The word “tamper” may be familiar to you if you’ve ever had to undergo a smog check. But what does it actually mean? To put it simply, “tamper” refers to any alterations or modifications done to a vehicle’s emissions control system that can cause emissions to grow above state or federal limits.
Georgia is one of the majority of states where it is prohibited to tamper with pollution control systems. This is due to the fact that car emissions are a significant source of air pollution, and higher emissions can have a negative impact on the environment and human health. The owner of the vehicle may incur higher maintenance expenses and reduced fuel efficiency as a result of tampering with the emissions control systems.
What modifications or revisions might so be regarded as tampering? Examples include changing exhaust systems, removing or disabling catalytic converters, and installing aftermarket air intake systems. Increased emissions of dangerous pollutants like nitrogen oxide (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO), and hydrocarbons (HC) may be the outcome of these alterations. In Georgia, select counties are mandated to do emissions testing as part of the state’s attempts to lower air pollution. Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, Coweta, DeKalb, Douglas, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry, Paulding, Rockdale, and Fayette (only for specific zip codes) are the 13 counties in Georgia that currently mandate emissions testing. At this time, Augusta does not mandate emissions testing.
For automobiles registered in the aforementioned 13 counties, Georgia additionally mandates yearly vehicle safety inspections that include an emissions test. The onboard diagnostic (OBD) system of the vehicle is checked for any diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) during the emissions inspection. The car may be refused if the OBD system reveals that the evaporative emissions control system (EVAP) is not prepared or has not finished its self-diagnostic testing.
In summary, tampering with an automobile’s emissions control system is prohibited and may cause higher-than-normal emissions of dangerous pollutants. Georgia mandates annual vehicle safety inspections that include an emissions check, as well as emissions testing in some counties. The vehicle can fail the emissions test if the EVAP system is not ready or has not finished its self-diagnostic testing. Owners of vehicles must maintain the integrity of their emissions control systems and refrain from making any alterations that might be construed as tampering.
No, in Georgia you cannot pass emissions tests while your check engine light is on. A car with a lighted check engine light will not pass the emissions test since it signals that there is a problem with the emissions control system. Before the car may pass the emissions test, the problem that has the check engine light on must be fixed.