For 2016 vehicle registration, if your vehicle is a 1992 – 2013 model year gasoline-powered car or light-duty truck (8,500 pounds gross vehicle weight rating or less) registered in Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, Coweta, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry, Paulding or Rockdale County, it must be emissions tested.
The three most recent model year vehicles are exempt from emissions testing each year. For registration in 2016, this includes all 2014 and newer model year vehicles.
Additionally, vehicles that are 25 model years or older are exempt from emissions testing. This includes 1991 or older model year vehicles. View a list of all vehicles that are exempt from emissions testing.
If you are late renewing your registration for your birthday in 2015, your vehicle will be tested according to the 2015 rules.
Things to remember:
View the 2016 registration renewal insert for more details.
Aside from Repair Waivers, you may qualify for certain extensions or exemptions from testing, such as:
Dedicated alternative fueled vehicles are vehicles that can only operate on alternative fuel and are not capable of operating on gasoline. These vehicles do not require an emissions inspection.
The following vehicles are considered alternative fuel vehicles and do not require an emissions inspection:
The following vehicles are not alternative fuel vehicles and therefore require an emissions inspection (Note: this is not a complete list):
Bi-Fueled and Flexible Fuel Vehicles
Flexible fuel vehicles that are capable of operating on blends of ethanol up to 85 percent must be tested on 100 percent gasoline. Bi-fueled vehicles that are capable of running on either the alternative fuel (propane or natural gas) or gasoline must be tested on gasoline, even if the vehicle is always operated on the alternative fuel.
Note: Any vehicle that is capable of using gasoline to operate requires an emissions inspection.
DOR is now exclusively handling the determination of which vehicles are eligible for the alternative fuel tag. For more information on this subject, contact the Motor Vehicle Division at 1-855-406-5221 or with respect to the income tax credits, contact the Taxpayer Services Division at 1-877-423-6711, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. EST, Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.
For forms and other information, visit their website at www.dor.georgia.gov.
Your vehicle must be tested every year prior to its registration date (the vehicle owner’s birthday). For registration in 2016, the three most recent model years are exempt from emissions testing, which includes 2014 or newer model year vehicles.
Vehicles 25 model years old or older are exempt. For registration in 2016, this includes model years 1991 or older. The registration renewal insert provides information regarding registration renewal.
Test early. GCAF recommends having your vehicle inspected four to six weeks prior to the registration renewal date. Vehicles can be tested well in advance if the owner of the vehicle will be out of the area at the time of registration. As a reminder, an emissions inspection is valid for 12 months or one registration renewal, by the same owner. GCAF recommends contacting your tag office to determine if they will allow a registration renewal prior to the normal renewal period (more than 60 days prior to the motorist’s registration renewal date, which is the owner’s birthday).
The three most recent model year vehicles are exempt from emissions testing. For registration in 2016, this includes all 2014 and newer model year vehicles (2014, 2015 and 2016).
If you buy a used vehicle that will be registered in a covered county,* sellers located within the 13-county testing area must ensure the vehicle has a passing Georgia vehicle emissions inspection at the time of sale. A Georgia Vehicle Emission Inspection Report (VIR) can be used for the initial registration and one registration renewal if still valid.
*Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, Coweta, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry, Paulding and Rockdale.
Sellers are not required to provide the buyer with a hard copy of the VIR. The VIR will be on record electronically at the tag office. If the buyer would like a hard copy of the VIR, a free copy can be downloaded here.
To file a complaint against a seller (located within the 13-county testing area) for failing to have a passing emissions test at the time of sale, go to the Forms and Applications section and complete the “Used Vehicle Sale Complaint Form.”
If you purchased a vehicle that received a failed emissions test, significant costs may be incurred to correct the cause of the failure or to qualify for a waiver.
Within 12 months, a vehicle may be sold numerous times using the same valid VIR.
If you are registering your vehicle for the first time in a covered county,* please contact your county tag office for the registration requirements.
*Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, Coweta, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry, Paulding and Rockdale.
Note: Keep a copy of your passing Georgia Vehicle Emission Inspection Report (VIR) for future reference.
No. The test results are valid for 12 months or one registration renewal, but only by the same owner.
Newly-purchased used vehicle registrations: If a motorist purchases a used vehicle with a valid passing VIR, that VIR (from the previous owner) can be used for the initial registration and can be used for the new owner’s registration renewal, as long as the test is still valid (must not exceed 12 months). Only the most recent VIR is considered.
