Changes to Georgia law effective Jan. 1 require a vehicle privately sold by anyone other than a registered dealer to be registered within seven days.
The law is aimed at eliminating "tag applied for" signs that have been posted on cars in Georgia for years, a Catoosa County official said.
"From now on, a sign in the back of the window that states, 'tag applied for,' will be an open invitation for law enforcement to pull the driver over and write them a ticket," Catoosa County Tax Commissioner Sandra Self said in a release on the new law.
The new law replaces the former 30-day requirement, according to state officials.
Self said that the changes do not apply to car dealers, who continue to have a 30-day registration period.
To register a vehicle from a private sale, Self said people are required to provide a bill of sale, current registration from the previous owner, driver's license and proof of insurance.
If the purchaser can not get the title during the seven-day period, Self says they must come to the county tag office and register the vehicle.
"The customer then will be issued a temporary operating permit good for 30 days from the date of purchase," she states.
Once the purchaser gets the title, it can be transferred to new ownership and a metal tag can be issued, she said.
If the purchases still can't get a title after 60 days, the vehicle cannot be driven on the road legally, she said.
For more information, contact the local county Tax Commissioner Tag Office.