Snowmobile or ATV Ticket in Ontario? MSVA and ORVA Charges Explained
Got a snowmobile or ATV ticket in Ontario? Learn the MSVA and ORVA fines for no trail permit, no insurance and careless driving, plus demerits and your options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an OFSC trail permit to ride my snowmobile on a club trail?
Yes. Under s. 2.1 of the Motorized Snow Vehicles Act, you need a valid trail permit to ride on a prescribed OFSC trail, whether or not signs are posted. The fine range is $200 to $1,000, and the set fine on a ticket is $200. Riding on land occupied by the snowmobile’s owner is exempt.
Does a snowmobile or ATV ticket put demerit points on my driver’s licence?
Offences under the Motorized Snow Vehicles Act and the Off-Road Vehicles Act are not listed in Ontario’s demerit point regulation. However, if you are charged under the Highway Traffic Act while driving an ATV on a highway, such as careless driving under s. 130, demerit points can apply. Unpaid fines can also lead to a licence suspension.
How old do you have to be to drive a snowmobile in Ontario?
To ride on a trail you must be at least 12 and hold either a driver’s licence or a motorized snow vehicle operator’s licence. To drive along or across a highway you must be at least 16 and hold one of those licences.
Can I be charged for riding my ATV or snowmobile on someone else’s land?
Yes. Riding on land where entry is prohibited, including cultivated fields and fenced land even without signs, can be charged under the Trespass to Property Act. The set fine is $50, but a summons-based prosecution can lead to a fine of up to $10,000 and an order to pay for damage.
Is impaired snowmobiling a provincial offence?
No. Impaired operation and over-80 charges are Criminal Code offences, and a snowmobile or ATV counts as a motor vehicle under the Code. A conviction suspends your Ontario driver’s licence for one year on a first offence under s. 41 of the Highway Traffic Act, and it can lead to a criminal record.
Contact Legal Assist
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