Ontario Provincial Police S.A.V.E. Team Eastern Ontario Unit 1135 Wilton Road Odessa, Ont. KOH 2HO 613-386-8601
ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLES AND THE ROADS IF YOU DON'T KNOW, DON'T GO!
Web site for more information - www.e-laws.gov.on.ca
Click on "Statute and associated Regulations". Scroll to "H" and view Highway Traffic Act, Ontario Regulation 316/03 titled "Operation of Off-Road Vehicles on Highways."
ONTARIO REGULATION 316/03 HIGHLIGHTS
"Highway" includes a common and public highway, street, avenue, parkway, driveway, square, place, bridge, viaduct or trestle, any part of which is intended for or used by the general public for the passage of vehicles and includes the area between the lateral property lines thereof. In this regulation, "all-terrain vehicle" means an off-road vehicle that:
> Has four wheels, the tires of all which are in contact with the ground > Has steering handlebars > Has a seat that is designed to be straddled by the driver > Is designed to carry a driver only and no passengers
ATV does not include Argos, dune buggy, etc. "Off-road vehicle" means a vehicle propelled or driven otherwise than by muscular power or wind and designed to travel:
> On not more than three wheels, or > On more than three wheels and being of a prescribed class of vehicle.
ATV operation is only prohibited on highways listed in Schedule "A" (multilane highways).
ATV operation is permitted on the shoulder of highways listed in schedule "B" or "C".
ATV shall not be operated on Municipal Roads, unless a by-law has been passed allowing such operation. Operators need to check with their municipality for status.
An ATV must have an Off Road Vehicles license plate and be insured.
An ATV operator must hold a valid driver's licence.
Headlights and taillights must be activated at all times on a highway.
A brake light is required if the ATV was manufactured after Jan. 1,1998.
Windshields must meet requirements for a motorcycle windshield.
The driver must wear a helmet and no passengers are allowed.
The speed limit is 20km/h where the speed limit on a highway is not greater than 50km/h and
50km/h where the speed limit is greater than 50km/h.
Exemptions for farmers and licensed trappers remain the same as in the past.
In addition to roads approved by the Provincial Government, Municipalities, Townships and Counties are also passing by-laws approving use of ATVs on some local roads.
NOT ALL ROADS ARE APPROVED Check with local government offices first to see if a by-law has been passed.
As of 2003 any vehicle primarily designed for off road use are now considered as OFF ROAD VEHICLES and must abide by the OFF ROAD VEHICLES ACT. This includes: Argos, Dune Buggies, Rangers, Rinos, Gators, etc.