Department of Administrative Services 15
FY21
4. Fleet Utilization and Operations
4.1 Titles, Registration, Plates and Special Lighting
The Department of Revenue is the responsible agency for vehicle titles, registration, plates and
special lighting. In accordance with O.C.G.A. § 40-2-37, all state vehicles must be registered
prior to operation. Ownership remains with the agency purchasing the vehicle. The agency
purchasing the vehicle will retain original title. State agencies are advised to correct the names
of their agencies on file with the Department of Revenue so that only the official name of each
agency is used for each vehicle title and registration.
O.C.G.A. § 40-2-37 requires all state vehicles shall be affixed with regular state government
license plates obtained from the local county tag office, except those vehicles employed in covert
or secret investigatory police functions, those assigned for the transportation of employees of the
Georgia Lottery Corporation to which regular Georgia license plates are issued and those
vehicles owned by the Department of Public Safety. Regular Georgia license plates for vehicles
employed in covert or secret investigatory police functions are controlled and issued directly by
the Department of Revenue. Obtaining non-government tags from a local tag office is not
authorized.
O.C.G.A § 40-8-92 provides that all emergency vehicles shall be designated as such by the
Commissioner of Public Safety. The Commissioner shall so designate each vehicle by issuing to
such vehicle a permit to operate flashing or revolving emergency lights of the appropriate color.
The Commissioner shall authorize the use of blue, red or amber flashing or revolving lights only
when the person or agency shall demonstrate to the Commissioner a proven need for equipping a
vehicle with emergency lights.
4.2 Vehicle Markings (Decals and Unique Vehicle Number)
In accordance with Policy 10 Section 7.2, each agency shall assign one unique identification
number to each vehicle. Each agency shall use only one number -- in addition to the
manufacturer's vehicle identification number -- to identify a vehicle. Identification numbers
shall be up to a seven-digit number. The identifying number will be affixed to the vehicle as
noted in Appendix B. Where identification exemptions apply, the vehicle identification
number is not required. This one number shall be used for each manual and automated
system maintained by the agency.
Those vehicles not specifically exempted by law pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 50-19-2, shall be
marked. These markings shall be placed as shown in Appendix B, by having affixed to the
front door on each side of such vehicle a clearly visible decal or seal containing the name of
or otherwise identifying the governmental entity owning, leasing, or operating such vehicle.
Such markings may be removed only if the vehicle is authorized by the Department of
Revenue to have confidential tags.