If your vehicle has not been registered for several years and you are registering late for the previous year, 2015, the vehicle will need to be tested now for the late renewal and again for the current renewal, 2016.
If the vehicle has not been registered for several years and you are registering for the current year, 2016, the vehicle will only need to be tested once to return it to the regular testing cycle. It is the tag office’s discretion as to what is required for late registration. Please contact your tag office for specific information regarding your vehicle’s registration.
GCAF recommends the vehicle be tested four to six weeks prior to the registration renewal date; however the vehicle may be tested earlier if needed. A Georgia Vehicle Emission Inspection Report (VIR) is valid for 12 months or one registration renewal, by the same owner. GCAF recommends contacting your tag office to determine if they will allow a registration renewal prior to the normal renewal period (more than 60 days prior to the motorist’s registration renewal date, which is the owner’s birthday).
An emissions inspection costs up to $25 and the fee is posted on the station’s emissions inspection sign.
Newer vehicles (1996 – 2013) can be tested at any station. Look for an inspection station sign that reads “1996 or Newer Vehicles Welcome” or “All Vehicles Welcome.”
Vehicles 1995 and older (1992 – 1995) must be tested at stations marked “All Vehicles Welcome.”
For a complete listing of all vehicle testing locations, view the Testing Locations section, or click on the link. Testing tips:
All subject vehicles will receive a three-part inspection:
All 1995 and older model year vehicles will receive:
An inspector can reject a vehicle for testing if it is considered unsafe to test. If the test has already begun when the safety problem is detected, the inspector may charge the full price of the test.
Well-maintained vehicles usually pass the emissions test first time unless there is a component failure that has not been repaired or manufacturer’s defect. Standards have been set to take into consideration the age of your vehicle as well as the emissions control components available at the time your vehicle was manufactured. If your car does fail, it must be repaired and retested.
You will receive one free retest if you return to the original inspection station within 30 calendar days of your initial inspection (Note: 30 days includes the date and the time of your initial inspection).
If your vehicle fails the inspection, be sure to obtain a copy of the Question & Answer brochure from the testing station or click here to view the brochure for repair tips.
Also, you can review a copy of the RepairWatch Public Report, which lists qualified repair facilities with a proven track record of performing effective emissions-related repairs.
Please note: If your vehicle fails its annual emissions inspection, and you have already paid all related taxes and fees, contact your local county tag office for information about a possible non-renewable 30-day extension on your registration, per OCGA 40-2-20.
Generally, you must have your vehicle tested and registered within 30 days after moving to one of the 13 covered counties.
If you have just moved to one of the 13 covered counties* from a Georgia county where emissions testing is not required and your vehicle has a current Georgia registration, a valid emission certificate will not be required until your next registration renewal due date.
*Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, Coweta, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry, Paulding and Rockdale.
Note: Federal law requires that emissions control systems on 1995 and newer model year vehicles be warranted by the manufacturer for two years or 24,000 miles. Federal law also requires that the OBD computer and catalytic converter on 1995 and newer vehicles be warranted by the manufacturer for eight years or 80,000 miles. Many vehicle manufacturers provide extended warranty coverage beyond what is required by federal law. Consult your vehicle owner’s warranty manual for coverage information.
Only vehicles registered in a Georgia county requiring emissions testing need an emissions test in order to renew their vehicle’s registration. Please contact your home state for emissions requirements.
There is no need to mail the results of your emissions inspection because they are transmitted electronically to the tag office. When renewing online, the system will search for a current, valid inspection. If one is detected, you will be allowed to complete your renewal without having to enter the certificate number from the Georgia Vehicle Inspection Report (VIR). Should you have further questions regarding your registration, please contact your tag office for assistance.
