Vehicle lifts in Georgia: plate visibility and lift choices

Georgia drivers putting a scooter or power chair lift on a hitch have good reason to think about the license plate first. The state's plate statute requires a plate that is plainly visible at all times, and the official annotations to that statute record a case where a trailer hitch ball blocking a single number was held to violate it.

This guide covers the plate and taillight sections, Georgia's heat and storms, four lifts that handle the plate in different ways, and where to try equipment in the state.

Georgia's plate and taillight statutes

Section 40-2-41 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated requires that every registered vehicle in use on the highways "shall at all times display the license plate issued to the owner for such vehicle, and the plate shall be fastened to the rear of the vehicle in a position so as not to swing and shall be at all times plainly visible." It continues: "It shall be the duty of the operator of any vehicle to keep the license plate legible at all times. No license plate shall be covered with any material unless the material is colorless and transparent." The section then addresses any "apparatus that obstructs or hinders" a plate; we could not open the full sentence, so read it on the official site before mounting anything.

The annotations attached to the section show how courts have read it. One note summarizes a 2010 Georgia Court of Appeals case this way: "Obstruction of one number on the defendant's license plate by the ball of a trailer hitch violated O.C.G.A. § 40-2-41." A folded lift platform sits in the same place behind the bumper, so plan where the plate will go before the lift is installed.

Lighting matters too. Section 40-8-23 requires that a taillight or separate light "illuminate with a white light the rear registration plate and render it clearly legible from a distance of 50 feet to the rear," wired so it is "lighted whenever the headlights or auxiliary driving lights are lighted." Vehicles built after January 1, 1954 need two taillights, mounted no higher than 60 inches.

We found no Georgia statute that names wheelchair or scooter carriers specifically. The plate and taillight sections are what apply. We also did not confirm details of vehicle modification help from Georgia's vocational rehabilitation agency, so ask that agency directly if your lift is tied to work.

Four lifts and how each handles the plate

• Harmar AL560XL: an automatic hitch lift for rear, mid and front wheel drive power chairs, 350 lb capacity, Class III hitch. A license plate mount is included so the plate rides on the lift.
• Bruno ASL-700 Chariot: rolls on its own wheels behind the vehicle and carries a license plate holder, brake and running lights and turn signals, answering both the plate and lighting sections in one unit.
• Harmar AL825 Pickup Speed Hoist: loads a manual wheelchair, small power chair or scooter into a pickup bed, 210 lb capacity, so nothing hangs off the bumper at all.
• Harmar AL055 Trunk Mount Hoist Lift: a 200 lb hoist that mounts in a trunk or cargo area of a sedan, minivan or SUV, lifting a manual wheelchair, travel scooter or small power chair inside. Powered lifting, manual rotation, and the backup camera stays usable.

Each spec above is taken from that lift's product page in our store. Confirm your hitch class and the vehicle's tongue weight rating before choosing a hitch lift.

Sun, thunderstorms and a rare hurricane

The NOAA Georgia summary says summer thunderstorms in the afternoons and evenings are typical when the Bermuda High draws moisture in, and that thunderstorms "often bring heavy rains that can cause severe flooding." It also notes that in 2018 Hurricane Michael "was the first major hurricane (Category 3+) to directly impact Georgia since the 1890s," with gusts up to 115 mph in Donalsonville.

For an outside lift, that means sun and rain more than ice. A cover protects the scooter or chair between trips, and a plate light on the lift keeps the 50-foot rule satisfied when a storm darkens the afternoon.

Try equipment through Tools for Life

Georgia's AT Act program, Tools for Life, says "AT Device Demonstrations and Loans are available to older adults, people with disabilities, their families, and their care providers." It adds, "We support reuse," and offers information on financing and funding options. The AT3 Center lists the program's Atlanta location and its services.

Getting a vehicle lift in Georgia

We work with a team of credentialed local specialists to guarantee timely, safe, and optimal delivery and installation. We ship to the lower 48 states and DC, with free shipping on orders over $500 ($15 under $500), and we cover the sales tax on every order. Most products are processed in 2-5 business days; some brands differ. See our Georgia shipping page and start the vehicle lift fit check.

Questions about vehicle lifts in Georgia

Can a hitch lift block my license plate in Georgia?

It should not. O.C.G.A. § 40-2-41 requires the rear plate to be plainly visible at all times and the operator to keep it legible, and the official annotations note a case where a trailer hitch ball blocking one number violated the section. Move the plate to a mount on the lift if the lift would cover it.

Can I use a clear cover on a plate mounted to my lift?

Section 40-2-41 says no license plate may be covered with any material unless the material is colorless and transparent. A tinted or smoked cover does not meet that test. A clear one may, but the plate must still be plainly visible and legible.

Does the plate need a light in Georgia?

Yes. O.C.G.A. § 40-8-23 requires white light that makes the rear registration plate clearly legible from 50 feet, lit whenever the headlights are on. If a lift carries the plate, its mount needs a working light; the Bruno Chariot includes lights and a plate holder.

Is there a Georgia law specifically for scooter carriers?

We did not find one. The general plate display section, 40-2-41, and the taillight section, 40-8-23, are the rules that apply to a carrier on a private vehicle. In practice that means keeping every character of the plate in view and lit, whether the plate stays on the car or moves to a bracket on the lift.

Browse our vehicle lift collection, use the fit check, or work through the full assessment. Questions? Email us at info@faithmobility.com.

Sources

• Official Code of Georgia Annotated, free public access (O.C.G.A. §§ 40-2-41, 40-8-23 and annotations)
• NOAA NCEI State Climate Summaries 2022: Georgia
• Tools for Life, Georgia's Assistive Technology Act Program
• AT3 Center: Georgia Tools for Life
• Product specifications: Faith Mobility product pages linked above