Online Services for Registration Suspension
Registration Suspension
Driving a vehicle while the registration is suspended, revoked or cancelled is a criminal offense. Additional penalties will apply, if convicted of driving a vehicle with a suspended or cancelled registration.
Why has my registration been suspended?
There are several reasons registration can be suspended and revoked for any vehicle in Georgia; including lack of or suspension of insurance coverage, administrative suspensions, school bus zone violations, or court order child support.
The most common registration suspension results from a lapse in Insurance Coverage:
Registration Suspension Due to Lack of Insurance
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Lapse in Insurance Coverage and Notice of Pending Suspension
- A “lapse” is defined as 10 or more consecutive days with no liability insurance coverage on record with the Department.
- If you incur a lapse, you will receive a notice from the Department informing you of your duty to reinstate your insurance policy.
- You will incur a reinstatement fine if you incur a lapse.
- If the lapse fine is not paid within 30 days of the letter’s date, the vehicle’s registration will be suspended.
- If new insurance information is received within 30 days and there was no lapse in coverage, the vehicle record is updated.
Notice of Pending Suspension
If no new insurance information is received within 30 days, a “Notice of Pending Suspension” will be mailed to the vehicle’s registered owner. The vehicle’s registration is subject to suspension if the lapse fine is not paid within 30 days.
- A “lapse” is defined as 10 or more consecutive days with no liability insurance coverage on record with the Department.
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Suspension of Vehicle Registration
If no payment is made AND no new insurance information is received within 30 days of the “Notice of Pending Suspension” the registration is suspended. During this period:
- A license plate will not be issued, transferred, replaced, or renewed.
- The vehicle cannot be driven. Driving a vehicle with a cancelled, suspended or revoked registration is a misdemeanor and subject to additional penalties and fines.
- To cancel your registration, you must pay the lapse fee due and complete Form MV-18J.
- Lapse and reinstatement fines should be paid to the County Tag Office in the county where you live.
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How do I prevent my registration from being suspended?
- If the vehicle was sold, repossessed, stolen, “totaled” or is out of service (and not being driven) you should cancel your vehicle registration. Learn how-to cancel registration.
- Keep your vehicle liability insurance coverage active without any lapse.
- If your insurance status is incorrect with the state, contact your insurance company to get the information updated. Check your insurance status online.
- Your insurance company must electronically transmit insurance coverage information within 30 days of the date the coverage is to begin to the Department’s insurance database.
Related Links
Registration reinstatement after suspension
School Bus and School Zone Infractions
Vehicle owner's responsibilities regarding insurance coverage