Which older cars are exempt from Drive Clean testing?

Drive Clean’s recent decision to end its rolling age-based exemption for light-duty vehicles from emissions testing requirements only affects 1988 and newer models. They will stay in the Drive Clean program, no matter how old they are.

If your car is a 1987 or earlier model, it leaves the program permanently when it is 20 years old. This means that all cars in Ontario currently designated as historic are exempt from Drive Clean test requirements.

Light-duty vehicles have been exempt from emissions testing when they were 20 years old, both for registration renewal and ownership transfer. A 1986 vehicle had its last emissions test in 2005 and a 1987 will have its last test in 2006.

1988 vehicles -- which require emissions tests in 2007 -- will need to be tested again in 2009 and every two years after that for registration renewal. Similarly, 1989 models will require testing in 2008 and every two years after that. As well, the requirement for a valid Drive Clean pass for ownership transfer will continue to apply to 1988 and newer models.

Drive Clean is also seeking public comment on a proposal that annual emissions tests be required beginning when a light duty vehicle is 12 years old for 1988 and newer models. No tests would be required for 1987 and older vehicles. However, no decision will be made on a requirement for annual tests until the public consultation is complete.

Why does Drive Clean have a Repair Cost Limit?

While Drive Clean achieves its emissions reductions as a result of the identification and repair of polluting vehicles, the government also recognizes that there are vehicle owners who cannot afford to fully repair or replace a grossly polluting vehicle.

The Repair Cost Limit (RCL) assists those vehicle owners by allowing them to obtain a Conditional Pass to renew their vehicle registrations while deferring emissions system repairs that raise their repair costs over $450. It also 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. Most emissions inspections and maintenance programs in North America have a similar feature to assist vehicle owners.

Since the RCL is an ongoing feature of Drive Clean, a vehicle owner may obtain a Conditional Pass every two years at registration renewal. However, a vehicle will have to meet the requirements for the RCL each and every time. 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.