How to Sell a Car Privately in Georgia
Selling your car yourself in Georgia comes down to a signed title, the right paperwork, and a few steps people often miss. This guide summarizes what the Georgia Department of Revenue, Motor Vehicle Division and state law say, so you and the buyer can finish the transfer cleanly.
Transferring the title
- The seller completes the assignment on the back of the original title, with the buyer's full legal name, address, purchase date, and odometer reading. dor.georgia.gov
- Every owner listed on the title must print their name and sign the assignment. dor.georgia.gov
- The buyer should never accept a title with the buyer's name left blank; giving or taking one is a misdemeanor under Georgia law. dor.georgia.gov
- The buyer applies for the title and registration at their County Tag Office with Form MV-1, the assigned title, ID, and proof of insurance. dor.georgia.gov
- The buyer has about 7 days to title and register (some state text says 7 business days, so do not cut it close), and a $10 penalty applies if no title application is made within 30 days. dor.georgia.gov
- The seller must also remove the license plate and cancel the registration. dor.georgia.gov
Bill of sale
- For a vehicle with a title, a bill of sale is not required; the assigned title is the proof of ownership. dor.georgia.gov
- A signed bill of sale is required for vehicles 1985 or older that do not require a title. dor.georgia.gov
- The state offers an optional Bill of Sale form (T-7) that can be used. dor.georgia.gov
Odometer disclosure
- The seller records the actual mileage on the title assignment, and the buyer prints and signs their name to acknowledge it. dor.georgia.gov
- Vehicles 20 model years old or older are exempt, as are vehicles over 16,000 pounds gross weight and trailers. dor.georgia.gov
- For an exempt vehicle the seller writes the word 'exempt' instead of a mileage, and the buyer need not sign the acknowledgment. dor.georgia.gov
- The seller must check the box if the mileage exceeds the odometer's limits or is not the actual mileage. dor.georgia.gov
License plates
- Georgia plates belong to the owner, not the vehicle, so the seller removes the plate before the sale. dor.georgia.gov
- The seller can transfer the plate to another vehicle needing the same plate class within 7 business days of buying it. dor.georgia.gov
- A buyer who finds a previous owner's plate on the car should return it to that owner or surrender it to the County Tag Office. dor.georgia.gov
- The buyer needs to get their own plate at the County Tag Office when registering. dor.georgia.gov
Inspections and emissions
- Emissions testing is required in 13 metro Atlanta counties (Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, Coweta, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry, Paulding, Rockdale) to register or transfer a plate. dor.georgia.gov
- Vehicles from the three most recent model years and those 25 model years or older are exempt from emissions testing. dor.georgia.gov
- A vehicle not previously registered in Georgia needs a Certification of Inspection (T-22B) for VIN verification. dor.georgia.gov
Telling the state you sold the car
- Georgia has no separate sale-notice form; the seller cancels the registration online through DRIVES e-Services or in person with Form MV-18J at their County Tag Office. dor.georgia.gov
- The seller should cancel the registration before cancelling insurance to avoid insurance-lapse penalties. dor.georgia.gov
Taxes and fees the buyer pays
- A titled vehicle is not subject to sales or use tax; the buyer pays one-time Title Ad Valorem Tax (TAVT) based on fair market value instead. dor.georgia.gov
- TAVT is paid at the buyer's County Tag Office when applying for title and registration. dor.georgia.gov
- TAVT applies a 10% penalty if the title application is not completed within 30 days, plus 1% for each further 30 days. dor.georgia.gov
- The buyer also pays an $18 title fee and a plate fee at registration. dor.georgia.gov
Loans and liens
- Any lien on the title must be released before ownership is transferred. dor.georgia.gov
- For a paper title the lienholder completes the release section; if the lienholder keeps the title, it must give the owner a signed Form T-4. dor.georgia.gov
- Georgia does not release an electronically recorded lien itself; the owner must contact the lender, who releases it electronically. dor.georgia.gov
- After release, the title goes to the owner or the next lienholder within five days. dor.georgia.gov
Easy-to-miss rules in this state
- A non-dealer seller must have the vehicle titled in their own name before selling it to someone else. dor.georgia.gov
- TAVT replaces sales tax even for casual sales, so the buyer's cost depends on vehicle value rather than the sale price. dor.georgia.gov
- The buyer needs a valid Georgia license or ID, and proof of liability insurance on file, to register. dor.georgia.gov
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a bill of sale to sell a car in Georgia?
For a vehicle with a title, a bill of sale is not required; the assigned title is the proof of ownership. A signed bill of sale is required for vehicles 1985 or older that do not require a title.
Is an odometer disclosure required when selling a car in Georgia?
The seller records the actual mileage on the title assignment, and the buyer prints and signs their name to acknowledge it. Vehicles 20 model years old or older are exempt, as are vehicles over 16,000 pounds gross weight and trailers.
What happens to the license plates when I sell my car in Georgia?
Georgia plates belong to the owner, not the vehicle, so the seller removes the plate before the sale. The seller can transfer the plate to another vehicle needing the same plate class within 7 business days of buying it.
Do I have to tell the state I sold my car in Georgia?
Georgia has no separate sale-notice form; the seller cancels the registration online through DRIVES e-Services or in person with Form MV-18J at their County Tag Office. The seller should cancel the registration before cancelling insurance to avoid insurance-lapse penalties.
Official Georgia resources
- GA DOR: Title and register a vehicle purchased in a casual sale
- GA DOR: Responsibilities of sellers and buyers
- GA DOR: Odometer disclosure information
- GA DOR: Cancellation of registration
- GA DOR: How to release a lien
- GA DOR: Motor Vehicle Online Manual 2025-2026
- GA DOR: Form T-7 Bill of Sale
Next steps
Once you know the rules, create a free listing and print a QR code sign for the car window. For the general process, see our step-by-step private sale guide, the paperwork checklist, and how to get paid safely. Need paperwork? Use our free bill of sale generator.