Arizona
Phoenix and Tucson
Vehicle Emissions Inspection Program (VEIP)
California
Statewide
SmogCheck
California DMV Smog Check
Colorado
Denver (metro area)
AirCareColorado
Connecticut
Statewide
Connecticut Emissions Program
Delaware
Wilmington, New Castle, Dover and Georgetown
Vehicle Emission Testing (PDF)
Delaware Emission FAQs
District of Columbia
District Wide
Vehicle Inspections – Clean Air, Safe Cars
Georgia
Atlanta (metro area)
Georgia’s Clean Air Force
Idaho
Ada County
Vehicle Emission and Air Quality
Illinois
Chicago (metro area) and St. Louis, MO-IL (metro area)
Air Team Vehicle Emission Testing
Indiana
Lake and Porter Counties
Clean Air Car Check
Louisiana
Baton Rouge (metro area) and Iberville Parish
Motor Vehicle Inspection and Maintenance Program
Maine
Cumberland County
Enhanced Auto Inspection Program
Maryland
Baltimore and District of Columbia (suburban area)
Vehicle Emission Inspection Program
Massachusetts
Statewide
Massachusetts Vehicle Check
Missouri
St. Louis, MO-IL (metro area)
Gateway Vehicle Inspection Program (GVIP)
Nevada
Las Vegas, NV-AZ (metro area) and Reno (metro area)
Nevada Emissions Control Program
New Hampshire
Statewide
New Hampshire OBD & Safety Testing Program (NHOST)
New Jersey
Statewide
NJ Inspections
New Mexico
Albuquerque (metro area)
Albuquerque Emissions Testing
New York
NYC (metro area)
New York City Metropolitan Area Emissions Inspection and Maintenance Program
North Carolina
Alamance, Brunswick Buncombe, Burke, Cabarrus, Caldwell, Carteret, Catawba, Chatham, Cleveland, Craven, Cumberland, Davidson, Durham, Edgecombe, Forsyth, Franklin, Gaston, Granville, Guilford, Harnett, Haywood, Henderson, Iredell, Johnston, Lee, Lenoir, Lincoln, Mecklenburg, Moore, Nash, New Hanover, Onslow, Orange, Pitt, Randolph, Robeson, Rockingham, Rowan, Rutherford, Stanly, Stokes, Surry, Wake, Wayne, Wilkes, Wilson and Union counties
Emission and Inspection Program
Ohio
OH-KY-IN (metro area), Cleveland-Lorain-Elyria (metro area), Dayton-Springfield (metro area) and Hamilton-Middletown (metro area)
Ohio E-Check Vehicle Emissions Testing Program
Oregon
Medford-Ashland (metro area) and Portland-Vancouver, OR-WA (metro area)
Vehicle Inspection Program (VIP)
Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh Region: Allegheny
Beaver
Washington
Westmoreland. South Central Region:
Berks, Cumberland
Dauphin, Lancaster
Lebanon, Lehigh
Northampton, York. Northern Region:
Blair, Cambria
Centre, Erie
Lackawanna, Luzerne
Lycoming, Mercer. Philadelphia Region:
Bucks
Chester
Delaware
Montgomery
Philadelphia. Other Counties:
Adams, Armstrong, Bedford, Bradford, Butler, Cameron, Carbon, Clarion, Clearfield, Clinton, Columbia, Crawford, Elk, Fayette, Forest, Franklin, Fulton, Greene, Huntingdon, Indiana, Jefferson, Juniata, Lawrence, McKean, Mifflin, Monroe, Montour, Northumberland, Perry, Pike, Potter, Schuylkill, Snyder, Somerset, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Tioga, Union, Venango, Warren, Wayne, Wyoming
Drive Clean Pennsylvania Vehicle Emissions Inspection and Maintenance Program
Rhode Island
Statewide
Rhode Island Emissions & Safety Testing Program
Tennessee
Memphis, TN-AR-MS (metro area) Program
Information on Vehicle Inspection Programs in Tennessee
Metropolitan Nashville and Davidson County Vehicle Inspection Program
Texas
DFW (metro area) and Houston (metro area)
AirCheckTexas
Utah
Davis, Salt Lake, Utah and Weber
Emission Inspections
Vermont
Statewide
Vehicle Inspection in Vermont
Virginia
Counties of Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, Prince William and Stafford; or the cities of Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Manassas and Manassas Park
Emissions Inspections
Washington
Urban areas of Clark, King, Pierce, Snohomish and Spokane counties
Emission Check Program
Wisconsin
Counties of Kenosha, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Racine, Sheboygan, Washington and Waukesha
Vehicle Emission Testing
No, an emissions inspection from another state is not transferable and is not acceptable for Georgia registration. While Georgia does not accept other states’ emissions tests for registration purposes, GCAF does accept them as a proof that the vehicle is out of area.
GCAF recommends having your vehicle inspected four to six weeks prior to the registration renewal date. Vehicles can be tested well in advance if the owner of the vehicle will be out of the area at the time of registration. As a reminder, an emissions inspection is valid for 12 months or one registration renewal, by the same owner. GCAF recommends contacting your tag office to determine if they will allow a registration renewal prior to the normal renewal period (more than 60 days prior to the motorist’s registration renewal date, which is the owner’s birthday).