Whereas the provincial Motor Vehicle Act prohibits private owners from driving off-road vehicles on municipal streets; And whereas Division 24 of the Motor Vehicle Act Regulations allows RCMP discretion to issue operation permits for non-standard vehicles, including off-road vehicles; And whereas heavy snowfall can render streets and sidewalks impassable, requiring substantial effort to clear them, which residents sometimes wish to perform expeditiously using off-road vehicles: Therefore be it resolved that the provincial government and RCMP work with local governments to develop transparent and consistent frameworks allowing the on-road use of off-road vehicles within a prescribed, permit-specific area, for the purpose of clearing snow.
Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure Under the Motor Vehicle Act Regulation MVAR Division 24, a police-issued operating permit is required for incidental access to highways and municipal roads if an Off-Road Vehicle ORV rider is not crossing a road at a controlled intersection or if loadingunloading in a parking lot. This is in addition to all other requirements such as a valid drivers license and the vehicle is registered, licensed, and has ICBC-issued basic insurance. UBCM has previously led an ORV working group with interested members to discuss more convenient access to municipal roads by ORVs. A reestablished working group could provide an opportunity for staff from the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure and the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General to participate and explore the nature and scope of the current issue and answer questions. In the interim, municipalities are encouraged to work directly with the local policeRCMP who have the discretion to issue permits to ORV riders.