ATV Pilot Program

All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) also referred to as Off-Road Vehicles (ORVs) are currently regulated by two Provincial Acts and two related Ontario Regulations.

• The Highway Traffic Act – General prohibition with exceptions.
• The Off-Road Vehicles Act – Provides regulations for permits, insurance requirements, age limits, safe operation, and safety equipment.
• Ontario Regulation 316/03 – Provides regulations for the operation of off-road vehicles on highways.
• Ontario Regulation 8/03 – A list of municipalities where 80 kilometer per hour speed limit applies.

Off-Road Vehicles are generally prohibited from operating on municipal roads by the Highway Traffic Act - Section 191.8(1).

The Highway Traffic Act does permit municipalities to pass By-laws permitting these vehicles on municipal roads in Section 191.8(3).

All-Terrain Vehicles are currently not permitted to operate on municipal roads in the Town of Penetanguishene due to there not being a By-law passed permitting the activity and furthermore due to the Town not being listed in Ontario Regulation 8/03.

Council has requested staff to conduct public consultation regarding the potential permission for ATVs/ORVs to operation on municipal roads.