Safety Needed to Green Plate An Off Road Bike?

[SVeezy]

Hi all, having trouble finding the definitive answer to this question. Most signs point to not needed but wanted to get a response from those that have been through it.

Thanks


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[Msowsun]

There is no requirement to do a safety certification inspection to register an Off Road motorcycle for a “Green” licence plate.

Has this Off Road dirt bike ever been registered as Off Road in Ontario before? If it has not, you may have trouble with the paperwork needed.

 

[SVeezy]

There is no requirement to do a safety certification inspection to register an Off Road motorcycle for a “Green” licence plate.

Has this Off Road dirt bike ever been registered as Off Road in Ontario before? If it has not, you may have trouble with the paperwork needed.

Previously registered as off-road fit, not sure if ever plated though. Good to know safety isn’t needed as that makes things a bit easier. Thanks


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[SVeezy]

Ok, next question. I’ve heard spark arrestors (sp?) are needed off-road. Does this apply to crown land or just owned trails?


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[Scuba Steve]

It's a rule I have never seen it actually enforced .

Sent using a thumb maybe 2

 

[SVeezy]

It's a rule I have never seen it actually enforced .

Sent using a thumb maybe 2

Kind of what I thought but worth asking. I’d like to assume if all else is in proper order you’d get a pass/warning but you never know for sure


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[xrljoel]

Ok, next question. I’ve heard spark arrestors (sp?) are needed off-road. Does this apply to crown land or just owned trails?


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If you want to ride any organized events you'll need it. It's also the responsible thing to do if you're riding on anything but private property.

Truthfully, I've never seen any hazard coming from a stock MX silencer but I guess you never know and the rule is there for a reason. Doesn't take much to ignite dry grass etc.

 

[blackcamaro]

If you chose to run one Fischemoto.com has USFS approved spark arrestors for your stock silencer. You do have to take it out fairly often to clean it which is a bit of pain but a cheaper option then a aftermarket silencer.

 

[SVeezy]

If you chose to run one Fischemoto.com has USFS approved spark arrestors for your stock silencer. You do have to take it out fairly often to clean it which is a bit of pain but a cheaper option then a aftermarket silencer.

Thanks, this is good info



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[K-Clive]

https://www.ontario.ca/document/official-mto-drivers-handbook/off-road-vehicles-snowmobiles

 

[K-Clive]

I. Getting ready to drive an off-road vehicle​

What you need to drive an off-road vehicle in Ontario​

You must be 12 years of age or older to drive an off-road vehicle, except on land occupied by the vehicle owner or under the close supervision of an adult. Direct and close supervision by an adult is recommended.

While off-road vehicles are generally not allowed on public roads, there are some exceptions. (See the section "Where you can and cannot drive.")

Registering and insuring your off-road vehicle​

Off-road vehicles must be registered with the Ministry of Transportation at a ServiceOntario centre. This applies to both new and used vehicles. You must be 16 years or older to register an off-road vehicle, and you must be able to prove you own the vehicle.

If you buy a new off-road vehicle, you must get a certificate of sale from the dealer.

If you buy or transfer ownership of a used off-road vehicle, you must present the signed vehicle portion of the vehicle permit from the previous owner.

You must pay a fee to register your off-road vehicle. After registering, you will be given a vehicle permit and licence plate. You should carry the vehicle permit at all times unless you are operating the vehicle on land occupied by the owner of the vehicle.

If you have a two- or three-wheeled vehicle, attach the licence plate to the front of the vehicle in plain view. If you have a vehicle with four or more wheels, attach the licence plate to the rear of the vehicle.

You must register your vehicle within six days of becoming the owner. If you change your address, you must notify the Ministry of Transportation within six days of the change. You may do this in person at a ServiceOntario centre, by mail to the Ministry of Transportation, P.O. Box 9200, Kingston, ON K7L 5K4, or on the ServiceOntario website.

