Regulation - LGIC

Drive Clean-Remote On-Board Diagnostic Testing ProgramRegulatory Amendments

Regulation Number(s):
Ontario Regulation 361/98
Instrument Type:
Regulation - LGIC
Bill or Act:
N/A
Summary of Proposal:
The Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change (MOECC) is posting this Information Notice on the Environmental and Regulatory Registries to inform the public of the proposed amendments to Ontario Regulation 361/98 (Motor Vehicles), made under the Environmental Protection Act (EPA). If approved, the regulatory amendments would enable emissions testing using remote on-board diagnostics (OBD) technologies. Drive Clean is proposing to implement remote emissions testing through the implementation of a voluntary pilot. Additionally, minor housekeeping changes are being proposed to ensure that the regulation is up-to-date.

The goal of the pilot would be to improve customer convenience, offer more choice to the public, and investigate the feasibility of incorporating new technologies within the current program design. Participation would be on a voluntary basis and vehicle owners that enroll would be able to complete their biennial emission test without visiting a traditional Drive Clean facility (unless the vehicle fails). Testing would be done using the same OBD procedure as is used at Drive Clean facilities and is outlined within the Drive Clean Guide. Correspondingly, any pass result issued by an approved remote OBD test provider would count as a valid test for registration renewal purposes.

These changes support the continued modernization of the Drive Clean program and if approved, would come into effect in the fall of 2017. The pilot is expected to run for a period of one year.
Further Information:
Proposal Number:
17-MOE020
Posting Date:
August 18, 2017
Comments Due Date:
October 2, 2017