Frequently Asked Questions
Motor Tricycles

1. What is a motor tricycle?
2. How are motor tricycles registered in Ontario?
3. If my motor tricycle does not comply with the definition, will it be registered?
4. Where can a motor tricycle travel?
5. Are motor tricycles a new class of motorcycle?
6. Are there different wheel configurations of motor tricycles?
7. What type of licence would be issued to riders who take their test on a Piaggo MP3?
8. How type of licence would be issued to riders who take their test on a BRP Can-Am Spyder?
9. Are you really going to let people ride their motor tricycles with 3 passengers behind them?
10. I currently have a motor tricycle with two seats. Can I add another two?
11. Can I alter my motor tricycle that has two wheels in the front and one in the back in any way?
12. Can I build my own motor tricycle that has two wheels in the front and one in back?
    
13. Can I build, or convert a vehicle to, a motor tricycle that has one wheel in the front and two wheels in the back?
14. Why are you treating homemade/converted motor tricycles with two-rear wheels differently than those with two-front wheels?
15. Why are you now requiring additional equipment to register homemade/converted motor tricycles with two-rear wheels? You didn’t require this a few years ago?
16. Can I add a sidecar to my motor tricycle?
17. Can I carry passengers on my motor tricycle?
18. What do I need to drive a motor tricycle?
19. What are the fees to obtain an M driver's licence or an M driver’s licence with an M condition?
20. How will enforcement officers know that I am the holder of a
    motorcycle licence that can be used to operate a motor tricycle only?
    
21. What kind of plate will go on my motor tricycle and are personalized licence plates available for motor tricycles?
22. What kind of motorcycles can I drive with an M driver’s licence?
23. Where can I take a motor tricycle road test?
24. What happens if I take my road test on a motor tricycle and not a two-wheeled motorcycle?
25. How do I go about booking a road test?
26. If I hold a licence with an M condition that only allows me to drive a motor tricycle, what do I need to do to upgrade to a full unrestricted motorcycle licence?
27. What happens if the police stop me? Will my temporary licence be accepted?
28. I currently hold an out-of-province motorcycle licence that allows me to drive a motor tricycle. Will I be able to exchange it for an equivalent motor tricycle licence in Ontario?
29. I am moving to Ontario from another province. Will I be able to register my
    motor tricycle?
    
30. I will be driving through Ontario on my way to another province. Does my
    motor tricycle have to conform to Ontario’s motor tricycle equipment standards?
    
31. There are motorcycle training courses. Will there be training for motor tricycles?
32. Why isn’t the province aligning itself with the Global Technical Regulations for motorcycles?
33. The T-Rex vehicle has 3 wheels? Can it be registered as a motor tricycle?
34. Motorcycles aren’t known as being the most environmentally friendly of vehicles. I am assuming motor tricycles are no different. Why register these vehicles but not environmentally friendly vehicles such as low-speed vehicles (LSVs)?
    

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The vehicle:

1. What is a motor tricycle?

• Three-wheeled motorcycles are commonly referred to as “motor tricycles”.  A three-wheeled motorcycle may have either two rear wheels or two front wheels, or may be a two-wheeled motorcycle with a sidecar.
• The federal Motor Vehicle Safety Act (MVSA) defines a motor tricycle as a motorcycle that:
  •  is designed to travel on three wheels in contact with the ground,
  • has seating on which all occupants must sit astride,
  • has no more than four designated seating positions,
  • has a GVWR of 1,000 kg or less; and
  • does not have a structure partially or fully enclosing the driver and passenger, other than that part of the vehicle forward of the driver's torso and the seat backrest.
    

2. How are motor tricycles registered in Ontario?

• Motor tricycles have long been eligible for registration as motorcycles for on-road use in Ontario.
• To be eligible for registration, your motor tricycle must meet:
• The MVSA definition for a motor tricycle;
• Ontario’s Highway Traffic Act (HTA) definition of “motorcycle”; and
• Applicable Highway Traffic Act (HTA) legislative and regulatory safety standards and requirements for motorcycles.

