Off-Road Vehicles are year-round utility and recreation vehicles that cna offers hour of enjoyment, as long as they obey the law and follow safety precautions.
The Smart Ride Safe Ride ORV Handbook is a great resource that outlines the rules & requirements for ORVs.
It tells you
- Where you can ride your ATR/ORV
- Who can drive an ATV/ORV in Ontario
- The rules of the road you must follow
- How to be a safe and responsible rider
You can download the handbook at the link below.
http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/driver/pdfs/smart-ride-safe-ride-ATV.pdf
Some key highlights include:
- For any on-road usage, all operators must be at least 16 years old
- And hold a minimum valid G2 or M2 license
- Children under 12 may only legally operate an ATV/ORV on private land occupied by the ATV/ORV operator. Close supervision must be provided at all times.
- Wear an approved motorcycle helmet
- ORVS must be driven in the same direction as traffic and on the shoulder where available; when not available on the right most portion of the roadway
- Vehicles must be registered, plated and insured
- No passengers under the age of 8 and the number of occupants are limited to the number of available seating positions
- Have full lighting on (headlights and taillights) between sunset and sunrise or when weather is unfavourable
- If the posted speed limit is 50 km/h or less the limit for ORVs is 20 km/h
- If the posted speed limit is greater than 50 km/h the limit for the ORV is 50 km/h
Huron County OPP reminds riders to check with their local municipality to determine if usage is permitted.
Municipalities have the authority to create by-laws to restrict/prohibit usage of ORVs including new types such as dirt bikes and Extreme Terrain Vehicles commonly referred to as an Argo.
OPP would also like to remind ORV operators the trial known as the Goderich to Auburn Rail Trail and the Goderich to Guelph Trail strictly prohibits the use of motorized vehicles such as dirt bikes and ATVs.
Police patrol these trails and violators will be charged.
