the purchase of a license plate for the motor vehicle during the owner's registration period.
(2)(A) In all counties for which a local Act has not been enacted pursuant to Code Section 40-2- 21, the final date for payment of ad valorem taxes shall be the last day of the owner's registration period and the lien for such taxes shall attach at midnight on the last day of the owner's registration period if the vehicle has not been registered but only if the vehicle is still owned on such date by such owner.
(B) In all counties for which a local Act has been enacted pursuant to Code Section 40-2-21, the final date for payment of ad valorem taxes shall be the last day of the owner's registration period and the lien for such taxes on such motor vehicle shall attach on the first day of the owner's registration period.
(C) A motor vehicle shall not be returned for taxation and no ad valorem taxes shall be due, payable, or collected at the time a vehicle is registered during any initial registration period for such vehicle.
(D) A motor vehicle shall not be returned for taxation and no ad valorem taxes shall be due, payable, or collected at the time of a transfer of the vehicle.
(3) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Code section to the contrary, under no circumstances shall such ad valorem taxation be collected more than one time per calendar year with respect to the same motor vehicle.
(b) Notwithstanding subsection (a) of this Code section, in the case of an antique or hobby or special interest motor vehicle, as defined in Code Section 48-5-440, the owner or owners shall certify at the time of returning the antique or hobby or special interest motor vehicle for taxation, paying the taxes due on the motor vehicle, and purchasing a license plate for the motor vehicle or at the time of the first sale or transfer of the motor vehicle that the vehicle is an antique or hobby or special interest motor vehicle as defined in Code Section 48-5-440, and, upon said certification, said vehicle shall be registered and a license plate issued with the imposition of an ad valorem tax based on $100.00 valuation; provided, however, that taxes shall be due at the time of registration or at the time required by law for registration during the owner's registration period as provided in subsection (a) of this Code section.
(c) Notwithstanding subsection (a) of this Code section, within the motor vehicle classification of property for ad valorem taxation purposes, motor vehicles held in inventory for sale or resale by an entity which is engaged in the business of selling motor vehicles and which has a current distinguishing dealer's identification number issued by the department shall constitute a separate subclassification of property for ad valorem taxation purposes and shall not be the subject of ad valorem taxation until such time as such vehicles are transferred and until such time as such vehicles then become subject to taxation as provided in this Code section.
§ 40-2-86.1. Special license plates to support beneficial agencies, funds, or programs administered by nonprofit corporations; revenue deposited in general fund
(a) The General Assembly has determined that the issuance of special license plates to support an agency or fund or a program beneficial to the people of this state that is administered by a nonprofit corporation organized under Section 501(c)(3) of Title 26 of the Internal Revenue Code and, subject to the appropriation process of the General Assembly, appropriating a portion of the funds raised from the sale of these special license plates is in the best interests of the people of this state. Therefore, the license plates listed in subsection (l) of this Code section shall be issued by the department if all of the requirements of subsections (b) through (k) of this Code section have been satisfied.
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(j) Special license plates shall be transferred from one vehicle to another vehicle in accordance with the provisions of Code Section 40-2-80.
(k) Special license plates shall be issued within 30 days of application once the requirements of this Code section have been met.
(l)(1) The General Assembly has determined that license plates promoting the agencies, funds, or nonprofit corporations listed in this subsection shall be issued for the purposes indicated and the revenue shall be deposited in the general fund, subject to the appropriation process of the General Assembly.
(8) A special license plate for antique or hobby or special interest vehicles. As used in this paragraph, the term "antique or hobby or special interest vehicle" means any motor vehicle or motor cycle or a motor vehicle which has been designed and manufactured to resemble an antique or historical vehicle and which is owned as a collector's item and for participation in club activities, exhibitions, tours, parades and similar uses but which may be used for general transportation. No owner of such antique vehicle or hobby or special interest vehicle shall be required to obtain any special permits for its operation on the roads of this state. The funds raised by the sale of this license plate shall be deposited in the general fund.
§ 40-3-37. Certificate of title for salvaged or rebuilt motor vehicle
(a) As used in this Code section, the term:
(1) "Application for a certificate of title on a recovered stolen motor vehicle" means an application for a certificate of title for a motor vehicle for which an insurance company has paid a total loss claim, has obtained a title marked "unrecovered stolen motor vehicle," and which has subsequently been recovered.
