Interpretation

1   In these regulations, unless the context otherwise requires:

"Act" means the Motor Vehicle Act;

"air cushion vehicle" means a vehicle which is supported on a cushion of air and does not while in motion have firm contact with the ground and which is not a motor vehicle or trailer;

"all terrain vehicle" means a wheeled or tracked vehicle designed primarily for recreational use or for the transportation of property or equipment exclusively on marshland, open country or other unprepared surfaces and includes any trailer attached to the vehicle;

"antique motor vehicle" or "antique car" means an antique motor vehicle as described in Division 22;

"associates" means friends, acquaintances or invited persons who are not collectively members of a society, organized sport association, religious organization or other group with a common interest;

"axle" means a structure in the same, or approximately the same, transverse plane supported by wheels and on or with which such wheels revolve;

"backup lamp" means a lamp that is capable of displaying a light source that provides illumination behind a vehicle and a visual warning to pedestrians and other drivers when the vehicle is backing up or is about to back up;

"beam of light" means the reflected rays of light which are projected approximately parallel to the optical axis of the reflector;

"bias ply tire" means a pneumatic tire in which the ply cords that extend to the beads are laid at alternate angles substantially less than 90° to the centre line of the tread;

"camper" means a structure designed to be mounted upon a motor vehicle and to provide facilities for human habitation or camping purposes;

"centre high-mounted stop lamp" means a centre mounted lamp, supplemental to a stop lamp, that is capable of displaying red light visible to the rear of a vehicle;

"CMVSS" means the Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, under the Motor Vehicle Safety Act (Canada), as those standards amended from time to time;

"collector motor vehicle" means a collector motor vehicle as defined in Division 22A;

"daytime running lamp" means a lamp used to improve the visibility of a vehicle when the vehicle is viewed from the front in daylight;

"declaration of completion" means a document issued to a student who has successfully completed a mandatory entry-level training course in accordance with section 27.06 (4.1);

"distance" means, with respect to a lamp or illuminating device, the distance as measured from the light source of an unloaded vehicle on a straight, level and unlighted highway under normal atmospheric conditions from 1/2 hour after sunset to 1/2 hour before sunrise, unless a different time or condition is expressly stated;

"driveaway-towaway operation" means the transportation of one or more truck chassis by another truck chassis if 2 or more wheels of the towed vehicle or vehicles are in contact with the roadway during transportation;

"fifth wheel and kingpin" means the coupling device of a semitrailer and a truck tractor which permits articulation between the units and which is mounted on the truck tractor and consists of a trunnion, plate and latching mechanism for connection with a metal kingpin mounted on the semitrailer;

"freight" includes personal property of every description that may be conveyed on a motor vehicle or trailer, but does not include a passenger's personal baggage;

"gross vehicle weight" means the aggregate of the net weight of a vehicle and the weight of its load;

"gross vehicle weight rating" means the value specified by the vehicle manufacturer as the loaded weight of a single vehicle;

"group of axles" means any 2 or more successive axles on a vehicle or combination of vehicles;

"headlamp" means a lamp, mounted on a motor vehicle, that is capable of displaying white light, the rays of which are projected forward, but does not include a spotlamp, cowl lamp, parking lamp, fog lamp, clearance lamp, auxiliary driving lamp or daytime running lamp;

"height", when used with respect to a lamp or reflector, means the vertical distance as measured from the road surface to the centre of a lamp or reflector of an unloaded vehicle on a level road surface;

"house trailer" means a trailer

(a) which is designed, constructed and equipped for human habitation, or

(b) designed, constructed and equipped for human occupancy for industrial, professional or commercial purposes;

"licensed vehicle weight" means the weight for which a vehicle is licensed;

"limited speed motorcycle" means a motorcycle that

(a) is equipped with a motor having

(i) a piston displacement of not more than 50 cc, or

(ii) a power source that produces a maximum of 1.5 kW,

(b) has a power drive system that does not require clutching or shifting by the operator after the drive system is engaged,

(c) has a maximum attainable speed on level ground, with or without pedals, of 70 km/hr,

(d) has a maximum weight of 95 kg excluding fuel or batteries used to store energy for vehicle propulsion, and

(e) has wheels of a diameter of 254 mm or more;

"logging truck" means a vehicle or combination of vehicles used principally for the transportation of logs;

"mandatory entry-level training course" means a training course set out in section 30.011 of this regulation;

"metal tire" means a tire, or part of the outer circumference of a wheel which comes in contact with the surface of the highway, which is made of metal or other non-resilient material;

