EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY, Nova Scotia residents operating off-highway vehicles on land they do not own or occupy must carry a motor vehicle liability policy.
Coverage required includes third-party liability, accidental benefits and under-insured or non-insured coverage.
The minimum amount of liability insurance required is $500,000 as specified in the Insurance Act.
If you would like more information on off-highway vehicle liability insurance, please visit the Department of Natural Resources website at: novascotia.ca/natr/ohv/ohv-insurance.asp
In Nova Scotia, off-highway vehicles include all terrain vehicles, snow
vehicles, off-road motorcycles, four-wheel drive or low-tire-pressure
vehicles, dune buggy and vehicles or class of vehicles designated by
regulation.
These vehicles are important equipment to farmers, woodlot
operators, trappers, and others whose jobs require travel
over rough terrain. However, the vast majority of them are
used for recreation - sometimes by people who lack experience
with either the vehicle, the environment, or both.
Off-highway
vehicles may be fun, but they are not toys. With a capacity
for speeds up to 100 kilometres per hour, these machines
can be dangerous in the hands of inexperienced operators.
In addition to the risk of injury, off-highway vehicles
can do serious environmental damage, destroy crops, or harm
private property. The restrictions placed on the use of
off-highway vehicles are intended to lessen the potential
for injury or property damage, without depriving responsible
operators and their families of the benefits and pleasures
of using off-highway vehicles.
All off-highway vehicles required to be registered
must display an identifying number plate issued by the Registry
of Motor Vehicles. Revalidation stickers will be issued to verify
registration in subsequent years. As with number plates assigned to all
vehicles in Nova Scotia, off-highway vehicle plates must be removed
by the owner when the vehicle is sold.
Off-highway vehicles
may be registered only to persons nineteen years of age
or older, or to persons 16 years of age or older with written
permission of the parent or guardian. Any operator of the
vehicle must have the consent of the registered vehicle
owner. As well, the registered owner must ensure the provisions
of the Nova Scotia Off-Highway Vehicle Act are followed
by anyone operating the vehicle.
Registration procedures
for new vehicles can be handled by the dealers. If you purchase
a used vehicle, you must get the previous owner's Certificate
of Registration and present it to the Registry of Motor
Vehicles for transfer of ownership. To register your current
vehicle, contact any of the Registry of Motor Vehicle offices
or Access Nova Scotia Centres for an application form.
Identification Requirements
How do I register my Off-highway vehicle
if I cannot obtain the above documentation?
The first step is to obtain
an “Off-Highway Vehicle Registration Form” from any Registry
of Motor Vehicles (RMV) office or Access Nova Scotia Centre with RMV
services or click
here..
The second step is to call your local Department
of Natural Resources office or local police to set up an appointment
with a peace officer. Take your “Off-Highway Vehicle Registration
Form” and your OHV to the confirmed appointment with the peace
officer. The peace officer will certify the Vehicle Identification Number
and also certify that the vehicle is not stolen
Finally, take the “Off-Highway
Vehicle Registration Form” to your local RMV office and complete
a declaration which states who you’ve purchased the vehicle from,
date of purchase, whether or not any tax was paid, and the purchase price.
Your signature on the declaration must be witnessed by a Barrister or
a Commissioner of Oaths of the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia.
If you have already paid the tax as part of the purchase transaction,
you will have to provide proof of such payment.
The fine/penalty for failing to register an OHV is a minimum of $250.00
to a maximum of $2000.
You are not required to register your Off-highway vehicle if you
are:
- an operator who rides solely on your own property,
- Status Indian who operates an OHV on communal Reserve land, or
- person related to a landowner by blood or marriage or a common-law
or registered domestic relationship and who ride solely on the related
landowner’s property.
EFFECTIVE
APRIL 1, 2006, as part of the annual off-highway permitting process,
an additional $40 will be collected for an Off-highway Vehicle Infrastructure
Fund. The fund will be used to fund trail systems and training programs.
Effective July 1, 2009, the annual fee for issuing and/or renewing
an off-highway vehicle permit will be $53.20.
However, off-highway vehicles
used exclusively for non-recreational use will be exempt from the additional
$40 fee. Applicants will be required to submit an “Exemption from
Off-highway Vehicles Infrastructure Fund Fee Form” declaring the
specific non-recreational use of the vehicle.
Examples of non-recreational use include:
- Riders who operate an off-highway
vehicle on private land they own or occupy;
- Persons related by blood
or marriage, common-law or registered domestic relationship to a landowner
and who ride solely on the related landowner’s property;
- Farmers,
fishers and forest workers who use off-highway vehicles only for activities
related to their work;
- Employees and self-employed persons (as defined
in the Occupational Health and Safety Act) who use their vehicles for
work-related activities;
- Government employees who use vehicles for
work-related duties;
- Peace officers;
- A person operating a golf cart
on a public or private golf course
You may obtain an “Exemption
from off-Highway Vehicles Infrastructure Fund Fee Form” from any
Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) office or Access Nova Scotia Centre
with RMV services or click
here.
For information regarding safety training,
age restrictions, areas of use and the Off-Highway Infrastructure Fund click here.
Schedule of Fees:
Certificate of Registration |
$39.80 |
Registration Permit |
$13.20 |
Annual Registration Permit Renewal |
$13.20 |
Annual Off-highway Vehicles Infrastructure Fund Fee |
$40.00 |
Transfer Ownership |
$13.20 |
Vehicle Registration and Plates Information Index |