Low-Speed Vehicles

LSV are a specific type of vehicle that historically have been prohibited from operating within Ontario. Under a ten (10) year provincial pilot project that commenced July 1, 2017, LSV are permitted to operate within municipalities where a by-law has been passed authorizing their use.

LSV are generally described as electric vehicles designed to run at a maximum speed of 40km/hr, and are typically used for short vehicle trips in an urban area. Operation of these vehicles are typically restricted to lower speed roads and are not permitted to operate on a highway. LSV are considered by many to be an environmentally friendly alternative to a full passenger vehicle.

The rules regarding both the technical requirements of the vehicles and the operation of these vehicles are contained in O.Reg. 215/17: Pilot Project – Low-Speed Vehicles.

No, this by-law does not permit the operation of non-registered vehicles on public roads (golf carts, ATVs, UTVs/Side-by-Sides, etc.). The use of golf carts, ATVs, side-by-sides on public roads and highways in Lambton Shores remains illegal under the Highway Traffic Act.

LSVs must meet several requirements outlined in O.Reg. 215/17: Pilot Project – Low-Speed Vehicles and must be registered at one of two Service Ontario locations, both located in the Toronto area. Effective July 30, 2021, LSV Drivers must have a minimum of $1-million in third-party liability insurance, and accident benefits coverage of $65,000 for non-catastrophic injuries and $1-million for catastrophic injuries.

Operational constraints are outlined in O.Reg. 215/17: Pilot Project – Low-Speed Vehicles. Among those constraints include:

• Low speed vehicles drive at a maximum speed of between 32 km/h and 40 km/h and may not be modified to drive faster than 40 km/h
• Low speed vehicles are only allowed on roads with a speed limit of up to 50 km/h if permitted by municipal by-law. Effective July 30, 2021, LSVs are allowed to cross a controlled intersection (where there is a traffic control signal, stop sign, and/or other traffic control device with a speed limit not greater than 80 km/h
• Only LSVs that meet the federal motor vehicle standards for the low-speed vehicle class and have the compliance label affixed are eligible to participate in the pilot
• Slow moving vehicle sign must be attached to the rear of the vehicle
• Current Highway Traffic Act (HTA) rules apply to the driver/vehicle owner
• Drivers are required to have a full G class driver's licence or higher
• Low speed vehicles are subject to Ontario's mandatory seat belt requirements
• The vehicle must not be driven while carrying a child passenger younger than eight years old
• Low speed vehicles are prohibited from being used for an Ontario driver's licence road test
• No sidecars or trailers are permitted for use on a low speed vehicle

On July 30, 2021, the Province made the following amendments to O.Reg. 215/17:

1. Allow LSVs to cross a controlled intersection (where there is a traffic control signal, stop sign and/or other traffic control devices (e.g., yield signs) that control traffic in all directions) with a speed limit not greater than 80 km/h
2. Remove the requirement to have doors on LSVs
3. Remove the limit on the number of occupants allowed in an LSV if there are the required number of seating positions
4. Lower the insurance requirements for LSVs to align more closely with those of a passenger car to a minimum of $1 million in third-party liability insurance, and accident benefits coverage of $65,000 for non-catastrophic injuries and $1 million for catastrophic injuries

Since there are strict operational constraints (as outlined above), there are limits to where an LSV can be operated within Lambton Shores. For example: an LSV that is used in Port Franks would not be able to travel to Grand Bend, or vice versa, because of the speed limit constraints. We recommend reviewing the operational constraints in O.Reg. 215/17: Pilot Project – Low-Speed Vehicles before purchasing or using an LSV within the municipality.