If you do not find the answer to your question here, you can send us your question by email, or you can phone us toll free at 1-888-758-2999. Out-of-province callers please call 1-905-421-7083 (charges will be assumed by caller).
All brochures are available in .pdf format on the Drive Clean Home page
Top Questions for Light Duty Vehicles
- How will I know that I need a Drive Clean test?
- How long is the pass report valid for?
- How often are vehicles required to go for emissions testing?
- What model years of vehicles are required to go for emissions testing?
- What is the Repair Cost Limit and what repairs and services qualify?
- How much will the test cost me?
- What happens after I pass my Drive Clean test?
- What if my vehicle 'fails' the emissions test?
- How will I know if the test results and repairs are fair?
- My vehicle is registered in the Drive Clean program area, but is currently out of the province or not in close proximity to an accredited test facility. What are my options?
- My vehicle permit has expired – how do I get my vehicle tested?
- What can I do if I see a smoking vehicle on the road?
How will I know that I need a Drive Clean test?
Your Vehicle Licence Renewal Application sent out by the Ministry of Transportation should indicate if an emissions test is required. The application normally arrives about three months prior to a vehicle’s registration expiry date. Licence renewal packages contain printed information on Drive Clean requirements and the vehicles that require tests are marked with asterisks (*) on the registration form. If you have any doubts, you can check this website to confirm whether or not your vehicle model year needs a test, or contact the Drive Clean Call Centre at 1-888-758-2999.
Used vehicles require testing for ownership transfer if the vehicle is older than the current model year and no older than the 1988 model year. The requirement for a test for ownership transfer is a consumer protection measure to help ensure that consumers do not unwittingly purchase a used vehicle with emissions problems.
Return to top of page.How long is the pass report valid for?
A Drive Clean pass certificate is valid for 12 months from its date of issue. During that time the registration can be renewed and ownership can be transferred. It must still be valid on the registration expiry date, or for late renewals or vehicle transfers, it must be valid on the date of transaction.
Return to top of page.How often are vehicles required to go for emissions testing?
Light-duty vehicles are required to go for emissions testing every two years to renew the registration if they are five years of age or older based on their model year and of the 1988 model year or newer. Vehicles of the 1987 or older model year do not require emissions tests. Vehicles that are even model years require a test for registration renewal in odd calendar years and odd model year vehicles require a test for registration renewal in even calendar years.
Used vehicles require testing for ownership transfer if the vehicle is older than the current model year and of the 1988 model year or newer. The test requirement for ownership transfer is a consumer protection measure to help ensure that consumers do not unwittingly purchase a used vehicle with emissions problems.
Return to top of page.What model years of vehicles are required to go for emissions testing?
Light-duty vehicles that are are five years of age or older based on their model year and of the 1988 model year or newer require testing to renew the registrations every two years. Vehicles of the 1987 or older model year do not require emissions tests. Vehicles that are even model years require a test for registration renewal in odd calendar years and odd model year vehicles require a test for registration renewal in even calendar years.
Used vehicles require testing for ownership transfer if the vehicle is older than the current model year and of the 1988 model year or newer. The test requirement for ownership transfer is a consumer protection measure to help ensure that consumers do not unwittingly purchase a used vehicle with emissions problems.
What is the Repair Cost Limit and what repairs and services qualify?
The Repair Cost Limit (RCL) assists vehicle owners who cannot afford to fully repair or replace a grossly polluting vehicle by allowing them to obtain a Conditional Pass** to renew their vehicle registration while deferring emissions system repairs that raise their repair costs over $450. The RCL ensures that a vehicle’s emissions system faults are diagnosed and that at least some emissions-related repairs are performed for the benefit of our air quality.
To take advantage of the RCL, your repair estimate and actual repairs must be emissions related and provided by a certified repair technician employed by an accredited Drive Clean Facility. However, you do not need to have the diagnostic or repairs performed at the facility that provided the initial emissions test. If you use another accredited facility for diagnostic and repairs, the repair technician will complete and sign a repair data form. This form will enable you to have the vehicle re-tested at the facility where the initial emissions test was performed at a reduced fee rate.
