Waivers, Extensions, Exemptions :
Out of Area Extensions

You may qualify for an Out of Area Extension if you (or a family member) and your Georgia-registered vehicle are temporarily located well outside of the 13-county emission testing area of the state of Georgia due to school, military, or business obligations.

An emission inspection may still be required if a vehicle that is registered in one of the 13 covered counties is temporarily located in a county outside the covered area for school, military or business purposes.

If the out of area location is in one of the following counties, it is not considered outside of the 13 covered-county area and must obtain a vehicle emissions inspection for registration.

View the Georgia counties that are considered within driving distance of a covered county.

Please note that vehicles temporarily located in Alabama, Tennessee, North Carolina, and South Carolina due to school, military, or business purposes may require the motorist to obtain a Georgia vehicle emissions inspection. The following table lists the counties that are not considered outside of the 13 covered-county area and must obtain a Georgia vehicle emissions inspection for registration.

View the bordering states' county lists that require Georgia out of area drivers to obtain an emissions test.

Out of Area Extensions are valid for a maximum of one year. You must apply for an Out of Area Extension each year prior to the vehicle registration renewal date. The vehicle must receive an emission inspection once it returns to the metro Atlanta area.

GCAF does not accept emission inspections from other states; however, an emission inspection from another state may be used to prove the vehicle is out of the area.

To apply for an Out of Area Extension, you (or a family member) and your vehicle must meet all of the criteria in one of the following categories. You (or a family member) must supply the required documentation listed beneath each category. Additional information may be required in order to process the Out of Area Extension. Please note that GCAF only accepts documentation in English; documents in other languages will not be accepted.

<------------Select a category from the drop down menu------------> Student Military Business Other

Please allow three (3) business days for processing faxed or e-mailed applications. For mailed applications please note, the US Postal Service may extend the time of delivery. Once received, mailed applications with supporting documentation will be processed in three (3) business days. Motorists will be contacted once the waiver has been processed.