How to Apply for a Repair Waiver

Repair Waiver Applications may be submitted electronically through this website, or you may print, complete, and submit the forms in-person at any GCAF Customer Service Center. GCAF also partners with metro Atlanta tag offices to offer waiver services. GCAF recommends contacting your local tag office to find out the services they offer.

Please note: not all tag office locations offer waiver services. Contact your local tag office for additional information.

After GCAF determines your application is complete and the supporting documents meet the requirements, your application will be conditionally approved. In order for the application to receive final approval, the vehicle must be presented to one of our GCAF Customer Service Centers for a visual inspection.

Required Documentation

The following documentation must be submitted when applying for a Repair Waiver. Note: GCAF only accepts documentation in English; documents in other languages will not be accepted.

1. Completed Repair Waiver Application (see below)

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

2. Repair receipts for all emissions-related repair work completed

Note: receipts must identify the vehicle by VIN or tag number, and year, make, and model.

• If repairs are performed by the owner of the vehicle, only the cost of parts will be considered toward the Repair Waiver limit amount.

• If repairs are performed by an unlicensed shop, only the cost of parts will be considered toward the Repair Waiver limit amount.

3. Current business license from the repair facility(ies)

• Receipts must be from a repair facility possessing a valid business license for parts and labor cost to be considered toward the Repair Waiver limit amount.

4. Proof of ownership of the vehicle

• Acceptable (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.

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

6. All failed Georgia Vehicle Inspection Reports (VIRs)

Recommended Documentation

It is recommended to submit the following documentation when applying for a Repair Waiver to minimize processing time.

1.    A completed Vehicle Repair Verification Form. This document is to verify the vehicle has received emissions-related repairs as described in the provided receipt(s) and that the repairs for the vehicle have been paid. THIS FORM MUST BE COMPLETED BY A MANAGER OR SHOP SUPERVISOR.

Additional Criteria for Repair Waiver Eligibility

1. The vehicle did not pass the initial inspection and the after repairs inspection.

2. Your vehicle received emissions-related repairs meet or exceed the Repair Waiver minimum amount of $1,146 for 2025 registration.

• Itemized and identifiable emissions-related repair receipts from a repair facility possessing a valid business license. If required, the repair facility’s business license must be obtainable. If the business does not possess a business license, the labor costs will not count toward the Repair Waiver minimum amount; only the cost for parts will count.

• If the emissions-related repairs are performed by the owner of the vehicle, the labor costs will not count toward the Repair Waiver minimum amount; only the cost for parts will count.

• Emissions-related repair receipts must include the following vehicle information:

• VIN or tag number

• Year

• Make

• Model

• Emissions-related repair receipts from each emissions-related repair attempt can be considered toward a Repair Waiver as long as each receipt is dated either:

  • 60 days before or after the corresponding failed emissions test, or

  • 60 days prior to the initial inspection.

• The following charges do not count toward the Repair Waiver minimum amount (this is not a complete list):

  • Emissions inspection fees

  • Surcharges

  • Taxes

  • Warranty work

  • Gas

  • Disposal fee

  • Shop supplies

  • Miscellaneous charges

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

Complete the application online or print the application to complete it offline and hand it in at a customer service center. Applications may be submitted by email at waivers@cleanairforce.com