(a) Any resident motor vehicle owners who are firefighters certified pursuant to Article 1 of Chapter 4 of Title 25 and who are members of fire departments certified pursuant to Article 2 of Chapter 3 of Title 25 and motor vehicle owners who are certified firefighters of legally organized volunteer fire departments which have been certified pursuant to Article 2 of Chapter 3 of Title 25 may submit an application to the commissioner for a special and distinctive vehicle license plate identifying the owner as a certified firefighter for a private passenger car or truck used for personal transportation. The commissioner shall retain all applications for such special firefighters' license plates until a minimum of 500 applications have been received. If the commissioner does not receive the required minimum 500 applications no later than July 31 of the year preceding the initial year of issuance of such plates, no such special plates shall be issued and all fees shall be refunded to applicants. Such license plates shall be issued in compliance with the state motor vehicle laws relating to registration and licensing of motor vehicles as prescribed in Article 2 of this chapter. No firefighter shall be entitled to more than one special and distinctive motor vehicle license plate. Such license plate shall be inscribed with such letters, numbers, words, symbols, or a combination thereof as determined by the commissioner to identify the owner as a certified firefighter. The chiefs of the various fire departments shall furnish to the commissioner a list of the certified firefighters of their fire departments who reside in Georgia which list shall be updated as necessary.

(b)(1) The license plate issued pursuant to this Code section shall be transferred between vehicles as provided in Code Section 40-2-80.

(2) Should a certified firefighter who has been issued a special and distinctive license plate be separated from such firefighter's department for any reason other than retirement from employment, the chief of such fire department shall obtain the separated member's license plate at the time of the separation and shall forward same to the commissioner along with a certificate to the effect that such person has been separated, and thereupon the commissioner shall reissue a regular license plate, at no additional charge, to such former certified firefighter to replace the special and distinctive plate. Should a certified firefighter return to service with the same or another fire department, the chief of such fire department shall likewise secure the regular license plate of such person and return same to the commissioner, along with a certificate to the effect that such person has become a member of the fire department, and the effective date thereof, whereupon the commissioner shall, upon application and upon the payment of a $25.00 manufacturing fee and all other applicable registration and licensing fees at the time of registration, reissue a special and distinctive license plate to such new member to replace the returned regular plate. Upon such request for a change in plate for a certified firefighter who is separated from a fire department, the chief of the fire department shall furnish such member with a copy of the chief's letter to the commissioner requesting the appropriate change in plate, which copy of such letter may be used by such member pending the issuance of the new plate. (3) Motor vehicle owners who were firefighters certified pursuant to Article 1 of Chapter 4 of Title 25, were members of fire departments certified pursuant to Article 2 of Chapter 3 of Title 25, and who retired from employment as such shall continue to be eligible for the firefighter license plates issued under this Code section the same as if they continued to be certified and employed as firefighters. Whenever such a certified firefighter who has been issued a special and distinctive license plate is retired from employment with such firefighter's department, the chief of such fire department shall forward to the commissioner a certificate to the effect that such person has been retired.

(c) The commissioner shall promulgate such rules and regulations as may be necessary to enforce compliance with all state license laws relating to the use and operation of private passenger cars and trucks before issuing these plates in lieu of the regular Georgia license plates, and all applications for such plates shall be made to the commissioner. The manufacturing fee for such a special and distinctive license plate shall be $25.00. The commissioner is specifically authorized to promulgate all rules and regulations necessary to ensure compliance in instances where such vehicles have been transferred or sold. Except as provided in subsection (b) of this Code section, such plates shall be nontransferable.

(d) Special license plates issued under this Code section shall be renewed annually with a revalidation decal as provided in Code Section 40-2-31. It shall be a requirement that a county name decal be affixed and displayed on license plates issued under this Code section.