What You Need to Know About
Your
Snowmobile
If you own or operate a motorized snow vehicle (MSV) in
Ontario, you are subject to the rules and regulations of the
Motorized Snow Vehicle Act. All snowmobiles and other
self-propelled vehicles designed to be driven primarily on
snow are governed by the Act.
The following is a summary of the requirements of the Act that
you should know.
Motorized Snow Vehicle (MSV) Facts
| REGISTRATION |
| • |
All motorized snow vehicles
must be registered with
the Ministry of
Transportation-even if operated only
on your premises. A
one-time permit fee is payable
at a Driver and Vehicle License Issuing Office. A
decal bearing the registration
number is provided,
together with mounting instructions. |
| ANNUAL VALIDATION STICKER |
| • |
Unless your snowmobile is operated only on land
owned or
occupied by you (or in certain parts of
remote Northern
Ontario) a validation sticker must
be affixed to the
registration decal. There is an
annual fee for this
sticker. |
| FARM USE |
| • |
There are no special exemptions for snowmobiles used in
a farming operation. The same rules apply to all
snowmobiles regardless of the purpose for its operation. |
| GENERAL OPERATION |
| • |
You may operate your MSV on your own premises, on
private trails of organizations to which you are a member,
or on other lands provided you have the owner's written
permission. You may drive in public parks and conservation
areas except where prohibited. Local municipalities have
the right to regulate or prohibit the operation of
snowmobiles within their jurisdictions both on or off the
roadway. |
| OPERATIONS ON PUBLIC ROADS |
| • |
You may not drive an MSV anywhere on any 400 series
highway or other major expressway in Ontario. On any other
roadway you may not drive on the serviced (paved) portion
or even on the plowed portion of the adjacent
shoulder-except to cross, and crossing can only be done at
a 90 degree angle (right angle) to the road. |
| • |
Except where prohibited, you may drive your MSV along
the road allowance between the plowed portion of the
shoulder and the adjacent property line or fence, provided
you drive as far away from the serviced road as possible. |
| • |
You may not drive faster than 20 km/h where the speed
limit for cars is 50 km/h or less. You may not drive
faster than 50 km/h where the speed limit for cars is more
than 50 km/h. |
| JOINT RESPONSIBILITY |
| • |
Both the owner of a snowmobile and the operator are
responsible for any violations of the Act, and both are
liable for any injury or property damage caused by the
vehicle. |
| DRIVER REQUIREMENTS |
| • |
To drive along or across a highway or public roadway a
person must be at least 16 years of age and must hold
either a valid Driver's License or an Ontario Motorized
Snow Vehicles Operator's License. |
| • |
Under no circumstances may anyone under the age of 16
operate an MSV along or across any public roadway. Persons
between 12 to 15 years of age who hold an Ontario
Motorized Snow Vehicles Operator's Permit may operate a
snow vehicle on trails that are established and
maintained by a formal snow vehicle recreational
organization. |
| • |
Helmets meeting the standards of the Act must be worn
when operating or riding a snowmobile and any attached
cutters, anywhere other than on premises owned by the
vehicle owner. |
| INSURANCE FOR
MOTORIZED SNOW VEHICLES (MSV's) |
| • |
The law requires that snowmobiles be insured under a
vehicle liability policy. In Ontario, this means an
automobile insurance policy. |
| • |
Proof of insurance must be carried by the driver. |
| • |
Snowmobiles operated solely on lands owned by the
vehicle owner do not require vehicle liability coverage.
However, the owner as well as the driver would be liable
for injury or property damage arising out of the operation
of the snowmobile. |
| • |
Personal and farm liability policies are not vehicle
liability policies in accordance with the Insurance Act.
These policies usually exclude "the operation of any
vehicle subject to motor vehicle registration", which
would include snowmobiles. They would therefore offer no
protection or defense against legal action. |
NOTE: This brochure is provided for information and
illustration purposes only. For more information, obtain your
own copy of the official Off Road Vehicles Handbook available
at a Driver Examination office or Vehicle License Issuing
Office near you.
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