Just an FYI. 3 wheel vehicles are legal in Ontario, Canada under a 10 year pilot program by the ministry of transportation.
Here's the highlights:
- Only need a G class licence to drive
- Registered as a motorcycle
- Needs to have a seatbelt and use a helmet to operate
More details:
Three-Wheeled Vehicles
Ontario launched a new pilot to permit three-wheeled vehicles (TWVs) on Ontario’s roads on
March 1, 2016.
Why is Ontario permitting three-wheeled vehicles?
The pilot is intended to assess these vehicles over a ten-year period of time in order to examine their ability to safely integrate with other vehicle types to determine whether existing rules of the road are adequate and to and to consider operating and licensing requirements.
About the pilot:
Only federally approved three-wheeled vehicles designed for on-road use are permitted to participate in the pilot;
The pilot will run for 10 years;
Current Highway Traffic Act (HTA) rules of the road and penalties apply to the driver/vehicle owner;
Operators are required to have a full G class driver’s licence or higher;
For the purposes of vehicle registration, three-wheeled vehicles are registered as motorcycles and pay the corresponding fee;
Three-wheeled vehicles are subject to Ontario’s mandatory seat belt requirements and the use of an approved motorcycle safety helmet;
Passengers who are classified as infants, toddlers, pre-schoolers or primary grade children are not permitted;
Three-wheeled vehicles are prohibited from being used for an Ontario driver’s licence road test;
No sidecars or trailers are permitted for use on a three-wheeled vehicle.
Safety features of three-wheeled vehicles
Three-wheeled vehicles have fewer safety features than passenger cars.
While the physical design of three-wheeled vehicles may resemble many safety features of passenger cars (e.g. seat belts, steering wheel, pedals), three-wheeled vehicles are not designed to satisfy the requirements of passenger cars. The safety regulations for three-wheeled vehicles used on roads are set out by the federal government in its Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations Schedule III.
This strict pilot framework encourages innovation in Ontario’s automotive sector while maintaining road safety.
For full details of the pilot project, please see Ontario Regulation 28/16.
ONTARIO REGULATION 28/16
made under the
HIGHWAY TRAFFIC ACT
PILOT PROJECT - THREE-WHEELED VEHICLES
Made: February 10, 2016
Filed: February 12, 2016
Published on e-Laws: February 12, 2016
Printed in The Ontario Gazette: February 27, 2016
Interpretation
Definitions
1. In this Regulation,
“Ontario Regulation 340/94” means Ontario Regulation 340/94 (Drivers’ Licences) made under the Act;
“Ontario Regulation 376/02” means Ontario Regulation 376/02 (Classification of Vehicles as Irreparable, Salvage and Rebuilt) made under the Act;
“Regulation 587” means Regulation 587 of the Revised Regulations of Ontario, 1990 (Equipment) made under the Act;
“Regulation 601” means Regulation 601 of the Revised Regulations of Ontario, 1990 (Motor Vehicle Inspection Stations) made under the Act;
“Regulation 610” means Regulation 610 of the Revised Regulations of Ontario, 1990 (Safety Helmets) made under the Act;
“Regulation 611” means Regulation 611 of the Revised Regulations of Ontario, 1990 (Safety Inspections) made under the Act;
“Regulation 613” means Regulation 613 of the Revised Regulations of Ontario, 1990 (Seat Belt Assemblies) made under the Act;
“Regulation 628” means Regulation 628 of the Revised Regulations of Ontario, 1990 (Vehicle Permits) made under the Act.
“three-wheeled vehicle” means a motor vehicle, other than a motor tricycle as defined in Regulation 587, that,
(a) is designed to travel on three wheels in contact with the ground,
(b) has not more than four designated seating positions, and
(c) has a manufacturer’s gross vehicle weight rating of 1,000 kilograms or less or, if it does not have a manufacturer’s gross vehicle weight rating, the sum of its unloaded vehicle mass and the product obtained by multiplying its seating capacity by 68 kilograms is 1,000 kilograms or less.
Pilot Project
Pilot project established
2. (1) A pilot project to evaluate the use of three-wheeled vehicles on highways is established.
(2) The Minister shall conduct and complete an evaluation of the use of three-wheeled vehicles on highways under the pilot project before the tenth anniversary of the day this Regulation comes into force.
