To stay safe when operating an off-highway vehicle (OHV), it is important to:
In addition to this advice, reading the pamphlet Totally safe outings [in French only] is a good way to review the rules and obligations that apply to OHV users. The pamphlet was updated after the Act respecting off-highway vehicles was brought into force on December 30, 2020.
A few years ago, the ministère des Transports launched an awareness campaign on safe OHV operation. In 2022, the Ministère sends a strong message to users by reminding them of the potential risks of this activity.
Operating an OHV is the leading cause of death associated with sports and recreational activities in Québec. The campaign’s message was chosen to reflect these statistics: “Speed, alcohol, drugs: never on an OHV.”
The campaign aims to remind OHV users that, as free as someone can feel doing this activity, being reckless can have tragic consequences.
OHV trails are located outside urban centres, where it is difficult or impossible to connect to mobile networks.
Some basic precautionary measures can make all the difference for safety in remote locations, for example, by:
The ministère de la Sécurité publique, in cooperation with its partners, launched an awareness campaign under the theme “In the wild, your safety is your responsibility”. For more information on this campaign, refer to the page about emergency services in isolated areas [page in French only, with downloadable content in English] of the ministère de la Sécurité publique’s website.
Plan ahead and keep a basic survival kit with you when going on a trip. The kit can include:
The Act respecting off-highway vehicles was passed on December 9, 2020, and came into force on December 30, 2020. Its purpose is to ensure public safety and harmonious coexistence of recreational use of such vehicles and the activities of other users of the territory. This act replaces the previous Act respecting off-highway vehicles.
More information on the modifications will be added on this page in the future.
Certain sections of the previous Act respecting off-highway vehicles regarding recreational off-highway vehicles, snowmobiles and quad bikes modified with an add-on seat, quad bikes modified with a track system, as well as sleighs and trailers towed by an off-highway vehicle remain in force until the next modification of the Regulation respecting off-highway vehicles. The Regulation respecting snowmobiles and Regulation respecting all-terrain vehicles also remain in force.
© Gouvernement du Québec, 2023