For 2026 vehicle registration, if your vehicle is a 2002 – 2023 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 2026, this includes all 2024 and newer model year vehicles.

Additionally, vehicles that are 25 model years or older are exempt from emissions testing. This includes 2001 or older model year vehicles for 2026 registration. View a list of all vehicles that are exempt from emissions testing.

View information on non-conforming status (examples include gray market vehicles, kit cars, hot rods, and vehicles for which the owner is unable to obtain parts to repair the vehicle to pass the emissions inspection).

See the emissions testing requirements for 2026 registration.

Things to remember:

A vehicle’s model year is determined by the vehicle identification number (VIN).

Certain exemptions and extensions may apply to your vehicle (see below).

Motorcycles, recreational vehicles (RVs), and motor homes do not require emissions testing for registration.

Diesel vehicles do not require emissions testing for registration.

License plates can be renewed online using DRIVES e-Services, at a self-serve kiosk (if your county participates) or at your county tag office.

See Motorists’ Rights and Tips for Vehicle Emission Inspections.

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).

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.

The three most recent model year vehicles are exempt from emissions testing. For registration in 2026, this includes all 2024 and newer model year vehicles (2024, 2025, and 2026).

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 vehicle 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. Buyers can view a summary of the VIR online.

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 vehicle inspection report (VIR) for future reference.

Aside from Repair Waivers, you may qualify for certain extensions or exemptions from testing, such as:

Senior Exemption – Seniors 65 years old or older whose vehicle meet certain additional requirements may be eligible for a Senior Exemption.

Out-of Area-Extension– If you and your vehicle are temporarily located well outside of the metro Atlanta area because you are a student, in the military or have business obligations, you may qualify for an Out-of-Area Extension.

Antique Collector Vehicles – Vehicles 25 model years old or older are exempt from emissions testing. For registration in 2026, this includes vehicle model years 2001 and older.

If your vehicle fails its annual emissions inspection, please have all related taxes and fees ready. Then visit your local county tag office for information about a possible non-renewable 30-day extension on your registration, per OCGA 40-2-20.

View a list of all vehicles that are exempt from emissions testing.

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:

Dedicated vehicle types that operate only on:

• Natural Gas

• Propane

• Battery Electricity

• Hydrogen

The following vehicles are not alternative fuel vehicles and therefore require an emissions inspection (Note: this is not a complete list):

Hybrids:

• Ford Escape

• Honda Insight

• Honda Civic

• Honda Accord

• Lexus RX

• Mercury Mariner

• Toyota Highlander

• Toyota Prius

Bi-Fueled Vehicles

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 https://dor.georgia.gov/.

Your vehicle must be tested every year prior to its registration date (the vehicle owner’s birthday). For registration in 2026, the three most recent model years are exempt from emissions testing, which includes 2024 or newer model year vehicles.

Vehicles 25 model years old or older are exempt. For registration in 2026, this includes model years 2000 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).

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.

If you are a new Georgia resident: You must register your vehicle in Georgia. Before you can register, you must have a valid Georgia driver’s license or ID. You must apply for a Georgia driver license and register your vehicle within 30 days of becoming a Georgia resident. For license assistance, visit the Georgia Department of Driver Services website. For vehicle registration assistance, visit the Georgia Department of Revenue website.

*Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, Coweta, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry, Paulding and Rockdale.

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, 2025, the vehicle will need to be tested now for the late renewal and again for the current renewal, 2026.

If the vehicle has not been registered for several years and you are registering for the current year, 2026, 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.

See the emissions requirements for 2026 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 vehicle 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.

For a complete listing of all vehicle testing locations, view the Testing Locations section, or click on the link. Testing tips:

• You are not required to have your vehicle inspected in the county where your vehicle is registered.

• Warm up your engine to make sure the emissions control equipment is working properly prior to inspection.

• You have the right to observe the inspection as it is performed.

All subject vehicles will receive a two-part inspection:

• An OBD test to check the vehicle’s emissions control performance history (learn more about OBD testing).

• A visual inspection of the catalytic converter to check for tampering or removal.

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 Q&A brochure for repair tips.

Please note: If your vehicle fails its annual emissions inspection, please have all related taxes and fees ready. Then visit your local county tag office for information about a possible non-renewable 30-day extension on your registration, per OCGA 40-2-20.

• If the “Check Engine” or “Service Engine Soon” light is on, your vehicle should be checked by a repair technician as soon as possible. This light notifies motorists when something in the emissions control system fails or begins to deteriorate. Early diagnosis and repair can prevent more costly repairs in the future.

• Keep in mind the most common reasons for emissions test failures include: a malfunction in the components of the vehicle that regulate the fuel/air ratio such as the oxygen sensor and the EGR valve; a dirty air filter; misfiring spark plugs; leaks in the vacuum system; or a poor-fitting fuel cap. Many of these components can be checked and repaired during routine tune-ups.

• Follow the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance and tune-up schedule.

• Have the vehicle’s oil changed regularly.

• Replace the fuel cap securely after filling up. A loose fuel cap allows water and foreign material to collect, causing rust and a poor seal.

