How long can I get a new license plate in Georgia and Texas (first-time car owner planning on moving) (lease)

[minnie14sea]

Hi all, I'm moving to Texas or Georgia (haven't decided yet) from San Francisco mid next month. I just graduated and am planning on buying my first car from private sellers after I move. I will find a place to live and have my lease contract signed first, just so to get my new driver license from the local DMV as soon as possible. Once these are done I will do some research and buy my first car from private sellers. The thing is, I need to get on a two-week trip across several states in the east coast from mid September and I want to drive myself.

Does anyone know how long it takes to get a new license plate from the local DMV in Georgia or Texas when I go for registration and title transfer? Do I get it right away? If not, will I be issued a temporary license plate so I can drive my car before the permanent one is mailed to me? If this is the way it works, how long is this temporary license plate valid for? Can I travel across state boarders with it?

Thanks for your answer to any of the above questions!

[flyonpa]

Plates/Tags & Driver Licences in Georgia are done by two different parts of goverenemt.

Plates/Tags are done by Counties. You go in Give them your paperwork, Pay them, Walk out with Plates/tags.

Drivers license are done by state. If you are over 21? you can transfer your other state licence to GA, you get a Temp Paper licence, your permanent plastic licence is mailed to you about a week later.

Georgia Temp tags are good for 30 days, I believe you can go anywhere in the US, but not sure.

Just a warning when you register your car in GA, we have a "new" title Tax that can be hundreds, to low thousands of dollars.

http://onlinemvd.dor.ga.gov/Tap/welcome.aspx

[minnie14sea]

Thanks flyonpa! Yes I'm over 21 and I do plan to transfer my CA license to GA. Do temp tags function both as temp registration paper and temp license plate? If so, does it mean I can drive my car without the actual plates in front of and at the back of my car for 30 days?

Thanks again.

[flyonpa]

Georgia does not have front plates, only back.

You put the paper plate (coated cardboard actually), on the back,
you have a separate paper registraion printout. you Keep with you/in car.

[minnie14sea]

Perfectly clear about what the temp tag does. Thanks flyonpa!

But does anyone one how long exactly I can get the permanent one? It's very important I time it well because from the time I register my car at the local DMV (which would probably be in the first week of September) till I get back from my 2-week state-crossing trip, it could be over 40 days. I don't want any trouble caused by driving with an expired temp tag.

Also, does any one know about Texas?

[flyonpa]

If you want permanent Plates in Georgia,

If all your paperwork is in order, you pay your the title tax / Registration fee, you walk out with permanent plates.

[minnie14sea]

Good to know. Thanks again flyonpa!