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. emissions standards, and was imported into the U.S. under a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) import waiver of the emissions requirements.

Up until 1988, the U.S. EPA allowed motorists to import these gray market vehicles that were purchased overseas into the U.S, provided the vehicle was five (5) 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 the 1985 model year was the last possible model year to be imported into the U.S. as a gray market vehicle.

Non-Conforming Status may still be approved for existing gray market vehicles brought into one of the 13 covered counties after December 31, 1998.

For questions regarding the importation of a vehicle or the process of inspections after importation, please see NHTSA Vehicle Importation Regulations.

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 emissions 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 emissions control systems for the model year shown on the registration card.

Visit the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) website for additional 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. After December 31, 1998, hot rods can no longer receive Non-Conforming Status. Engine changes or modifications performed after December 31, 1998, must adhere to the EPA's policy on engine switching, which can be found online.

Vehicles with Obsolete Parts

A vehicle is considered to be a "vehicle with obsolete parts" if the part(s) to repair the vehicle are no longer manufactured and cannot be located. In addition to dealerships, motorists should also check local parts shops, salvage yards and websites that sell auto parts. If the part(s) is located by GCAF or via another channel, the request for Non-Conforming Status will be denied.