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May 26, 2016

Georgia Vehicle Identification Number

The state of Georgia offers free VIN checks through the Department of Revenue of the state of Georgia. The VINCheck recommended by the Georgia Department of Revenue is the same that is recommended by the National Crime Institute Bureau and it is even available online. The information that you will receive maybe different from the ones that you would get from other sources and it would be a good idea to search the National Motor Vehicle Title Insurance System, which is also free and is highly recommended as it focuses on salvage yards, junk yards, and places which criminals often use to steal VIN numbers. It would also be a wise idea to pay for private companies to perform a VIN check as they often give you more information than those which are free are able to offer.

A Georgia VIN Check on a vehicle will tell you information such as:

  • History of Accidents;
  • Any recall history of this make/model of car;
  • The history of the odometer reading;
  • If the car is stolen or if it ever had been before;
  • If the car was used in a loan or if there are outstanding liens on the car. If there are then you may end up being responsible for the money owed before you can even get the title in your name; and
  • If a car has sustained flood damage it is almost impossible to repair and if it is repairable it would be extremely expense. The Georgia VIN Check will be able to identify cars which were involved in floods or other natural disasters.

NCIB

NMVTIS

Online VIN Check in Georgia

This report can also be obtained at your local Georgia DMV office, which can be found by searching the Georgia Department of Motor Vehicles website or by going to the main office:

State of Georgia Department of Driver Services – Atlanta Office

Department of Motor Vehicles

400 Whitehall Street SW

Atlanta, GA 30303

678-413-8400

Georgia Department of Motor Vehicles Locations

Georgia VIN Checkup

Should you run additional VIN Checks?

Yes. Although the state complies a list with a variety of sources, you can always get a free VIN check from the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System and the National Insurance Crime Bureau. NMVTIS is known for working with salvage yards and junk yards to obtain information and currently 40 states participate 100%. This system has helped to identify cars which were previously declared total losses in floods or have been reported stolen. The National Insurance Crime Bureau is particularly useful to check if a car has been reported stolen and not recovered. You don’t want to go to get your new title only to find out that you have purchased a stolen vehicle.

There are also private companies which will run VIN checks which may cost you some money; however, in the long run it would be worth it to spend the money on a VIN check rather than costly repairs in the future.

NMVTIS

VINCheck

What about VIN checks specifically for Georgia? Is there a reason?

The simple answer is yes. While every state has its own issues and problems, Georgia is the 8th most populous state in America with over 10.3 million people divided into 59 different counties.

These numbers are from 2016, but they illustrate the number of cars and the danger of cars in the state:

  • In 2016, there were 3,538, 180 cars registered in the state of Georgia.
  • Motor Vehicle Accidents (from the Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety):
    • 1,554 traffic fatalities were reported in 2016;
    • The number of serious injuries sustained from traffic accidents has increased since the year 2010;
    • 15.55 serious traffic injuries were reported for every 100 million vehicle mils traveled, which is lowers by 6% compared to 2015;
    • 33% of traffic fatalities involved occupants of passenger cars, followed by pickups (14%) and utility or light trucks (14%);
    • Almost half (44%) of people who were killed in vehicle accidents did not use seat belts and almost 1/5th, or 20%, of facilities had resulted from uncontrolled speeding.
  • Motor Vehicle Theft – source Neighborhood Scout):
    • Motor vehicle theft rate in 2016 was 2.6 theft for every inhabitants; and
    • A total of 26,801 incidents of auto theft were reported in the 2016.
  • Natural Disasters/Hazards
    • In the South, Georgia is the state least likely to have disaster declarations. In the United States, it is also one of the least disaster-prone states;
    • However, both Florida and Alabama are quite disaster prone.
  • Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety

    Neighborhood Scout

    Emissions and Safety Inspection Locations

    Vehicle Safety Ratings

    Registering and Titling a car in Georgia:

    When you register a vehicle in the state of Georgia you should go to your County Tag Office and apply for a title and get a Georgia license plate. Vehicles can be easily registered and quickly at your local DMV office, and the DMVs in Georgia will be able to help you with a variety of title and license plate changes, including: renewing and registering a new vehicle, registering a vehicle if you are new to the state of Georgia, cancelling your title if you are selling your vehicle, replacing a lost or stolen title, replacing a lost or stolen license plate, renewing your license plate registration, when and where you can register a vehicle, specialty/prestige license plates and getting a title for a rebuilt or restored vehicle.

