V-1.2, r. 4 - Ministerial Order concerning the Pilot project concerning side-by-side vehicles

Updated to 2 November 2013

This document has official status.

chapter V-1.2, r. 4

Ministerial Order concerning the Pilot project concerning side-by-side vehicles

Act respecting off-highway vehicles

(chapter V-1.2, s. 47.1).

DIVISION I GENERAL

1. The implementation of the pilot project concerning the use of side-by-side vehicles is authorized on the following grounds:

(1)  to try out the use of such off-highway vehicles, while ensuring the safety of all users of off-highway vehicles;

(2)  to try out the use of such vehicle, particularly on the trails of all-terrain vehicle clubs;

(3)  to collect information on the use of such vehicle to assess its relevancy and, if so, to make minimum standards for its design and traffic safety rules.

M.O. 2010-08, s. 1.

2. For the purposes of this Order, a side-by-side vehicle is a motor all-terrain vehicle with side-by-side seating for the operator and at least 1 passenger. The vehicle has a steering wheel, at least 4 driving wheels and a net mass of not more than 750 kg.

The weight of the battery of a vehicle propelled by an electric motor is not taken into account in calculating its net mass.

M.O. 2010-08, s. 2; M.O. 2013-07, s. 1.

3. Side-by-side vehicles are subject to the application of the Act respecting off-highway vehicles (chapter V-1.2) as if they had been subjected to it under subparagraph 3 of the first paragraph of section 1 and subparagraph 1 of the first paragraph of section 46 of the Act.

Despite the foregoing, the provisions of this Order have precedence over any incompatible provision of the Act.

M.O. 2010-08, s. 3.

DIVISION II MANDATORY EQUIPMENT

4. In addition to the mandatory equipment prescribed by the Act respecting off-highway vehicles (chapter V-1.2), a side-by-side vehicle must be equipped with

(1)  a protection cage, to prevent injuries in the case of a roll-over, made up of at least 2 roll bars linked together by at least 2 struts;

(2)  doors or cargo nets for each access to the cab;

(3)  an assist handle for each passenger;

(4)  a safety belt with at least 3 anchor points for each occupant of the vehicle;

(5)  a headrest for each occupant of the vehicle;

(6)  an engine with a piston displacement not exceeding 1,000 cc;

(7)  low pressure tires; and

(8)  a rear view mirror inside the vehicle at the centre of the front upper part of the protection cage.

The equipment must be installed according to the manufacturer’s instructions and recommendations, to a vehicle for which it was designed.

M.O. 2010-08, s. 4; M.O. 2013-07, s. 2.

4.1. Every vehicle propelled by an electric motor must, to be used in a place referred to in subparagraphs 1 to 4 of the first paragraph of section 6, be equipped with a triangle orange warning sign, with a red reflective edge, complying with Standard ANSI/ASAE S276.6 published in January 2005 by the American Society of Agricultural Engineers.

The sign is fixed with an angle of the triangle upwards, vertically and perpendicular to the direction taken by the vehicle, as close as possible to the rear, at the centre of the vehicle or as close as possible from the left, at a height of at least 60 cm measured from the ground to the base of the sign.

The sign must be in good condition, securely fixed to the vehicle and free from any object or matter that could reduce its visibility up to a distance of 180 m.

M.O. 2013-07, s. 3.

5. In order to travel in a place mentioned in any of subparagraphs 1 to 4 of the first paragraph of section 6, a vehicle must also have an overall width not exceeding 1,626 mm, excluding the rear view mirror.

M.O. 2010-08, s. 5; M.O. 2013-07, s. 4.

