Low-Speed Vehicle (LSV) Frequently Asked Questions - Other Jurisdictions

• Are there other jurisdictions that allow the use of LSVs and electric vehicles on public roads? If yes, where are they?
• Are there jurisdictions in the United States that allow the use of LSVs on public roads? If yes, where are they?
• If these vehicles are safe enough to use in Quebec, B.C., New York, Michigan, Ohio, etc., why is Ontario requiring LSVs to have additional requirements?

LSVs in Canada

1. Are there other jurisdictions that allow the use of LSVs and electric vehicles on public roads? If yes, where are they?

• BRITISH COLUMBIA: On June 6, 2008, regulations were amended to allow LSVs on roads with a speed limit of 40 km/h or less and, where permitted by municipal by-law, any road between 40 and 50 km/h.
• MANITOBA: On June 12, 2008, Bill No.15, which permits zero-emission and low-speed vehicles on highways, received Royal Assent and was proclaimed.
• QUEBEC:  Effective July 17, 2008, Quebec implemented a pilot allowing two electric LSV models, the Nemo and the ZENN, on its roads with speed limits up to a maximum of 50 km/h.  These vehicles are subject to strict operating conditions under the pilot.  The vehicles must be equipped with defog/defrost and heating systems, 3-point seat belts, slow-moving vehicle signs, and a proximity warning devices that emit intermittent noise when the vehicles are near pedestrians or bicyclists.

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LSVs in the U.S.

2. Are there jurisdictions in the United States that allow the use of LSVs on public roads? If yes, where are they?

• LSVs can be driven on public roads in at least 45 states, including New York, Michigan, Ohio, Massachusetts, Washington and California.  Many states restrict these vehicles to roads with speed limits of 56 km/h (35 m/h) or less and some municipalities are authorized to restrict LSVs to certain municipal areas, such as gated communities and subdivisions

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3. If these vehicles are safe enough to use in Quebec, B.C., New York, Michigan, Ohio, etc., why is Ontario requiring LSVs to have additional requirements?

• Ontario is proud of its record of having among the safest roads in North America and is moving forward responsibly. 
• We know the care we take in setting the rules of the road is making a difference.  Ontario continues to have among the lowest fatality rates in motor vehicle collisions in North America. 
• Transport Canada has clarified that the creation of a vehicle standard for low-speed vehicles was not meant to imply that these vehicles  were safe for use in mixed traffic on public roads.  Transport Canada continues to advise that LSVs only be operated in controlled environments such as gated communities.
• Ontario is not recommending LSVs meet all federal standards but it is requiring additional vehicle and equipment standards, which seem justified in light of the Transport Canada crash test results and recommendations in a National Research Council report commissioned by the ministry.

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