Prohibitions and Permitted Use
Prohibitions
3. (1) No person shall drive or permit the operation of a three-wheeled vehicle on a highway, except as permitted by this Regulation.
(2) No person shall drive or permit the operation of a three-wheeled vehicle on a highway with a passenger who is classified as an infant, toddler or pre-school to primary grade child under subsection 8 (1) of Regulation 613.
Permitted use of three-wheeled vehicles
4. A person may drive or permit the operation of a three-wheeled vehicle on a highway if the vehicle,
(a) bears,
(i) in the case of a three-wheeled vehicle manufactured or built in Canada, the manufacturer’s compliance label issued under section 6 of the Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations (Canada) specifying the type of vehicle as “TWV/VTR” or,
(ii) in the case of an imported three-wheeled vehicle, a compliance label or other label as provided for in section 12 of those Regulations;
(b) continues to meet the regulatory standards that applied to it at the time it was manufactured or imported;
(c) is in good working order;
(d) is not equipped with a side car or trailer; and
(e) is driven by a driver who holds a valid Class A, B, C, D, E, F or G driver’s licence that authorizes him or her to drive the vehicle or is a resident of another province, country or state, or a resident of Ontario for less than 60 days, who is authorized to drive the vehicle under subsection 34 (1) or (2) of the Act.
Application of Act and Regulations
Application of Act
5. The Act and the regulations apply to three-wheeled vehicles as provided in this Regulation.
Three-wheeled vehicle generally deemed not a motorcycle
6. Subject to sections 7, 8 and 9, a three-wheeled vehicle operated in accordance with this Regulation is deemed not to be a motorcycle for the purposes of the Act and the regulations, including, for greater certainty, for the purposes of Ontario Regulation 340/94.
Three-wheeled vehicle is a motorcycle for registration purposes
7. A three-wheeled vehicle is a motorcycle, and shall be treated as such, for the purposes of the following:
1. Part II (Permits) of the Act.
2. Regulation 628.
Three-wheeled vehicle is a motorcycle for helmet requirements
8. A three-wheeled vehicle is a motorcycle, and shall be treated as such, for the purposes of section 104 of the Act and Regulation 610.
Three-wheeled vehicle is a motorcycle for classification as irreparable, etc.
9. (1) A three-wheeled vehicle is a motorcycle, and shall be treated as such, for the purposes of Ontario Regulation 376/02, other than subsections 2 (1) and (2) of that Regulation, which do not apply to a three-wheeled vehicle.
(2) If a person described in paragraph 1 of subsection 4 (1) of Ontario Regulation 376/02 is making the determination that a three-wheeled vehicle is irreparable, the determination shall be based on an inspection of the vehicle carried out by a person described in subsection 2 (1) or (2) of that Regulation.
(3) The definition of “irreparable” in subsection 1 (1) of Ontario Regulation 376/02 is modified in respect of three-wheeled vehicles as follows:
1. For a three-wheeled vehicle with a full frame assembly,
“irreparable” means a vehicle that,
(a) is a total loss and,
(i) has incurred structural damage requiring the replacement by cutting and welding of any integral part of its full frame assembly, or
(ii) has been stolen and dismantled such that the retail price for new parts of a like kind to replace those parts missing or damaged exceeds the fair labour cost to install or repair those parts, and,
(A) a settlement of an insurance claim has been paid for the vehicle as a total loss, or
(B) the vehicle is owned, leased or the plate portion of its vehicle permit is held by a person who is an insurer within the meaning of clause (b) of the definition of “insurer”, or
(b) is classified by the Registrar as irreparable under subsection 199.1 (11) of the Act.
2. For a three-wheeled vehicle with a unibody assembly,
“irreparable” means a vehicle that,
(a) is a total loss and,
(i) has been immersed in liquid to the bottom of its dashboard or higher,
(ii) any major part of its electrical system has been, or appears to have been, immersed in liquid,
(iii) has incurred damage requiring the replacement of one or more of the structural assemblies listed in Part 1, 2, 3 or 4 of the Schedule, or
(iv) has been stolen and dismantled such that the retail price for new parts of a like kind to replace those parts missing or damaged exceeds the fair labour cost to install or repair those parts, and,
(A) a settlement of an insurance claim has been paid for the vehicle as a total loss, or
(B) the vehicle is owned, leased or the plate portion of its vehicle permit is held by a person who is an insurer within the meaning of clause (b) of the definition of “insurer”, or
(b) is classified by the Registrar as irreparable under subsection 199.1 (11) of the Act.
