SOP_NUMBER: 504.03
TITLE: Vehicle Markings and Colors
REFERENCE_CODE: IVE01-0004
DIVISION: Administrative & Finance Division (Admin. Support - Fleet Operations)
TOPIC_AREA: 504 Policy-Fleet Operations
EFFECTIVE_DATE: 2022-01-06
WORD_COUNT: 900
POWERDMS_URL: https://public.powerdms.com/GADOC/documents/105156
URL: https://gps.press/sop-data/504.03/

SUMMARY:
This policy establishes requirements for marking and identifying all Georgia Department of Corrections vehicles, including the use of state license plates, approved decals, and vehicle identification numbers. It applies to all GDC vehicles and specifies which vehicles may be exempted from standard markings by the Commissioner. The policy outlines the placement and types of decals for different vehicle categories and governs the use of confidential tags for covert law enforcement operations.

KEY_TOPICS: vehicle markings, state license plates, decals, vehicle identification numbers, unmarked vehicles, confidential tags, GDC logo, badge decals, state officer decals, inmate transport buses, fleet operations, vehicle registration

========================================================================
FULL TEXT:
========================================================================

|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS<br>Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|**Policy Name:**Vehicle Markings and Colors|**Policy Name:**Vehicle Markings and Colors|**Policy Name:**Vehicle Markings and Colors|
|**Policy Number:** 504.03|**Effective Date:** 01/06/2022|**Page Number:** 1 of 4|
|**Authority:** <br>Commissioner<br>|**Originating Division:** <br>Administration and Finance<br>Division (Admin. Support -<br>Fleet Operations)|**Access Listing:**<br>Level I: All Access<br>|



**I.** **Introduction and Summary:**

This policy outlines the proper identification of GDC vehicles, guidelines for
unmarked vehicles, and proper registration and licensing of all state vehicles.


**II.** **Authority:**

A. O.C.G.A. §§40-2-37 and 50-19-2;

B. GDC Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) 504.01, Fleet Operations Motor

Vehicle Manual;

C. Office of Planning and Budget (OPB) Policy 10;

D. Georgia Fleet Management Manual, Office of Fleet Management, Department of

Administrative Services; and

E. ACA Standard: 5ACI-3A-24.

**III.** **Definitions:**

A. **Regular License Plate**    - Plate issued by the Department of Revenue for covert or

secret investigatory police functions (confidential tags).

B. **State License Plate**    - Standard license plate required by O.C.G.A. §40-2-37 to be

affixed to all state vehicles showing the State as the owner of the vehicle.

C. **Decal**    - Approved seal affixed to all state vehicles which clearly identifies the

Georgia Department of Corrections.

**IV.** **Statement of Policy and Applicable Procedures:**

A. All vehicles operated by the Department will be marked with state license plates,

approved decals, and vehicle numbers except those approved by the Commissioner


|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS<br>Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|**Policy Name:**Vehicle Markings and Colors|**Policy Name:**Vehicle Markings and Colors|**Policy Name:**Vehicle Markings and Colors|
|**Policy Number:** 504.03|**Effective Date:** 01/06/2022|**Page Number:** 2 of 4|
|**Authority:** <br>Commissioner<br>|**Originating Division:** <br>Administration and Finance<br>Division (Admin. Support -<br>Fleet Operations)|**Access Listing:**<br>Level I: All Access<br>|



and Department of Revenue to have a Regular License Plate affixed, as provided
by O.C.G.A. §40-2-37. It is the responsibility of GDC Fleet Operations to affix all
vehicles with appropriate decals and license plates.

B. All vehicles not specifically exempt by law shall be marked. Department-approved

decals will be affixed to the front doors of all vehicles and vehicle identification
numbers will be affixed to the front and rear of all vehicles. Decals shall clearly
identify the agency as a part of state government, and in some cases, the purpose
of the vehicle.


1. GDC logo decals are affixed to the front doors of all staff-pool vehicles.

2. GDC badge decals are affixed to the front doors and “State Officer” decals are

affixed to the front left and front right fenders of vehicles driven by POST
Certified Officers (K-9, Perimeter, Hub Captain, IRT, Transport and Detail
Vans).

3. GDC badge decals are affixed to the front and rear of each Inmate Transport

Bus; Georgia Department of Corrections lettering is affixed to each side of the
bus, and “State Inmate Transport” decals are affixed to the sides.

C. A unique identification number will be assigned to each vehicle by Fleet

Management once the vehicle is received. Vehicle numbers shall be up to a sevendigit number.

1. This number will be a 2-inch number decal and placed to the left front and right

rear of all vehicles, except certain types of trucks. The numbers must be clearly
visible when approaching the vehicle from the front or rear and should be in a
standard location for each vehicle type. On certain type trucks, the rear number
is to be affixed on the right-rear corner of the cab.


|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS<br>Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|**Policy Name:**Vehicle Markings and Colors|**Policy Name:**Vehicle Markings and Colors|**Policy Name:**Vehicle Markings and Colors|
|**Policy Number:** 504.03|**Effective Date:** 01/06/2022|**Page Number:** 3 of 4|
|**Authority:** <br>Commissioner<br>|**Originating Division:** <br>Administration and Finance<br>Division (Admin. Support -<br>Fleet Operations)|**Access Listing:**<br>Level I: All Access<br>|



2. On unmarked vehicles, these numbers will be placed under the hood and trunk
lid.


D. Replacement decals and inventory numbers are available from the Fleet

Management Office.

E. All state vehicles shall be affixed with state license plates unless they are

specifically authorized to have regular license plates (confidential tags).

1. Fleet Operations will obtain the state license plate for each vehicle from the

local county tag office.

2. All license plates issued to government vehicles will be marked with the

specific type of governmental unit operating the vehicle. GDC tags will clearly
identify as such with “STATE” on the license plate.

F. The Commissioner and Department of Revenue in accordance with O.C.G.A.

§§50-19-2 and 40-2-37, will designate vehicles exempt from decals, seals, and
state license plates.

1. A motor vehicle task description form will identify that a vehicle is unmarked

and must notate the purpose and operational use for the request.

2. The Commissioner must approve all requests for exemption.

3. The Department of Revenue will issue a regular license plate (confidential tag)

for covert or secret investigatory law enforcement functions.

4. Confidential tags are renewed yearly by Fleet Operations.

5. Regular license plates **shall never** be moved or transferred between vehicles

without direction and prior approval from GDC Fleet Management.


|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS<br>Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|**Policy Name:**Vehicle Markings and Colors|**Policy Name:**Vehicle Markings and Colors|**Policy Name:**Vehicle Markings and Colors|
|**Policy Number:** 504.03|**Effective Date:** 01/06/2022|**Page Number:** 4 of 4|
|**Authority:** <br>Commissioner<br>|**Originating Division:** <br>Administration and Finance<br>Division (Admin. Support -<br>Fleet Operations)|**Access Listing:**<br>Level I: All Access<br>|



**V.** **Attachments:** None.

**VI.** **Record Retention of Forms Relevant to this Policy:** None.