"neighbourhood zero emission vehicle" means a vehicle that travels on 4 wheels and is powered by an electric motor that is designed to allow the vehicle to attain a speed of 32 km/hr but not more than 40 km/hr in a distance of 1.6 km on a paved level surface, and

(a) meets or exceeds standards of the Motor Vehicle Safety Act (Canada) for a low-speed vehicle and bears a compliance label for a low-speed vehicle in accordance with that Act, or

(b) if imported to Canada, has been imported as an admissible low-speed vehicle in accordance with the Motor Vehicle Safety Act (Canada) requirements and

(i) bears a compliance label for a low-speed vehicle in accordance with that Act, or

(ii) meets applicable federal United States laws in accordance with the Motor Vehicle Safety Act (Canada);

"net weight" means the weight of a vehicle that is empty except for the maximum capacity of fuel, oil and coolant necessary for its operation;

"non-scheduled transportation" means the transportation, by other than scheduled transportation, of students by or on behalf of, or at the request of, the authority in charge of the school by means of a motor vehicle;

"off-road lamp" means a lamp designed for any use other than those specified in Division 4 of these regulations;

"pneumatic tire" means a tire made of rubber or other resilient material and which depends upon compressed air for the support of the load;

"pole trailer" means a vehicle without motive power designed to be drawn by another vehicle and to be attached to the towing vehicle by means of a reach or pole, or by being boomed thereto, and which is ordinarily used for transporting long or irregularly shaped loads such as logs, poles, pipes or structural members;

"public transportation" means the transportation of a group of persons other than family members or associates;

"radial ply tire" means a pneumatic tire in which the ply cords that extend to the beads are laid at substantially 90° to the centre line of the tread;

"reflective marking" means a reflective tape or rigid plastic reflector that complies with all the requirements for reflective devices as stated in Technical Standards Document No. 108 of the Motor Vehicle Safety Regulation (Canada);

"SAE" means the Society of Automotive Engineers, an international organization in the automotive industry that is responsible for the establishment of standards for vehicles;

"safety glass" means any glass or transparent product which substantially prevents the shattering and flying of the glass or transparent product when struck or broken;

"scheduled transportation" means the transportation of students by or on behalf of, or at the request of, the authority in charge of the school by means of a motor vehicle that, either alone or as part of a transportation system, transports students between their residences and the school on a regularly scheduled basis for the purpose of attending classes;

"school bus" means a school bus as defined in the Act and includes a bus used by or on behalf of, or at the request of, the authority in charge of the school to convey students by means of scheduled or non-scheduled transportation;

"semitrailer" means a vehicle, other than a trailer, which is drawn by a motor vehicle and which is so constructed that some part of its weight and some part of the weight of its load rests upon or is carried by the towing vehicle;

"sequential lamp" means a lamp with bulbs lighted in sequence to indicate an arrow or direction for the purpose of directing traffic;

"service brake" means a foot brake;

"snow vehicle" means a motor vehicle that

(a) is designed for

(i) travel on snow or ice, and

(ii) the transportation of passengers or equipment, or both, and

(b) is self-propelled by means of one or more endless belts driven in contact with the ground;

"snowmobile" means a motor vehicle that

(a) is designed for travel on snow or ice,

(b) has one or more steering skis,

(c) is self propelled by means of one or more endless belts driven in contact with the ground, and

(d) has a seat designed for sitting astride;

"solid tire" means a tire of rubber or other resilient materials which does not depend upon compressed air for the support of the load;

"special activity bus" means a bus that

(a) conforms to the safety standards under the Motor Vehicle Safety Act (Canada) that are applicable to the bus on the date of manufacture,

(b) is operated by or on behalf of, or at the request of, the authority in charge of a school, and

(c) is used for non-scheduled transportation;

"special mobile vehicle" means a vehicle not self-propelled, nor designed or used primarily for the transportation of persons or property, and operated or moved over a highway incidentally to its designed purpose or function, but does not include an implement of husbandry;

"special vehicle" means a motor vehicle with a carrying capacity for a driver and not more than 9 other persons that is designed or modified for public transportation of handicapped persons;

"spotlamp" means a lamp that

(a) is capable of projecting a beam of light on an object, and

(b) may be directed from within or outside of the vehicle;

"tandem axle" means 2 or more equally spaced consecutive axles, having an axle spread of not less than 1.0 m nor more than 1.85 m;

