Georgia doesn’t have a statewide law requiring inspections for motorcycles or motor vehicles, but there are some situations when inspections are required. For example, you may need an inspection:

  • To obtain a title for an assembled or unconventional motorcycle
  • To obtain a title for a rebuilt or restored motorcycle
  • When ordered by a DPS officer

Though Georgia does not have a required state inspection, 13 counties have required emissions testing:

  • Cherokee County
  • Clayton County
  • Cobb County
  • Coweta County
  • DeKalb County
  • Douglas County
  • Fayette County
  • Forsyth County
  • Fulton County
  • Gwinnett County
  • Henry County
  • Paulding County
  • Rockdale County

Assembled or Unconventional Motorcycles

Georgia requires inspections for assembled or unconventional motorcycles.

Per GA Code § 40-3-30.1 (2020), an assembled motorcycle is any motorcycle that is:

  • Manufactured from a manufacturer’s kit or fabricated parts, including replicas and original designs by an owner, or at the direction of the owner, by a third-party manufacturer;
  • A new vehicle consisting of a prefabricated body, chassis, and drive train;
  • Homemade and not mass-produced by any manufacturer for retail sale; or
  • Not otherwise excluded from emission requirements and in compliance with Chapter 8 Title 40 of the Code.

An unconventional motorcycle is any motorcycle that is not manufactured in compliance with:

  • Chapter 8 of Title 40, relating to equipment and inspection of motor vehicles;
  • Applicable federal motor vehicle safety standards issued pursuant to 49 U.S.C.A. Section 30101, et seq., unless and until the United States Customs and Border Protection Agency or the United States Department of Transportation has certified that the motor vehicle complies with such applicable federal standards; or
  • Applicable federal emission standards issued pursuant to 42 U.S.C.A. Section 7401 through Section 7642, the “Clean Air Act,” as amended.

Salvaged or Rebuilt Motorcycles

Georgia requires inspections to obtain a tile for a salvaged, rebuilt, or restored motorcycle.

Per GA Code § 40-3-37 (2020):

  • Any person, firm, or corporation that rebuilds or repairs a motor vehicle whose current certificate of title is marked “salvage” shall make application for and obtain a certificate of title as provided in this Code section prior to the sale or transfer of said motor vehicle. If, under the laws of any other state, a vehicle has been declared to be nonrebuildable, the commissioner shall not issue any certificate of title for such vehicle and the vehicle shall not be used for any purpose except parts.
    • Motorcycles which are over 25 years old shall be exempt from the salvage laws of this state.

Inspections Ordered by DPS Officers

Georgia law requires riders to submit their motorcycles to an inspection and test when required to do so by a DPS officer.

Per GA Code § 40-8-201:

  1. No person driving a vehicle shall refuse to submit such vehicle to an inspection and test when required to do so by the commissioner of public safety or an authorized officer of the Department of Public Safety.
  2. Every owner or driver, upon receiving a notice as provided in Code Section 40-8-200, shall comply therewith and shall within 30 days secure an official certificate of inspection and approval, which shall be issued in duplicate, one copy to be retained by the owner or driver and the other copy to be forwarded to the Department of Public Safety. In lieu of compliance with this subsection, the vehicle shall not be operated, except as provided in subsection (c) of this Code section.
  3. No person shall operate any vehicle after receiving a notice with reference thereto as provided in Code Section 40-8-200 except as may be necessary to return such vehicle to the residence or place of business of the owner or driver, or to a garage, until such vehicle and its equipment have been placed in proper repair and adjustment and otherwise made to conform to the requirements of this article. A certificate of inspection and approval shall be obtained as promptly as possible thereafter.
  4. In the event repair or adjustment of any vehicle or its equipment is found necessary upon inspection, the owner of such vehicle may obtain such repair or adjustment at any place he may choose, but in every event an official certificate of inspection and approval must be obtained; otherwise, such vehicle shall not be operated upon the highways of this state.

Motorcycle Equipment Regulations

In Georgia there are many laws that apply to motorcycle equipment, rider licensing, and riding in general. You can learn more about Georgia motorcycle equipment requirements below and general laws on our Georgia motorcycle laws page.

Footpegs/Footboards and Handlebar Height Requirements

Georgia requires footrests on motorcycles when carrying a passenger and handlebars that aren’t higher than 25 inches above the seat. This means the measuring point for handlebar heights is the spot on the sat where the rider actually sits, no matter how low.

Per GA Code § 40-6-314:

  1. Any motorcycle carrying a passenger, other than in a sidecar or enclosed cab, shall be equipped with footrests for such passenger.
  2. No person shall operate any motorcycle with handlebars more than 25 inches in height above that portion of the seat occupied by the operator or with a backrest more commonly known as a sissy bar that is designed in such a way as to create a sharp point at its apex.

Lighting Equipment- Headlights, Brake Light, and Turn Signal Requirements

PerGA Codes § 40-8-22,23,24, motorcycles must be fitted with at least one and no more than two headlights, at least one taillight, a brake light, and at least one red rear reflector.

Headlights must project light at least 500 feet and be capable of adequately illuminating objects, people, and vehicles at night. The rear reflector must be mounted between 20 and 60 inches above the road and must be easily visible from 300 feet. Brake lights must be visible from 300 feet.

Per GA Code § 40-8-25, motorcycles manufactured after January 1, 1954 must be equipped with at least one brake light and at least one turn signal. If a motorcycle has two brake lights or two turn signals, both must work.

Per GA Code § 40-6-312, motorcycle riders must keep their headlights and taillights illuminated at all times.

Windshield / Eye-Protection

Georgia requires riders to either ride a motorcycle with a windshield or to wear approved eye-protection when their bike doesn’t have a windshield.

Per GA Code § 40-6-315:

  1. No person shall operate or ride upon a motorcycle if the motorcycle is not equipped with a windshield unless he or she is wearing an eye-protective device of a type approved by the commissioner of public safety.
  2. No person shall operate or ride upon a motorcycle if the motorcycle is not equipped with a windshield unless he or she is wearing an eye-protective device of a type approved by the commissioner of public safety.