Georgia: titling an imported car
Georgia's Department of Revenue states that kei vehicles cannot be titled or registered, and treats an HS-7 box-1 (25+ years) import as not titleable.
Sources checked 2026-10-17. Not legal advice; rules change.
At a glance
- Import ease (where verified): Official sources state barriers or hold-ups for typical 25-year imports. Georgia DOR policy bulletin says kei vehicles and HS-7 Box 1 (25+ year) imports cannot be titled or registered.
- Kei / mini-truck: Official source says kei vehicles cannot be titled or registered. Policy Bulletin MVD-2023-05: Georgia prohibits titling and registering Japanese kei vehicles and minitrucks, even if titled in another state.
What the official sources say
- Policy Bulletin MVD-2023-05: Georgia prohibits titling and registering Japanese kei vehicles, minitrucks and similar vehicles because they are not FMVSS-compliant, even if titled in another state; it cites O.C.G.A. § 40-3-30.1(f) (unconventional motor vehicles).
Source: Georgia DOR Policy Bulletin MVD-2023-05 - The bulletin says HS-7 box 1 (vehicle 25 or more years old) represents the vehicle is not FMVSS-compliant and therefore cannot be titled and registered in Georgia; box 8 (not primarily for public roads) likewise.
Source: Georgia DOR Policy Bulletin MVD-2023-05 - The bulletin says a vehicle with an FMVSS compliance label on the driver's doorframe may be titled; a vehicle without it is not FMVSS-compliant unless Customs or DOT has issued FMVSS certification. A 17-character VIN is required (not applicable to model years before 1981).
Source: Georgia DOR Policy Bulletin MVD-2023-05 - Foreign-vehicle titling (DOR page): Form MV-1, the foreign registration or an MCO, bill(s) of sale for a used vehicle, a T-22B VIN inspection, proof of federal safety compliance from the U.S. DOT for used vehicles, English translations with an applicant statement, and an $18.00 title fee.
Source: Georgia DOR: Title for a vehicle from a foreign country
Not verified (do not rely on ImportClock for these)
- Whether Georgia would title a 25+ year old non-kei European or Japanese car that has DOT/FMVSS certification was not stated beyond the above; the bulletin's HS-7 box-1 language is the controlling text found. Ask Georgia DOR before importing.
- Georgia emissions testing (metro Atlanta counties) and ad valorem tax rules were not verified.
- The DOR page is not dated; the bulletin is numbered 2023-05.