DIVISION III STANDARDS OF USE

6. The operator of a side-by-side vehicle may drive

(1)  on an all-terrain vehicle trail referred to in section 15 of the Act respecting off-highway vehicles (chapter V-1.2);

(2)  on a public highway within the meaning of the Highway Safety Code (chapter C-24.2), under the conditions set out in the Act respecting off-highway vehicles;

(3)  on an all terrain-vehicle trail laid out on a road situated on land in the domain of the State and operated by an off-highway club under the conditions provided for in section 8.1 of the Act respecting off-highway vehicles or, if there is no such trail on such a road, on the road itself, but only for the distance necessary to reach a trail referred to in section 8.1 or section 15 of the Act;

(4)  on a private road open to public traffic, but only for the distance necessary to reach an all-terrain vehicle trail referred to in section 8.1 or section 15 of the Act respecting off-highway vehicles; and

(5)  on lands in the domain of the State, in accordance with section 8 of the Act respecting off-highway vehicles.

Section 13 of the Act respecting off-highway vehicles applies to such permission to travel.

M.O. 2010-08, s. 6.

6.1. Any regulation authorizing the use of motor all-terrain vehicles on a public highway must be read as also authorizing the use of side-by-side vehicles, unless such a regulation expressly excludes side-by-side vehicles.

M.O. 2013-07, s. 5.

7. The use of a side-by-side vehicle on private land other than a place listed in section 6 is subject to the express authorization of the owner or lessee.

M.O. 2010-08, s. 7.

8. The person in charge of the maintenance of a place mentioned in section 6 may install, on those roads, highways or trails, signs that contain the message in Schedule 1 so as to prohibit the use of side-to-side vehicles.

Operators of side-to-side vehicles are bound to comply with those signs.

M.O. 2010-08, s. 8.

8.1. Where the width of the roadway of a bridge is less than 3,048 mm, the off-highway vehicle club responsible for a trail where the use of side-by-side vehicles is authorized must install a narrow passage sign (D-200) provided for in the Regulation respecting off-highway vehicle trail signs (chapter V-1.2, r. 4.1), together with the “side-by-side 1 lane” tab sign, as illustrated in Schedule 2.

M.O. 2013-07, s. 6.

8.2. Road signs that include the silhouette of an all-terrain vehicle, in particular signs P-130-7 and D-270-8 in the Regulation respecting road signs (chapter C-24.2, r. 41), also cover side-by-side vehicles.

Despite the foregoing, the sign in Schedule 1 has precedence over a sign referred to in the first paragraph.

M.O. 2013-07, s. 6.

DIVISION IV RULES OF USE

9. Every operator of a side-by-side vehicle must be 18 years of age or over.

To operate a side-by-side vehicle on a public highway as provided in this Order, a person must hold a licence authorizing the holder under the Highway Safety Code (chapter C-24.2) to drive a road vehicle on a public highway and must comply with the conditions and restrictions attached to the licence.

M.O. 2010-08, s. 9.

10. When seated and wearing the vehicle’s seat belt correctly, every passenger of a side-by-side vehicle must be of such size as to be able to reach and firmly hold the assist handle designed for the place occupied by the passenger.

No restraint system or booster cushion may be used to compensate for a passenger’s inability to comply with the first paragraph.

M.O. 2010-08, s. 10.

DIVISION V SAFETY BELT

11. No person may either effect or cause the removal, alteration or putting out of service of a seat belt with which a seat of a side-by-side vehicle is equipped.

M.O. 2010-08, s. 11.

12. No person may install in a side-by-side vehicle or, for the purposes of such installations, sell, lease or place at the disposal of a person, a seat belt, unless the equipment is new equipment originating from the manufacturer of the vehicle and intended for such a vehicle. However, a seat belt may be reinstalled in the same vehicle after being removed for the sole purpose of vehicle repairs or maintenance, provided it is in good working order.

M.O. 2010-08, s. 12.

13. No person may drive a side-by-side vehicle in which the seat belt provided for the operator or for the seat occupied by a passenger has been removed, modified or rendered inoperative.

M.O. 2010-08, s. 13.

14. Every person must, while in a moving side-by-side vehicle, wear, properly fastened, the seat belt with which his or her seat is equipped.

M.O. 2010-08, s. 14.