If you are driving your off-road vehicle anywhere other than on the vehicle owner’s property, you must also have vehicle liability insurance. You must carry the insurance card with you and show it if requested by a police officer. If someone else uses your off-road vehicle with your consent, you are both responsible for any penalties, damages or injuries that may occur.

The following vehicles do not need to be registered as off-road vehicles: road-building machines, farm vehicles, golf carts and motorized wheelchairs. In addition, off-road vehicles participating in a rally or competition sponsored by a motorcycle association with more than 25 members do not need to be registered for the event.

Wear a helmet​

You must wear a motorcycle helmet, as required by the Highway Traffic Act, whenever you drive or ride on an off-road vehicle or on any vehicle towed by an off-road vehicle. The only exception is when you operate the vehicle on the property of the vehicle owner. The helmet must meet the standards approved for motorcycle helmets, or motor-assisted vehicle helmets, and must be fastened properly under the chin.

Protect your face and body​

Always wear a face shield or goggles. A face shield can help prevent windburn, sunblindness and watering eyes from the wind. It can also protect your eyes from branches and twigs when driving through wooded areas. Wear pants that cover your legs, a long-sleeved shirt or jacket to protect your arms and gloves. Boots should be high enough to cover your ankles. To make yourself more visible to others while driving, wear brightly coloured clothing.

Make sure your vehicle is in good condition​

Before every trip, check your vehicle to make sure it is in good working order. Your life may depend upon it. Check the vehicle thoroughly before you start to drive, including the following:

• Check the brake control to make sure it moves freely. Adjust if necessary.
• Check that the throttle opens and closes smoothly in all steering positions.
• Check the condition of the tires and tire pressure.
• Check the fuel lines andconnections to make sure there are no leaks.
• Check that you have enough fuel and oil.
• Check that the engine is running smoothly. Make sure the is in neutral before starting the engine.
• Check that your lights are in good working condition.

Before you drive anywhere, read the owner’s manual.

Be well prepared for every trip​

Carefully preparing for every trip is an important safety measure. Check local weather forecasts and make sure you tell someone where you will be travelling and when you expect to be back. Use the buddy system; drive with others, not alone. Take along a first-aid kit, a vehicle repair kit, an extra ignition key, a drive belt, spark plugs and a rope. On long trips, include a map and a compass (or a GPS unit and know how to use it), flashlight, hunting knife, hatchet, extra fuel and matches in a waterproof box.

II. Safe and responsible off-road vehicle driving​

Where you can and cannot drive​

You may not drive an off-road vehicle on most public roads in Ontario. This includes the area between the boundary or property lines, including medians, shoulders and ditches.

There are some exceptions:

• You may drive an off-road vehicle directly across some public roads.
• You may drive certain off-road vehicles with three or more wheels along some public roads when using the vehicle for farming, for licensed hunting or for the trapping of fur-bearing animals, provided that the vehicle weighs 450 kilograms or less and does not have an overall width greater than 1.35 metres (excluding mirrors).
• You may drive an off-road vehicle within a provincial or public park if it is permitted by the park authority.
• Emergency personnel, such as police officers and firefighters, who are performing necessary duties in the course of their work or who are responding to an emergency, may drive off-road vehicles on public roads.

There are also exceptions for the category of off-road vehicles known as all-terrain vehicles (ATVs).

If you do drive an off-road vehicle on or across a public road, you must be at least 16 years of age and have a valid Ontario driver’s licence (Class G2, M2 or higher).

You may not operate an ATV in such a way as to disrupt or destroy the natural environment, including fish habitats, property and plants or trees.

For more specific information on where you may operate off-road vehicles, and what rules you must follow when doing so, you should refer to the Highway Traffic Act and the Off-road Vehicles Act.

 

[K-Clive]

& NOT mentioned in here is the new Provincial ruling that townships and regions can make their own local rules when it comes to dirt bikes being operated on public roads with green off-road plates and insurance, valid licence, at least 16 yrs etc.