Inspection requirements
10. (1) Despite section 3 of Regulation 611, the inspection requirements and performance standards contained in Schedules 1 and 2 to that Regulation that apply to a three-wheeled vehicle are subject to the following modification:
1. The chain, belt or driven sprocket shall not be excessively worn, frayed or loose and no fasteners in connection with those parts shall be missing, loose, cut or damaged.
(2) Despite section 3 of Regulation 601, a Type 1, 2 or 4 licence is authority to inspect and certify three-wheeled vehicles in accordance with the inspection requirements and performance standards contained in Schedules 1 and 2 to Regulation 611 as modified by subsection (1).
(3) Despite subsection 8 (3) of Regulation 601, a motor vehicle inspection mechanic who holds only a certificate of qualification in the trade of motorcycle technician may issue safety standards certificates for three-wheeled vehicles.
Reports
Reports to Minister
11. If requested to do so by the Minister, an owner of a three-wheeled vehicle shall report to the Minister on the owner’s use of the vehicle under the pilot project, or on any aspect of that use that may be specified by the Minister.
Amendment, Revocation and Commencement
Amendment
12. (1) Subsections 10 (1) and (2) are revoked and the following substituted:
Inspection requirements
(1) Despite section 3 of Regulation 611, the inspection requirements and performance standards that apply to a three-wheeled vehicle are contained in the Passenger/Light-Duty Vehicle Inspection Standard, subject to the following modifications:
1. The provisions dealing with electronic stability controls do not apply to a three-wheeled vehicle not manufactured with a stability control system.
2. The chain, belt or driven sprocket shall not be excessively worn, frayed or loose and no fasteners in connection with those parts shall be missing, loose, cut or damaged.
(2) Despite section 3 of Regulation 601, a Type 1, 2 or 4 licence is authority to inspect and certify three-wheeled vehicles in accordance with the inspection requirements and performance standards contained in the Passenger/Light-Duty Vehicle Inspection Standard as modified by subsection (1).
(2) Section 10 is amended by adding the following subsection:
(4) In this section,
“Passenger/Light-Duty Vehicle Inspection Standard” means the Reference Handbook entitled “Passenger/Light-Duty Vehicle Inspection Standard” in English and “Norme d’inspection des véhicules de tourisme et des véhicules utilitaires légers” in French, dated October 2015, published by the Ministry and available on a Government of Ontario website.
Revocation
13. This Regulation is revoked on the tenth anniversary of the day it comes into force.
Commencement
14. (1) Subject to subsection (2), this Regulation comes into force on the later of March 1, 2016 and the day this Regulation is filed.
I drive a three wheeled Vehicle called a Trihawk. 2 front, one back wheel, sit inside side by side, FWD, convertible. In BC Canada it is considered a 2 door convertible and we only need to wear the seat belts But one guy in Alberta Canada has one and has to wear a helmet because it is considered a motorcycle. So it depends on where you live. Has any one asked Apera about getting them approved for Canada?
Canadian Federal approval would be fantastic, but yeah the Motor Vehicle Acts are controlled by each Province, so it will differ by each one to some degree.
As long as it gets approved by NHTSA, I can't see Transport Canada making a fuss about it.
Some confirmation from Aptera or TC would be nice however for those who have reserved one. 😃
Another question: Will the Aptera qualify for the Federal iZEV rebate? That would be fantastic if it was included.
JUST LOOKING AT PURCHASING AND HOW TO
JUST LOOKING AT PURCHASING AND HOW TO, TIM86SUE@GMAIL.COM
info@aptera.com is a better way to get your answer
Actually a better way would be to post the information in the FAQ
Info@aptera.us will reply. They have to be spinning with all the excitement since the Launch and the Wefunder investments Jumped!!!.
