Reporting smoky vehicles

Why report?

The NSW Government and the Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) are working to improve the environment, including air quality. People in the community can also play a role in improving the quality of the air we breathe.

At home, at work and in our leisure time, there are many things we can do to improve the air quality in our local area, region and globally. The choice to drive our motor vehicles and the way we use them is important in protecting air quality.

A smoky vehicle may be a car, truck, bus or motorcycle.

To report a smoky vehicle

You must know the registration number and verifying details such as make, colour and vehicle type.

New South Wales registered vehicles may be reported using OEH’s online reporting form or reported to OEH’s Environment line on 131 555 .

Interstate registered vehicles can only be reported to OEH’s Environment Line on 131 555

You must have observed the vehicle emitting smoke for at least 10 seconds continuously.

You will need to supply sufficient information to make certain that the correct vehicle is identified. This ensures that any follow-up action is taken with the owner of the correct vehicle.

Information needed for a complete smoky vehicle report

Vehicle registration plate details: There are many different types of number plates in use, so please be sure that only vehicles with a NSW registration plate are reported using OEH’s online reporting form. Interstate registered vehicles should be reported directly to environmental or registration authorities in the corresponding jurisdiction. Alternatively interstate registered vehicles may be reported to OEH’s environment line on 131 555.
The make, model and colour of the vehicle: The vehicle information that you supply will be matched against the vehicle details available from the relevant registration authority.
Time (in seconds) that the vehicle was witnessed smoking continuously: The length of time that the smoke is emitted must be MORE THAN 10 SECONDS without a break in smoke emission. Many diesel vehicles emit smoke for a short time when accelerating and changing gears or pulling up a hill. An emission for a period of 10 seconds or less is not an offence.
Location: Street and suburb where the smoky vehicle was seen
Date and time when the smoky vehicle was seen
Colour and density (darkness) of the smoke coming from the vehicle: For example, smoke may be dark black, pale grey, thick white, etc. It is important to ensure that you DO NOT MISTAKE CONDENSATION from an exhaust/pipe for smoke. This condensation can appear as white smoke and is more likely to be seen in cold weather. It normally disappears quickly when the vehicle warms up, does not trail back very far from the exhaust, and water droplets can be seen falling from the exhaust pipe outlet. Do not report a vehicle emitting condensation.

Your safety

If the details match the vehicle records, OEH can take appropriate follow-up action. The more details about the vehicle and the situation that you can report, the more likely the vehicle can be correctly identified.

Your health and safety are always more important than reporting a smoky vehicle. If recording the correct details may hamper your concentration or affect your driving, wait until next time to report a smoky vehicle. If the vehicle is smoky, it is only a matter of time before it is reported by someone like you or an authorised officer.

How to report

You can help to make a difference to our air quality by reporting smoky vehicles. Here are some easy options for reporting:

Use the online report form.
Telephone the OEH Environment Line on 131 555 during business hours where experienced staff will record the details of the information that you have collected and forward your report for appropriate action.
Use the fax back forms available from Environment Line by calling 131 555. You can use these forms to record the details of a smoky vehicle you observe and fax them back to Environment Line.