3. If my motor tricycle does not comply with the definition, will it be registered?

• No. If your vehicle does not comply with the definition of a motor tricycle and all applicable HTA legislative and regulatory safety standards and requirements, it will not be registered.

4. Where can a motor tricycle travel?

• A motor tricycle can travel anywhere a motorcycle can.
• Travelling restrictions would only apply to M1 licence holders operating the motor tricycle.  M1 licence holders can:
  • ride only during daylight hours (half hour before sunrise to half hour after sunset
  • not ride on highways with speed limits of more than 80 km/h except highways 11, 17, 61, 69, 71, 101, 102, 144, 655.

5. Are motor tricycles a new class of motorcycle?

• No. Conventional motor tricycles (one wheel in front, two in back) have been around for a long time.
• New designs are making their way into the market, such as motor tricycles with two wheels in the front and one in the back.

6.Are there different wheel configurations of motor tricycles?

• A motor tricycle may have either have:
  • one front wheel and two rear wheels, or
  • two front wheels and one rear wheel, or
  • be a two-wheeled motorcycle with a sidecar.

7. What type of licence would be issued to riders who take their test on a Piaggo MP3?

• The Piaggio MP3, because of the close spacing of its front wheels, is considered a two-wheeled open motorcycle by Transport Canada and can be registered as a motorcycle. 
• Anyone taking his/her road test on the Piaggio MP3, will receive an unrestricted M class licence.

8.How type of licence would be issued to riders who take their test on a BRP Can-Am Spyder?

• The “Spyder” has two wheels in front and one in back, a steering handlebar, straddle seats, right-foot actuated braking system (rather than handlebar actuated), and a clutch. 
• Anyone taking his/her road test on the BRP Spyder would receive a restricted M class licence.
• This means, he/she could operate this type of motor tricycle only but not a two-wheeled motorcycle.
• The Spyder is an “open” vehicle, which has a windshield, no doors, no seatbelts and no airbags, and can accommodate one passenger straddled behind the driver, with an adjustable seat back.

9. Are you really going to let people ride their motor tricycles with 3 passengers behind them?

• The Ministry is adopting the federal definition of a motor tricycle.
• Currently, we are unaware of any federally approved motor tricycles that were originally manufactured with four seating positions
• MTO does share a concern with the future potential of homemade/converted motor tricycles with four designated seating positions arriving on the market, more so than with originally manufactured motor tricycles with four designated seating positions. The originally manufactured motor tricycle will at least be required to meet all related federal motor vehicle safety standards
• Since the four-seat motor tricycle is a new federal provision, the HTA prohibits motor tricycles from having more than two seating positions unless the vehicle was originally manufactured with four seats and bears a compliance label indicating its conformity with federal regulations for motor tricycles.
• Ontario’s HTA requires that each passenger seating position on a motorcycle have an operable footrest.

10. I currently have a motor tricycle with two seats. Can I add another two?

• No. You cannot have more than two seating positions unless the vehicle was originally manufactured with four seats and bears a compliance label indicating its conformity with federal regulations for motor tricycles.

11. Can I alter my motor tricycle that has two wheels in the front and one in the back in any way?

• No. Motor tricycles that have two front wheels and one back wheel cannot be altered in anyway so that they no longer continue to meet the federal regulatory standards that applied at the time they were originally manufactured or imported.
• A motor tricycle configured with two-front wheels cannot be operated on the highway unless it bears a manufacturer’s compliance label indicating conformity with federal motor tricycle regulations, and it must continue to meet the regulatory standards that applied to it at the time it was manufactured or imported.

