Ontario drivers will be getting a break from the Drive Clean program

TORONTO – Thousands of Ontario drivers will be getting a break from the Drive Clean program.

Government sources say the emissions tests required every two years once a vehicle is five years old will be delayed until it hits seven years. The government is changing the rules because it believes the technology has improved, in both cars and in the tests themselves. It says starting the emissions tests at seven years is as effective as it used to be when the tests started at five years.

There will be other changes as well, to eliminate situations where a vehicle is tested after the leasee buys it and when there’s a transfer of ownership within a family.

The formal announcement from the government is expected within the next few weeks.