Chattooga County Tax Commissioner Joy Hampton is reminding residents that when they remove insurance from a vehicle, the tag needs to be canceled as soon as possible.

Hampton said: “I just want to remind citizens that any time insurance is removed from a vehicle, the tag needs to be canceled or “put on hold” with us on the same day when possible.  The state’s registration system is engineered to recognize license plates that are active but have no insurance as being “operated without insurance”.  The state has notified my office that there will only be one warning mailed out when this occurs.  Previously, two notices were sent out notifying automobile owners of fines and pending registration suspension due to an insurance lapse, but this will no longer be the case.  VERY IMPORTANT-  if you receive one of these notices, return the affidavit attached to the letter, or send payment promptly. Although the letters are generated by the State of Georgia, payment must be sent to the tag office where your vehicle is registered. Again- anytime insurance is removed from a vehicle, please swing by the tag office ASAP to cancel the tag to avoid those fines.”