    If you are registering and getting a title for a newly purchased vehicle:

    Title Applications and License Plate Registration should be completed at your County Tag Office, but you will need the following information:

    • A Valid Georgia’s driver’s license or ID card;
    • Proof of Ownership of the vehicle;
      • The original title of the vehicle;
        • All buyer/seller information must be completed;
        • The title must be assigned to you using your full name that is used on your driver’s license; and
        • A Bill of Sale if the vehicle is 1985 or older and does not require a title.
      • If the title is unavailable, a Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin (MSO) or a registration certificate from non-title state/county, must be assigned using your full legal name;
      • If you are transferring from a non-title state/county, provide a completed paperwork of Form T -22B Certificate of Inspection

    If you are trying to get a title for a salvaged vehicle you must first go through the Rebuilt Inspection process before a rebuilt title can be issued on these vehicles.

    • Be a Licensed Rebuilder – any person who buys a salvaged or wrecked vehicle must for the purposes or rebuilding must be licensed as a rebuilder; or
    • Pass the Inspection -when the vehicle is restored but before it is painted; it must pass inspection by one of the Department’s approved inspectors or stations.

    To apply for a rebuilt title and vehicle inspection, you must submit the following to one of the Department approved private inspectors or stations:

    • One (1) or more photographs of the vehicle in its salvaged/wrecked conditions before any repairs are made;
    • Completed and signed Form MV – 1 Title/Tag Application;
    • Original valid salvage title issued in the vehicle owner’s name or properly assigned to the owner;
    • Completed and signed Form T-22R Request for Inspection of a Rebuilt Motor Vehicle;
    • Completed and signed Form T-129 Labor and Parts Certification;
    • Provide receipts for new or used parts used to restore/rebuild the vehicle should include:
      • Part names and stock names;
      • Show the vehicle owner or rebuilder as the purchaser of the parts. (The rebuilder’s name, as shown on the parts receipts must be shown on Form T-129.);
      • For used parts, show the part name and the VIN of the vehicle from which the part was taken –
        • Parts vehicle must have a title of file with the Department or submitted at the time of the application;
        • If the parts are from another state, provide a letter of certification from the other state.
    • Copy of Rebuilder’s License; and
    • $100.00 inspection for the inspection station.

    Once the vehicle passes inspection, the above paperwork along with the inspectors report and registration must be submitted with $118 – $100 for the state inspection fee and $18 for the title fee – to the following department:

    DOR/Motor Vehicle Division

    Attn: Salvage Unit

    P.O. Box 740384

    Atlanta, GA 30374-0384

    Vehicles must go through the Rebuilt process:

    • They have been branded “Salvage” in Georgia;
    • They have been branded out of state as “Salvage,” “Flood,” “Water,” “Fire,” and “Total Loss;” or
    • Tractor cab restored with a glider kit.

    If the out-of-state title is branded as “Rebuilt” or “Restored,” (meaning that the vehicle is no longer in a damaged condition), the vehicle is exempt from the following procedures:

    • Photographs of the vehicle in its salvaged/wrecked condition;
    • Receipts for parts used to restore the vehicle; and
    • From T-129 Labor and Parts Certification.

