Mandatory Equipment (Vehicle and User)

What is the equipment required by the Act respecting off-highway vehicles?

Before leaving for an expedition, make sure your vehicle meets legal requirements as stated in the Act respecting off-highway vehicles, no matter the model or type.

• One white headlight;
• One red tail-light;
• One red stop light at the rear;
• One rear-view mirror firmly attached to the left side of the vehicle;
• An exhaust system;
• A braking system;
• A speedometer;
• Any other equipment determined by regulation.

Subparagraphs 3, 4 and 7 of the first paragraph apply only to vehicles built after 1 January 1998. Vehicles built before January 1, 1998 are not required to have a brake light, rear-view mirror or speedometer.

In addition of the previously mentioned items, autoquads (Side-by-Side type vehicles) must also have:

• 1° a protective structure to prevent injuries in case of a roll-over, made up of at least two roll bars linked together by at least two struts;
• 2°  doors or cargo nets for each access to the cab;
• 3°  an assist handle for each passenger;
• 4°  a seat belt with three or more 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 cm3;
• 7°  all-terrain tires that conform to the standards set by government regulation;
• 8°  a rear-view mirror inside the vehicle attached at the centre of the front upper part of the protective structure.

No person shall ride in or on an off-highway vehicle or in or on a sleigh or trailer towed by an off-highway vehicle unless the vehicle is fitted with protection gear as stated in the Act respecting off-highway vehicles.

Shoe Attire and Protective Gear

No person shall ride in or on an off-highway vehicle or in or on a sleigh or trailer towed by an off-highway vehicle unless he is wearing footwear and the following equipment:

• a regulation protective helmet;
• safety glasses if the protective helmet has no visor;
• any other equipment prescribed by regulation.