Georgia Motor Vehicle Code
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The Georgia Motor Vehicle Code contains the statewide laws and regulations surrounding motor vehicle use in its entirety. Contact The Champion Firm for a free consultation if you’re concerned about how your car accident case could be affected by Georgia’s motor vehicle code.
Additional Motor Vehicle Accident Topics
Listed below are a few more topics you might be interested in:
- Georgia Car Accident Settlement Process
- Determining Fault and Liability in Georgia Car Accidents
- Car Accident Court and Trial Process in Georgia
- Legal Options for Passengers in Georgia Car Accidents
- How to Get Your Car Repaired After an Accident in Georgia
- Accident Reconstruction in Georgia – Insurance Claims After an Accident in Georgia
Georgia Code TITLE 40
Here is a brief summary of each of the 16 chapters of the Georgia Motor Vehicle Code.
Chapter 1: Basics and Definitions
Chapter one of the Georgia Motor Vehicle Code provides general information regarding the rules and regulations for motor vehicles. This chapter includes information like how horsepower is determined, prohibited stickers, emblems, and decals. Also discussed are law enforcement uniform regulations and other relevant details.
Chapter 2: Basics of Licenses and Registrations
Chapter 2 breaks down general provisions regarding the registration and licensing of motor vehicles in Georgia. Specific topics include fleet vehicles, non-resident vehicles, license fees and classes, and other information.
Chapter 3: Liens, Security Interests, Certificates of Title
Chapter three of the Georgia Motor Vehicle Code discusses certificates of title, how security interests and liens on motor vehicles work, and motor vehicle offenses.
Chapter 4: Purchase, Resale, and Identification of Motor Vehicles and Auto Parts
Chapter 4 of the Georgia Motor Vehicle Code includes topics such as:
- Identifying truck chassis, passenger cars, and components
- Alteration or removal of vehicle identification numbers
- The rules and regulations in place for the purchase and resale of used motor vehicles used motor vehicle parts, and farm tractors.
Chapter 5: Drivers’ Licenses
Chapter 5 of the Georgia Motor Vehicle Code goes over the rules and regulations surrounding driver licenses. This chapter addresses the following:
- When licenses are issued, expired, and renewed
- When licenses can be canceled, suspended, and revoked
- When licenses can’t be suspended for certain types of drug offenses
Other specific topics include the rules for commercial drivers’ licenses, identification cards for those with disabilities, and miscellaneous motor vehicle offenses.
Chapter 6: Rules of the Road
Chapter 6 of the Georgia Motor Vehicle Code details the rules of the road. Some of the different topics discussed in Chapter 6 include:
- Traffic signs, signals, and markers
- When you have the right to drive on the right side of the road
- When you have the right to overtake and pass
- Rules surrounding following too closely
- Who has the right-of-way
- The rights and duties of pedestrians
- Rules surrounding turning, signaling, and starting
- The negotiation of railroad crossings
- When you can enter a highway from a private driveway
- School bus regulations
- Speed restrictions
- Standing, stopping, and parking your vehicle
- Rules regarding traffic accidents
- Special provisions for specific types of motor vehicles
- Serious traffic offenses
Chapter 7: Off-Road Vehicles
In this chapter, you can learn more about how short titles work and the declaration of policy.
You can also find out what off-road vehicles are defined as, their operating restrictions, the authority to regulate time periods and establish zone use, and the enforcement and penalties associated with these regulations.
Chapter 8: Motor Vehicle Equipment and Inspections
Chapter 8 includes information such as:
- The type of motor vehicle equipment that will be inspected
- Standards for vehicle emissions
- The rules regarding inspections by officers of the department of public safety
- Inspection of public-school buses
- Vehicle equipment safety
Chapter 9: Accident Reporting and Proof of Financial Responsibility
Chapter 9 includes information such as:
- When you are required to report an accident
- When security for damages must be given
- How unsatisfied judgments work
- When you will need proof of financial responsibility
- Assigned risk plans, cooperation by insured, and “spot “insurance
Chapter 10: Implementation of State and Local Highway Safety Programs
Chapter 10 includes information on topics such as the general authority of the governor to implement highway safety programs, the duties that the director has regarding these highway safety programs, how funds are accepted and administered, and other relevant information.
