Question for folks in Georgia. When I received my car I did not get a AFV license plate. Is this normal? Do I have to go to the tag office after receiving delivery to change my license plate? Also, it seems that there is an annual fee of $200 for this license plate - is that correct?
Alternative Fuel Vehicle License Plate - Georgia
- Thread starter gunners123
- Start date
terrywhite
Member
Yes that is normal as you pay extra for it if you want it. I just took the plate that came in the mail to the tag office, paid the fee and walked out with the AFV one.
Thanks! Is there any true benefit outside of the HOV lane access? I am wondering if I should just save the $200 annual fee by not changing the plate
When you have a full electric vehicle, you are required to pay the $200 annual fee no matter what tag you have. So, I believe the cost difference is $35/yr for the special tag. You'll get HOV lane access with a single occupant and free toll lane access on the I-85 toll lane north of town. The I-75 toll lanes (south and the future ones north of town) you won't get any discount when using--so you'll be just like a normal car.
Note that this information is what I've gathered in my own research. I just took delivery of my Model 3 a week ago and do not have first hand experience.
Note that this information is what I've gathered in my own research. I just took delivery of my Model 3 a week ago and do not have first hand experience.
nogajim
Member
But you did some good research. The $200+fee is unavoidable for a battery powered car. You have to pay the $35/year plus a one time $25 tag fee to get the AFV plate. It’s outrageous, but I just think of it as a jealousy tax.
Glenn90
Member
I found this thread when searching for info on obtaining a Georgia Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) license plate for my new Model 3, so thought I'd document my experience.
- On Sept. 17, I took delivery of my Model 3 in Roswell. The car had a temporary tag that expired Nov. 1, and the delivery specialist told me I'd be receiving a physical license plate in the mail.
- On Oct. 5, I received my license plate in the mail, along with a registration form and sticker (month/year). It was a "normal" (non-AFV) plate. The registration form showed that I'd already paid a $212.78 electric vehicle fee, as part of my overall Tesla payment. (This is not related to the special AFV plates; this annual fee is charged on all electric vehicles, in lieu of gasoline taxes.)
- On Oct. 8, I took the license plate into my local tag office (Lower Roswell Rd. in East Cobb). I waited maybe 30 seconds and then spoke to an agent, who asked me to complete a 1-page form (I could have printed it in advance, but forgot). I was charged a $60 "plate fee," which I paid by credit card. (The fee wasn't broken out, but I think it actually consists of a one-time $25 "manufacturing fee," plus a $35 annual "special tag fee.") He took my old plate, applied the registration sticker to it, then got out an AFV plate from a cabinet. he printed a new registration for me, then took the registration sticker off the printout and put it onto the AFV plate. I walked out with my new AFV plate and registration form, all in under 5 minutes.
- The AFV plate is required in order to drive in HOV lanes with a single driver. You can't drive in the HOV lane just because you own a Tesla.
- The AFV plate also entitles you to drive in the I-85 Express Lane, if you have a Peach Pass.
- There are some additional complexities when mixing an AFV plate with a Peach Pass, which I won't attempt to explain, but which this page describes in detail.
- Per the Georgia Department of Revenue AFV Fees FAQ, the $212.78 annual electric vehicle fee will be adjusted each year, based on a "statutory formula" that looks at average motor vehicle fuel efficiency. The fee was $213.69 for 2018, so it actually went down for 2019.
- At annual registration renewal time, AFV plate holders will see an additional $35 "annual special tag fee."
I thought that too but now that I'm driving in the HOV lanes I notice that probably up to 50% are single occupant/non AFV vehicles. Other than an occasional on ramp I see 0 enforcement of violators. It is really just another lane except worse. When busy it is the same packed as all others lanes and when not as busy you have <70mph drivers and buses in it.
darhall993
Member
Just an FYI, once you receive your AFV Tag, you will need to send proof to the Peach Pass folks before tolls are waived. If you email [email protected] with picture of ur registration they will make the change and send an email reply indicating your toll mode has changed.
lilcutey
Member
I find the signs on the HOV lanes to be misleading to those who haven't dug into it like local owners. The signs just say "AFV allowed" and reference the statutory code. If a non-local were coming through town, I highly doubt they would realize that the code requires a special tag, but would assume that anything classified would apply -- so that may be part of the reason the enforcement is lacking in many cases.
I also have an issue that I can't have the AFV tag personalized, so I had to decide which was more important to me. We ultimately decided that we don't drive through downtown enough that the AFV makes a difference (and usually when we do, we're together), so we went with the personalized plate, but it's stupid to have to choose.
I also have an issue that I can't have the AFV tag personalized, so I had to decide which was more important to me. We ultimately decided that we don't drive through downtown enough that the AFV makes a difference (and usually when we do, we're together), so we went with the personalized plate, but it's stupid to have to choose.
APD definitely enforces when traffic is bad. Particularly during rush hours when the weather is nice. I agree though that it's under-enforced. I have seen folks cross the double whites in front of GSP before and they just don't care
I wasn't required to do that, your registration in the state's computer system will indicate it is an AFV tag
The "AFV allowed" sign does have the symbol that is on the tag, but at the end of the day you're responsible for knowing the law.
I agree with you on the tag issue. I'd much rather have a different tag (would like to get a Braves tag, or if they ever add my out of state university, that one). I wrote my state representatives asking that they push for switching to a sticker instead of the tag (California does this). One of them was sympathetic, the other told me just to get a Braves bumper sticker and seemed annoyed that I had bothered him (weird, since he is a Democrat and was pushing the EV tax credit this year)
I don't think I'd like a huge California style bumper sticker but if we could get a special sticker on the tag itself, so that it could be applied to *any* tag or a personalized tag, that would be the best
If this is important to you, try reaching out to your state representative and state senator
Similar threads
