Licence plates and registration will become mandatory for off-road vehicles if legislation introduced Monday by the provincial government is passed.
Bill 13, Off Road Vehicle Act, will establish a one-time registration system integrated into the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia's existing vehicle registry, reducing implementation costs, the provincial government said in a press release.
"ORVs will have to be registered and display a clearly visible number plate before they can be operated on Crown or other public land," according to the press release.
The legislation will also require such vehicles to be registered in a database to help police and conservation officers track down the owners of stolen or abandoned ORVs.
Officers will also be given "more effective enforcement tools to target the small number of irresponsible ORV owners that endanger others or damage sensitive habitat." The measures include the power to stop and inspect ORVs for violations and to seize an ORV for safety or evidence purposes. The maximum fine for offences will be increased from $500 to $5,000.
And the legislation will allow development of safety standards for operation - such as wearing helmets - and conditions of use.
"Whether hunting, fishing, getting back to nature or just getting to work, many outdoor enthusiasts rely on off-road vehicles to augment their rural experience," Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Minister Steve Thomson said in the press release. "The Off-Road Vehicle Act will secure the future of off-road vehicle use in a way that is self-sustaining, safe and environmentally responsible."
An estimated 200,000 ORVs are used in the province and B.C. is currently one of the last provinces in Canada where registration of ORVs is not required, according to the provincial government. Conversely, snowmobiles have been registered in B.C. since the 1970s.
To view a copy of the bill and view its progress through debate, go to: www.leg.bc.ca/40th2nd/4-4-40-2.htm.
