Do I have to change my license and car plates? (Atlanta: employment, college)

[westau]

Are you going to school or something or is this a permanent move? I believe their is an exception for college students since you aren't technically a permanent resident.

[ja1myn]

Originally Posted by westau

Are you going to school or something or is this a permanent move? I believe their is an exception for college students since you aren't technically a permanent resident.

Gonna be working in Buckhead at a permanent job.

[Mishap]

Originally Posted by westau

Are you going to school or something or is this a permanent move? I believe their is an exception for college students since you aren't technically a permanent resident.

If the car isn't in your name, you can't register it here. No law against letting a family member use a car out of state so long as insurance/registration in the owner's state are squared away. Car vacations would be a nightmare if insurance was limited to a state. Definitely not a permanent solution since the car needs coverage and inspection. At some point,the insurer will want the car off the policy if it's out of town too long (check w/ insurer). This would give the OP some more time to get settled w/o the complexity of a last min title transfer while moving.

[billl]

Originally Posted by Mishap

My brother and I went to school in NY and kept GA tagged cars (under my dad's name) for several years w/o issue (my dad's birthday was conveniently in Aug so we'd get emissions before driving up). My friend even wrecked my brother's car picking him up from the airport in a blizzard and insurance covered it w/o issue..

In most states (Georgia and New York) full time students from out of state do not need to transfer title and tags to the state where they are attending school. If the OP is attending a college or university in GA full time, then she does not need to change either license or tag. Otherwise, she has 30 days after taking up residency here.

[Newsboy]

My downstairs neighbor has lived in Georgia for 10 years and still has NJ plates on his car -- EXPIRED! He has never gotten a ticket, but then he's never been pulled over either. He also doesn't drive a lot.

I see a ton a out of state vehicles in the Savannah area, especially SC -- these people live here but get away with it. Lots of NY plates too on cars driven by military and students. Maybe they get a bye, I don't know

If the car is not registered in your name and current, I don't see what the big deal is. The worst that could happen is you get pulled over for some infraction and they give you a warning. How do they know you didn't just move here or are only passing through? They have zero way of knowing and thus no reason to pull you over.

Just don't get in an accident.

[billl]

Originally Posted by ja1myn

Gonna be working in Buckhead at a permanent job.

Then you will need to get a Georgia driver's license and a Georgia tag for your car.

From the Driver's Manual:

Georgia law requires that any person wanting to operate a motor vehicle on the roadways of this state obtain a Georgia driver’s license or permit within 30 days of becoming a resident. A person meeting at least one of the following criteria is considered a Georgia resident according to Georgia law (O.C.G.A. §40-5-1):
♦ A person who has a permanent home or abode in Georgia and, when absent, has the intent of returning.
♦ A person who accepts employment or engages in any trade or occupation in Georgia or who enters his/her children in school.
♦ Any person that has been in the state for 30 days or more.

Same is true for the title and tags, but I can't find a reference to the rule off-hand.

[PKCorey]

Originally Posted by Newsboy

How do they know you didn't just move here or are only passing through? They have zero way of knowing and thus no reason to pull you over.

Just don't get in an accident.

I know, some agencies would watch the apartment lots and track cars to give tickets.

[rcsteiner]

Originally Posted by ja1myn

Ok cool. I think it's a risk worth taking since I've never heard of anyone getting ticketed for such a lame offense.

Be careful. You don't live in Georgia. The legal environment here may not be the same as you are used to.

[neil0311]

These threads really kill me. Have to stay out of it next time. Someone posts....

"Hey, what do I need to do" and you answer with the information, but if it's not what they wanted to hear. Then we read all the rationalizations and excuses about how they can break the law anyway, and that someone else knows that their neighbor's sister's cousin's uncle did the same thing and got away with it.

It just disgusts me frankly. No wonder we have people cheating the system left and right with no respect for right/wrong. I know there are a million excuses....the laws don't apply to you.

A reminder that the definition of integrity is what we do when no one is looking or when we probably won't get caught.

[ja1myn]

Don't question my integrity because this isn't a question of integrity. I wanted to know what the real, legal, technical answer was and I got it. I even thanked you for it.