The state Department of Motor Vehicles is extending the emissions due date and waiving late fees for cars affected by the recent General Motors recall.
Gov. Dannel Malloy and the DMV announced the extension today. Drivers of vehicles involved in the recall – including Chevrolet, Pontiac and Saturn models – now have until Oct. 31 to complete their emissions testing.
“We understand that affected residents are already under enough stress dealing with the G.M. recall and don’t want to add to their burden. Their first priority should be remedying their vehicles’ safety issues,” Malloy said in a statement Wednesday. “We are extending emissions’ deadlines and waiving late fees to ease the pressure on Connecticut owners while they get through this extraordinary situation.”
General Motors has recalled 2.2 million compact cars in the U.S. due to hazards posed by faulty ignition switches. GM said last week that 13 deaths have been reported in connection with the defective switches, according to a release from Malloy’s office.
“This is a serious problem and we want to help people as much as we can,” said DMV Commissioner Melody A. Currey, in a statement. “We see this effort as assisting these consumers as they work to get repairs done.”
According to the release, the extended deadline only applies to emissions testing and not registration renewal. Anyone who does not complete emissions testing by Oct. 31 will be charged a late fee.
The extension is effective April 9 and applies to the following vehicles:
- 2005-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt – 2,971 in Connecticut
- 2005-2010 Pontiac G5 – 87 in Connecticut
- 2006-2011 Pontiac Solstice – 147 in Connecticut
- 2003-2007 Saturn Ion – 726 in Connecticut
- 2007-2010 Saturn Sky – 51 in Connecticut
More information is available on the DMV Web site.
