Insurance Requirements

 

Insurance cards are not acceptable proof of insurance coverage for motor vehicle transactions at Gwinnett County tag offices. Your insurance company is required to electronically transmit proof of insurance directly to the Georgia Department of Revenue (DOR) database.


Acceptable Proof of Insurance

When the Georgia registration system does not indicate valid proof of insurance, the following are acceptable (faxed copies are not accepted):

  • An original 30-day Insurance Binder with an effective date that is less than 30 days. 
  • The original Declarations Page from your existing auto insurance policy if the vehicle purchase occurred within the last 30 days.
  • A Georgia Fleet insurance card with the word "Fleet" on it.
  • A Self-Insured insurance card and a Certificate of Self Insurance.

 

Your insurance card is still valid proof of insurance for

  • traveling in another state that may not have access to the Georgia database.
  • exchanging information if you are involved in an accident.
  • vehicles covered on a fleet policy.
  • vehicles covered on a self-insured policy.

 

Gwinnett tag offices verify your insurance status electronically (except for vehicles covered under a fleet or self-insured policy). If your vehicle is already registered in Georgia, you can check your motor vehicle insurance status online or by contacting us at tag@gwinnettcounty.com or 770-822-8818.

Lapse of Insurance, Suspensions and Waivers

A lapse in insurance occurs when a vehicle has not carried valid Georgia liability insurance coverage for more than 10 days. Your insurance company reports the lapse to the DOR, and a notice of pending registration suspension is generated and mailed by the DOR. A lapse results in a $25 pending-suspension fee which must be paid within 30 days. 

If the $25 pending-suspension fee is not paid by the due date, the registration is suspended by the DOR. To reinstate the registration, the vehicle must have valid Georgia insurance coverage, the $25 pending-suspension fee plus a $60 reinstatement fee must be paid, as well as any other registration fees, taxes or penalties due. Any additional lapses in coverage and/or suspensions will result in additional fines and penalties including cancellation of the vehicle’s registration. 

Suspension fees may be paid online or at any Gwinnett tag office. 

Click here for more information regarding suspension fees.

It is advised that you cancel your registration before you cancel your insurance policy to avoid any suspensions or fees. Taxes must be current and there must not be any outstanding fees. View ways to cancel your vehicle's registration.


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The registered owner of a vehicle may apply for a one-time waiver of the pending-suspension and/or the reinstatement fee if certain criteria are met. To apply for this waiver, the registered owner of the vehicle must complete an Insurance Fee Waiver Form. The affidavit can only be submitted if the vehicle has not been driven for one of the following reasons:

  • It was sold/transferred or the lease was terminated.
  • It was registered in another state.
  • It was wrecked, salvaged or junked.
  • It was repossessed or stolen.
  • It was not operated because it was inoperable, being stored or used seasonally.
  • The sole, registered owner of the vehicle was on active military duty stationed outside Georgia.

The dates entered on the affidavit must match the insurance coverage lapse dates.

If you feel you may qualify for a one-time waiver of the pending-suspension and/or the reinstatement fee, the Insurance Fee Waiver Form must be filled out in its entirety and can be submitted, along with a copy of your driver's license, in one of the following ways:

By mail: Gwinnett County Tax Commissioner, PO Box 829, Lawrenceville, GA 30046-0829
By email: Tag@gwinnettcounty.com
By fax: 678-377-4330
In person: Visit a Gwinnett County tag office

Contact us if you have received one of these letters and would like more information. 

 

 

Updated 8/7/2024

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