Car inspection laws are meant to promote highway safety and help keep motorists safe from catastrophic injuries. These regulations can also help protect the environment from excessive emissions. Each state has its own requirements, and it’s vital to know what inspection rules you have to follow. So, what are the car inspection laws in Georgia?
Mark Casto Personal Injury Law Firm is passionate about helping Columbus, Georgia, commuters keep themselves and their loved ones safe. If you need help, get in touch with our Columbus car accident lawyers or call us at (706) 940-4030. With that in mind, here’s a look at the car inspection laws that apply to Georgia vehicles.
How Mark Casto Personal Injury Law Firm Can Help After An Accident In Columbus, GA
Mark Casto Personal Injury Law Firm serves clients in Columbus and throughout Georgia by providing timely legal guidance and fierce representation during personal injury cases. Our Columbus personal injury attorneys are familiar with the common injuries associated with Columbus, GA, car accidents and are here to help you and your loved ones in your time of need.
Our team has helped countless clients recover compensation for personal injury and car accident claims. When representing you, the Mark Casto Personal Injury Law Firm will:
- Provide a free consultation
- Examine the facts of your case
- Gather evidence and important documents
- Calculate damages
- Negotiate with the insurance company and at-fault party
- Take your case to trial if a settlement can’t be reached
Our experienced car crash lawyers strive to resolve cases as efficiently as possible so that you can access the resources you need to focus on your recovery. However, we will not hesitate to take your case to trial if the other party refuses to negotiate in good faith.
Additionally, our law firm believes in maintaining open channels of communication from day one. We want you to know the status of your case and will discuss any settlement offers with you. Let us fight your legal battle so you can focus on bouncing back from your injuries.
What Are Georgia’s Inspection Laws?
Car inspection laws in Georgia for passenger vehicles primarily focus on emissions. The Georgia Clean Air Force oversees the state’s vehicle emissions inspection & maintenance (I/M) program. However, not all counties have adopted Clean Air Force guidelines. The following 13 counties require emissions testing:
- Cherokee
- Clayton
- Cobb
- Coweta
- DeKalb
- Douglas
- Fayette
- Forsyth
- Fulton
- Gwinnett
- Henry
- Paulding
- Rockdale
According to the program rules, you must complete your inspection before renewing your registration. Vehicle emission inspections are required once per year. If you don’t complete the required inspection, you will not be allowed to renew your registration.
Additionally, if you move to one of the 13 participating counties from a different county or state, you must have your vehicle inspected within 30 days.
You should schedule your emissions test a few weeks before your registration deadline in case you need to make any repairs. While testing requirements vary by county, you will likely need a smog check if your vehicle is:
- A 2001 model year or newer and has a gasoline engine
- A light-duty truck that weights 8,500 pounds or more
Vehicles that are three model years old (or newer) are exempt from emissions testing. Alternative fuel vehicles, motorcycles, and vehicles that are at least 25 model years old are also exempt.
You can visit Georgia Clean Air Force to locate a testing location near you.
How You Can Keep Your Vehicle In Good Working Order
Emissions testing can help ensure your vehicle does not produce excessive contaminants. However, smog checks don’t verify that your car is in good working order. Therefore, you’ll need to perform your own vehicle inspection to stay safe while out on the road.
The Georgia Department of Driver Services has a detailed vehicle inspection guide that you should follow. It covers everything from checking your oil and fluid levels to inspecting your tires and headlights. You should periodically inspect your vehicle and promptly fix any issues you discover so you can reduce the risk of an accident.
Contact Our Columbus, GA, Accident Lawyers For a Free Consultation
Aside from emissions inspections, which aren’t required in Columbus, Georgia has virtually no inspection requirements for passenger vehicles. While this lack of inspections makes renewing your vehicle registration easy, it also means that other drivers’ safety issues may go unnoticed. Your vehicle’s mechanical issues could go undetected as well, increasing your risk of getting into an accident.
The good news is that you have options if you’ve suffered a personal injury due to a vehicle defect or car accident. Mark Casto Personal Injury Law Firm can provide you with a free consultation and help you decide what to do next. Contact us to book an appointment with an experienced Columbus car accident lawyer.
