2. How are motor tricycles registered in Ontario?
Motor tricycles have long been eligible for registration as motorcycles for on-road use in Ontario.
To be eligible for registration, your motor tricycle must meet:
The MVSA definition for a motor tricycle;
Ontario’s Highway Traffic Act (HTA) definition of “motorcycle”; and
Applicable Highway Traffic Act (HTA) legislative and regulatory safety standards and requirements for motorcycles.
5. Are motor tricycles a new class of motorcycle?
No.
Conventional motor tricycles (one wheel in front, two in back) have been around for a long time.
New designs are making their way into the market, such as motor tricycles with two wheels in the front and one in the back.
6.Are there different wheel configurations of motor tricycles?
A motor tricycle may have either have:
one front wheel and two rear wheels, or
two front wheels and one rear wheel, or
be a two-wheeled motorcycle with a sidecar.
13.
Can I build, or convert a vehicle to, a motor tricycle that has one wheel in the front and two wheels in the back?
Motor tricycles that have two-rear wheels and one front wheel have been homemade/converted and registered in Ontario in the past.
Motor tricycles with this wheel configuration have been, and may continue to be, registered in Ontario. However, additional equipment/restrictions may apply in order to register them. For example, such motor tricycles:
cannot have a split-service brake system unless originally manufactured, and maintained to federal standards, as such;
cannot have more than two seating positions unless the motor tricycle was originally manufactured with more than two seating positions and bear a manufacturer’s label indicating compliance with federal regulations;
must have at least two mirrors that meet federal regulations;
must have two forward facing white or amber parking lamps or reflectors and two rear facing red reflectors;
must have a properly working parking brake; and
cannot have any of the original brake system’s controls removed, modified, or replaced.
14.
Why are you treating homemade/converted motor tricycles with two-rear wheels differently than those with two-front wheels?
The Ministry has some safety concerns with homemade/converted motor tricycles, as they are not required to meet the same federal vehicle regulations that apply to originally manufactured motor tricycles.
For example, federal standards such as vehicle stability are not required of homemade/converted motor tricycles.
The Ministry does recognize that an aftermarket already exists for homemade/converted motor tricycles with two-rear wheels, and that such vehicles have been registered for use in Ontario.
MTO is unaware of any such aftermarket for two-front wheel designed motor tricycles. Prohibiting the registration of homemade/converted motor tricycles with two-front wheel designs will prevent safety concerns from expanding beyond the current situation
15.
Why are you now requiring additional equipment to register homemade/converted motor tricycles with two-rear wheels? You didn’t require this a few years ago?
The Ministry does have some safety concerns with homemade/converted motor tricycles, as they are not required to meet the same federal vehicle regulations that apply to originally manufactured motor tricycles.
For example, under federal regulations, originally manufactured motor tricycles are required to have front lamps similar to passenger cars; however, there are no additional rear-facing lamp requirements compared to other types of motorcycles. In addition, these federal lighting requirements do not apply to homemade/converted motor tricycles.
Motor tricycles, regardless of wheel configuration, can be as wide as, if not wider than, some passenger cars. As a result, MTO has some concern for the safety of other road users, who may be unable to perceive the true width of the motor tricycle if only one front and rear lamp are required.
Rather than requiring two forward- and rear-facing lamps placed as far apart as possible to indicate width -- a potentially expensive retrofit for owners -- MTO is simply requiring the addition of either two forward-facing parking lamps/reflectors and two rear-facing reflectors, which are relatively inexpensive to add if the motor tricycle is not already equipped with these.
18. What do I need to drive a motor tricycle?
A driver of a motor tricycle must be at least 16 years old and have a valid M1, M2, or, an M2 or M licence with an M condition. The M condition is added to your licence if you pass the Level One or Level Two road test using a three-wheeled motorcycle. The M condition means you are licensed to drive a three-wheeled motorcycle only.
Anyone with an “M condition” specific to three-wheeled motorcycles is not authorized to operate a two-wheeled motorcycle.
The vehicle must be insured, registered and have a valid licence plate. The operator must wear an approved motorcycle helmet.
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