Industrial utility vehicles, miniature motor vehicles and golf course-owned beverage carts are no longer required to be registered, licensed and insured by ICBC, under amendments to the Motor Vehicle Act and its regulations in force today. These changes benefit businesses and charitable organizations across the province by reducing insurance fees and duplication.

The new changes to the Motor Vehicle Act:

• Exempt industrial utility vehicles (IUVs) used and operated in certain circumstances (incidental use of highway only) from having to be registered, licensed and insured by ICBC.
• Clarify restrictions and conditions of operation, which will ensure that "exempted" vehicles operating on a highway continue to do so in a safe manner.
• Prescribe "beverage carts" for golf courses and "miniature motor vehicles" used only in parades and exempt them from requirements to be registered, licensed and insured with ICBC.
• Add a requirement for exempted vehicles to have private third-party liability insurance.
• Add conditions of use and safety requirements for "mobile equipment".

The circumstances that apply to IUV's (which include utility vehicles, industrial vehicles and the trailers towed by these vehicles) include:

• Crossing a highway that intersects a worksite.
• Operating on the untraveled portion of a highway.
• Travelling on a highway next to a worksite for loading and unloading the IUV.
• Operating at a worksite that is cordoned off.
• Performing work in a parking lot or driveway by or on behalf of the property owner or operator.

Operation of a utility vehicle along a highway with traffic continues to require registration, licensing and ICBC insurance.

All exempted industrial utility vehicles, miniature vehicles and beverage carts are required to have third-party liability insurance, which can be obtained in the private market. In June 2011, similar exemptions came into force for golf carts and mobile equipment like person lifts and powered wheelbarrows.

Quotes:

Shirley Bond, Minister of Justice and Attorney General -

"These changes reduce the regulatory burden and respond directly to concerns that were expressed to us by businesses and charitable organizations. It is another example of our government's commitment to reducing red tape and allowing companies and charities to focus on what they do best."

Norm Letnick, MLA, Kelowna-Lake Country -

"As a former small-business person, business professor and Rotarian, I can appreciate how small savings of both costs and time really add up for small businesses and charities alike. These changes will benefit in particular a small but important array of businesses in the Okanagan."

Jim Harrison, executive director, Shriners of British Columbia and Yukon -

"We are pleased to see these changes take place and we appreciate the efforts of Minister Bond and the provincial government in seeing them through. Shriners look forward to our continued involvement in community parades across the province."

Jim Clipperton, past president, Canadian Rental Association (B.C. Chapter) -

"These changes are great news to our rental members and to the construction industry in general. They will save businesses thousands of dollars in insurance fees and extra administration."

Douglas Ferne, regional director, National Golf Course Owners Association Canada (B.C. Chapter) -

"The changes related to vehicles used on and around our courses over the past year are welcome news. Carrying double coverage for liability wasn't enhancing safety for golf course members and guests - in fact, it was just creating more work and cost for golf courses, with no real benefits. Kudos to the Province for working with us to address this situation."

Contact:

Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Justice
250 356-6961