Just like ATVs riding on the shoulder, never faster than 60kph, being extra careful.
The problem is the information is not readily available so where you ride has to be scoped out with the local GOV to see what the rules are.
I am looking for the website info on this, friends are digging around for it and it looks like: The Province has made it legal for off-road motorcycles with green plates, to drive down the shoulder. The municipalities have to make a by-law not allowing the activity, so, the responsibility is local, rather than provincial. It's a bit of a bag-o-snakes!

 

[SVeezy]

Awesome info, thanks K-Clive


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[K-Clive]

I think this is the new law RE: off-road on the road ->

Highway Traffic Act

ONTARIO REGULATION 316/03

OPERATION OF OFF-ROAD VEHICLES ON HIGHWAYS

Consolidation Period: From January 1, 2021 to the e-Laws currency date.

Last amendment: 740/20.

This Regulation is made in English only.

CONTENTS

PART I DEFINITIONS
1.	Definitions
PART II OPERATION ON CLASSES OF HIGHWAYS
2.	Operation on highways generally prohibited
3.	Prohibited highways
4.	Permitted provincial highways for certain off-road vehicles
4.1	Permitted municipal highways for certain off-road vehicles
5.	Highways on Crown lands or within provincial parks or conservation reserves
PART III REGULATION OF OFF-ROAD VEHICLES ON HIGHWAYS
6.	Conditions for off-road vehicles to be operated on highways
Equipment Requirements
7.	Weight and width of multi-purpose off-highway utility vehicles , etc.
7.1	Weight of all-terrain vehicles
8.	Tires
9.	Motor vehicle safety standards
10.	Equipment configuration and performance requirements
10.1	Safety equipment for multi-purpose off-highway utility vehicles and recreational off-highway vehicles
10.2	Safety equipment and performance requirements for extreme terrain vehicles
11.	Equipment installed at time of manufacture and manufacturer’s label
12.	Braking system
13.	Lamps
14.	Windshield
15.	No obstruction of view
Operation Requirements
16.	Permit
17.	Insurance
18.	Driver’s licence conditions
19.	Helmet
19.1	Seat belts
19.2	Passengers on all-terrain vehicles
19.3	No passengers under the age of eight
19.4	No riding on a trailer
19.5	No passengers on off-road motorcycles
20.	Application of Highway Traffic Act
21.	Application of Off-Road Vehicles Act
22.	Maximum speed
23.	Environmental protection
24.	Rules of the road
PART IV EXEMPTIONS
25.	Definitions
26.	Crossing a highway
27.	Farmers and trappers
28.	Public work functions
29.	Far northern Ontario and unorganized territory
Schedule A	Highways prohibited to all off-road vehicles
Schedule B	Highways permitted to all-terrain vehicles, extreme terrain vehicles, multi-purpose off-highway utility vehicles, off-road motorcycles and recreational off-highway vehicles
Schedule C	Areas in far northern ontario and unorganized territory

PART I
DEFINITIONS​

Definitions​

1. In this Regulation,

“all-terrain vehicle” means an off-road vehicle that,

(a) has four wheels, the tires of which are all in contact with the ground,

(b) has steering handlebars,

(c) has a seat that is designed to be straddled by the driver, and

(d) is designed to carry,

(i) a driver only and no passengers, or

(ii) a driver and only one passenger, if the vehicle,

(A) has one passenger seat that is designed to be straddled by the passenger while sitting facing forward behind the driver, and

(B) is equipped with foot rests for the passenger that are separate from the foot rests for the driver;

“extreme terrain vehicle” means an off-road vehicle that,

(a) has six or eight wheels, the tires of which are all in contact with the ground,

(b) has no tracks that are in contact with the ground,

(c) has seats that are not designed to be straddled, and

(d) has a minimum cargo capacity of 159 kilograms;