"tow car" means a motor vehicle used exclusively for towing or rendering assistance to other motor vehicles, or to vehicles suffering from a defect or disability in their means of locomotion;

"towing dolly" means a trailer that is designed exclusively to carry one axle of a motor vehicle for the purpose of towing that motor vehicle behind another motor vehicle;

"truck" means a motor vehicle designed or used primarily for the transportation of property;

"truck tractor" means a motor vehicle designed and used primarily for drawing other vehicles and not so constructed as to carry a load other than a part of the weight of the vehicle and load so drawn;

"utility vehicle" means a motor vehicle that at the time the vehicle was manufactured was not designed to conform to the standards prescribed in the Motor Vehicle Safety Act (Canada) for motor vehicles designed for use on a highway, including

(a) all terrain vehicles,

(b) golf carts, when used or adapted for a utility purpose unrelated to carrying golfers and their equipment,

(c) Repealed. [B.C. Reg. 128/2012, Sch. s. 1 (b).]

(d) forklifts,

(e) light tractors,

(f) mowers,

(g) sweepers, and

(h) other motor vehicles used for light industrial, maintenance or landscaping purposes,

but does not include a motor vehicle that is licensed under section 8, 9 or 10 of the Act;

"wheelbase" means the distance, measured to the nearest cm, between the centres of the 2 axles which are farthest apart;

"width of tire" means, with respect to rubber tires, the width of tire as customarily measured and rated by manufacturers of motor vehicles and tires and, with respect to metal tires, the transverse width of the outer circumference of the metal tire.

[am. B.C. Regs. 234/59, s. 1; 10/61, s. 1; 46/67, ss. 1 and 2; 226/67, s. 1; 153/71, ss. 1 and 2; 342/75, s. 1; 343/77; 459/78, s. 1; 295/79, s. (a); 256/84, s. 1; 229/88, s. 1; 133/89, s. 1; 292/89, s. 1; 170/90; 419/90, s. 1; 461/92, s. 1; 105/94; 491/94, s. (a); 273/97, s. 1; 413/97, App. 1, s. 1; 476/98, s. 1; 414/99, s. 1; 303/2001; 145/2008, s. 1; 351/2008, Sch. s. 1; 128/2012, Sch. s. 1; 177/2015, App. s. 1; 11/2018, s. 1; 246/2018, s. 1; 100/2021, Sch. 1, s. 1.]

Repealed

1.01   Repealed. [B.C. Reg. 255/2018, App. s. 1.]

Prescribed Criminal Code offences

1.02   (1) Subject to subsection (2), for the purposes of paragraph (a) of the definition of "motor vehicle related Criminal Code offence" in section 1 of the Act, the following Criminal Code offences are prescribed:

(a) an offence committed before December 4, 1985 under any of the following provisions of the Criminal Code as it then was:

(i) section 203 [causing death by criminal negligence];

(ii) section 204 [causing bodily harm by criminal negligence];

(iii) section 219 [manslaughter];

(iv) section 233 [criminal negligence in operation of motor vehicle];

(v) section 234 [driving while ability to drive is impaired by alcohol or a drug];

(vi) section 235 [failure or refusal to provide sample of breath];

(vii) section 236 [driving with more than 80 milligrams of alcohol in blood];

(b) an offence committed on or after December 4, 1985 and before December 12, 1988 under any of the following provisions of the Criminal Code as it then was:

(i) section 203 [causing death by criminal negligence];

(ii) section 204 [causing bodily harm by criminal negligence];

(iii) section 219 [manslaughter];

(iv) section 233 [dangerous operation of motor vehicle];

(v) section 236 [failure to stop at scene of accident];

(vi) section 237 [operation of motor vehicle while impaired or with more than 80 milligrams of alcohol in blood];

(vii) section 238 [failure or refusal to provide sample of breath or blood];

(viii) section 239 [impaired driving causing bodily harm or death];

(ix) section 242 (4) [operation of motor vehicle while disqualified];

(c) an offence committed on or after December 12, 1988 and before July 2, 2008 under any of the following provisions of the Criminal Code as it then was:

(i) section 253 (a) [operation of motor vehicle while ability impaired by alcohol or a drug];

(ii) section 253 (b) [operation of motor vehicle with more than 80 milligrams of alcohol in blood];

(d) an offence committed on or after December 12, 1988 and before December 18, 2018 under any of the following provisions of the Criminal Code as it then was:

(i) section 220 [causing death by criminal negligence];

(ii) section 221 [causing bodily harm by criminal negligence];

