25 HB 308/AP
House Bill 308 (AS PASSED HOUSE AND SENATE)
By: Representatives Clifton of the 131
st
, Wiedower of the 121
st
, Rhodes of the 124
th
, Corbett
of the 174
th
, Dickey of the 134
th
, and others
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
To amend Title 40 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to motor vehicles and
1
traffic, so as to provide for the operation of miniature on-road vehicles on certain highways;2
to provide for standards for registration of such vehicles; to provide for issuance of license3
plates for miniature on-road vehicles; to provide for an annual licensing fee for such vehicles;4
to exempt such vehicles from certificate of title requirements; to provide for equipment and5
operating standards for such vehicles; to provide local authorities with the power to prohibit6
operation of such vehicles; to require posting of notice of such prohibition upon highways;7
to provide a sentencing court with authority to order the installation of a device which limits8
the speed of a motor vehicle as part of the punishment for conviction of the offense of9
reckless stunt driving; to provide for procedures and conditions upon issuance of such orders;10
to provide for notification to the Department of Revenue; to provide for a penalty; to revise11
and provide for definitions; to provide that fingerprints shall not be obtained for offenses12
relating to operation of a motor vehicle with unauthorized levels of window or windshield13
tinting or unlawful installation of such; to revise and provide for a definition; to provide for14
the issuance of a refusal to sign citation; to provide for a penalty; to amend Code Section15
48-5-473 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to returns for taxation and16
application for and issuance of license plates upon payment of taxes due, so as to provide for17
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payment of ad valorem taxes upon miniature on-road vehicles; to provide for related matters;
18
to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.19
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:20
SECTION 1.21
Title 40 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to motor vehicles and traffic, is22
amended in Code Section 40-1-1, relating to definitions, by revising paragraph (27.1) and23
adding a new paragraph to read as follows:24
"(27.1) 'Miniature on-road vehicle' means any motorized vehicle designed and
25
manufactured for use upon roadways in another country that has been imported into the26
United States with a valid certificate of title or registration from the exporting country27
and in compliance with all federal importation requirements and which has the following28
characteristics:29
(A) Has the capability to transport persons;30
(B) Operates between 25 miles per hour (40.2 kilometers per hour) and 65 miles per31
hour (104.6 kilometers per hour);32
(C) Has an overall width of 80 inches (2,030 millimeters) or less, exclusive of33
accessories or attachments;34
(D) Is designed to travel on four or more wheels;35
(E) Uses a steering wheel for steering control;36
(F) Contains a nonstraddle seat;37
(G) Has a gross vehicle weight rating of less than 4,000 pounds (1,814 kilograms); and38
(H) Is not designed or manufactured as a golf cart, all-terrain vehicle, or multipurpose39
off-highway vehicle.40
(27.2) 'Minimal risk condition' means a low-risk operating mode in which a fully41
autonomous vehicle operating without a human driver achieves a reasonably safe state,42
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such as bringing the vehicle to a complete stop, upon experiencing a failure of the
43
vehicle's automated driving system that renders the vehicle unable to perform the entire44
dynamic driving task."45
SECTION 2.46
Said title is further amended in Code Section 40-2-27, relating to registration of motor47
vehicles not manufactured to comply with federal emission and safety standards, certificate48
of registration for an assembled motor vehicle or motorcycle or a converted motor vehicle,49
and former military motor vehicles, by revising subsection (e) as follows:50
"(e) The provisions of subsection (a) of this Code section shall not apply to applications51
for certificates of registration for former military motor vehicles that are less than 25 years52
old and manufactured for the United States military,
or multipurpose off-highway vehicles53
manufactured after January 1, 2000, or miniature on-road vehicles manufactured more than54
25 years prior to application; provided, however, that the exception provided by this55
subsection shall be applicable to miniature on-road vehicles manufactured less than 2556
years prior to application that have been modified by an importer registered with the United57
States Department of Transportation to comply with applicable federal motor vehicle safety58
standards issued pursuant to 49 U.S.C. Section 30101, et seq., and certified by such59
importer as such."60
SECTION 3.61
Said title is further amended in Code Section 40-2-31, relating to license plate design,62
retention of manufacturing and delivery costs, revalidation, county, and "In God We Trust"63
decals, by revising subsection (b) as follows:64
"(b) License plates issued pursuant to this chapter shall be at least six inches wide and not65
less than 12 inches in length, except that motorcycle license plates shall be at least four66