“multi-purpose off-highway utility vehicle” means an off-road vehicle that,

(a) has four or more wheels, the tires of which are all in contact with the ground,

(b) has a steering wheel for steering control,

(c) has seats that are not designed to be straddled, and

(d) has a minimum cargo capacity of 159 kilograms;

“off-road motorcycle” means an off-road vehicle, designed primarily for recreational use, that,

(a) has steering handlebars,

(b) has two wheels, the tires of which are all in contact with the ground,

(c) has a minimum wheel rim diameter of 250 millimetres,

(d) has a minimum wheelbase of 1,016 millimetres,

(e) has a seat that is designed to be straddled by the driver,

(f) is designed to carry a driver only and no passengers, and

(g) does not have a sidecar;

“off-road vehicle” has the same meaning as in the Off-Road Vehicles Act;

“recreational off-highway vehicle” means an off-road vehicle that,

(a) has four or more wheels, the tires of which are all in contact with the ground,

(b) has a steering wheel for steering control,

(c) has seats that are not designed to be straddled, and

(d) has an engine displacement equal to or less than 1,000 cubic centimetres;

“seat belt assembly” means a device or assembly composed of a strap or straps, webbing or similar material that restrains the movement of a person in order to prevent or mitigate injury to the person. O. Reg. 316/03, s. 1; O. Reg. 135/15, s. 1; O. Reg. 315/20, s. 1.

PART II
OPERATION ON CLASSES OF HIGHWAYS​

Operation on highways generally prohibited​

2. An off-road vehicle shall not be driven on any highway except,

(a) as specified in this Part;

(b) as permitted by Part IV; or

(c) as permitted by clause 2 (2) (a) of the Off-Road Vehicles Act. O. Reg. 316/03, s. 2.

Prohibited highways​

3. Except as permitted by section 28, no off-road vehicle shall be driven on a highway listed in Schedule A. O. Reg. 316/03, s. 3.

Permitted provincial highways for certain off-road vehicles​

4. (1) Subject to subsection (2), no off-road vehicle shall be driven on a highway listed in Schedule B. O. Reg. 135/15, s. 2.

(2) All-terrain vehicles, extreme terrain vehicles, multi-purpose off-highway utility vehicles, off-road motorcycles and recreational off-highway vehicles may be driven on a highway listed in Schedule B if the requirements of Part III are met. O. Reg. 315/20, s. 2.

Permitted municipal highways for certain off-road vehicles​

4.1. (1) An off-road vehicle shall not be driven on a highway or part of a highway that is under the jurisdiction of a municipality unless the following criteria are met:

1. If the vehicle is an all-terrain vehicle, a multi-purpose off-highway utility vehicle or a recreational off-highway vehicle, a by-law made by the council of the municipality under subsection 191.8 (3) of the Act permits the operation of any off-road vehicle on the highway or part of the highway.

2. If the vehicle is an extreme terrain vehicle or an off-road motorcycle, a bylaw made by the council of the municipality specifically permits the operation of that particular class of vehicle on the highway or part of the highway.

3. If the by-law limits the operation of off-road vehicles on the highway or part of the highway to specified times, the off-road vehicle is driven only during the times specified in the by-law.

4. The requirements of Part III are met. O. Reg. 315/20, s. 3; O. Reg. 740/20, s. 1 (1, 2).

(2) Despite subsection (1), if the requirements of Part III are met, a vehicle described in paragraph 1 or 2 of subsection (1) may be driven on a highway or part of a highway that is under the jurisdiction of a municipality if the name of the municipality appears in the Table to Ontario Regulation 8/03 (Local Municipalities Where 80 Kilometres Per Hour Speed Limit Applies) made under the Act. O. Reg. 740/20, s. 1 (3).

(3) For greater certainty, an off-road vehicle driven on a highway in accordance with subsection (2) is subject to any applicable prohibition or limitation set out in a by-law made by the council of the local municipality under subsection 191.8 (3) of the Act. O. Reg. 740/20, s. 1 (3).