12. Can I build my own motor tricycle that has two wheels in the front and one in back?

• No. Motor tricycles that have two-front wheels and one-back wheel cannot be registered as a homebuilt for on-road use in Ontario.
• A motor tricycle configured with two-front wheels cannot be operated on the highway unless it bears a manufacturer’s compliance label indicating conformity with federal motor tricycle regulations, and it must continue to meet the regulatory standards that applied to it at the time it was manufactured or imported.
• We are unaware of any federally compliant kits that convert vehicles to two-front wheel motor tricycle configurations.

13. Can I build, or convert a vehicle to, a motor tricycle that has one wheel in the front and two wheels in the back?

• Motor tricycles that have two-rear wheels and one front wheel have been homemade/converted and registered in Ontario in the past.
• Motor tricycles with this wheel configuration have been, and may continue to be, registered in Ontario. However, additional equipment/restrictions may apply in order to register them. For example, such motor tricycles:
• cannot have a split-service brake system unless originally manufactured, and maintained to federal standards, as such;
• cannot have more than two seating positions unless the motor tricycle was originally manufactured with more than two seating positions and bear a manufacturer’s label indicating compliance with federal regulations;
• must have at least two mirrors that meet federal regulations;
• must have two forward facing white or amber parking lamps or reflectors and two rear facing red reflectors;
• must have a properly working parking brake; and
• cannot have any of the original brake system’s controls removed, modified, or replaced.

14.Why are you treating homemade/converted motor tricycles with two-rear wheels differently than those with two-front wheels?

• The Ministry has some safety concerns with homemade/converted motor tricycles, as they are not required to meet the same federal vehicle regulations that apply to originally manufactured motor tricycles.
• For example, federal standards such as vehicle stability are not required of homemade/converted motor tricycles.
• The Ministry does recognize that an aftermarket already exists for homemade/converted motor tricycles with two-rear wheels, and that such vehicles have been registered for use in Ontario.
• MTO is unaware of any such aftermarket for two-front wheel designed motor tricycles. Prohibiting the registration of homemade/converted motor tricycles with two-front wheel designs will prevent safety concerns from expanding beyond the current situation

15.Why are you now requiring additional equipment to register homemade/converted motor tricycles with two-rear wheels? You didn’t require this a few years ago?

• The Ministry does have some safety concerns with homemade/converted motor tricycles, as they are not required to meet the same federal vehicle regulations that apply to originally manufactured motor tricycles.
• For example, under federal regulations, originally manufactured motor tricycles are required to have front lamps similar to passenger cars; however, there are no additional rear-facing lamp requirements compared to other types of motorcycles. In addition, these federal lighting requirements do not apply to homemade/converted motor tricycles.
• Motor tricycles, regardless of wheel configuration, can be as wide as, if not wider than, some passenger cars. As a result, MTO has some concern for the safety of other road users, who may be unable to perceive the true width of the motor tricycle if only one front and rear lamp are required.
• Rather than requiring two forward- and rear-facing lamps placed as far apart as possible to indicate width -- a potentially expensive retrofit for owners -- MTO is simply requiring the addition of either two forward-facing parking lamps/reflectors and two rear-facing reflectors, which are relatively inexpensive to add if the motor tricycle is not already equipped with these.

16. Can I add a sidecar to my motor tricycle?

• No. By adding a sidecar, the vehicle would have four wheels and would have to meet passenger car standards.

17. Can I carry passengers on my motor tricycle?

• Yes, the number of originally manufactured seating positions and foot pegs determine how many passengers you can carry.

Licensing Requirements:

18. What do I need to drive a motor tricycle?

• A driver of a motor tricycle must be at least 16 years old and have a valid M1, M2, or, an M2 or M licence with an M condition. The M condition is added to your licence if you pass the Level One or Level Two road test using a three-wheeled motorcycle. The M condition means you are licensed to drive a three-wheeled motorcycle only. 
• Anyone with an “M condition” specific to three-wheeled motorcycles is not authorized to operate a two-wheeled motorcycle.
• The vehicle must be insured, registered and have a valid licence plate. The operator must wear an approved motorcycle helmet.