    Motor Vehicle Titles and Registration

    Georgia County Tag Office

    Georgia Motor Vehicles and Registration

    Register and Title a Newly Purchased Vehicle

    Form T-22B Certificate of Authorization

    Certified Salvage Inspectors

    Licensed as a Rebuilder

    Approved Inspectors or Stations for Cars which are Rebuilt

    Form MV-1 Title/Tag Application

    Form T-22R Request for Inspection of a Rebuilt Motor Vehicle

    Form T-129 Labor and Parts Certification

    Lemon Laws in Georgia

    The Georgia Lemon Law is in the Georgia Department of Law Consumer Protection Unit. covers only new vehicles for up to two (2) years or 24,000 miles – whichever comes first. For a car to be covered under the state of Georgia Lemon Law it must still be in the owner’s possession. It does not cover either purchased or used vehicles, used vehicles, motorcycles, trucks that weigh 10,000 pounds or more, All-terrain vehicles (ATVs), boats, vehicles which do not legally qualify as a motor vehicle, or the living area of a motorhome. However, the Federal Lemon Law, also called the Magnusson-Moss Warranty Act, can assist if necessary to help to cover warranties and can help with vehicles which sometimes slip through the individual state lemon law statutes.

    It does not guarantee that a consumer will receive a new vehicle or that their money will be refunded, just that the dealer and/or manufacturer will be held to the terms of the warranty that the vehicle was sold. Much like other states, the car must have a substantial defect which both impairs the use of the car, making the car dangerous and likely to result in severe injuries or death if driven, AND it must reduce the market value to the car must be significantly. (It should be noted that rattles and squeaks do not substantially impair either the use or market value of a vehicle and are not covered.

    Under the Georgia Lemon Law there are specific definitions and specific numbers when trying to resolve a lemon law issue. First, your car must qualify as a lemon under the Georgia state law. For your car to meet the criteria of the Georgia lemon law it must meet the following conditions:

    • The car must have a substantial defect which both significantly impairs the use of the vehicle AND it significantly impairs with market value of the car within one year of the date of purchase;
    • The consumer must give the car dealer at least three (3) attempts to fix the defect for most issues; one (1) attempt for defects that could cause serious injury or death; OR the car must have been unusable for more than thirty (30) business days, which need not be consecutive, during the first year of ownership or the terms of the warranty, whichever comes first;
      • Defects which cause rattles or squeaks, but do not substantially impair either the use or the market value or the car are not covered under Georgia’s Lemon Law. Defects which are a result of neglect, abuse, or unauthorized modifications to a vehicle are also not covered.
      • BE SURE AND KEEP RECORCDS OF SERVICE ORDERS, RECEIPTS AND ANY OTHER CORRESPONDENCE YOU HAVE HAD WITH THE MANUFACTURER!
    • The consumer must inform the manufacturer in writing by certified mail, called a Final Repair Opportunity Notice, OR you can submit a Vehicle Repurchase or Replacement Request to the manufacturer of the vehicle if:

    Consumers who feel that they have been victims of the lemon law are also encouraged to contact the Better Business Bureau Auto Line at 1-800-955-5100. The BBB also has an arbitration service or manufacturer’s warranty dispute program for many car manufacturers and can help give you information on what agency or organization would be the best to handle the complaint. The Georgia Attorney General has a Consumer Line at 303-222-4444 or 800-222-4444 and a website.

    While many consumers handle vehicles that are lemons on their own, you have the right to hire an attorney to represent you. If you choose to retain an attorney, be sure and find one who is familiar with the lemon laws in the state of Georgia and has experience working with lemon law cases. You can always contact the Georgia Bar Association for a list of lawyers in your area.

