The order concerning the suspension, on certain conditions, of several provisions of the Highway Safety Code to allow the use of a motorized mobility aid on public roads and its cohabitation with other road users came into force following its publication in the Gazette officielle du Québec on August 9, 2020.
The traffic rules for motorized mobility aids (MMAs) apply on public roads, private roads open to public vehicular traffic and on land occupied by shopping centres and other land where public traffic is allowed.
With some exceptions, an individual using an MMA must follow the traffic rules that apply to:
However, certain rules were adapted to take into account the characteristics specific to each type of MMA and to regulate their operation to ensure the safety of the MMA user and all other public road users. The following sections present the rules to follow, according to the infrastructure used.
Attention: Only devices corresponding to the description below may travel on public roads under the rules provided for in the Order respecting motorized mobility aids.
Not all models of three-wheel mobility scooters and four-wheel mobility scooters sold on the market comply with the Minister of Transport’s definition of an MMA.
It is the responsibility of the individual to ensure that the model that he or she owns or wishes to acquire corresponds to the definition of an MMA in order to be able to travel on public roads under the rules provided for in the Order respecting motorized mobility aids. MMA users must also be aware of the rules governing the use of their MMA, since some rules vary according to the type of MMA.
A motorized mobility aid (MMA) is defined as:
A vehicle is not considered an MMA if:
An MMA must carry:
In the case of an electric wheelchair, each reflector may be replaced by reflective strips of the same colour.
To travel in darkness or on a roadway where the maximum authorized speed limit is over 50 km/h, an MMA must carry:
In both contexts, these lights and headlights must be turned on.
Electric wheelchairs are exempted from this requirement.
If equipment or an object installed on an MMA blocks its headlights, lights or reflectors, devices equivalent to its headlights, lights or reflectors must be carried in places where they are visible. Objects transported on an MMA must be well attached, in a way as not to affect handling or visibility.
Roofs and windshields are authorized if they:
The windshield:
The Ministère recommends:
A cycle lane is a lane designed and developed for the exclusive use of cyclists or so that it can be shared with other means of getting around. Consult the Traffic Rules for Bicycles for more information about the different types of cycle lanes.
Note: Municipalities govern the use of bicycle paths and multi-use paths on their territory and can determine, through bylaws, the types of vehicles that are authorized to use the paths.
MMA users need to:
To cross a road at a pedestrian crosswalk that is not located at an intersection controlled by traffic lights or stop signs, the MMA user must, before entering the crosswalk, ensure that it can be done safely.
When a pedestrian or an MMA user enters a pedestrian crosswalk, the other users (road vehicles, bicycles and MMAs) must stop and allow the pedestrian or MMA user to cross.
To cross an intersection, MMA users must heed the pedestrian lights. Where there are none, they must obey the traffic lights or stop signs, as the case may be.
When turning right at an intersection, the user must yield the right of way to pedestrians, cyclists and other MMA users crossing the roadway the user is about to enter.
This manoeuvre is prohibited for all MMA users. They must cross the roadway in the same manner as pedestrians and cannot cross diagonally, except when specifically authorized by a peace officer or a school crossing guard or by the signs or signals that apply to pedestrians.
Left turn at an intersection with pedestrian lights. The MMA user crosses in two stages, using the crosswalks and respecting the pedestrian signals or signage.
Left turn at an intersection without pedestrian lights. The MMA user crosses the intersection in two stages, always staying to the right of the roadway.
MMA users who wish to cross a road where there is no intersection or pedestrian crosswalk nearby must:
To cross a traffic circle, the MMA user must take the sidewalk or the cycle lane, provided that this type of infrastructure is accessible and safe.
Where there is no sidewalk or cycle lane accessible, the MMA user can travel on the roadway, in the following manner:
The MMA user, when leaving or accessing private property, must yield the right of way to vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians travelling on the public road.
The MMA user must make sure that it can be done safely.
* These rules do not apply to the user of an electric wheelchair as they are considered as pedestrians.** Application of the Criminal Code of Canada.
© Gouvernement du Québec, 2023