19.What are the fees to obtain an M driver's licence or an M driver’s licence with an M condition?

The fees to obtain an M driver's licence or an M driver’s licence with M condition are:

• $10.00 for the written + $7.50 for the 90 days M1 permit
• $40.00 for the level 1 road test
• $75.00 for the level 2 road test

Please note that fees are subject to change.

20. How will enforcement officers know that I am the holder of a motorcycle licence that can be used to operate a motor tricycle only?

• On the front of your licence, an M will appear under the condition field and on the back of your licence “Restricted Motorcycle” will be indicated under the category field.

21.What kind of plate will go on my motor tricycle and are personalized licence plates available for motor tricycles?

• Motor tricycles will use the motorcycle plate. Personalized licence plates are available for your motor tricycle.

22. What kind of motorcycles can I drive with an M driver’s licence?

• With an M driver’s licence, the operator can drive a two-wheeled motorcycle, motor tricycle, limited-speed motorcycle and a moped.

Road Testing:

23. Where can I take a motor tricycle road test?

• You can take a motor tricycle road test at any DriveTest centre where motorcycle road tests are offered.
• For the nearest location, please visit the DriveTest website at http://www.drivetest.ca/en/loc/Dec.aspx

24. What happens if I take my road test on a motor tricycle and not a two-wheeled motorcycle?

• If you choose to complete your road test on a motor tricycle and successfully pass the test, you will receive either an M2 or M licence with an M condition. The M condition will restrict you to driving only three-wheeled motorcycles on any public road in Ontario.
• Anyone with an M condition specific to three-wheeled motorcycles is not authorized to operate a two-wheeled motorcycle.

25. How do I go about booking a road test?

• Applicants should decide what type of motorcycle licence they need and bring the appropriate vehicle to the road test. 
  • If you choose to complete your road test on a motor tricycle and successfully pass the test, you will receive either an M2 or M licence with an M condition. The M condition will restrict you to driving only three-wheeled motorcycles on any public road in Ontario.
• Road tests for motor tricycles can be booked using the automated Road Test Booking System on-line at www.rtbo.rus.mto.gov.on.ca. Applicants can also call the Automated Road Test Booking line at 416-325-8580 or 1-888-570-6110 toll free. The automated on-line and telephone booking systems will inform and instruct applicants about booking a motor tricycle test.

Upgrading to a full-speed motorcycle Licence:

26.  If I hold a licence with an M condition that only allows me to drive a motor tricycle, what do I need to do to upgrade to a full unrestricted motorcycle licence?

• To upgrade to a full unrestricted M licence, one that will allow you to drive a full-speed two-wheeled motorcycle, you must do the following:
  • You must successfully complete an M1 and M2 road test on a full-speed two-wheeled motorcycle
  • You will need a 90-day temporary licence that will allow you to operate a full-speed two-wheel motorcycle for training purposes, which can be obtained from the ServiceOntario - College Park Office or any DriveTest Centre for a fee of $7.50. This temporary licence will allow you to practise on a full-speed two-wheeled motorcycle before taking a road test.
  • Novice conditions may apply, depending on what licence you hold.

27. What happens if the police stop me? Will my temporary licence be accepted?

• Your temporary licence for training purposes is acceptable. If you are driving a full-speed two-wheeled motorcycle, you must carry your temporary licence and present this licence to a police officer if required.

Visitors and new Ontario residents:

28. I currently hold an out-of-province motorcycle licence that allows me to drive a motor tricycle. Will I be able to exchange it for an equivalent motor tricycle licence in Ontario?

• If you hold a motorcycle licence from another jurisdiction that is equivalent to Ontario’s restricted class M2 or M licence, you will be able to exchange your licence.
• · If you hold a motorcycle licence from another jurisdiction that is equivalent to Ontario’s M licence, you will be able to exchange your licence for an unrestricted motorcycle licence.
• If you are not eligible to exchange your licence, you will have to meet the same requirements for a motor tricycle licence as Ontario applicants. You would be required to take all tests -- vision, motorcycle knowledge and road tests.