    Georgia Lemon Law

    Final Repair Opportunity Notice

    Vehicle Repurchase or Replacement Request

    Georgia Lemon Law

    State of Georgia Department of Driver Services
    Department of Motor Vehicles
    200 Cherry St
    1 678-413-8400

    Georgia Department of Driver Services
    Department of Motor Vehicles
    2301 Airport Rd
    1 912-370-2604

    Georgia Department of Driver Services
    Department of Motor Vehicles
    8610 Roswell Rd #710
    1 678-413-8400
    Closing soon: 12:00 PM

    Georgia Department of Driver Services
    (5) · Driver’s License Office
    200 Carl Vinson Rd SE
    1 678-413-8400
    Closed today

    Driver’s License
    Department of Transportation
    1504 Telfair St
    1 478-275-6600

    Perry Drivers License Department
    Driver’s License Office
    450 Golden Isles Pkwy
    1 866-754-3687

    Driver’s License Division
    Department of Motor Vehicles
    371 Gil Harbin Industrial Blvd
    1 229-333-5385
    Closing soon: 12:00 PM

    Driver Services Department
    Department of Motor Vehicles
    172 Bob Kirk Rd
    1 706-595-9751

    DDS
    Driver’s License Office
    2801 Candler Rd #82
    1 678-413-8400
    Closing soon: 12:00 PM

    Georgia Department of Driver Services
    Driver’s License Office
    3423 Mike Padgett Hwy
    1 678-413-8500
    Closing soon: 12:00 PM

    Toccoa Drivers License Department
    Driver’s License Office
    62 E Doyle St
    1 706-282-4821

    Americus DDS
    Department of Motor Vehicles
    1601 N Martin Luther King Blvd #270
    1 678-413-8400

    Georgia Department of Driver Services
    Department of Motor Vehicles
    8040 Rockbridge Rd SW
    1 770-484-3850
    Closing soon: 12:00 PM

    State of Georgia Department of Driver Services
    Driver’s License Office
    278 McElroy Rd
    1 678-413-8400
    Closing soon: 12:00 PM

    DDS
    Department of Motor Vehicles
    1505 US-29
    1 706-552-4427
    Closing soon: 12:00 PM

    Georgia Department of Driver Services
    Department of Motor Vehicles
    400 Whitehall St SW
    1 404-657-9300
    Closing soon: 12:00 PM

    Lawrenceville DDS
    Department of Motor Vehicles
    310 Hurricane Shoals Rd NE
    1 770-995-6855
    Closing soon: 12:00 PM

    DMV
    Department of Motor Vehicles
    1605 County Services Pkwy
    1 678-413-8400
    Closing soon: 12:00 PM

    Georgia MVD Albany Driver Services Department
    Department of Motor Vehicles
    2062 Newton Rd
    1 229-430-4258
    Closing soon: 12:00 PM

    Georgia Department of Revenue, Motor Vehicle Division
    Department of Motor Vehicles
    4125 Welcome All Rd
    1 855-406-5221

    Department of Driver Services
    Department of Motor Vehicles
    5036 GA-85
    1 404-669-3961
    Closing soon: 12:00 PM

    Georgia Department of Driver Services
    Driver’s License Office
    2211 Beaver Ruin Rd
    1 678-413-8400
    Closing soon: 12:00 PM

    Department of Driver Services – Statesboro
    Department of Motor Vehicles
    19051 US-301
    1 912-681-5999

    Camden County Vehicle Registration
    Department of Motor Vehicles
    200 E 4th St
    1 912-576-3248

    Liberty County Department of Motor Vehicles
    Department of Motor Vehicles
    112 N Main St
    1 912-876-3389

    Georgia Department of Driver Services Drivers License Office
    Department of Motor Vehicles
    348 Thomas H Frier Sr Dr
    1 912-384-1600

    Kingsland Drivers License Department
    Department of Motor Vehicles
    333 S Ashley St
    1 912-729-1362

    State of Georgia Department of Driver Services
    Driver’s License Office
    1010 Aviation Blvd
    1 770-532-5308
    Closing soon: 12:00 PM

    MVD Tag Office
    County Government Office
    423 College St
    1 770-830-5826

    Macon Drivers License Department
    Department of Motor Vehicles
    200 Cherry St
    1 404-657-9300

