When Ontario's Drive Clean emission testing program begins early in 1999, it will lead to significant reductions in smog causing pollutants.  The program will require cars and light duty trucks in the Greater Toronto Area and the Regional Municipality of Hamilton-Wentworth to pass a clean air test every two years.

    The simple test will take about 20 minutes at an accredited Drive Clean facility, and cost no more then $30.00.  Once you've passed, your car will feel good because it's running right, and you'll feel good because it's for the air we breathe.

The test itself is easy.  Your vehicle will be parked on a dynamometer, a device that allows it to be "driven" on the spot while a probe in the tailpipe analyzes the exhaust and sends the results to a computer.

    Your vehicle's test results will be compared to the emission standards for its make, model and year, and a report showing a "pass or fail" will be issued.  It is estimated that 80-85% will pass the test.

   If you "pass", that's it. Just have the "pass" report with you when you renew your licence plate sticker at a Ministry of Transportation Driver and Vehicle Licence Office or self-service kiosk.

    If the vehicle "fails" it must now be repaired and retested. A simple tune-up will often suffice. Your vehicle must pass the test before the registration can be renewed, or when it is re-sold. You can get a  one-time only "conditional pass" by showing that at least $200 worth of relevant repairs have been done.

The Drive Clean program is administered by the Ministry of the Environment and will be closely monitored to ensure that it is both fair and effective. With full implementation, it will help cut smog causing pollutants from vehicles by up to 22 per cent in the program area. In the end, we'll all benefit from Ontario's Drive Clean program, because we'll be doing something positive for the air we breathe.

   The Drive Clean program is administered by the Ministry of the Environment and will be closely monitored to ensure that it is both fair and effective. With full implementation, it will help cut smog causing pollutants from vehicles by up to 22 per cent in the program area. In the end, we'll all benefit from Ontario's Drive Clean program, because we'll be doing something positive for the air we breathe.