How to Apply for a GVWR Exemption

Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) 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.

After GCAF determines your GVWR Exemption 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 and proof of ownership documentation must be presented at one of our GCAF Customer Service Centers for a visual inspection.

Required Documentation

GCAF only accepts documentation in English; documents in other languages will not be accepted. Additional documentation may be required in order to process the request for a GVWR Exemption Letter.

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

1. Completed GVWR Exemption Letter Application

To apply for a GVWR Exemption letter, click on the “Get Started” button at the bottom of this page after reading the application requirements.

a. The Gross Vehicle Weight Rating entered must be taken from the vehicle’s Safety Compliance Certification Label, located on the driver’s side door. If your GVWR is less than 8,500 lbs., you are not eligible for an exemption.

b. The name of the person entered as the registered owner must be the first name listed on the proof of ownership document.

c. 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.

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

2. Government Issued ID

The ID of the primary owner must be submitted with the application. 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 government issued ID from the primary vehicle owner and the proxy.

2. Proof of ownership

You may submit one of the following:

a. Copy of Georgia registration

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

c. Copy of last year’s Georgia tag receipt

d. Copy of Georgia title

* 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 full VIN, the primary owner’s name, and an expiration date (expiration date is not needed when submitting a title).

3. Proof of GVWR

You may submit proof of your GVWR in one of two ways:

a. Submit a clear picture of your Label that shows both the GVWR and the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).

1. If approved, and you provided an email address in your application, we will email you the exemption letter for you to keep in your vehicle and present, if needed, to the tag office.

b. Bring your vehicle to one of our service center locations that is most convenient for you.

GCAF Service Center locations are listed on our website at:

https://cleanairforce.com/motorists/support/customer-service-centers

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 business 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 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

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.