inches wide and not less than seven inches in length and license plates for low-speed67
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vehicles, miniature on-road vehicles, and multipurpose off-highway vehicles shall be a size68
determined by the commissioner. All license plates shall show in boldface characters the69
month and year of expiration, the serial number, and either the full name or the70
abbreviation of the name of the state, shall designate the county from which the license71
plate was issued unless specifically stated otherwise in this chapter, and shall show such72
other distinctive markings as in the judgment of the commissioner may be deemed73
advisable, so as to indicate the class of weight of the vehicle for which the license plate was74
issued. Any license plate for a low-speed vehicle, miniature on-road vehicle, or75
multipurpose off-highway vehicle shall designate the vehicle as such. Such plates may also76
bear such figures, characters, letters, or combinations thereof as in the judgment of the77
commissioner will to the best advantage advertise, popularize, and otherwise promote78
Georgia as the 'Peach State.' Plates issued during the years 2026 through 2030 shall79
include the design approved pursuant to Code Section 40-2-31.1. Except for license plates80
issued pursuant to Article 2B of this chapter, any license plate issued pursuant to this81
chapter shall be of such strength and quality that the plate shall provide a minimum service82
period of at least five years. The commissioner shall adopt rules and regulations, pursuant83
to the provisions of Chapter 13 of Title 50, the 'Georgia Administrative Procedure Act,' for84
the design and issuance of new license plates and to implement the other provisions of this85
Code section."86
SECTION 4.87
Said title is further amended in said Code section, as in effect on January 1, 2032, by revising88
subsection (b) as follows:89
"(b) License plates issued pursuant to this chapter shall be at least six inches wide and not90
less than 12 inches in length, except that motorcycle license plates shall be at least four91
inches wide and not less than seven inches in length and license plates for low-speed92
vehicles, miniature on-road vehicles, and multipurpose off-highway vehicles shall be a size93
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determined by the commissioner. All license plates shall show in boldface characters the
94
month and year of expiration, the serial number, and either the full name or the95
abbreviation of the name of the state, shall designate the county from which the license96
plate was issued unless specifically stated otherwise in this chapter, and shall show such97
other distinctive markings as in the judgment of the commissioner may be deemed98
advisable, so as to indicate the class of weight of the vehicle for which the license plate was99
issued. Any license plate for a low-speed vehicle, miniature on-road vehicle,
or100
multipurpose off-highway vehicle shall designate the vehicle as such. Such plates may also101
bear such figures, characters, letters, or combinations thereof as in the judgment of the102
commissioner will to the best advantage advertise, popularize, and otherwise promote103
Georgia as the 'Peach State.' Except for license plates issued pursuant to Article 2B of this104
chapter, any license plate issued pursuant to this chapter shall be of such strength and105
quality that the plate shall provide a minimum service period of at least five years. The106
commissioner shall adopt rules and regulations, pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 13107
of Title 50, the 'Georgia Administrative Procedure Act,' for the design and issuance of new108
license plates and to implement the other provisions of this Code section."109
SECTION 5.110
Said title is further amended in Code Section 40-2-33, relating to issuance of license plates111
and decals, transfer of registration to a digital license plate, compensation of tag agents, and112
required identification, by revising paragraph (2.1) of subsection (a) as follows:113
"(2.1) The commissioner may provide for the issuance of a temporary operating permit114
for any multipurpose off-highway miniature on-road vehicle, to be displayed until such115
time as a license plate of the design required by Code Section 40-2-31 has been issued116
to the registrant as a replacement for such temporary operating permit; provided,117
however, that any such temporary operating permit shall designate the multipurpose118
off-highway miniature on-road vehicle as such; and provided, further, that the119
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commissioner shall make available for issuance multipurpose off-highway miniature120
on-road vehicle license plates of the design required by Code Section 40-2-31 not later121
than January 1, 2024 2026."122
SECTION 6.123
Said title is further amended in Code Section 40-2-151, relating to annual license fees for124
operation of vehicles, fee for permanent licensing of certain trailers, and fee for new125
passenger car with paid title ad valorem taxes, by revising paragraph (2) of subsection (a) as126
follows:127
"(2) For each motorcycle, miniature on-road vehicle, or multipurpose128
off-highway vehicle.............................................129 20.00"
SECTION 7.
