ATVs – Frequently Asked Questions

The City of Greater Sudbury by-law 2015-158 governs the use of ATVs on city roads year-long, during two different time periods.

Familiarize yourself with the municipal by-law, as well as the relevant Highway Traffic Act regulations before operating your ATV on any municipal or provincial roadway. 

FAQ

1. Why are there two time-of-year periods listed in the by-law?

2. Do I have to wear a helmet?

3. Do I need insurance?

4. Who enforces the by-law?

5. What are the speed limits for ATVs?

6. What are the time-of-day restrictions for operating an ATV on designated municipal roads?

7. Are side-by-side UTVs (Utility Task Vehicles) permitted as part of the municipal by-law?

8. What is a two-up?

9. What is a side-by-side ORV?

10. What is a Utility Terrain Vehicle (UTV)?

11.How old do I have to be to operate an ATV on a public road in the City of Greater Sudbury?

12. Is there a minimum age to be a passenger on an ATV, ORV or UTV operated on designated roadways? 

13. On what portion of the road can I legally operate my ATV in the City of Greater Sudbury?

14. Where is it illegal for me to operate my ATV in the City of Greater Sudbury?

15. Can I drink alcohol while operating my ATV?


 

1. Why are there two time-of-year periods listed in the by-law?

Operators should note that streets on which ATVs are permitted changes depending on time of year, in order to accommodate the winter control period. The two time periods are:

Given the time of year, please familiarize yourself with the applicable schedules to the by-law (A and B or C and D) before heading out on the roads. You can also search by road name.

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2. Do I have to wear a helmet?

Yes. The law requires riders to wear an approved motorcycle helmet at all times while operating ATVs, except while on private property. Riders are encouraged to wear appropriate headwear, footwear, clothing, as well as eye protection and gloves, at all times.

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3. Do I need insurance?

Yes. ATVs, ORVs and UTVs must be registered and insured when operating on roadways within the City of Greater Sudbury. 

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4. Who enforces the by-law?

The Greater Sudbury Police enforces the ATV by-law. Visit their website for helpful information and tips.

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5. What are the speed limits for ATVs?

  • The speed limit is 20 km/h on highways and roads where the speed limit is 50 km/h or less.
  • The speed limit is 50 km/h on highways and roads where the speed limit is more than 50km/h.

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6. What are the time-of-day restrictions for operating an ATV on designated municipal roads?

ATVs are NOT permitted to operate on public roads between the hours of 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. on any day of the week. 

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7. Are side-by-side UTVs (Utility Task Vehicles) permitted as part of the municipal by-law?

Yes. A new by-law was approved by City Council in August 2015 to allow additional types of ATVs, Utility Terrain Vehicles (UTVs) and recreational off-highway vehicles (ORVs) on designated city roads. This new ATV by-law replaced By-laws 2014-224 and 2013-131, which only permitted the operation of single-rider ATVs on designated roadways.  

It is important to note that the municipal by-law reflects the same types of ATVs designated in the Highway Traffic Act. Operators should familiarize themselves with the ATV, ORV and UTV required specifications before heading out on the roads. 

Under the municipal ATV by-law the following types of ATVs, ORVs and UTVs are permitted:

  • Single-rider ATVs
  • Two-Up ATVs
  • Side-by-side
  • Utility Terrain Vehicles (UTVs)

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8. What is a two-up?

A two-up ATV is factory-designed to carry a driver and one passenger only, must have a seat designed to be straddled by the passenger while sitting facing forward behind the driver, and must have foot rests for the passenger that are separate from the foot rests for the driver. ONLY permanent two-ups are permitted. If you have a removable two-up seat added to your ATV which is not permanently attached, you cannot carry a passenger in this two-up seat while on the road.

All ATVs must display an overloading warning label and a manufacture compliance label in plain view.

Please check your ATV compliance label to ensure the manufacturer certifies it meets one of the prescribed standards for this type of ATV.

It is important to note that the municipal by-law reflects the same types of ATVs designated in the Highway Traffic Act provincial regulation. Operators should familiarize themselves with the ATV, ORV and UTV required specifications before heading out on the roads .

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9. What is a side-by-side ORV?

In accordance with provincial legislation, side-by-side is a type of ORV that must have:

  • four or more wheels of which all four tires are in contact the ground
  • a steering wheel for steering control
  • seats that are not designed to be straddled
  • has an engine displacement equal to or less than 1,000 cubic centimetres
  • a weight of 1,700 kilograms or less
  • an overall width of 2.03 metres or less (excluding mirrors)
  • a rollover protective structure
  • a handle or device that an occupant can grasp
  • a seat belt for each seating position
  • a rear view mirror

All ORVs must display a manufacture compliance label in plain view.

Please check your ORV's compliance label to ensure the manufacturer certifies it meets one of the prescribed standards for this type of ORV.

It is important to note that the municipal by-law reflects the same types of ATVs designated in the Highway Traffic Act. Operators should familiarize themselves with the ATV, ORV and UTV required specifications before heading out on the roads.

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10. What is a Utility Terrain Vehicle (UTV)?

In accordance with provincial legislation, a UTV is a type of ORV that must have:

  • four or more wheels of which all four tires are in contact the ground
  • a steering wheel (for steering control)
  • seats that are not designed to be straddled
  • a minimum cargo capacity of 159 kilograms
  • a weight of 1,814 kilograms or less
  • an overall width of 2.03 metres or less (excluding mirrors)
  • an occupant protective structure
  • a handle or device that an occupant can grasp
  • a seat belt for each seating position
  • a rear view mirror

All UTVs must display a manufacture compliance label in plain view.

Please check your UTV's compliance label to ensure the manufacturer certifies it meets one of the prescribed standards for this type of UTV.

It is important to note that the municipal by-law reflects the same types of ATVs designated in the Highway Traffic Act. Operators should familiarize themselves with the ATV, ORV and UTV required specifications before heading out on the roads.

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11.How old do I have to be to operate an ATV on a public road in the City of Greater Sudbury?

You must be at least 16 years of age and possess a valid Driver’s License. (Classes: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, G2, M or M2).

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12. Is there a minimum age to be a passenger on an ATV, ORV or UTV operated on designated roadways? 

Yes. The Highway Traffic Act states that passengers must be eight years old or older to be a passenger. 

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13. On what portion of the road can I legally operate my ATV in the City of Greater Sudbury?

You can operate on the shoulder or move to the travelled portion of a highway if the shoulder is impassable or unsafe. 

Drivers must operate their ATV in the same direction as traffic on roads and highways.

Drivers may directly cross a highway or road to reach public streets on which ATVs are permitted, provided the driver obeys all provisions of the Highway Traffic Act.

The City of Greater Sudbury has created maps (summer and winter) to show the municipal streets on which ATVs are allowed to operate, as well as street look-up tool, where users can type in any street within the CGS to learn if ATVs are permitted.

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14. Where is it illegal for me to operate my ATV in the City of Greater Sudbury?

It is illegal to operate an ATV on any public road not listed in the designated roads section of the by-law. A searchable list of designated roads is available.  

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15. Can I drink alcohol while operating my ATV?

It's against the law to operate an ATV when impaired by alcohol or drugs.

If an ATV driver is impaired or has a blood alcohol concentration of more than 80 milligrams in 100 millilitres of blood (.08) or if the driver refuses to take a breath test, the police can lay a charge under the Criminal Code of Canada.

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Have we missed something? Call 3-1-1 for additional information about ATV By-law 2015-158.