How to Apply for a Senior Exemption

Senior Exemption Applications may be submitted electronically. Another option is to print the required forms. You may complete them and submit the forms in-person at any GCAF Customer Service Center or select metro Atlanta tag offices. The online and print versions are available in the Application section below.

A proxy may submit the completed Senior Exemption Application and necessary documentation for eligible seniors, however if submitting by proxy, the application must be signed by the proxy. The proxy must also submit a copy of his or her driver's license.

Required Documentation

GCAF only accepts documentation in English; documents in other languages will not be accepted. Additional information may be required in order to process the Senior Exemption.

The following documentation must be submitted when applying for a Senior Exemption:

1. Completed Senior Exemption Application

1. The name of the person entered as the registered owner must be the first name listed on the proof of ownership document. Vehicles registered as a business or trust are not eligible for a senior exemption.

2. The registered owner’s address section:

   The address must be in one of the 13 metro Atlanta counties that require emissions testing.

   1. If an acceptable proof of ownership document is presented, GCAF will accept a P.O. Box as the registered owner’s address, when the P.O. Box is in Georgia.

3. Vehicle identification information must include the year, make, model, vehicle identification number (VIN), and tag number.

4. Mileage must be entered.

   Future renewals for your senior exemption, will be based off the mileage you enter here to determine if you drove less the 5000 miles during the year. Please make sure that you are entering accurate mileage. If you drive more than 5000 miles per year, you are not eligible for a senior exemption.

5. Working Odometer

   Your odometer must work in order for you to provide us mileage each year. If your odometer is broken, you will not qualify for a senior exemption.

6. Proxy Section: If you are completing the application on behalf of the primary registered owner, you must:

   1. Complete the proxy section of the application, and sign the application.

Government Issued ID/Proof of Age

The ID of the primary owner must be submitted with the application and display the primary owner’s birthdate to verify that owner age is 65 or older.

You may submit driver’s license, state ID, passport, resident card, etc.

Birth certificates are not accepted.

*NOTE: If a proxy is submitting the application, we will need a government issued ID from the primary vehicle owner and the proxy.

2. Proof of Ownership/Proof of Age of Vehicle

Vehicle must be 10 years or older to qualify for a senior exemption.

You may submit one of the following:

1. Copy of Georgia registration

2. Copy of the current year or last year’s renewal notice (Georgia)

3. Copy of last year’s Georgia tag receipt

4. Copy of Georgia title - Title will only be accepted on the initial application for a senior exemption. If applying for a senior renewal, motorist will need to submit either option 1, 2, or 3 above.

   If your vehicle is not 10 years old or older, you are not eligible for a senior exemption.

   *Please be aware that the email renewal notice does not display the full VIN and will not be accepted. All proof of ownership documents must display the primary owner’s name, and an expiration date (expiration date is not needed when submitting a title).

Please provide all the requested information as listed above. Failure to provide acceptable supporting documentation will result in a denial or delay your consideration for approval.

Allow 8 to 10 days for processing electronic applications.

Next Steps

What Happens Next?

If you printed the application and completed it: please take it in to any GCAF Customer Service Center convenient to you.

If you submitted your application online:

You’re all set for now!

You should have received a confirmation number (waiver number) at the completion of your application that will allow you to follow up on your application.

Please allow eight to ten (8-10) business days for a response. Applications are processed in the order in which they are received.

If you did not receive a confirmation number, you may contact our call center at 1-800-449-2471 and give them the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). They will be able to look up your application and provide you with the confirmation number.  

Once your application has processed, a service representative will call the primary owner’s phone to provide an update on the application’s status.

If no one answers the call, a voicemail will be left, if possible.

If an email address was provided, in addition to the phone call, we will also send an email explaining the application’s status from waivers@cleanairforce.com.

If you did not provide us an email address, then we will attempt one final call to update you.

After two attempts have been made (phone call and email or two phone calls), we will not make any further attempts to notify you of the application’s status.

Instead, you may contact our call center at 1-800-449-2471 to check your status after 10 business days have passed, since you submitted your application. Please have your VIN or confirmation number available.  

NOTE: If the application packet is complete, it will be processed within eight to ten (8-10) business days. If the application packet does not contain all applicable documents required by the extension, exemption, or waiver, or the documents were not verifiable, the applicant will be notified, and the processing time will take longer. When the correct documentation is received, the processing time resets to the times outlined above. After 30 days of non-response/inactivity, applications lacking acceptable and required documentation will be deemed incomplete and closed by GCAF. 

You’re Approved, Now What?

If the application is approved, the approval will immediately be sent electronically to the tag office to remove the emissions test hold on your vehicle.  

You may now complete the registration of your vehicle by going online, utilizing a kiosk, or visiting your county tag office.

What about Testing My Vehicle?

Your vehicle will not need to be tested for the current registration renewal period. However, if you are still in need of an extension, exemption, or waiver, you will need to reapply and qualify under any new requirements each year.

For Out of Area applications only: Once the vehicle returns to Georgia, it must be taken for an emissions test.

Vehicles can be tested at any state-certified emissions station, not just at emission stations in your county of residence. You may find the nearest emissions testing station by visiting the GCAF website at www.cleanairforce.com.

Remember that vehicles can be tested well in advance if the vehicle will be out of the area at the time of the owner’s registration. A test is valid for 12 months or one registration renewal by the same owner.

If you have additional questions or concerns, please contact us at 800.449.2471. Once you are past the language prompt, select option 4; then choose the topic that relates to your request.  Please listen to all of the information provided with your request.  For additional information, visit us at www.cleanairforce.com.

Thank you for helping Georgia breathe a little easier.

Application

Get started by opening the application. You may complete and submit it online, or print the application and then complete it and hand it in in-person.