HOW TO APPLY FOR AN OUT-OF-AREA EXTENSION

Out-of-Area Extension applications may be submitted electronically or alternatively by printing the required forms and completing and submitting them in-person at any GCAF Customer Service Center. GCAF does not accept mailed applications.

If you have already submitted an application and need to send additional documentation, please send the additional information to waivers@cleanairforce.com.

Required Documentation

The following documentation must be submitted when applying for an Out-of-Area Extension. Additional information may be required in order to process the Out-of-Area Extension. Note: GCAF only accepts documentation in English; documents in other languages will not be accepted.

1. Completed Out-of-Area Extension application
Note for Military Extensions: A proxy may submit the completed Military Out-of-Area Extension Application and necessary documentation on behalf of eligible applicants. If submitting by proxy, the application must be signed by the proxy. The proxy must also submit a copy of their driver's license.

Copies of the following (scans, camera photos, etc., are acceptable but copies must be completely clear and readable):

2. Proof of ownership of the vehicle
In the form of a copy of the vehicle's Georgia registration or renewal notice [current or from last year], or the vehicle's Georgia title. Any of these documents are acceptable as long as the vehicle identification number (VIN) is included.

3. Proof the vehicle owner or driver is out of the area for valid reasons
Reason and examples depend on the type of extension being sought. For example:

Student Extensions: Provide proof the vehicle owner or driver is out of the area for academic reasons. Examples include: a current student transcript, student registration, tuition bill, or completed Student Verification Form (GCAF recommended). Documentation must identify the student and the school as well as show that the student is currently enrolled. Documentation must be dated within 60 days.

Business Extensions: Provide proof the vehicle owner or family member is out of the area for business reasons. Examples include: An employment verification letter on company letterhead, including contact information, stating the location where the motorist is working or completed Employment Verification Form (GCAF recommended). Documentation must be dated within 60 days. Provide a copy of a business license identifying the motorist or the company along with a notarized letter stating that the motorist is currently conducting business in the out of area location. Self-employed contractors and under contract with another business can submit the contractor’s work agreement as an acceptable form of employment verification.

Military Extensions: Provide proof the vehicle owner or driver is out of the area for military reasons. Examples include: A copy of military orders which identify the applicant (current or original can be up to four years old) or a letter on military letterhead confirming the vehicle owner or driver, and vehicle are located out of the area.

Do not send in a copy of military ID.

4. Vehicle owner’s valid government-issued identification card

If you are out of the area for a reason other than those listed above, complete a Business Out of the Area application, attach a document that explains the reason that you are out of the area, then attach it along with any supporting documentation for GCAF consideration.  

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 using 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

To quickly access Out-of-Area Extension applications, please select the type of extension for which you are applying from the list below. Please read the instructions on this page carefully before applying for an Out-of-Area Extension.