The RCL does not apply if your have the repairs done elsewhere, or do them yourself. The limit also does not apply to replacement of a missing gas cap or catalytic converter, non emissions related repairs, warranty repairs or repairs to correct a vehicle's smoking problem.
**NOTE: A Conditional Pass cannot be used to license a re-sale vehicle for the road. This is an important consumer protection measure, since a Conditional Pass indicates that a vehicle has ongoing emissions system problems that require further repairs.
Return to top of page.How much will the test cost me?
The Drive Clean Facility will perform a pre-test inspection of your vehicle at no charge to ensure it is in reasonable mechanical working order for the emissions test. Vehicles emitting heavy smoke, or with brake, steering or cooling problems, or missing a catalytic converter(s) or gas cap(s) cannot be tested for safety reasons.
The maximum fee that may be charged for a light-duty vehicle emissions test is $35. You can have up to two re-tests at $17.50 each after repairs, if the retests are conducted at the same facility as the initial test. All applicable taxes are extra.
If you chose to have repairs performed at a Drive Clean facility that is different from the one where the vehicle was tested, you can still take advantage of the reduced re-test fees. The repair technician will complete and sign a repair data form which will enable you to have the vehicle re-tested at the facility where the initial emissions test was performed at a reduced fee rate.
If you perform repairs yourself or have them done at a non-Drive Clean Facility, bring all relevant receipts for parts or repairs to make sure you qualify for the reduced fee for retests. You will not, however, qualify for the Repair Cost Limit unless repairs were done by a certified Drive Clean Repair technician.
What happens after I pass my Drive Clean test?
You will be given a Vehicle Inspection Report (VIR) with PASS or CONDITIONAL PASS clearly printed on it. You can then renew your vehicle registration at a licence issuing office, any Ontario self-service kiosk or online at SERVICEONTARIO. Please retain your VIR pass or conditional pass with your vehicle's maintenance information.
Return to top of page.What if my vehicle 'fails' the emissions test?
You will receive a report on the vehicle's emissions, showing which standard(s) it did not meet. You will also receive a pamphlet entitled "What if my vehicle doesn’t meet the emissions standards?" which you should review to assist you in deciding what steps to take next.
Return to top of page.How will I know if the test results and repairs are fair?
First, to be accredited, Drive Clean facilities have computerized, tamper proof equipment approved for the Drive Clean program, and staff that are certified for emissions testing and/or repairs. Second, your vehicle test results are compared with emissions standards set for your particular year and model of vehicle. Third, the facilities are audited to ensure proper testing and repair procedures are followed. And fourth, accredited facilities, inspectors performing the tests, and certified technicians doing the repairs are monitored continuously for expected pass/fail rate and irregularities.
There is zero tolerance for fraud or consumer abuse within the Drive Clean program therefore, if you have concerns, we want to hear them. You can register your concerns by calling the Drive Clean Call Centre at 1-888-758-2999. The Ministry is serious about protecting vehicle owners and will investigate your complaints.
Return to top of page.My vehicle is registered in the Drive Clean program area, but is currently out of the province or not in close proximity to an accredited test facility. What are my options?
There are options available. Refer to the Ministry of Transportation website for information and instructions on registering or renewing the registration of a vehicle that is outside of the province or contact the Drive Clean Call Centre at 1-888-758-2999 for assistance.
Return to top of page.My vehicle permit has expired – how do I get my vehicle tested?
You may get a Temporary Vehicle Registration from a Licencing Office which will allow time for you to have your vehicle tested and any needed repairs done prior to renewing your vehicle registration (Cost: $15; valid for 10 days). You will be provided with a “T” validation sticker to place on your licence plate. For any questions regarding licensing issues, please call the Ministry of Transportation at 416-235-2999 or 1-800-387-3445 from within Ontario.
Return to top of page.What can I do if I see a smoking vehicle on the road?
Complete the online form. You can also call in the licence plate, a vehicle description, the location, date and time of the occurrence and the colour of the smoke, to the Drive Clean Call Centre at 1-888-758-2999. Please be assured we are doing everything we can to stop these types of occurrences.
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Last modified: August 06 2008.