What to do with Georgia plates after moving to Alabama
The answer can be return, cancel, destroy, recycle, or keep. Follow the reviewed Georgia instruction only after the Alabama registration and insurance handoff are safe.
Complete the replacement record
Register the vehicle within 30 days after it enters Alabama. Vehicles covered by Alabama's title law must be titled before registration.
Put Alabama liability insurance in place before applying for the registration.
Cancel the Georgia registration before ending its insurance
After the destination registration is active, cancel the Georgia registration through DRIVES e-Services or the county tag office and save the confirmation. Georgia requires continuous liability coverage while its registration remains active.
Open the official Georgia instructionReviewed 2026-07-31- 1. Activate acceptable destination coverage
Confirm the effective date with the new insurer.
- 2. Register in Alabama
Keep the issued registration or official receipt.
- 3. Complete the Georgia plate action
Keep the surrender, cancellation, mailing, destruction, or retention record the state provides.
- 4. End or rewrite the old policy
Ask the insurer to use dates that do not create an uncovered active registration.
Sources for this closeout sequence
- Georgia DOR: Registration cancellation and insurance sequenceChecked 2026-07-31 ↗InsuranceExit closeout
- Alabama DOR: Registering a vehicleChecked 2026-07-31 ↗RegistrationInsuranceInspection / VINTitle / lienTax / fees