Need a DOT inspection near you in Georgia?
Georgia uses the federal annual model, so you don't need a station. Bright Inspect inspects your truck where it's parked. $99 for one vehicle, with fleet discounts from 2 units.
| Item | Georgia |
|---|---|
| Lead agency | Georgia DPS, Commercial Vehicle Enforcement |
| Federal rules | Broadly adopted for intrastate carriers |
| Who's covered intrastate | 10,001 lb or more; more than 15 passengers; placarded hazmat |
| Annual inspection | Every 12 months, by a qualified inspector |
| FMCSA-accepted state program | No |
| Limousines | Pre-service inspection by a certified mechanic, reviewed by DPS |
Compare Georgia with other states on the state requirements hub, or see which states run their own inspection programs.
Georgia DPS, through its Commercial Vehicle Enforcement division, enforces federal and state motor carrier rules and runs roadside inspections under the federal MCSAP program (Georgia DPS CVE). DPS also regulates limousine carriers.
Yes. Georgia adopts the federal motor carrier safety rules by rule (Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 570-38-1-.05). Intrastate coverage starts at 10,001 lb for ordinary commercial vehicles; vehicles over 15 passengers and placarded hazmat are also covered.
We're still confirming the 10,001 lb intrastate threshold against the current DPS rule. If your truck runs only in Georgia and is close to that line, check with Georgia DPS Commercial Vehicle Enforcement directly.
| Operation | Who's covered |
|---|---|
| Interstate | 10,001 lb or more, plus federal passenger and hazmat triggers (49 CFR 390.5) |
| Intrastate (Georgia only) | 10,001 lb or more for ordinary commercial vehicles; more than 15 passengers; placarded hazmat |
The federal annual, at least every 12 months, for every truck, tractor, trailer, bus and combination unit. Georgia doesn't run a separate state program that replaces it.
| Inspection | Applies to | How often | Rule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal annual | CMVs and each combination unit | 12 months | 49 CFR 396.17; Georgia DPS adoption |
| Limousine pre-service inspection | Limousines of Georgia limousine carriers | Before regulated service; more if DPS orders | Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 570-38-5-.05 |
The federal annual can be done by any inspector qualified under 49 CFR 396.19, including a qualified carrier mechanic. That's the model Bright Inspect is designed for.
The limousine pre-service inspection requires a "certified mechanic" with results sent to DPS for approval. Whether a technology-based inspection qualifies needs DPS confirmation, so check with Georgia DPS or ask us before using our inspection for a limousine.
Keep the annual report and proof of inspection under Part 396: 14 months, with proof on the vehicle. No state sticker is required for the annual or the limousine pre-service inspection.
| Vehicle | Rule |
|---|---|
| Tow trucks | Companies towing from private property without the owner's consent need a DPS Nonconsensual Towing Permit and must meet DPS equipment rules (Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 570-38-7); cities may add rules. No statewide tow truck inspection found |
| School buses | Annual inspection by Georgia DPS Motor Carrier Compliance; sticker expires at the end of the month one year after issue (Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 570-30). School systems also inspect buses monthly (Rule 160-5-3-.03); Georgia DOE guidance describes local inspections every 20 school days |
| Limousines | Pre-service inspection by a certified mechanic; results reviewed by DPS before service. Georgia defines a limousine narrowly (luxury limousine, up to 10 passengers, at least 5 seats behind the driver) under O.C.G.A. 40-1-151; confirm with DPS before applying the rule to sedans or SUVs |
Georgia DPS officers certified as CVSA inspectors conduct roadside inspections. Georgia's own selection policy says a vehicle without a visible valid CVSA decal may be chosen for a random inspection; a decal lasts up to 3 months and does not replace your annual (Georgia DPS policy 17.18).
Federal rules let an officer cite you under 49 CFR 396.17(c) when proof of a current annual inspection isn't on the vehicle; it carries a CSA severity weight of 4. The officer gives the driver an inspection report. The carrier must certify that listed violations were corrected and return it within 15 days, and keep a copy for 12 months (49 CFR 396.9). Fines are set by state law.
We're still confirming roadside fines for a missing annual inspection in Georgia. Check with Georgia DPS Commercial Vehicle Enforcement directly.
Stopped without proof of a current annual? See what to do when your inspection expired or failed at roadside and what happens if your annual inspection is expired. Nobody can promise to remove a violation or change a safety score; what fixes the problem going forward is a current inspection and a complete record.
Last reviewed: September 11, 2026