15. No person may drive a side-by-side vehicle carrying a passenger under 16 years of age who does not fulfil the obligations prescribed by this Division.

M.O. 2010-08, s. 15.

16. An operator of a side-by-side vehicle may neither carry more passengers than the capacity specified by the vehicle’s manufacturer, nor carry more passengers than the number of seats equipped with safety belts installed by the manufacturer.

M.O. 2010-08, s. 16.

DIVISION VI COLLECTION OF INFORMATION

17. The Ministère des Transports is responsible for collecting information on the use of side-by-side vehicles pursuant to this Order.

M.O. 2010-08, s. 17.

18. Where a bodily injury or property damage has been caused in an accident involving a side-by-side vehicle, off-highway vehicle clubs must immediately send a copy of any accident report to the Department and the Fédération québécoise des clubs quads.

Off-highway clubs must also make an annual report to the Fédération québécoise des clubs quads concerning accidents involving such vehicles.

M.O. 2010-08, s. 18.

19. Any person who provides his or her identity may send the Department written observations on this pilot project.

M.O. 2010-08, s. 19.

DIVISION V PENAL

20. The owner of a side-by-side vehicle not complying with section 4 commits an offence and is liable to a fine from $100 to $200.

M.O. 2010-08, s. 20.

21. The operator of a side-by-side vehicle not complying with section 5 who travels in a place listed in subparagraphs 1 to 4 of the first paragraph of section 6 commits and offence and is liable to a fine from $100 to $200.

M.O. 2010-08, s. 21.

22. The operator of a side-by-side vehicle who travels on private land without the authorization of the owner or lessee commits an offence and is liable to a fine of $250 to $500.

M.O. 2010-08, s. 22.

23. The operator of a side-by-side vehicle who contravenes the second paragraph of section 8 commits an offence and is liable to a fine from $100 to $200.

M.O. 2010-08, s. 23.

24. Any person who has authority over a minor, the owner and the custodian of the side-by-side vehicle who allowed or tolerated the driving of such vehicle by a minor commits an offence and is liable to a fine from $500 to $1,000.

M.O. 2010-08, s. 24.

25. The operator of a side-by-side vehicle who contravenes the second paragraph of section 9 commits an offence and is liable to a fine from $250 to $500.

M.O. 2010-08, s. 25.

26. A passenger aged 16 years or more who contravenes section 10 commits an offence and is liable to a fine from $100 to $200.

The operator of a side-by-side vehicle carrying a passenger under 16 years of age who contravenes section 10 commits an offence and is liable to a fine from $100 to $200.

M.O. 2010-08, s. 26.

27. Any person who contravenes section 11 commits an offence and is liable to a fine from $200 to $300.

M.O. 2010-08, s. 27.

28. Any person who contravenes section 12 commits an offence and is liable to a fine from $500 to $1,000.

M.O. 2010-08, s. 28.

29. An operator who contravenes section 13 commits an offence and is liable to a fine from $200 to $300.

M.O. 2010-08, s. 29.

30. Any person who contravenes section 14 commits an offence and is liable to a fine from $80 to $100.

M.O. 2010-08, s. 30.

31. An operator who contravenes section 15 commits an offence and is liable to a fine from $80 to $100.

M.O. 2010-08, s. 31.

32. An operator who contravenes section 16 commits an offence and is liable to a fine from $50 to $100.

M.O. 2010-08, s. 32.

DIVISION VI MISCELLANEOUS AND FINAL

33. This Order is revoked on 27 May 2015.

M.O. 2010-08, s. 33; M.O. 2013-07, s. 7.

SCHEDULE 1

NORMAN MACMILLAN,

Minister for Transport

M.O. 2010-08, Sch. 1.

SCHEDULE 2

M.O. 2013-07, s. 8.

REFERENCES

M.O. 2010-08, 2010 G.O. 2, 1138

M.O. 2013-07, 2013 G.O. 2, 1029B