• Keep the sealing surfaces of the fuel cap clean and in good condition. When necessary, clean them with water and a damp cloth.

• Keep the vehicle’s tires properly inflated.

• Check belts and hoses for wear.

• The “Check Engine” light may illuminate as a result of a loose fuel cap. If the “Check Engine” light is illuminated, try tightening the fuel cap until it clicks, then drive the vehicle until the light turns itself off.

A properly maintained vehicle gets better fuel economy than a poorly maintained one. Furthermore, an improperly maintained vehicle may lead to a compromised emissions control system and not be effective in removing or reducing harmful air pollutants. This could result in not passing the emissions test. Make sure your vehicle is ready and help keep Georgia’s air clean.

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 vehicle inspection report (VIR). Should you have further questions regarding your registration, please contact your tag office for assistance.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sets the standards for ambient air quality throughout the United States. Areas that violate these standards are designated nonattainment due to high levels of pollutants. The state proposes which counties are responsible for nonattainment to the EPA, then the EPA makes the final decision on attainment and classification status. EPA uses a “Five Factor Analysis” to determine which counties in the region should be designated nonattainment. See this link for more details: Ozone Designations Guidance and Data | Air Quality Designations for Ozone | US EPA. The 13 counties which currently have an I/M program (Clayton, Cherokee, Cobb, Coweta, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry, Paulding, and Rockdale) were classified as severe nonattainment for the 1979 1‑hour ozone standard. The remaining Georgia counties do not require emissions testing.

The millions of vehicles in the Atlanta metro area are a major contributor to air pollution. The health, environmental, and economic impacts of air pollution can be significant if not properly managed. GCAF is designed to identify and ultimately repair vehicles that pollute the air, while helping our area work toward attaining Federal air quality standards.

EPD has 34 ambient monitoring sites that are used to measure pollution levels throughout the metro area and other parts of the state. Hourly ozone concentrations are monitored from March 1 to October 31 of each year. In addition, other pollutants like particulate matter (PM) are measured year-round to verify continued attainment.

Currently, seven counties (Bartow, Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Fulton, Gwinnett, and Henry) are designated nonattainment for the 2015 ozone standard. Previously, 13 counties (Clayton, Cherokee, Cobb, Coweta, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry, Paulding, and Rockdale) were classified as severe nonattainment for the 1979 ozone standard which required I/M in those counties. For removal of an I/M program in a particular county, EPD must demonstrate that this would not significantly impair the remaining nonattainment counties and the region in general from either staying in attainment or achieving attainment as soon as possible.

Cherokee was designated attainment for the 2015 ozone standard; however, it is still in maintenance for the 2008 and 1997 standards. As a result, Cherokee needs to follow requirements within the state implementation plan for the maintenance of ozone standards which includes keeping I/M emission controls in place. A major factor that led Bartow to be designated nonattainment for the 2015 ozone standard was Georgia Power – Plant Bowen’s large contribution to the airshed and proximity to the Atlanta area (typically upwind so NOx plumes are routinely advected into the Atlanta metro area). Cherokee had no unique sources contributing to the Atlanta airshed like Plant Bowen.

Other areas in the state are not required to have an I/M program and have not chosen to implement one voluntarily.

The majority of the NOx emissions from on-road vehicles comes from gasoline powered vehicles. Under Georgia Rule 391-3-20-.03, EPD is tasked with testing only the emissions of gasoline powered vehicles and light duty trucks with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of 8,500 pounds or less. Due to the smaller emissions contribution from RVs and motorcycles, they are currently exempt from testing.

Georgia Rule 391-3-20-.03 exempts older vehicles due to the fact there are very few of these vehicles. It has been estimated that the age range covered by the Georgia program covers the majority of vehicles contributing to ozone pollution. Black smoke is more related to particulate matter (PM) pollution. While having a side benefit of reducing more than ozone precursors such as black carbon, the I/M program focuses on ozone precursor reductions.

Larger vehicles and most commercial vehicles are powered by diesel fuel of which EPD is not required to inspect under Georgia Rule 391-3-20-.03, and they also exceed the weight limitation (GVWR of 8,500 pounds or less).

Each year, the most recent three vehicle model years are exempt from emissions testing. While new vehicles have very good emission reducing technology, at some point the technology is either compromised or fails, particularly if the recommended vehicle maintenance is not performed in a timely fashion. A vehicle with failed or compromised emission prevention systems will emit high levels of pollution no matter the age of the vehicle. Failure frequency is less with younger vehicles but still significant, especially given there are more new vehicles on our public roadways.

According to O.C.G.A. 40-8-181 and 40-8-182, the “Vehicular Visible Emission Control Act”: “It shall be unlawful for any person to operate on a public roadway of this state a vehicle [gasoline or diesel] which discharges into the atmosphere visible emissions” and, “shall be enforced by the duly authorized traffic control agency of this state or of any political subdivision thereof.” Georgia EPD does not have any authority in relation to these particular laws; however, you may reach out to the local traffic control agency where the smoking vehicle is occurring.