New Brunswickers love using off-road vehicles like ATVs, Side-By-Sides, and snowmobiles to explore our beautiful province. But did you know New Brunswick has rules governing the use of off-road vehicles, just like it does with cars and motorcycles? Many of these rules are in New Brunswick’s Off-Road Vehicle Act, which you can read here.
We summarize some of the important rules from the Off-Road Vehicle Act below:
- Off-road vehicles must be registered in their owners’ names;
- Off-road vehicles must display a license plate or decal issued by the Registrar of Motor Vehicles;
- Off-road vehicles must be insured;
- Drivers and passengers of off-road vehicles must wear proper helmets;
- Off-road vehicles must not be operated on roadways;
- Off-road vehicles may cross a roadway, if drivers first bring the off-road vehicle to a complete stop, and drive directly across the roadway;
- There are rules relating to age:
- Individuals six (6) years of age and older may operate off-road vehicles at accredited closed courses;
- Individuals fourteen (14) years of age and older may operate snowmobiles and ATV’s under supervision, if they have completed safety training; and
- Individuals sixteen (16) years of age and older may operate off-road vehicles without supervision or safety training.
- Individuals whose driver’s licence is suspended for impaired driving are prohibited from operating an off-road vehicle;
- If involved in an accident, the operator of an off-road vehicle must:
- Render assistance;
- Produce registration, proof of insurance, and trail permit; and
- Notify police if anyone is injured.
If you have been injured in an off-road vehicle accident, you may be eligible for insurance benefits or other compensation. Contact Moss Hachey Law’s personal injury lawyers for a free consultation.
Please be aware that there are exceptions to many of the rules summarized above. This blog entry contains information of a general nature only and should not be relied on for legal advice. The information is current only to the date of publication and may be subject to change
