License Plate Roundup: Georgia

Georgia: History and Interesting Facts

Before we delve into the state's license plates, let's explore some history about the fourth U.S. state. In this section, we will cover the state's admission into the union, its nickname, and its most notable features.

When Was Georgia Established as a State?

As one of the original 13 colonies, Georgia was established in 1733 by James Oglethorpe. Oglethorpe named the colony Georgia after King George II, who was then the monarch.

It wasn't until after the American Revolution that, on January 2, 1788, Georgia became the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution. However, its initial boundaries looked far different from its current ones. 

Georgia originally contained land that'd later become Alabama and Mississippi. However, the state's western portion was carved away between 1802 and 1804 to create the Mississippi Territory.

What Is Georgia Most Known For?

Georgia is a mecca of entertainment, agriculture, and culture. The diverse state boasts many impressive artificial structures, including the sixth-largest metropolitan area in the United States—Atlanta. Here, music and art are deeply rooted in the city's Southern culture. Notable musical acts such as Outkast, TLC, and Usher, among countless others, hail from the ATL. The wider Georgia area also birthed stars like Ray Charles and James Brown. 

Georgia is also the backdrop for several films and television series, including AMC's hit The Walking Dead, Netflix's Stranger Things, and Marvel's Black Panther. 

Georgia's sweeping farmlands produce several key crops outside the metropolitan areas, including peaches, pecans, blueberries, and peanuts. Other claims to fame include the invention of Coca-Cola, Civil War history, and contributions to the Civil Rights Movement.

What is Georgia's Nickname?

Georgia has a few notable nicknames derived from different exports and history. 

• The Goober State: Derived from its peanut production, pre-civil-war Georgia earned the nickname "The Goober State," with Goober being a slang term for the legume. 

• The Peach State: Peanuts aren't Georgia's only significant export. The state is also known for its high peach yields and notoriously tasty fruit. 

• The Empire State of the South: In the Antebellum period, Georgia earned the nickname "Empire State of the South" due to its booming textile industry and rapid industrialization, which led to a thriving pre-war economy.

Georgia's License Plate Designs

The Peach State is home to several standout license plates, and in this section, we're covering our experts' top ten designs and causes. Before we get into the interesting designs, let's first cover the state's license plate acquisition and renewal system.

Custom, Special, and Other License Plates

Georgia has a relatively straightforward license plate system, with all license plate purchases and registration practices handled by the Georgia Department of Revenue. While standard-issue plates are available at no additional cost, aside from registration fees, the state also offers customized and special-interest plates for an extra fee.   

In most cases, special interest plates require a one-time fee of up to 80 dollars and an annual renewal fee of approximately 55 dollars. Georgia's custom plates, which the state calls Prestige plates, tack on an additional 35 dollars at the time of purchase and 35 dollars annually.

RealTruck Favorites

With fees and licensing covered, let's get into the fun stuff—license plate designs. Check out RealTruck's top ten picks, offering radical styling or support for noble causes.

Appalachian Trail Conservancy of Georgia

The Appalachian Trail, or the A.T., is one of the most well-known trail systems in the United States—perhaps the world. Spanning nearly 2,200 miles between Springer Mountain in Georgia and Mount Katahdin in Maine, the A.T. passes through 14 states. Being so expansive, the Appalachian Trail requires constant upkeep and attention. 

To support the maintenance of the Georgia section of the Appalachian Trail, consider ordering an Appalachian Trail Conservancy of Georgia license plate, which directly funds Appalachian Trail Conservancy efforts. 

The purchase of an Appalachian Trail Conservancy of Georgia license plate requires an 80-dollar initial fee and a 55-dollar annual renewal fee.

Atlanta Falcons

Football fans unite! Show support for the NFL's Atlanta Falcons with the team's official license plate, depicting the team logo and a stylish grey/red color scheme. 

The purchase of an Atlanta Falcons license plate requires an 80-dollar initial fee and a 55-dollar annual renewal fee.

Ducks Unlimited

With 24 unique duck species in the state, Georgia is home to a massive waterfowl population of both migratory and year-round residents. Keep populations stable and support wildlife conservation with the Ducks Unlimited license plate, which is ideal for duck hunters and conservationists alike. A portion of the funds goes to the Georgia Wildlife Resources Division.

The purchase of a Ducks Unlimited license plate requires a 45-dollar initial fee and a 45-dollar annual renewal fee.

Allied Veteran

If you're an Allied Veteran, which Georgia defines as "an individual who served in the armed forces of an ally of the United States during active military combat in the Korean War, the Vietnam War, Operation Desert Storm, or the Global War on Terrorism and who is discharged or separated under conditions other than dishonorable," honor your service with the Allied Veteran license plate. 

The stylish design, consisting of an American flag and gold accents, requires a one-time 25-dollar fee and a 20-dollar annual renewal fee.

Georgia Forestry Association

Support the Georgia Forestry Association and its conservation efforts with the Georgia Forestry Association license plate, depicting the association's logo. Proceeds from each plate sale help to maintain the state's 22 million acres of working forests.  

The purchase of a Georgia Forestry Association license plate requires an 80-dollar one-time fee and a 55-dollar annual renewal fee.

Georgia Sea Turtle Center—Jekyll Island

Save the Sea Turtles! Proceeds from the purchase of a Georgia Seat Turtle Center—Jekyll Island license plate go directly to the Nongame Wildlife Conservation and Wildlife Habitat Acquisition Fund, which supports the state's only sea turtle rehabilitation and education facility on Jekyll Island off the Georgia coast. 

The purchase of a Georgia Sea Turtle Center—Jekyll Island license plate requires an 80-dollar one-time fee and a 55-dollar annual renewal fee.

Marine Habitat

Help keep Georgia's waterways clean and boost fish populations by purchasing a Marine Habitat license plate, with a portion of proceeds going directly to the Coastal Resources Division of the Department of Natural Resources. 

The purchase of a Marine Habitat license plate requires a one-time 45-dollar fee and a 45-dollar annual renewal fee.

NASCAR Officially Licensed Registration Plate

If you're a NASCAR fan, check out Georgia's officially licensed NASCAR license plate. This stylish license plate features the NASCAR logo before a checkered flag. Funds from this license plate go directly to the State Treasury, Governor's Office of Highway Safety, and NASCAR.

The purchase of a NASCAR officially licensed registration plate requires an 80-dollar one-time fee and a 55-dollar annual renewal fee.

Racecar Hall of Fame

The Georgia Racing Hall of Fame is a must-visit destination for motorsports enthusiasts. The museum offers up-close and personal views of iconic racecars and memorabilia, making it worth supporting through the purchase of a Racecar Hall of Fame license plate. Proceeds from license plate sales benefit the Georgia Automobile Racing Hall of Fame Association.

The purchase of this license plate requires a 55-dollar one-time fee and a 55-dollar annual renewal fee.

Georgia Thank a Lineman

There's no such thing as being too gracious to those who supply our homes and communities with must-have resources, like electricity. Show your support for the Lineman who maintains the power grids across Georgia with the Thank a Lineman license plate. Proceeds from license plate sales benefit the Southeastern Firefighters Burn Foundation. 

The purchase of a Thank a Lineman license plate requires an 80-dollar initial fee and a 55-dollar annual renewal fee.

Shop License Plate Products and Accessories

Every state offers its share of unique license plates, and Georgia is no exception. If you're a proud resident of the Peach State, display your ride's license plate using our selection of frames, holders, brackets, and relocation solutions. 

Stay tuned for our next License Plate Roundup feature next month, where we will tackle another state's top license plate artwork. As always, contact the experts for product inquiries and order assistance.