Chapter 11: Abandoned Motor Vehicles
Chapter 11 includes general provisions like the duty of a person removing or storing a motor vehicle, unattended vehicle checks, and other topics. This chapter also discusses the forfeiture of these vehicles and their components.
Chapter 12: Actions Against Non-Residents
Chapter 12 of the Georgia Motor Vehicle Code goes over actions against non-residents. Some of these specific rules you can read about include:
- The appointment of the Secretary of State as an agent for service of process for non-resident and non-resident minors
- How service on non-residents is made
- The venue of actions against non-residents
- The records that the Secretary of State will keep
- Certificate of service to be sent to the clerk of court
- The designation of employees to perform the functions of the Secretary of State
Chapter 13: Prosecuting Traffic Offenses
This chapter discusses traffic citations and complaints and information regarding arrests, trials, and appeals. This chapter also details traffic violations bureaus such as appointments, penalties for failed appearances, and other various rules and regulations.
Chapter 14: Speed Detection and Traffic-Control Signal Monitoring Devices
Chapter 14 includes information on the various rules and regulations regarding speed detection devices, such as required permits, inaccurate testing, and unlawful use of devices, among other topics. This chapter also details similar regulations for traffic-control signal monitoring devices such as permits, use of signs to notify motorists of traffic-control signal monitoring devices, and other relevant information.
Chapter 15: Motorcycle Operator Safety Training Program
This chapter explains the following:
- The establishment and operation of this program
- The provisions of this program
- The certificate of completion
- The authorization of the board to create rules, prescribe fees, and set student requirements
Additionally, Chapter 15 includes information regarding the requirements for instructors and the requirements and duties of authorized motorcycle operator safety training program coordinators.
Chapter 16: Department of Driver Services
Some of the information you will find in this chapter includes:
- The Department of Driver Services primary responsibilities
- Their annual reports to the general assembly
- The duties of the commissioner of the board of driver services
- The authority of the commissioner of the board of driver services
- Rules surrounding the use of department vehicles and equipment
- The civil monetary penalties of violations
- Information surrounding the budget of the department
- More about the Governor’s Commercial Transportation Advisory Committee
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Download Your CopyGeorgia Motor Vehicle Code FAQs
Understanding the complexities of the Georgia Motor Vehicle Code can be challenging. With this in mind, we have answered some of the most frequently asked questions surrounding Georgia’s Motor Vehicle Code.
Answers to specific questions will require you to call our office to discuss your concerns further.
Under the Georgia Motor Vehicle Code, off-road vehicles are defined as any motorized vehicle designed for use on or over water, marsh, swampland, snow, ice, and land. This does not include roads and terrain intended primarily for public use.
According to the Georgia Motor Vehicle Code, vehicles may be considered abandoned when they have been left unattended on private property for a minimum of 30 days and public property for a minimum of five days. This includes the vehicles left with a repair shop if the vehicle owner does not return to collect their car within 30 days of repair completion.
Most traffic violations may be considered infractions or misdemeanors. If you are found guilty of a misdemeanor under Georgia law, you could spend up to 12 months in jail and pay fines as high as $1,000.
Some of the programs offered through Georgia’s Highway Safety Program include:
The license reinstatement fees you will need to pay can vary widely depending on the reasons behind your initial license suspension.
Here are some of the more common Georgia license reinstatement fees you might expect:
- Suspension for Child Support Non-Compliance: $35
- Suspension for DUI (First Offense for Age 21 and Over): $210
- Suspension for Failure to Appear (FTA): $100
- Suspension for No Proof of Insurance (Second/More): $310
- Suspension for Points Violation (Third Offense): $410
- Suspension for Being a Super Speeder: $50 plus the $200 Super Speeder fee
Contact a Georgia Car Accident Lawyer for Today
The Georgia Motor Vehicle Code is complex. You may have many unanswered questions surrounding how your car accident claim could be affected by the state’s motor vehicle laws. Contact an experienced Georgia car accident lawyer at The Champion Firm or call 404-596-8044.
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