Low-Speed Vehicle (LSV)- Frequently Asked Questions - Transport Canada

1. What is Transport Canada's opinion on LSVs> (LSV)?
2. What, if any, role does Transport Canada have in allowing these vehicles on Ontario roads?
3. Are there any LSVs that have passed the standard crash tests that passenger vehicles undergo?

Federal government (Transport Canada) Position on LSVs

1. What is Transport Canada’s opinion on LSVs?

• Transport Canada is clear --- LSVs are intended for short trips in areas providing controlled access for conventional traffic.  These areas include gated communities and industrial complexes.  LSVs are not intended for use in mixed traffic.
• LSVs did not fare well in crash tests; the seat belt anchorages came out of the vehicle floor, the windshield buckled, and the “driver’s” (crash test dummy’s) head was injured by the steering wheel.  Those previous crash tests confirmed that low-speed vehicles provide a substantially lower level of occupant protection than conventional passenger cars and that the risk of injury and death is significantly higher than for passenger cars.
• Transport Canada recently made their LSV crash testing publicly available.  Results indicated that the LSV vehicle body and frame integrity is compromised even in low-severity collisions, injury risk is disproportionate to crash severity, seat anchorage and seat back strength is inadequate, and risk of airborne debris is a cause for concern.
• On August 6, 2008, Transport Canada published an amended definition of a low-speed vehicle to clarify that they are recommended for use in controlled environments only.  Transport Canada’s reasoning is that, while LSVs may look similar to motor vehicles commonly seen on roads today, they are only required to meet three federally mandated vehicle safety performance standards, compared to the 40 standards that passenger cars must meet.

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2. What, if any, role does Transport Canada have in allowing these vehicles on Ontario roads?

• Under the Motor Vehicle Safety Act and its regulations, Transport Canada defines and regulates the safety standards and requirements of the classes of motor vehicles introduced into the Canadian market.
• However, they do not regulate whether the vehicles may be used on public roads.  That’s up to each province.
• The creation of a vehicle class and associated safety standards by Transport Canada does NOT necessarily imply that the vehicle is appropriate for the traffic mix of public roads.
• Provinces and territories govern the use and regulation, including registration and driver licensing, of motor vehicles on public roadways.

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3. Are there any LSVs that have passed the standard crash tests that passenger vehicles undergo?

• To the best of our knowledge, no.  It would be very unlikely that any LSV, as currently designed, would pass these tests.  Part of the advantage to any manufacturer who produces these vehicles is that they can avoid the cost and complexity of designing and testing a vehicle to comply with passenger car requirements.
• Transport Canada conducted a pilot project of LSV use in Quebec and has previously tested LSVs to select Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (CMVSS) and subjected them to crash worthiness tests.  Transport Canada is conducting more current testing of various LSV models.
• Based on the results of its pilot and the fact that LSVs failed the previous and current CMVSS and crash worthiness testing, Transport Canada does not recommend LSV use on public roads in mixed-vehicle traffic.

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