Three-wheeled vehicles

A three-wheeled vehicle has:

  • an engine
  • three wheels in contact with the ground
  • steering wheel
  • seatbelts
  • pedals to control clutch (manual transmission only), brakes and accelerator

It is different from other light-duty vehicles, such as passenger cars, motor tricycles and motorcycles, and has different federal safety standards.

Driving a three-wheeled vehicle requires a G licence.

About the pilot program

Ontario’s pilot program is running from March 1, 2016 to March 1, 2026. During this period, you can drive a federally approved three-wheeled vehicle made for on-road use on all roads in Ontario.

The pilot program sets out requirements for:

  • helmets
  • licensing
  • equipment

After the pilot

We will use the information collected during the pilot period to help determine if three-wheeled vehicles will be allowed permanently in Ontario, If they are, we will set rules about using them.

How to participate

If you want to participate in the pilot program, you must follow the requirements for three-wheeled vehicles and their drivers.

Three-wheeled vehicles have the same registration process as all other vehicles. For the purposes of the pilot, three-wheeled vehicles must be registered as motorcycles. Learn how to register a vehicle.

Manufacturers who want to ensure their vehicles meet the requirement of the pilot program should email the Vehicle Program Development Office at VPO@Ontario.ca.

Requirements

Vehicle requirements

Three-wheeled vehicles allowed under the pilot must:

  • be a federally approved three-wheeled vehicle designed for on-road use
  • have a federal compliance label indicating that it is a three-wheeled vehicle (the vehicle type is labelled “twv/vtr”)

Driver requirements

To drive a three-wheeled vehicle you must:

  • have a full class G class driver’s licence, or an A, B, C, D, E or F driver’s licence
  • wear an approved motorcycle safety helmet
  • wear a seat belt
  • register your three-wheeled vehicle as a motorcycle and pay the corresponding fee

You are not permitted to:

  • carry passengers who are as infants, toddlers, pre-schoolers or primary grade children
  • use your three-wheeled vehicle for an Ontario driver’s licence road test
  • attach a sidecar or trailer to the three-wheeled vehicle

If you own a three-wheeled vehicle, you may need to provide information to the Ministry of Transportation about how you use the vehicle. The ministry uses the information to evaluate the program.

Other requirements

All Highway Traffic Act rules of the road and penalties apply to the driver/vehicle owner. Penalties will also apply to violations of the pilot regulation (fine of $250 to $2,500).

For the full list of pilot requirements, please see Ontario Regulation Three-Wheeled Vehicles.