The Drive Clean Test Has Officially Been Eliminated in Ontario

While some drivers aren’t thrilled about the federally-implemented carbon tax that came into effect today (it was imposed in Ontario because the Doug Ford government abolished cap and trade shortly after the June election), many should take comfort in the fact that while gas might have gotten a little more expensive in a bid to curb pollution, a pricey–and formerly mandatory–test has been abolished.

April 1 marked the end of what the Ford government calls the “outdated, ineffective” Drive Clean program.

“Our government is standing up for the people by making life easier, not harder for Ontario drivers,” said Premier Doug Ford. “We’re focused on keeping money in people’s pockets, not taking it away. We ended the Drive Clean program for passenger vehicles to save Ontario drivers time and money.”

Ford also promised to continue to oppose the carbon tax (whether that will be through more pictures of somber PC MPPs filling up their gas tanks with grim expressions remains to be seen).

Today is the LAST DAY to fill up before the Federal Carbon Tax hits Ontario.

Starting April 1st, gas will go up almost 4.5¢ /L, which will grow to 11¢ /L by 2022. #onpoli #BramptonSouth #CarbonTax pic.twitter.com/6SOXW2BiwK

— Prabmeet Sarkaria (@PrabSarkaria) March 31, 2019

(They all did this on Sunday, March 31).

Ford joined Rod Phillips, Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, Jeff Yurek, Minister of Transportation, and Monte McNaughton, Minister of Infrastructure, to announce the end of the Drive Clean program on April 1.

Now, Ontario drivers no longer need to get Drive Clean emissions tests for their light-duty passenger vehicles. The province says this move will help save taxpayers up to $40 million a year.

“Eliminating the Drive Clean emissions test for passenger vehicles will reduce costs for Ontario families and businesses, and end hours of frustration and wasted time caused by unnecessary tests,” said Yurek. “Our government respects the taxpayer and this is one more way our government is making life more affordable and convenient for people.”

The Drive Clean program was first introduced in 1999. The province says that since industry standards have significantly improved since then, less passenger cars fail the emissions test.

In 2017, the fail rate was reduced to five per cent.

Are you happy to be free of the Drive Clean test?