I would also suggest going to the wefunder site and ask the question to. Under ASK There are over three hundred FAQ there in this campaign alone
And then there were hundreds more under the first campaign, converted to WORD by Daniel:👏
https://mega.nz/file/cwEAGQSD#5D5xMF93QgZ34nWDW5IW3LWcI-FgrJ8oWl_bo5GHhnY
I know that Aptera was building on their FAQ list on their website but it is hard when their several hundred questions out there to include all😔
Just an FYI. 3 wheel vehicles are legal in Ontario, Canada under a 10 year pilot program by the ministry of transportation. Here's the highlights: - Only need a G class licence to drive - Registered as a motorcycle - Needs to have a seatbelt and use a helmet to operate
More details: Three-Wheeled Vehicles
Ontario launched a new pilot to permit three-wheeled vehicles (TWVs) on Ontario’s roads on March 1, 2016. Why is Ontario permitting three-wheeled vehicles? The pilot is intended to assess these vehicles over a ten-year period of time in order to examine their ability to safely integrate with other vehicle types to determine whether existing rules of the road are adequate and to and to consider operating and licensing requirements. About the pilot:
Only federally approved three-wheeled vehicles designed for on-road use are permitted to participate in the pilot;
The pilot will run for 10 years;
Current Highway Traffic Act (HTA) rules of the road and penalties apply to the driver/vehicle owner;
Operators are required to have a full G class driver’s licence or higher;
For the purposes of vehicle registration, three-wheeled vehicles are registered as motorcycles and pay the corresponding fee;
Three-wheeled vehicles are subject to Ontario’s mandatory seat belt requirements and the use of an approved motorcycle safety helmet;
Passengers who are classified as infants, toddlers, pre-schoolers or primary grade children are not permitted;
Three-wheeled vehicles are prohibited from being used for an Ontario driver’s licence road test;
No sidecars or trailers are permitted for use on a three-wheeled vehicle.
Safety features of three-wheeled vehicles Three-wheeled vehicles have fewer safety features than passenger cars. While the physical design of three-wheeled vehicles may resemble many safety features of passenger cars (e.g. seat belts, steering wheel, pedals), three-wheeled vehicles are not designed to satisfy the requirements of passenger cars. The safety regulations for three-wheeled vehicles used on roads are set out by the federal government in its Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations Schedule III. This strict pilot framework encourages innovation in Ontario’s automotive sector while maintaining road safety. For full details of the pilot project, please see Ontario Regulation 28/16. ONTARIO REGULATION 28/16
made under the
HIGHWAY TRAFFIC ACT
PILOT PROJECT - THREE-WHEELED VEHICLES
Made: February 10, 2016 Filed: February 12, 2016 Published on e-Laws: February 12, 2016 Printed in The Ontario Gazette: February 27, 2016
Interpretation
Definitions
1. In this Regulation,
“Ontario Regulation 340/94” means Ontario Regulation 340/94 (Drivers’ Licences) made under the Act;
“Ontario Regulation 376/02” means Ontario Regulation 376/02 (Classification of Vehicles as Irreparable, Salvage and Rebuilt) made under the Act;
“Regulation 587” means Regulation 587 of the Revised Regulations of Ontario, 1990 (Equipment) made under the Act;
“Regulation 601” means Regulation 601 of the Revised Regulations of Ontario, 1990 (Motor Vehicle Inspection Stations) made under the Act;
“Regulation 610” means Regulation 610 of the Revised Regulations of Ontario, 1990 (Safety Helmets) made under the Act;
“Regulation 611” means Regulation 611 of the Revised Regulations of Ontario, 1990 (Safety Inspections) made under the Act;
“Regulation 613” means Regulation 613 of the Revised Regulations of Ontario, 1990 (Seat Belt Assemblies) made under the Act;
“Regulation 628” means Regulation 628 of the Revised Regulations of Ontario, 1990 (Vehicle Permits) made under the Act.
“three-wheeled vehicle” means a motor vehicle, other than a motor tricycle as defined in Regulation 587, that,
(a) is designed to travel on three wheels in contact with the ground,
(b) has not more than four designated seating positions, and
(c) has a manufacturer’s gross vehicle weight rating of 1,000 kilograms or less or, if it does not have a manufacturer’s gross vehicle weight rating, the sum of its unloaded vehicle mass and the product obtained by multiplying its seating capacity by 68 kilograms is 1,000 kilograms or less.
