Report a smoky vehicle
If you see a vehicle blowing smoke continuously for 10 seconds, you can:
- call the Department of Transport and Main Roads Smoky Vehicle Hotline on 13 20 19y—this is a free recorded service that operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
- complete and submit a smoky vehicle report form.
You will need to report the vehicle's make, model, colour and registration, and the time, date and location of the sighting.
Smoky vehicle hotline
Smoky vehicles pollute our air. Next time you see a vehicle blowing smoke continuously for 10 seconds or more, you can do something about it. Take down the vehicle's details and make a free call to the Department of Transport and Main Roads Smoky Vehicle Hotline (13 20 19y) or complete and submit the smoky vehicle report form.
You will also need to leave your name and address—these details will remain anonymous. We need them only to make sure the hotline isn't abused and the report is valid and can be acted upon.
You can only report vehicles with Queensland number plates and exhausts that smoke continuously for 10 seconds or more.
What happens once you report the smoky vehicle?
The reported registration number is compared with the reported description to make sure they match. If they do, a letter is sent to the owner explaining that the vehicle has been reported and suggesting ways to fix the problem. If the vehicle is reported 3 times within 4 months of the first sighting, the owner is issued with a Present Vehicle Order for the vehicle to be checked for defects by a transport inspector.
Usually, a simple service is all it takes to fix the problem. More than 80% of people report they fix their vehicles as soon as they receive the first letter. Owners have 1 month to fix the fault and return a form explaining what has been done.
yCall surcharge will apply. Higher rates from mobile phones will apply.
