A Georgia antique tag is a specialty license plate available for vehicles at least 25 years old. It costs $80 the first year and $55 annually to renew, plus any applicable ad valorem tax, and unlike the antique plates issued by many other states, it lets you drive the vehicle on public roads under the same rules as any regular passenger car.1Georgia Department of Revenue. License Plate Details – Antique/Hobby Vehicle
Who Qualifies
The vehicle must be at least 25 model years old. For registrations in 2026, that means a model year of 2001 or older. The statute also covers reproductions manufactured to resemble a historical model, though most applicants own genuine vintage vehicles.2Justia Law. Georgia Code 40-2-86
Georgia calls the plate the “antique or hobby or special interest vehicle” tag. The law describes eligible cars as those owned as collector’s items and used for club activities, exhibitions, tours, parades, and similar events, but the same statute then permits their use for general transportation. If you’re shopping for a car specifically to put an antique tag on, verify the model year before you close. A 2002 model, for instance, won’t qualify until 2027.
What It Costs
You apply at your county tag office using Form MV-1. Bring proof of ownership: a properly assigned title, or for vehicles from 1985 or older, a bill of sale may substitute. First-year fees break down as follows:
- One-time manufacturing fee of $25
- Annual registration fee of $20
- Annual special tag fee of $35
That’s $80 out the door, plus ad valorem tax based on the vehicle’s value. Every year after that, renewal is $55 plus tax.1Georgia Department of Revenue. License Plate Details – Antique/Hobby Vehicle
You may see the fee quoted elsewhere as a flat $25. That figure is only the one-time manufacturing charge and doesn’t reflect what you’ll actually pay at the counter. Budget for $80 the first year so you aren’t caught short. The antique tag is not permanent; you renew it annually just like a standard registration.
What You Can Do With It
This is where Georgia differs from more restrictive states. Under O.C.G.A. 40-2-86.1, a vehicle carrying an antique tag may be operated on Georgia roads “in the same manner and under the same conditions as any vehicle bearing a regular Georgia license plate.” No special permits are required, no annual mileage cap applies, and no statute prohibits commuting or errands.3Justia Law. Georgia Code 40-2-86.1
If someone tells you a Georgia antique tag limits you to car shows and parades, they’re describing another state’s rules. The plate is a recognition of the vehicle’s age and collector status, not a usage restriction.
Ordinary equipment and traffic laws still apply. Your antique vehicle needs functioning headlights, taillights, brakes, and other equipment required of any car on a public road. Georgia does not run a state safety inspection program for passenger vehicles, so no inspection is a prerequisite to registration.
Emissions Testing Is Waived
Most vehicles registered in metro Atlanta counties need to pass an annual emissions test. Vehicles 25 model years old or older are exempt. For 2026 registrations, that covers any vehicle from model year 2001 or earlier.4Georgia’s Clean Air Force. Other Exemptions
This is one of the practical draws of the antique tag for owners in emissions counties. If you have a 1998 pickup you use occasionally, registering it with an antique tag ends the annual trip to the testing station. The exemption applies automatically based on model year; no separate paperwork is needed beyond the antique registration itself.3Justia Law. Georgia Code 40-2-86.1
You Still Need Insurance
Every registered motor vehicle in Georgia must carry liability insurance, and antique-tagged vehicles are no exception. O.C.G.A. 33-34-4 requires the owner to maintain motor vehicle liability coverage meeting the minimums set by the Motor Vehicle Safety Responsibility Act before operating on public roads.5Justia Law. Georgia Code 33-34-4
Standard auto policies pay out based on depreciated value, which works badly for a collector vehicle that may have appreciated well beyond its original price. Most antique owners opt for a specialized collector policy with agreed-value coverage. You and the insurer settle on the vehicle’s value when the policy is written, usually based on a professional appraisal, and that’s what the insurer pays if the car is totaled. Collector policies often cost less than standard coverage because insurers assume low annual mileage and secure garage storage. Some cap annual miles between 1,000 and 7,500; others drop mileage limits for vehicles over 25 years old. Read the policy, because exceeding a stated limit can void your coverage.
Buying or Selling
When a titled antique vehicle changes hands, the seller must deliver a properly assigned certificate of title to the buyer. Under O.C.G.A. 40-3-32, the buyer then has 30 days from the date of transfer to submit the title and a new title application to the county tag office. Miss that window and you owe a $10 late fee on top of the standard title application fee.6Justia Law. Georgia Code 40-3-32
For vehicles too old to have a Georgia title (generally 1985 and older), a bill of sale serves as proof of ownership. It should include the vehicle’s make, model, year, VIN, sale price, and both parties’ names and signatures. Even when a title is available, keep a separate bill of sale; it documents the purchase price, which matters for establishing cost basis if you sell later.
What Happens if You Drive on an Expired Tag
Georgia does not have a specific penalty statute for misusing antique tags. The general enforcement statute, O.C.G.A. 40-2-8, makes it a misdemeanor to operate any vehicle on a public road without complying with registration requirements. That covers an antique with an expired tag the same way it covers any other vehicle.
The most common problem for antique owners is forgetting to renew. Because these vehicles often sit for weeks between drives, a lapsed registration can slip past you. Taking the car out to a Saturday show on an expired tag can lead to a traffic stop and a misdemeanor citation. Put the renewal date on your calendar.