130
Said title is further amended in Code Section 40-3-30.1, relating to standards for issuance to131
assembled motor vehicle and motorcycle or converted motor vehicle, inspections,132
unconventional motor vehicle or motorcycle not to be titled or registered, and exception, by133
revising subsection (f) as follows:134
"(f) Unconventional motor vehicles or motorcycles shall not be titled or registered;135
provided, however, that a multipurpose off-highway vehicle manufactured after January
136
1, 2000, the following unconventional motor vehicles shall be registered upon proper137
application and payment of the required fee:138
(1) A multipurpose off-highway vehicle manufactured after January 1, 2000;139
(2) A miniature on-road vehicle manufactured more than 25 years prior to application;140
and141
(3) A miniature on-road vehicle manufactured less than 25 years prior to application that142
has been modified by an importer registered with the United States Department of143
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Transportation to comply with applicable federal motor vehicle safety standards issued144
pursuant to 49 U.S.C. Section 30101, et seq., and certified by such importer as such."145
SECTION 8.146
Said title is further amended by revising Part 5 of Article 13 of Chapter 6, relating to147
low-speed or multipurpose off-highway vehicles, as follows:148
"Part 5149
40-6-359.150
Multipurpose off-highway vehicles and miniature on-road vehicles shall be equipped with:151
(1) Headlights;152
(2) Brake lights;153
(3) Taillights;154
(4) A rearview mirror; and155
(5) Safety belts.156
40-6-360.157
Every person operating a low-speed vehicle, miniature on-road vehicle, or multipurpose158
off-highway vehicle shall be granted all the rights and shall be subject to all the duties159
applicable to the driver of any other vehicle under this chapter except as to special160
regulations in this part and except as to those provisions of this chapter which by their161
nature can have no application.162
40-6-361.163
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(a) All low-speed vehicles, miniature on-road vehicles, and multipurpose off-highway164
vehicles are entitled to full use of a lane, and no motor vehicle shall be driven in such a165
manner as to deprive any such vehicles of the full use of a lane.166
(b) The operator of a low-speed vehicle, miniature on-road vehicle, or multipurpose167
off-highway vehicle shall not overtake and pass in the same lane occupied by the vehicle168
being overtaken.169
(c) No person shall operate a low-speed vehicle, miniature on-road vehicle, or170
multipurpose off-highway vehicle between lanes of traffic or between adjacent lines or171
rows of vehicles.172
(d) Low-speed vehicles, miniature on-road vehicles, and multipurpose off-highway173
vehicles shall not be operated two or more abreast in a single lane.174
40-6-362.175
(a) Low-speed vehicles shall be operated only on any highway where the posted speed176
limit does not exceed 35 miles per hour. The operator of a low-speed vehicle shall not177
operate such vehicle on any highway where the posted speed limit exceeds 35 miles per178
hour.179
(b) Multipurpose off-highway vehicles shall be operated only on highways that are part180
of a county road system and shall be authorized to cross highways that are part of a181
municipal street system or are part of the state highway system.182
(c) Miniature on-road vehicles shall be operated only on highways that are part of a183
municipal street system or county road system, provided that such operation has not been184
prohibited through ordinance or resolution within a local jurisdiction, and shall be185
authorized to cross highways that are part of the state highway system."186
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SECTION 9.