Highways on Crown lands or within provincial parks or conservation reserves​

5. An off-road vehicle may be driven on a highway or part of a highway that is on Crown land administered under the Public Lands Act or that is within a provincial park or conservation reserve within the meaning of the Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act, 2006, unless the operation of the off-road vehicle on the highway or part of the highway is prohibited by the road authority or is otherwise prohibited by law. O. Reg. 135/15, s. 2.

PART III
REGULATION OF OFF-ROAD VEHICLES ON HIGHWAYS​

Conditions for off-road vehicles to be operated on highways​

6. An off-road vehicle shall not be operated on a highway unless it meets the requirements of sections 7 to 15 and it is operated in accordance with sections 16 to 24. O. Reg. 316/03, s. 6.

Equipment Requirements​

Weight and width of multi-purpose off-highway utility vehicles , etc.​

7. (1) If the off-road vehicle is an extreme terrain vehicle or a multi-purpose off-highway utility vehicle, it must,

(a) weigh 1,814 kilograms or less; and

(b) have an overall width not greater than 2.03 metres, excluding mirrors. O. Reg. 135/15, s. 3; O. Reg. 315/20, s. 4.

(2) If the off-road vehicle is a recreational off-highway vehicle, it must,

(a) weigh 1,700 kilograms or less; and

(b) have an overall width not greater than 2.03 metres, excluding mirrors. O. Reg. 135/15, s. 3.

Weight of all-terrain vehicles​

7.1 (1) If the off-road vehicle is an all-terrain vehicle that was manufactured after December 31, 2001, the weight carried on the all-terrain vehicle must not exceed the maximum weight capacity as shown on the overloading warning label affixed by the manufacturer. O. Reg. 135/15, s. 3.

(2) For the purposes of subsection (1), the weight carried on the all-terrain vehicle includes the weight of the driver, any passenger, the cargo and accessories, and the trailer tongue weight, if any, but does not include the vehicle curb weight. O. Reg. 135/15, s. 3.

Tires​

8. All the tires on the off-road vehicle must be inflated to the manufacturer’s recommended settings for normal operation. O. Reg. 135/15, s. 3.

Motor vehicle safety standards​

9. If the off-road vehicle is an all-terrain vehicle, it must meet the motor vehicle safety standards prescribed for restricted-use motorcycles in the Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations made under the Motor Vehicle Safety Act (Canada) applicable when the vehicle was manufactured. O. Reg. 135/15, s. 3.

Equipment configuration and performance requirements​

10. (1) If an off-road vehicle, other than an extreme terrain vehicle or an off-road motorcycle, was manufactured after December 31, 2001, the off-road vehicle must meet the requirements in at least one of the applicable standards set out in subsection (2) as the standard read on the date the vehicle was manufactured. O. Reg. 315/20, s. 5.

 

[K-Clive]

& NOT mentioned in here is the new Provincial ruling that townships and regions can make their own local rules when it comes to dirt bikes being operated on public roads with green off-road plates and insurance, valid licence, at least 16 yrs etc.

Just like ATVs riding on the shoulder, never faster than 60kph, being extra careful.
The problem is the information is not readily available so where you ride has to be scoped out with the local GOV to see what the rules are.
I am looking for the website info on this, friends are digging around for it and it looks like: The Province has made it legal for off-road motorcycles with green plates, to drive down the shoulder. The municipalities have to make a by-law not allowing the activity, so, the responsibility is local, rather than provincial. It's a bit of a bag-o-snakes!

Sorry I had the speed wrong!

The off-road vehicle shall not be driven at a rate of speed greater than,

(a) 20 kilometres per hour, if the speed limit established under the Act for that part of the highway is not greater than 50 kilometres per hour; or

(b) 50 kilometres per hour, if the speed limit established under the Act for that part of the highway is greater than 50 kilometres per hour. O. Reg. 316/03, s. 22.