By law, certain passenger vehicles must pass a Drive Clean test before they can be licensed to be driven on Ontario roads. Hansma Automotive can help - read on to learn more about the test, and where to find a Drive Clean test location in Ontario.
1. Where to Take the Drive Clean Test
2. What Is The Drive Clean Test?
4. Recent Changes to the Drive Clean Program
5. Industries and Vehicles Most Impacted by Drive Clean
If you’re in the Kitchener-Waterloo are, trust Hansma - we’ll make sure your vehicle is back on the road in no time! Contact us today.
Drive Clean Test Location Ontario
1. Where to Take the Drive Clean Test
The Drive Clean test must be performed at an accredited facility by a certified inspector. You can tell if they’re an official provider if the business features the official Drive Clean logo (see below). These private operators run the test and provide you with a printed test report.
If you live in the Kitchener-Waterloo area, you can book an appointment with Hansma Automotive today.
If you live elsewhere in Ontario, you can also use the Find a Drive Clean Facility form to find an operator closer to your home.
Look for a facility like Hansma Automotive that features the official Drive Clean logo.
2. What Is The Drive Clean Test?
If your passenger vehicle is seven years or older, it needs to pass an emissions test before you can renew your registration and licence plate stickers, per Ontario’s current Drive Clean program.
The purpose of the Drive Clean test is to reduce air pollution by ensuring that vehicles producing an unacceptable amount of emissions are not allowed on Ontario roads.
3. Types of Drive Clean Tests
Before performing a Drive Clean test, an inspector will do a visual check at no cost to you, according to the Government of Ontario. If the inspector finds any of the following issues, they must be corrected before the emissions test can continue, as they could lead to injury and/or the test equipment may not work properly:
Missing catalytic converter and/or gas cap
Defects in the fuel filler pipe
Problems with the on-board computer system that would prevent the vehicle from being tested
Visible smoke coming from the tailpipe
Any problems the inspector believes would prevent the vehicle from being tested safely.
The tail pipe is one area closely examined at a Drive Clean Ontario location.
You will receive a pre-test check rejection form if the vehicle cannot be tested, and you can return for the test once any required repairs are made.
Next, the inspector will take a look at your vehicle’s on-board computer to identify emissions problems. If your vehicle doesn’t have an on-board computer, a tailpipe test will be done to measure emissions.
If your vehicle fails, you will need to get the necessary repairs completed before it can be certified.
In terms of cost, here’s how much you can expect to pay at a Drive Clean test location in Ontario:
4. Recent Changes to the Drive Clean Program
Effective April 1, 2019, passenger vehicles were no longer required to pass a Drive Clean test.
This decision was made because, while the program effectively reduced vehicle pollution, auto industry standards had significantly improved since its inception in 1999, making it no longer necessary.
A new, enhanced program shifted focus to the biggest polluting vehicles, such as commercial transport trucks, ensuring that Ontario continued to lead Canada in reducing harmful pollutants.
Transport trucks were impacted by the drive test changes.
5. Industries and Vehicles Most Impacted by Drive Clean
The updated Drive Clean program primarily targeted heavy-duty commercial vehicles, such as transport trucks and buses, which contributed significantly to Ontario's air pollution.
These vehicles were subjected to stringent emissions testing to ensure compliance with environmental standards. Industries such as logistics, freight, public transportation, and construction were most impacted by the revised program due to their reliance on large, heavy-duty vehicles.
By focusing on these sectors, the enhanced program aimed to reduce emissions from the highest polluters, achieving a more substantial environmental impact compared to testing passenger vehicles.
Hansma Automotive - A Trusted Drive Clean Test Location in Ontario
Hansma Automotive is located in Kitchener and regularly performs efficient and accurate Drive Clean tests in order to keep your vehicle on the road and to keep our air clean. If your vehicle needs an Drive Clean test, contact us today to book yours.
A well-maintained vehicle can help you avoid costly repairs and reduce pollution. It is important to follow the maintenance schedules outlined by your vehicle's manufacturer. If your check engine light comes on, have your vehicle looked at by a qualified mechanic as soon as possible.
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