Off-Road Riding
Vehicle Information
- An ATV must be registered and display a rear licence plate except in exempt areas such as far northern Ontario. It must also be insured under a motor vehicle liability policy.
Driver Information
- The driver must be at least 12 years of age unless they are under the direct supervision of an adult.
- The driver must carry the ATV’s registration permit or a true copy.
- The driver and passenger must wear an approved motorcycle helmet that is securely fastened under the chin with a chin strap.
- The driver can directly cross a highway where permitted, if they are at least 16 years old and hold a valid driver’s licence.
For a list of highways in Ontario where ORVs are prohibited from crossing, please check the Off-Road Vehicles Act, Ontario Regulation 863, Schedule 1. You may check online at: e-laws.gov.on.ca
On-Road Riding
Passengers are prohibited from riding on an ATV that is being driven on a road.
Vehicle Information
- As described in the “Off-Road Riding” section, an ATV must be registered and insured.
- An ATV that weighs 450 kilograms or less and has an overall width not greater that 1.35 m (excluding mirrors) may travel along some provincial highways and on municipal roads, only if the municipality has a bylaw permitting their use.
- An ATV is allowed to travel on Highways 500 to 899, 7000 series highways and highways with low traffic volumes, but is prohibited from traveling on 400 series highways, the Queen Elizabeth Way, and sections of the Trans-Canada Highway.
For a complete list of highways where ATVs are permitted or prohibited, please refer to Highway Traffic Act Regulation 316/03. You may check online at: e-laws.gov.on.ca
Driver Information
The ATV driver must:
- be at least 16 years of age and hold a valid G2 or M2 licence or greater; wear an approved motorcycle helmet that is securely fastened under the chin with a chin strap; and
- travel at speeds that are less than the posted speed limit as outlined below.
Speed and Rules of the Road
- 20 km/h is the maximum speed an ATV can travel on roads with a posted speed limit of 50 km/h or less.
- 50 km/h is the maximum speed an ATV can travel on roads with a posted speed limit of more than 50 km/h.
- Municipalities may set lower speed limits or additional rules for ATVs.
- An ATV must be driven in the same direction as traffic and travel on the shoulder of the road. If the shoulder is unsafe or impassable, the ATV can be driven on the travelled portion of the road.
- An ATV travelling along a road must have its headlights and tail lights on.