(2) "Application for a certificate of title on a salvaged or rebuilt motor vehicle" means:
(A) An application for a certificate of title for a motor vehicle for which a current Georgia certificate of title is marked "salvage" pursuant to subsection (e) of Code Section 40-3-36 and which has been repaired;
(B) An application for a certificate of title for a motor vehicle for which a current out-of-state certificate of title is marked "salvage," "rebuilt," or "restored" or any similar such phrase; or
(C) An application for a certificate of title for a motor vehicle for which a current Georgia certificate of title is marked "salvage" pursuant to subsection (e) of Code Section 40-3-36 and for which the transferee is anyone other than a licensee as defined in Code Section 43-47-2. (b)(1) Upon receipt of an application for a certificate of title on a salvaged or rebuilt motor vehicle, the commissioner shall promptly conduct an initial inspection on each such motor vehicle prior to the issuance of a certificate of title for the motor vehicle. Upon receipt of an application for a certificate of title on a recovered stolen motor vehicle which has been stripped of:
(A) Substantially all its interior parts;
(B) Engine;
(C) Transmission;
(D) All doors;
(E) Complete soft top assembly including roof mechanism;
(F) Front clip assembly (fenders, hood, and bumper); or
(G) Cab and bed of a pick-up truck,
The commissioner shall promptly conduct an initial inspection on each such motor vehicle prior to the issuance of a certificate of title for the motor vehicle. The initial inspection shall include, but shall not be limited to, verification of the vehicle identification number, verification of the bills of sale or title for the major components, verification in regard to rebuilt vehicles that the word "rebuilt" is permanently affixed as required by subsection (d) of this Code section, verification that the vehicle was rebuilt in the State of Georgia, and, if the vehicle has been repaired, verification that the motor vehicle conforms to all safety equipment standards required by law. The commissioner shall be authorized to charge a fee of $100.00 for each initial inspection of each motor vehicle. In the event a motor vehicle fails an inspection, a fee of $100.00 shall be charged for each subsequent reinspection. The commissioner may conduct any such initial inspection and any required reinspections even though the motor vehicle may have been previously inspected under this Code section.
(2) If, upon inspection under paragraph (1) of this subsection, it is determined that the motor vehicle is not in full compliance with the law, the commissioner shall refuse to issue a certificate of title until compliance is reached. The commissioner may order additional, corrective repairs to such vehicle as a condition of issuance of a certificate of title.
(c) All applications submitted pursuant to this Code section shall be accompanied by one or more photographs of the motor vehicle in its salvaged condition before any repairs have been made to such vehicle, which photographs shall be used by the commissioner in his or her inspections of the vehicle pursuant to this Code section. Any person who rebuilds or repairs a salvage motor vehicle shall submit an application for a certificate of title and obtain an inspection of such vehicle prior to the painting of such vehicle.
(d)(1)(A) Upon inspection under subsection (b) of this Code section, if it is determined that the motor vehicle has been restored to an operable condition by the replacement of two or more major component parts, a certificate of title may be issued for such motor vehicle which shall contain the word "rebuilt" on its face in no larger than 12 point font. This requirement will indicate to all subsequent owners of the motor vehicle that such is a rebuilt motor vehicle. If any such inspection determines that the motor vehicle shall require the replacement of less than two major component parts in order to restore the motor vehicle to an operable condition, a certificate of title shall be issued for such motor vehicle which shall contain the word "rebuilt" on its face in such manner as the commissioner shall prescribe. This requirement will indicate to all subsequent owners of the motor vehicle that such is a rebuilt motor vehicle.
(B) If it is determined that the motor vehicle required or shall require the replacement of two or more major component parts in order to restore the motor vehicle to an operable condition, the department shall cause the word "rebuilt" to be affixed to said motor vehicle at the time of inspection by the commissioner. The word "rebuilt" shall be affixed in a clear and conspicuous manner to the door post or such other location as the commissioner may prescribe. The word "rebuilt" shall be stamped on a certificate and shall be affixed to the motor vehicle in such manner as the commissioner may prescribe. The requirement of this subparagraph shall only apply to motor vehicles restored after November 1, 1982.
(2) Upon inspection by the commissioner and compliance with paragraph (2) of subsection (b) of this Code section, if it is determined that the motor vehicle does not require the replacement of two or more major components or has not had two or more major components changed, a certificate of title shall be issued and shall contain the word "rebuilt" on its face.
(3) If, after the initial inspection, the commissioner determines that the damage is so extensive that returning such vehicle to a safe, operable condition is impossible, the salvage certificate shall be revoked and such vehicle may only be used for scrap or parts. A vehicle for which such a determination is made shall not be issued a title under any circumstances or conditions including but not limited to obtaining of a surety bond.
(e) Any person, firm, or corporation that rebuilds or repairs a motor vehicle whose current certificate of title is marked "salvage" shall make application for and obtain a certificate of title as provided in this Code section prior to the sale or transfer of said motor vehicle. If, under the laws of any other state, a vehicle has been declared to be nonrebuildable, the commissioner shall not issue any certificate of title for such vehicle and the vehicle shall not be used for any purpose except parts.
(f)(1) Motorcycles which are over 25 years old shall be exempt from the salvage laws of this state.
(2) Motor vehicles which have been altered by the installation of a glider kit shall be issued a certificate of title containing the word "rebuilt."