imcarthur

If your car is 1988 or newer . . .

from Drive Clean FAQ

"Drive Clean’s decision to end its rolling age-based exemption for light-duty vehicles from emissions testing requirements only affects 1988 and newer models.

Under current rules, a light-duty vehicle’s last test is required when it is 19 years old, whether for registration renewal or ownership transfer. Therefore, if you own a 1986 vehicle, its emissions test in 2005 is its last. If you own a 1987 vehicle that requires a test in 2006, it will be the last test for that vehicle.

But 1988 vehicles -- which require emissions tests in 2007 -- stay in the program. They 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.

Also continuing to be exempt from any test requirements are vehicles designated and plated by the Ministry of Transportation as “historic” which will be exempt well into the future."

Thankfully, mine is an '87 . . .

Ian

500

Boy, I'm also scraping in with my '87 S.

I wonder if the effort might be better spent elsewhere... I don't see many 20+ year old cars on the road anyway.

Maybe extra revenues are the real motivation with this, and the annual inspeciton proposal for 12+ year old cars.

porscheman1

I absolutely agree with you amjf088. I feel this is driven by the government seeking revenue.

500

After my first post, I went and read up on the drive clean site. Turns out they are also increasing the time span for the first test on a new car from three to five years, which means one less test on a new car, so maybe I'm being a little harsh.

Having said that, I was frustrated by the amount of "half information" on the site. For instance, specific mention is made to 50% of cars 15 years old still being on the road, as a sort of justification for the elimination of the 20 year rolling limit. What I would really like to know, is what percentage of cars 20 years old and up are actually on the road. I *think* that it really drops off between those two milestones. It just seems like the most relevant information is not presented.

The annual checks on cars twelve years + (proposed) still does sound like a cash grab though.

imcarthur

Other than the nuisance factor (and cost), it will effectively stop exhaust modding etc on many cars 88 & newer. Guys will have to think twice before losing the cat or throwing on a sport muff etc if they know they're going to have to change it back every two years to re-smog.

Just watch Cali & the 1976(?) cutoff. The gov'ts move will gradually up the value of older cars because some guys will only buy pre-cutoff.

Ian

Dale Gribble

i'm having a bit of trouble understanding what the changes are.

does this mean that any car manufactured in 1988 and newer will have 2 get Etested even when it is 20 years old?

where as cars from 1987 and older will continue 2 be exempt?

imcarthur

Yes & yes.

That's the way I'm reading it.

Ian

911 Rod

I guess the value of my 86 just went up.

creaturecat

Get this - in B.C. newer cars only get tested every 2 years - however they charge you double!

Imo000

I’ve heard the same thing a few weeks ago and my heart almost stopped. I just finished installing my supercharger and for this I had to ditch the air pump. Hopefully the ‘85s will not fall under the “new rules”.

I could swear last year heard that the entire e-test program will be phased out. It will phase out just as it was phased in, starting with T.O. the first yearn then the rest of the regions. What a bunch of BS.

The largest rip off in the e-test system falls under the inspection of diesel vehicles. It’s a visual inspection ONLY. The inspection consists of: The vehicle can’t produce visible smoke continuously for 1 min. in a 5 minute interval. So in essence the technician looks at the tail pipe for 5 min and signs it off. A lot of times they don’t even bother to go out and look at the car, they just sign the certificate behind the counter. Regardless that it takes only 5min to test, the cost is still $35+tax.

Bob Rouleau

Is there a concern aboout cat back exhaust systems? They don't affect smog and are legit in most jurisdictions unless they fail noise emission limits.

YYC930

E-testing ???

Gawd I love living in Alberta.

skruggs964

ME TOO!

500

Imo000, you should be OK with your '85 (well, at least until the government decides otherwise!)

Bob, I had no problems with my Blitz Nur Spec R cat back exhaust on the WRX at e-test time (and it has a rep as a very loud, agressive exhaust).

Thanks!

crooster

When I first heard about this I figured that my '86 would have to be e-tested again in the future. Boy, I'm relieved!