Working Class Hero

Application - please read program requirements

Check here to see how you can help.

Social Services Agencies, check here for more info.

This program is designed to aid people with maintaining their vehicle to the Safety Inspection and Emissions standards of Pennsylvania. Participants in this program will have repair work necessary to meet these standards completed at no cost. The participant is only required to pay the shop inspection fees for both the safety and emission inspections (see details below for restrictions). Also, this is not a once and done procedure. Once you are approved for the program, you are encouraged to come back the following years for your inspection. We will also be happy to help you with your vehicle maintenance throughout the year within the guidelines of this program.

Work completed under this program will be limited to items required for PA Safety Inspection and Emissions requirements as stated in Publications 45 (Vehicle Equipment and Inspection Regulations). A partial list of items included under this program includes suspension components, steering, braking systems, tires and wheels, lighting and electrical systems, exhaust systems, the body, and the chassis.

Some things that are NOT included are transmission problems, oil changes, no start conditions, rough running engine, problems with power windows and heater or AC issues.

To be fair to all participants and to best utilize our resources, any other work items will not be included in this program but may be completed at an additional cost to the participant. Repair of items such as heating and air conditioning system, engine tune-ups, fluid changes, audio systems, and performance enhancements must be specifically requested by the participant and are subject to additional costs at the current garage labor rate.

Qualifications For The Program

  • Applicant must be a legal resident of PA

  • Vehicle must be under a current registration in PA

  • Vehicle must be registered to the program applicant

  • Vehicle must be the primary means of transportation for the applicant

  • Applicant must demonstrate financial need

  • Applicant must provide most recent federal tax return

  • Applicant must provide a referral letter from a church, social services organization, veterans affairs, or similar non-profit organization confirming financial need

  • If it is determined that an Emissions Waiver is the most cost effective remedy for the check engine light, you will be required to pay at least $150 towards the repair.

  • The condition of the vehicle must be such that it is economically practical to affect the necessary repairs as determined by the program administrator

  • Note: luxury car brands may not be fully covered due to the cost of parts and complexity of the repair.

Contact us if you need our services or know someone who would benefit from what we do.

NOTICE: We hate to do this, but due to the number of people needing our services and the increased number of no-shows for appointments, if you do not show up for two appointments, we will have to refer you to a different garage. If something comes up and you can’t make an appointment, please call. Not showing up takes a spot away from someone that needs the work.

How It Works

  • Contact the program manager at Good Karma Garage to be qualified for the Working Class Hero program.

  • Once approved, arrange a date to visit the garage for a quick evaluation of your vehicle at which an inspection will be scheduled.

  • On the date of inspection, you must provide a valid vehicle registration and proof of current insurance.

  • Good Karma Garage will assess your vehicle and make repairs necessary to bring your car into compliance with state inspection requirements.

  • In your vehicle, you will find an invoice from Good Karma Garage. The invoice is used for internal accounting and to let you know what work was done on your vehicle. You will see that the invoice shows charges for parts and labor that were expended on your vehicle. However, the amount due from the customer only represents the cost of the inspections themselves - approximately $70

  • Your vehicle now meets PA Safety and Emission standards for the next 12 months. Remember your maintenance.