Pilot Project
Pilot project established
2. (1) A pilot project to evaluate the use of three-wheeled vehicles on highways is established.
(2) The Minister shall conduct and complete an evaluation of the use of three-wheeled vehicles on highways under the pilot project before the tenth anniversary of the day this Regulation comes into force.
Prohibitions and Permitted Use
Prohibitions
3. (1) No person shall drive or permit the operation of a three-wheeled vehicle on a highway, except as permitted by this Regulation.
(2) No person shall drive or permit the operation of a three-wheeled vehicle on a highway with a passenger who is classified as an infant, toddler or pre-school to primary grade child under subsection 8 (1) of Regulation 613.
Permitted use of three-wheeled vehicles
4. A person may drive or permit the operation of a three-wheeled vehicle on a highway if the vehicle,
(a) bears,
(i) in the case of a three-wheeled vehicle manufactured or built in Canada, the manufacturer’s compliance label issued under section 6 of the Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations (Canada) specifying the type of vehicle as “TWV/VTR” or,
(ii) in the case of an imported three-wheeled vehicle, a compliance label or other label as provided for in section 12 of those Regulations;
(b) continues to meet the regulatory standards that applied to it at the time it was manufactured or imported;
(c) is in good working order;
(d) is not equipped with a side car or trailer; and
(e) is driven by a driver who holds a valid Class A, B, C, D, E, F or G driver’s licence that authorizes him or her to drive the vehicle or is a resident of another province, country or state, or a resident of Ontario for less than 60 days, who is authorized to drive the vehicle under subsection 34 (1) or (2) of the Act.
Application of Act and Regulations
Application of Act
5. The Act and the regulations apply to three-wheeled vehicles as provided in this Regulation.
Three-wheeled vehicle generally deemed not a motorcycle
6. Subject to sections 7, 8 and 9, a three-wheeled vehicle operated in accordance with this Regulation is deemed not to be a motorcycle for the purposes of the Act and the regulations, including, for greater certainty, for the purposes of Ontario Regulation 340/94.
Three-wheeled vehicle is a motorcycle for registration purposes
7. A three-wheeled vehicle is a motorcycle, and shall be treated as such, for the purposes of the following:
1. Part II (Permits) of the Act.
2. Regulation 628.
Three-wheeled vehicle is a motorcycle for helmet requirements
8. A three-wheeled vehicle is a motorcycle, and shall be treated as such, for the purposes of section 104 of the Act and Regulation 610.
Three-wheeled vehicle is a motorcycle for classification as irreparable, etc.
9. (1) A three-wheeled vehicle is a motorcycle, and shall be treated as such, for the purposes of Ontario Regulation 376/02, other than subsections 2 (1) and (2) of that Regulation, which do not apply to a three-wheeled vehicle.
(2) If a person described in paragraph 1 of subsection 4 (1) of Ontario Regulation 376/02 is making the determination that a three-wheeled vehicle is irreparable, the determination shall be based on an inspection of the vehicle carried out by a person described in subsection 2 (1) or (2) of that Regulation.
(3) The definition of “irreparable” in subsection 1 (1) of Ontario Regulation 376/02 is modified in respect of three-wheeled vehicles as follows:
1. For a three-wheeled vehicle with a full frame assembly,
“irreparable” means a vehicle that,
(a) is a total loss and,
(i) has incurred structural damage requiring the replacement by cutting and welding of any integral part of its full frame assembly, or
(ii) has been stolen and dismantled such that the retail price for new parts of a like kind to replace those parts missing or damaged exceeds the fair labour cost to install or repair those parts, and,
(A) a settlement of an insurance claim has been paid for the vehicle as a total loss, or
(B) the vehicle is owned, leased or the plate portion of its vehicle permit is held by a person who is an insurer within the meaning of clause (b) of the definition of “insurer”, or
(b) is classified by the Registrar as irreparable under subsection 199.1 (11) of the Act.