    Georgia Department of Driver Services
    Driver’s License Office
    1605 County Services Pkwy
    1 678-413-8400
    Closing soon: 12:00 PM

    Brunswick Drivers License Department
    Department of Motor Vehicles
    134 Jack Hartman Rd
    1 866-754-3687

    Evans Drivers License Department
    Department of Motor Vehicles
    4408 Evans to Locks Rd
    Closing soon: 12:00 PM

    Muscogee County Tag Office
    Auto Tag Agency
    3111 Citizens Way
    1 706-653-4208

    DMV Office Sandy Spring
    Department of Motor Vehicles
    8610 Roswell Rd #710
    1 678-413-8600
    Closing soon: 12:00 PM

    Drivers License Department
    Department of Motor Vehicles
    4788 US-84
    1 229-227-2500

    Troup County Driver’s License
    Department of Motor Vehicles
    900 Dallis St
    1 678-413-8400

    DeKalb County Tax Commissioner
    County Government Office
    4380 Memorial Dr #100
    1 404-298-4000

    Locust Grove Drivers License
    Driver’s License Office
    619 Tanger Dr
    1 678-565-4362
    Closing soon: 12:00 PM

    Columbia County Motor Vehicle Division
    Department of Motor Vehicles
    630 Ronald Reagan Dr
    1 706-868-6884

    Gwinnett County Tag Office
    Department of Motor Vehicles
    5030 Georgia Belle Ct
    1 770-822-8818

    Chatham County Tag Office
    Auto Tag Agency
    1145 Eisenhower Dr
    1 912-652-6800

    Jackson Drivers License Department
    Department of Motor Vehicles
    149 Riverview Dr
    1 770-504-2469
    Closing soon: 12:00 PM

    Houston County Tax Department
    Tax Department
    200 Carl Vinson Pkwy
    1 478-542-2110

    Georgia Department of Driver Services
    Driver’s License Office
    409 S Midway Rd
    1 866-754-3687

    Clayton Tax Commissioner
    Tax Department
    Southlake Festival
    1510 Southlake Pkwy
    1 770-477-3331

    South Augusta Tag Office
    Auto Tag Agency
    3463 Peach Orchard Rd
    1 706-821-2476
    Closing soon: 12:00 PM

    State of Georgia: Driver’s License
    State Government Office
    3029 Memorial Dr
    1 912-285-6296

    Cherokee County Tax Commissioner’s Office
    Tax Collector’s Office
    155 Towne Lake Pkwy
    1 770-924-4099

    Dublin Department of Driver Services
    Department of Motor Vehicles
    620 County Farm Rd
    1 678-413-8500
    Closing soon: 12:00 PM

    Department of Drivers Services
    Department of Motor Vehicles
    1180 C Weldon Smith Dr
    1 706-454-2527

    Forsyth County Auto Tags
    Department of Motor Vehicles
    1092 Tribble Gap Rd
    1 770-781-2112

    Georgia Department of Driver Services- Driver’s License Office
    Driver’s License Office
    1117 Eisenhower Dr
    1 912-691-7400
    Closing soon: 12:00 PM

    Department of Driver Services
    Department of Motor Vehicles
    3690 Old 41 Hwy NW
    1 678-413-8400
    Closing soon: 12:00 PM

    North Gwinnett Tag Office
    Department of Motor Vehicles
    2735 Mall of GA Blvd
    1 770-822-8818
    Open until 6:00 PM

    Gwinnett County Tag Office
    Department of Motor Vehicles
    750 S Perry St
    1 770-822-8818

    Georgia Department of Driver Services
    Driver’s License Office
    128 Bullsboro Dr

    Athens-Clarke County Tag Office
    Auto Tag Agency
    3025 Lexington Rd
    1 706-613-3130

    Georgia Department of Driver Services
    Department of Motor Vehicles
    3029 Memorial Dr
    1 912-285-6296

    Georgia Department of Driver’s Services
    Driver’s License Office
    400 Aquatic Cir

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