187
Said title is further amended in Code Section 40-6-371, relating to powers of local authorities188
generally, by revising paragraphs (18.1) through (20) of and adding a new paragraph to189
subsection (a) and by revising subsection (c) to read as follows:190
"(18.1)
(19) Regulating the operation of electric personal assistive mobility devices,191
provided that such regulations are no less restrictive than those imposed by Part 2A of192
Article 13 of this chapter;193
(18.2)(20) Regulating the operation of personal transportation vehicles, provided that194
such regulations comply with Parts 3 and 6 of Article 13 of this chapter;195
(21) Prohibiting the operation of miniature on-road vehicles as authorized in Code196
Section 40-6-362;197
(19)(22) Adopting and enforcing such temporary or experimental regulations as may be198
necessary to cover emergencies or special conditions; or199
(20)(23) Adopting such other traffic regulations as are specifically authorized by this200
chapter."201
"(c) No ordinance or regulation enacted under paragraph (4), (5), (6), (8), (9), (10), (11),202
(12), (13), (14), (15), (16), (17), (18), or (18.2) (20), or (21) of subsection (a) of this Code203
section shall be effective until official traffic-control devices giving notice of such local204
traffic regulations are erected upon or at the entrances to the highway or the part thereof205
affected as may be most appropriate."206
SECTION 10.207
Said title is further amended in Code Section 40-6-390.1, relating to reckless stunt driving,208
by adding a new subsection to read as follows:209
"(b.1)(1) As used in this subsection, the term 'intelligent speed assistance device' means210
a device designed to be installed within a motor vehicle to actively monitor and prevent211
the operator from exceeding a preset speed. Such term shall not include any technology212
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provided by the motor vehicle manufacturer as a component of a motor vehicle that213
controls or affects the speed of a motor vehicle.214
(2) Upon conviction of a violation of this Code section and in addition to the punishment215
provided for in subsection (a) of this Code section, a court shall be authorized to order216
the installation of an intelligent speed assistance device upon the motor vehicle operated217
by the offender during such violation when the offender is the registered owner of such218
motor vehicle as shown in the records of the Department of Revenue. Such order shall219
set the maximum speed limit for an intelligent speed assistance device installed upon a220
motor vehicle at a speed limit of no greater than 20 percent above the posted speed limit. 221
An intelligent speed assistance device shall be installed within ten days of the issuance222
of such order and remain on the vehicle for a period of time ordered by the court which223
shall be no less than six months. The costs relating to the installation of an intelligent224
speed assistance device upon a motor vehicle and any monitoring thereof shall be borne225
by the offender. Any court which orders an intelligent speed assistance device to be226
placed upon a motor vehicle pursuant to this subsection shall provide the Department of227
Revenue with a copy of such order. The records of the Department of Revenue shall228
contain a record reflecting that the motor vehicle shall only be operated when equipped229
with a functioning intelligent speed assistance device. The operation of a motor vehicle230
without an intelligent speed assistance device for which an order for installation of an231
intelligent speed assistance device has been issued pursuant to this subsection by the232
offender issued such order shall be punished as for a misdemeanor."233
SECTION 11.234
Said title is further amended in Code Section 40-8-73.1, relating to tinting of windows or235
windshields of motor vehicles, by revising subsection (h) as follows:236
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"(h) Any person who violates subsection (b) or (e) of this Code section shall be guilty of
237
a misdemeanor; provided, however, that no fingerprints shall be obtained for a violation
238
of this Code section."239
SECTION 12.240
Said title is further amended in Code Section 40-13-2.1, relating to signature on citations241
required, effect of failure to sign, exemption for out-of-state drivers, and electronic capture242
of signature, by revising subsection (a) as follows:243
"(a) A person who is issued a citation as provided in this chapter or Code Section 17-6-11,244
relating to display of driver's license in lieu of bail, shall may sign the citation to245
acknowledge receipt of the citation and of his or her obligation to appear for trial. The246
officer shall advise the person that signing the citation is not an admission of guilt and that247
failure to sign will result in the person having to post a cash bond appear for trial. If the248
person refuses to sign the citation, it shall constitute reasonable cause to believe that the249
person will not appear at trial and the officer shall write 'Refusal to Sign' on such citation250
and shall give the citation to such person. The officer may bring the person before a251
judicial officer or traffic violations bureau to post a bond as is otherwise provided by law."252
SECTION 13.253
Code Section 48-5-473 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to returns for254
taxation and application for and issuance of license plates upon payment of taxes due, is255
amended by revising subsection (b) as follows:256
"(b) Notwithstanding subsection (a) of this Code section, in the case of an antique or hobby257
or special interest motor vehicle, as defined in Code Section 48-5-440, or a miniature258
on-road vehicle, as defined in Code Section 40-1-1, the owner or owners shall certify at the259
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time of returning the antique or hobby or special interest motor such vehicle for taxation,260
paying the taxes due on the motor vehicle, and purchasing a license plate for the motor261
vehicle or at the time of the first sale or transfer of the motor vehicle that the vehicle is an262
antique or hobby or special interest motor vehicle or a miniature on-road vehicle as defined263
in Code Section 48-5-440, and, upon said certification, said vehicle shall be registered and264
a license plate issued with the imposition of an ad valorem tax based on $100.00 valuation;265
provided, however, that taxes shall be due at the time of registration or at the time required266
by law for registration during the owner's registration period as provided in subsection (a)267
of this Code section."268
SECTION 14.269
(a) Except as otherwise provided for in subsection (b) of this section, this Act shall become270
effective on October 1, 2025.271
(b) Section 4 of this Act shall become effective on January 1, 2032.272
SECTION 15.273
All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.274
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