Rule 391-3-20-.04. Emission Inspection Procedures

1. (1) Prior to performing an emission inspection, the inspector shall determine whether the vehicle has leaking fluids, is overheating, or is otherwise unsafe to inspect. The inspector shall not perform an emission inspection on any vehicle which is unsafe to inspect.

2. (2) Inspectors shall perform a complete emission inspection on any responsible motor vehicle presented for an initial inspection, in accordance with the requirements of the Act and this Subject and the procedures as prompted by the GAS, including the following:

   1. (a) For OBD equipped vehicles.

      1. 1. A tampering inspection.
      2. 2. An OBD system check.
      3. 3. A fuel cap verification.

   2. (b) For non-conforming vehicles.

      1. 1. A tampering inspection. The inspector shall perform a tampering inspection only for those vehicles given non-conforming status by EPD that were originally equipped with a catalytic converter by the vehicle manufacturer or that have been subsequently equipped with a catalytic converter.
      2. 2. An exhaust emission test.
      3. 3. A fuel cap verification.
3. (3) The station owner and inspector shall take all reasonable precautions to avoid damage to vehicles during the emission inspection.
4. (4) EPD may require alternate procedures for certain types or classes of vehicles when it determines that such alternate procedures are necessary to safely and effectively inspect such vehicles.
5. (5) Emission inspections may be performed on any vehicle when done "at motorist's request," for reasons such as performing a reciprocal inspection for a motorist to meet the emission inspection requirements in his or her state of residence, as allowed by the Georgia Analyzer System software. The inspection procedure to be performed by certified inspectors shall be as prompted by the GAS.
6. (6) Inspectors shall perform a reinspection of the portions previously failed during an emission inspection on any vehicle presented for an after repairs inspection, in accordance with the requirements of the Act and this Subject and the procedures as prompted by the GAS.

Authority: O.C.G.A. Section 12-9-40, et seq., as amended.

History. Original Rule entitled "Emission Inspection Procedures" adopted. F. Nov. 1, 1993; eff. Nov. 21, 1993.

Amended: F. May 24, 1994; eff. June 13, 1994.

Amended: F. Aug. 31, 1994; eff. Sept. 20, 1994.

Repealed: New Rule of same title adopted. F. Aug. 28, 1995; eff. Sept. 17, 1995.

Amended: ER. 391-3-20-0.33-.04 adopted. F. June 4, 1996; eff. May 29, 1996, the date of adoption.

Amended: Permanent Rule adopted. F. Aug. 26, 1996; eff. Sept. 15, 1996.

Amended: F. June 3, 1997; eff. June 23, 1997.

Amended: ER. 391-3-20-0.36-.04 adopted. F. Oct. 17, 1997; eff. Oct. 15, 1997, the date of adoption.

Amended: ER. 391-3-20-0.38-.04 adopted. F. Dec. 5, 1997; eff. Dec. 3, 1997, the date of adoption.

Amended: F. Mar. 27, 1998; eff. Apr. 16, 1998.

Amended: F. Aug. 27, 1998; eff. Sept. 16, 1998.

Amended: F. Sept. 17, 1999; eff. Oct. 7, 1999.

Amended: F. Dec. 8, 2000; eff. Dec. 28, 2000.

Amended: F. June 28, 2001; eff. July 18, 2001.

Amended: F. Dec. 6, 2001; eff. Dec. 26, 2001.

Amended: F. Dec. 10, 2002; eff. Dec. 30, 2002.

Amended: F. Dec. 20, 2004; eff. Jan. 9, 2005.

Amended: F. May 30, 2014; eff. June 19, 2014.

Amended: F. Nov. 2, 2016; eff. Nov. 22, 2016.

Amended: F. Mar. 8, 2018; eff. Mar. 28, 2018.

Amended: F. Mar. 24, 2021; eff. Apr. 13, 2021.

Amended: F. Mar. 30, 2022; eff. Apr. 19, 2022.

Amended: F. Mar. 1, 2023; eff. Mar. 21, 2023.

Amended: F. Feb. 6, 2024; eff. Feb. 26, 2024.

Amended: F. Dec. 4, 2025; eff. Dec. 24, 2025.