The warm weather has finally arrived and many community members are taking to the trails and roadways with their off-road vehicles and dirt bikes.
Police would like to remind community members of some of the requirements, laws and locations related to operating off-road vehicles. Parents and guardians are asked to review these important facts with youth before allowing them to operate an off-road vehicle on their own.
It is the driver’s and passenger’s responsibility to be informed before heading out on the trails and roadways.
If the posted speed limit for motor vehicles is 50 km/h or less, the maximum speed for off-road vehicles is 20 km/h. When the speed limit for motor vehicles is more than 50 km/h, the maximum speed for off-road vehicles raises to a maximum of 50 km/h.
Off-Road Vehicles on Streets
- Driver must be at least 16 years of age and hold a valid G2, M2 licence or greater.
- Driver must carry the registration permit of the off-road vehicle or a true copy, and the vehicle must be plated.
- The vehicle shall be insured.
- No passengers under the age of 8.
- Driver and passengers must wear an approved motorcycle helmet securely fastened under the chin by the chin strap
- Drivers and passengers on a side-by-side off-road vehicle must occupy a seating position with a seat belt which must be worn properly.
- Passengers on a factory built two-up all-terrain vehicle must be able to reach and use the footrests.
- Passengers are not allowed on after-market two-up seats.
- Dirt bikes, Argos, Three-wheelers and All-terrain vehicles with more than four wheels are not allowed on streets.
Where to Ride in Greater Sudbury
There are three places that you are permitted to ride in Greater Sudbury:
- On private land with the property owner's permission.
- On Crown Land.
- On certain municipal roads permitted by the Greater Sudbury ATV By-law. There are time and seasonal restrictions regarding street operation.
Greater Sudbury has very little Crown Land in the area. There is a good chance that you may be trespassing if you are not on a street.
Off-Road Vehicle Act Offences (not on roadways)
No owner of an off-road vehicle shall permit a child under the age of 12 to drive the vehicle, unless they are on land occupied by the vehicle owner, or under the close supervision of an adult.
Owners of off-road vehicles may be held liable for injury and damages in addition to the driver.
The owner may also be charged and convicted of an offence under this Act, the regulations or any municipal by-law regulating, governing or prohibiting the operation of off-road vehicles, for which the driver of the off-road vehicle is subject to be charged and on conviction, the owner is liable to the penalty prescribed for the offence.
Off-road vehicles shall be issued a permit and be plated.
No person shall drive an off-road vehicle unless it is insured under a Motor Vehicle Liability Policy in accordance with the Insurance Act. The owner will not allow the off-road vehicle to be operated without insurance.
Every person who drives an off-road vehicle without due care and attention or without reasonable consideration for other persons is guilty of an offence.
Every person who has been signaled to stop by a person authorized to do so (peace officer, property owner, etc.) shall stop immediately and identify themselves.
No person shall drive an off-road vehicle or ride on an off-road vehicle or ride on a conveyance towed by an off-road vehicle unless he or she is wearing a helmet that complies with the regulations, securely fastened under his or her chin with a chin strap.
Greater Sudbury Police will be conducting education and enforcement efforts regarding off-road vehicles throughout the off-road season.
