Visible emissions or smoke from vehicles
Heavy duty diesel vehicles must be emission tested annually through the Ontario Government’s Drive Clean Program. Emissions are tested by measuring the density or opacity of the smoke coming from the exhaust, which should be 20% opacity or less. If you see a “smoking vehicle” with black, grey or blue smoke, you can report it to Drive Clean through their online form or by calling their contact centre.
Contact Ontario’s Drive Clean Program:
- Completing the online form
- Call the contact centre at 1-888-758-2999
Be prepared to provide the following information:
- the licence plate
- a vehicle description
- the location, date and time of the occurrence
- the colour of the smoke
Idling vehicles & machinery
If vehicles or other machines have been idling for over 1 minute per hour, this contravenes the Idling Control By-law and it can be reported to the City of Toronto’s Permit Parking office. This applies to construction vehicles and machinery like 'heavy duty' diesel vehicles like dump trucks as well as ‘road-building machines’ like excavators, cranes, bulldozers, compactors, and street sweepers.
You can make a complaint by contacting the City's Permit Parking Office, but this complaint should be issued in real-time while the idling is still taking place. Enforcement officers can only give warnings or fines if the idling vehicle's driver is caught in the act.
Contact the City of Toronto’s Permit Parking Office:
Permit Parking, City Hall
100 Queen St. W., Main Floor, West Tower
Toronto, ON M5H 2N2
416-392-7873
[email protected]
Be prepared to provide the following information:
- the licence plate
- a vehicle description
- the location, date and duration of the occurrence
Learn more about the Idling Control By-law.