2. For a three-wheeled vehicle with a unibody assembly,
“irreparable” means a vehicle that,
(a) is a total loss and,
(i) has been immersed in liquid to the bottom of its dashboard or higher,
(ii) any major part of its electrical system has been, or appears to have been, immersed in liquid,
(iii) has incurred damage requiring the replacement of one or more of the structural assemblies listed in Part 1, 2, 3 or 4 of the Schedule, or
(iv) has been stolen and dismantled such that the retail price for new parts of a like kind to replace those parts missing or damaged exceeds the fair labour cost to install or repair those parts, and,
(A) a settlement of an insurance claim has been paid for the vehicle as a total loss, or
(B) the vehicle is owned, leased or the plate portion of its vehicle permit is held by a person who is an insurer within the meaning of clause (b) of the definition of “insurer”, or
(b) is classified by the Registrar as irreparable under subsection 199.1 (11) of the Act.
Inspection requirements
10. (1) Despite section 3 of Regulation 611, the inspection requirements and performance standards contained in Schedules 1 and 2 to that Regulation that apply to a three-wheeled vehicle are subject to the following modification:
1. The chain, belt or driven sprocket shall not be excessively worn, frayed or loose and no fasteners in connection with those parts shall be missing, loose, cut or damaged.
(2) Despite section 3 of Regulation 601, a Type 1, 2 or 4 licence is authority to inspect and certify three-wheeled vehicles in accordance with the inspection requirements and performance standards contained in Schedules 1 and 2 to Regulation 611 as modified by subsection (1).
(3) Despite subsection 8 (3) of Regulation 601, a motor vehicle inspection mechanic who holds only a certificate of qualification in the trade of motorcycle technician may issue safety standards certificates for three-wheeled vehicles.
Reports
Reports to Minister
11. If requested to do so by the Minister, an owner of a three-wheeled vehicle shall report to the Minister on the owner’s use of the vehicle under the pilot project, or on any aspect of that use that may be specified by the Minister.
Amendment, Revocation and Commencement
Amendment
12. (1) Subsections 10 (1) and (2) are revoked and the following substituted:
Inspection requirements
(1) Despite section 3 of Regulation 611, the inspection requirements and performance standards that apply to a three-wheeled vehicle are contained in the Passenger/Light-Duty Vehicle Inspection Standard, subject to the following modifications:
1. The provisions dealing with electronic stability controls do not apply to a three-wheeled vehicle not manufactured with a stability control system.
2. The chain, belt or driven sprocket shall not be excessively worn, frayed or loose and no fasteners in connection with those parts shall be missing, loose, cut or damaged.
(2) Despite section 3 of Regulation 601, a Type 1, 2 or 4 licence is authority to inspect and certify three-wheeled vehicles in accordance with the inspection requirements and performance standards contained in the Passenger/Light-Duty Vehicle Inspection Standard as modified by subsection (1).
(2) Section 10 is amended by adding the following subsection:
(4) In this section,
“Passenger/Light-Duty Vehicle Inspection Standard” means the Reference Handbook entitled “Passenger/Light-Duty Vehicle Inspection Standard” in English and “Norme d’inspection des véhicules de tourisme et des véhicules utilitaires légers” in French, dated October 2015, published by the Ministry and available on a Government of Ontario website.
Revocation
13. This Regulation is revoked on the tenth anniversary of the day it comes into force.
Commencement
14. (1) Subject to subsection (2), this Regulation comes into force on the later of March 1, 2016 and the day this Regulation is filed.
(2) Section 12 comes into force on July 1, 2016.
Hopefully the Aptera Merch store will offer "wear when needed" helmets designed for the vehicle...
I drive a three wheeled Vehicle called a Trihawk. 2 front, one back wheel, sit inside side by side, FWD, convertible. In BC Canada it is considered a 2 door convertible and we only need to wear the seat belts But one guy in Alberta Canada has one and has to wear a helmet because it is considered a motorcycle. So it depends on where you live. Has any one asked Apera about getting them approved for Canada?
Canadian Federal approval would be fantastic, but yeah the Motor Vehicle Acts are controlled by each Province, so it will differ by each one to some degree.
As long as it gets approved by NHTSA, I can't see Transport Canada making a fuss about it.
Some confirmation from Aptera or TC would be nice however for those who have reserved one. 😃
Another question: Will the Aptera qualify for the Federal iZEV rebate? That would be fantastic if it was included.
List of eligible vehicles under the iZEV Program (canada.ca)