Drive Clean

That's the name of the Ontario vehicle emissions testing program. It's just a big money grab because the vast majority of vehicles tested pass with flying colors. For cars, the test costs $35. But for motorhomes, there is confusion.

I had found one Canadian Tire store that would do the test for $39.95. However they couldn't do it the day I wanted it done, so I went looking elsewhere.

The problem is that they have different pricing levels for "heavy duty" vehicles, and motorhomes fall into a grey area. Both the Drive Clean head office and the garages that do the test gave me quite a few different stories, and I spent about two hours on the phone the other morning trying to get some straight answers.

Cars and "light duty" vehicles have a price cap of $35 plus tax. This is the price you pay no matter where you get the test done. But "heavy duty" vehicles get tested at whatever price you're willing to pay and I've had quotes for Sherman ranging from $39.95 to $105.00. The confusion is that a gas powered motorhome can be done at a light duty testing place, providing the front end of the vehicle will fit inside the shop, but many of the light duty testing places don't realize that they are licensed to do the test that way. I found another Canadian Tire who swore up and down that they were not allowed to do the test on Sherman until I had the Drive Clean head office phone them directly. Now, we have an appointment for next Tuesday morning (for $35 plus tax!) and we'll have it done on our way out of Canada. Which in itself is a joke. We are paying for an Ontario test and the vehicle won't even be in Ontario!

Anyhow, most Ontario gas powered motorhomes can be done for $35 plus tax, if the garage can fit the vehicle's front end in the shop.

We picked up Lindsey and Cameron at the airport and are enjoying seeing them again!

Lindsey and Cameron (age 5 months)

Cameron and his great-grandpa Tony