Georgia § 40-3-4 - Exclusions from issuance of certificate of title.

Full text of Georgia Official Code of Georgia Annotated § 40-3-4 — Exclusions from issuance of certificate of title., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 40-3-4. Exclusions from issuance of certificate of title.

No certificate of title shall be obtained for: A vehicle owned by the United States unless it is registered in this state; A vehicle owned by a manufacturer of or dealer in vehicles and held for sale, even though incidentally used on the highway or used for purpose of testing or demonstration; a vehicle owned by a manufacturer headquarters or its affiliate and registered and licensed pursuant to Code Section 40-2-38; a vehicle owned by a dealer in vehicles but used by any Georgia public or private school for driver education purposes; or a vehicle used by a manufacturer solely for testing; except that all dealers acquiring new vehicles after July 1, 1962, from a manufacturer for resale shall obtain such evidence of origin of title from the manufacturer as the commissioner shall by rule and regulation prescribe; A vehicle owned by a nonresident of this state and not required by law to be registered in this state; A vehicle regularly engaged in the interstate transportation of persons or property for which a currently effective certificate of title has been issued in another state; A vehicle moved solely by human or animal power; An implement of husbandry; Special mobile equipment; A self-propelled wheelchair or invalid tricycle; A pole trailer; Motor buses used for the transportation of persons by a street railroad or other company engaged in the operation of an urban transit system over fixed routes; A boat trailer; A homemade trailer; A device used exclusively upon stationary rails or tracks or which obtains motive power from fixed overhead electric wires; A vehicle, other than a mobile home or crane, the model year of which is prior to 1986. The owner of any vehicle which has a valid certificate of title and which becomes subject to the exclusion provided in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph may retain the certificate of title. Each subsequent transferee of any vehicle covered by subparagraph (A) of this paragraph, for which the certificate of title has been retained, may obtain a certificate of title by complying with Code Section 40-3-32. However, the failure of any subsequent transferee to comply with Code Section 40-3-32 shall preclude transferees subsequent to that transferee from obtaining a certificate of title. The department shall maintain such records as may be necessary to allow owners to obtain a certificate of title under this subparagraph. No certificate of title authorized to be issued under this subparagraph shall be issued under Code Section 40-3-28. A security interest in or lien against a vehicle which is subject to the exclusion provided for in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph and which arises after such vehicle becomes subject to the operation of subparagraph (A) of this paragraph may be perfected in the same manner as such security interests and liens are perfected on vehicles required by this chapter to have certificates of title. The transferee of any vehicle which is subject to the exclusion provided for in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph, regardless of whether that vehicle has a certificate of title issued pursuant to subparagraph (B) of this paragraph, shall take such vehicle subject to any security interest or lien perfected under this paragraph; Except as provided in subparagraph (B) of this paragraph, a trailer with an unladen gross weight of 2,000 pounds or less. The exclusion provided in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph shall not apply to a travel trailer or camper, regardless of its unladen gross weight; A vehicle which is not sold for the purpose of lawful highway use; A vehicle with a model year prior to 1963; A moped; or A personal transportation vehicle. (Ga. L. 1961, p. 68, § 4; Ga. L. 1962, p. 79, § 2; Ga. L. 1964, p. 178, § 2; Ga. L. 1980, p. 518, § 2; Ga. L. 1981, p. 617, § 1; Ga. L. 1985, p. 1271, § 1; Ga. L. 1987, p. 655, § 2; Ga. L. 1990, p. 2048, § 3; Ga. L. 1993, p. 1260, § 5; Ga. L. 1994, p. 97, § 40; Ga. L. 1994, p. 741, § 1; Ga. L. 1997, p. 143, § 40; Ga. L. 1997, p. 1515, § 1; Ga. L. 1998, p. 1179, §§ 31, 32; Ga. L. 1999, p. 334, § 3; Ga. L. 2000, p. 951, § 4-2; Ga. L. 2002, p. 506, § 4; Ga. L. 2002, p. 512, § 8; Ga. L. 2014, p. 745, § 3/HB 877; Ga. L. 2015, p. 1219, § 3/HB 202.) Code Commission notes. - Pursuant to Code Section 28-9-5, in 1987, "tracks" was substituted for "trucks" in paragraph (13). The amendment of this Code section by Ga. L. 2002, p. 506, § 4, irreconcilably conflicted with and was treated as superseded by Ga. L. 2002, p. 512, § 8. See County of Butts v. Strahan, 151 Ga. 417 (1921).

Source: official Georgia text · Last verified 2026-08-27

Frequently Asked Questions About Georgia § 40-3-4

What does Official Code of Georgia Annotated § 40-3-4 cover?

Section 40-3-4 ("Exclusions from issuance of certificate of title.") is part of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, the codified statutory law of Georgia. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite Georgia § 40-3-4?

A common citation format is "Official Code of Georgia Annotated § 40-3-4" (Georgia). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of Georgia law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Georgia official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Georgia attorney.

How does Georgia § 40-3-4 apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Georgia can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

Sources & Verification

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Georgia.