Waivers, Extensions, Exemptions : Other Exemptions

Alternative Fuel Exemption

Vehicles powered by diesel fuel or that run exclusively on alternative fuels (natural gas, propane, etc.) are exempt from having an emission inspection. Bi-fuel or flexible fuel vehicles must be tested if one of the fuels burned is gasoline.

Antique or Collector Vehicles

Vehicles 25 model years old or older are exempt from having an emission inspection. For registration in 2009, this includes model years 1984 and older.

Non-Conforming Vehicles

The Georgia Enhanced Inspection and Maintenance (I/M) Program provides non-conforming status for gray market vehicles, kit cars, and hot rods. In some cases, the rules provide alternatives for testing these vehicles. Vehicles qualified under the non-conforming status are tested using the following standards:

• The vehicle has to pass the exhaust emission standards for 1975 model vehicles. A two-speed idle (TSI) inspection will be performed on these vehicles.
• Hot rod vehicles must be equipped with a catalytic converter (or converters on vehicles with dual exhausts), unless neither the original vehicle nor replacement engine was so equipped with one.

Such vehicles will be subject to these special standards for future inspections. Vehicles that were tested under the regular procedures and standards at their first inspection or that are newly registered in the 13 covered counties after December 31, 1998, are not eligible for the non-conforming status.

There are few exceptions to the general rules of the non-conforming status. The following paragraphs explain these vehicles and possible related exceptions that may apply to them.

Click here for the Non-Conforming Status application.

Gray Market Vehicles

A gray market vehicle is a vehicle that was manufactured for the intended sale outside the U.S., was not certified to meet U.S. emission standards, and was imported into the U.S. under a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) import waiver of the emission requirements.

Up until 1988, the U.S. EPA allowed motorists to import into the U.S. these gray market vehicles that were purchased overseas, provided the vehicle was five or more years old at the time. The U.S. EPA provided an extension of that date up to 1990 for active military personnel only. This means that the 1985 model year was the last possible model year for a gray market vehicle to be imported into the U.S.

Non-conforming status may still be approved to existing gray market vehicles brought into one of the 13 covered counties after December 31, 1998. To request non-conforming status, complete the Non-Conforming Status application and forward to GCAF for review. All requests will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Kit Cars

A kit car is a motor vehicle assembled from a manufacturer's kit. The kit body is placed on a frame that may be purchased with the kit, purchased separately or homemade. The engine and transmission are usually purchased separately or may be from the same vehicle as the frame.

A kit car does not utilize a chassis from an engine/chassis combination certified to meet emission control standards or where the original manufacturer's identification has been eliminated due to the replacement of the vehicle's body with one of a different make and/or style.

Kit cars that did not receive non-conforming status by December 31, 1998, or those registered in one of the 13 covered counties after December 31, 1998, must have all the required emission control systems for the model year shown on the registration card.

Click here to visit the Environmental Protection Agency’s Web site for complete information on kit cars.

Hot Rods

A hot rod is a vehicle in which the original engine has been replaced with a different type engine from the same or another manufacturer or the installed engine was never an option in that vehicle from the original auto manufacturer. Hot rods do not receive non-conforming status after December 31, 1998. Engine changes or modifications performed after December 31, 1998, must adhere to the Environmental Protection Agency’s policy on engine switching.