29. I am moving to Ontario from another province. Will I be able to register my
motor tricycle?

• You will be required to obtain a safety standards certificate indicating your motor tricycle complies with HTA equipment standards.
• Motor tricycles with the two-rear wheel configuration may be registered in Ontario. However, additional equipment/restrictions may apply in order to register them. For example, such motor tricycles must:
• Not have a split-service brake system unless originally manufactured, and maintained to federal standards, as such;
• Not have more than two seating positions unless originally manufactured otherwise, and bearing a manufacturer’s label indicating compliance with federal regulations;
• Have at least two mirrors that meet federal regulations;
• Have two forward facing white or amber parking lamps or reflectors and two rear facing red reflectors;
• Have a properly working parking brake;
• Not have any of the original brake system’s controls removed, modified, or replaced.
• Motor tricycles with two front wheels will be prohibited from on-road use unless they were manufactured, and are maintained, to federal vehicle safety standards and do not have more seating positions than originally manufactured.

30. I will be driving through Ontario on my way to another province. Does my
motor tricycle have to conform to Ontario’s motor tricycle equipment standards?

• Yes. The absence of any of the following motor tricycle equipment could result in a chargeable offence:
• A tire of a size or type intended for a motor tricycle;
• A manufacturer’s label indicating compliance with federal motor tricycle standards (for two-front wheel configurations);
• A manufacturer’s label indicating compliance with federal motor tricycle standards if more than two seating positions;
• Two federally compliant mirrors; and
• An adequate parking brake.

Motor tricycle training and certification:

31. There are motorcycle training courses. Will there be training for motor tricycles?

• Associations/colleges may already offer motor tricycle courses and can be contacted directly for more information.  Information on motorcycle safety courses is available on the Ministry of Transportation website http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/dandv/driver/courses.htm

Other:

32. Why isn’t the province aligning itself with the Global Technical Regulations for motorcycles?

• Ontario would like to harmonize more with Transport Canada’s vehicle classifications.
• If in future Transport Canada adopts global standards, Ontario will be in a better position to follow.

33. The T-Rex vehicle has 3 wheels? Can it be registered as a motor tricycle?

• The Ministry is adopting the federal definition of a motor tricycle.
• Federally, the T-Rex is classified under the Motor Vehicle Safety Act (MVSA) as a three-wheeled vehicle, not a motor tricycle like the Spyder.
• The province of Ontario has not adopted the federal three-wheeled vehicle definition nor developed regulations in support of this three-wheeled vehicle class. Three-wheeled vehicles have been registered in Ontario in the past but must meet provincial safety and equipment requirements for passenger vehicles in order to be eligible for operation on Ontario’s roads.
• The T-Rex does not meet provincial safety and equipment requirements for passenger vehicles.
• The typical difference between a motor tricycle and a three-wheeled vehicle is that the motor tricycle has steering handlebars and the occupants sit astride while a three-wheeled vehicle has a steering wheel and the occupants sit in conventional seats.

34. Motorcycles aren’t known as being the most environmentally friendly of vehicles. I am assuming motor tricycles are no different. Why register these vehicles but not environmentally friendly vehicles such as low-speed vehicles (LSVs)?

• Federally, motorcycles are required to meet 12 motor vehicle safety standards.
• Transport Canada endorses the motorcycle class for on-road use in mixed traffic, whereas it does not endorse the use of LSVs in mixed traffic.
• The province requires helmet use for all motorcyclists (and bicyclists under the age of 18). The safety benefits of helmets are well documented.
• To further improve their safety, motorcycle operators require a special driver’s licence, must wear a helmet and typically wear protective clothing.
• Motorcycle operators can move at the speed of other traffic and can accelerate quickly to cross other roads or to escape hazardous situations.

See also: New and Alternative Vehicles: Information Update