Police Crack Down on Low Speed Vehicles

Stricter enforcement and recent charges raise questions over licensing and registration.

Correction: Although this article is discussing new regulations on Low Speed Vehicles (LSV) which also encompass some mobility scooters, the title of the article and cover image have been amended to better reflect the content of the story.

West Nipissing residents are facing new enforcement actions regarding the use and registration of mobility scooters or Low-Speed Vehicles (LSV). According to reports from local residents, several individuals have been ticketed for operating unregistered mobility scooters, while others have been informed that they are prohibited from using these devices on public roadways or without a driver’s licence.

At the West Nipissing OPP Detachment Board meeting held in the fall the issue of mobility scooter regulation was a key topic of discussion. The meeting minutes reveal that a local business selling e-cars encountered issues when two of their clients were stopped by the OPP. One client was directed to Service Ontario for registration issues, highlighting confusion over the licensing requirements for such vehicles.

A representative of the Police Board clarified that any e-car capable of speeds over 80 km/h must be registered and requires a valid license to be legally driven on highways. This clarification comes as part of a broader effort to enforce regulations more stringently, particularly for vehicles marked with mobility stickers. The enforcement initiative stems from the province's directive that municipalities are responsible for managing these regulations.

A recent incident in Sturgeon Falls underscores the seriousness of these enforcement efforts. On January 10, 2025, a resident was charged after police conducted a traffic stop with a Low-Speed Vehicle on Queen Street. The driver did not have an active driver’s licence and was charged.

Transport Canada described Low Speed Vehicles (LSV) as lightweight, electric vehicles with four wheels that can only reach a maximum speed of 32-40 kilometres per hour.

The provincial guidelines state that LSVs are only allowed on roads with a speed limit of up to 50 km/h if permitted by municipal by-law, and are allowed to be driven through an intersection where the speed limit of the cross street is not greater than 60km/h.

LSV owners not only need a G class licence, they also need automobile liability insurance. Requirements that many mobility scooter owners are likely unaware of.

Residents of West Nipissing using mobility scooters are advised to check their vehicle's registration status and understand the local bylaws affecting their use, especially as enforcement becomes more rigorous.

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