(iii) section 236 [manslaughter];

(iv) section 249 (1) (a) [dangerous operation of motor vehicle];

(v) section 249 (3) [dangerous operation causing bodily harm];

(vi) section 249 (4) [dangerous operation causing death];

(vii) section 252 (1) [failure to stop at scene of accident];

(viii) section 254 (5) [failure or refusal to comply with demand];

(ix) section 255 (2) [impaired driving causing bodily harm];

(x) section 255 (3) [impaired driving causing death];

(xi) section 259 (4) [operation of motor vehicle while disqualified];

(e) an offence committed on or after April 1, 2005 and before December 18, 2018 under section 249.1 [flight from peace officer] of the Criminal Code as it then was;

(f) an offence committed on or after July 2, 2008 and before December 18, 2018 under any of the following provisions of the Criminal Code as it then was:

(i) section 253 (1) (a) [operation of motor vehicle while ability impaired by alcohol or a drug];

(ii) section 253 (1) (b) [operation of motor vehicle with more than 80 milligrams of alcohol in blood];

(g) an offence committed on or after June 21, 2018 and before December 18, 2018 under any of the following provisions of the Criminal Code as it then was:

(i) section 253 (3) (a) [operation of motor vehicle and having blood drug concentration equal to or exceeding prescribed value];

(ii) section 253 (3) (b) [operation of motor vehicle and having blood drug concentration in prescribed range];

(iii) section 253 (3) (c) [operation of motor vehicle and having blood alcohol concentration and blood drug concentration equal to or exceeding prescribed value];

(h) an offence committed before December 18, 2018 under any of the following provisions of the Criminal Code as it then was:

(i) section 249.2 [causing death by criminal negligence (street racing)];

(ii) section 249.3 [causing bodily harm by criminal negligence (street racing)];

(iii) section 249.4 [dangerous operation of motor vehicle while street racing];

(iv) section 255 (2.1) [causing accident resulting in bodily harm while driving with more than 80 milligrams of alcohol in blood];

(v) section 255 (2.2) [causing accident resulting in bodily harm and failure or refusal to comply with demand];

(vi) section 255 (3.1) [causing accident resulting in death while driving with more than 80 milligrams of alcohol in blood];

(vii) section 255 (3.2) [causing accident resulting in death and failure or refusal to comply with demand];

(i) an offence committed on or after December 18, 2018 under any of the following provisions of the Criminal Code:

(0.i) section 220 [causing death by criminal negligence];

(i) section 320.13 (1) [dangerous operation];

(ii) section 320.13 (2) [dangerous operation causing bodily harm];

(iii) section 320.13 (3) [dangerous operation causing death];

(iv) section 320.14 (1) (a) [operation of motor vehicle while impaired by alcohol or a drug];

(v) section 320.14 (1) (b) [operation of motor vehicle and having blood alcohol concentration equal to or exceeding 80 milligrams of alcohol in blood];

(vi) section 320.14 (1) (c) [operation of motor vehicle and having blood drug concentration equal to or exceeding prescribed value];

(vii) section 320.14 (1) (d) [operation of motor vehicle and having blood alcohol concentration and blood drug concentration equal to or exceeding prescribed values];

(viii) section 320.14 (2) [operation of motor vehicle while impaired by alcohol or a drug and causing bodily harm];

(ix) section 320.14 (3) [operation of motor vehicle while impaired by alcohol or a drug and causing death];

(x) section 320.14 (4) [operation of motor vehicle and having blood drug concentration in prescribed range];

(xi) section 320.15 (1) [failure or refusal to comply with demand];

(xii) section 320.15 (2) [causing accident resulting in bodily harm and failure or refusal to comply with demand];

(xiii) section 320.15 (3) [causing accident resulting in death and failure or refusal to comply with demand];

(xiv) section 320.16 (1) [failure to stop after accident];

(xv) section 320.16 (2) [failure to stop after accident resulting in bodily harm];

(xvi) section 320.16 (3) [failure to stop after accident resulting in death];

(xvii) section 320.17 [flight from peace officer];

(xviii) section 320.18 (1) [operation while prohibited].

(2) Subsection (1) (d) (xi) and (i) (xviii) does not apply for the purposes of paragraph (a) of the definition of "motor vehicle related Criminal Code offence" in section 1 of the Act as that definition applies to section 232 of the Act.

[en. B.C. Reg. 255/2018, App., s. 1; am. B.C. Reg. 244/2023, Sch.]

Application in case of conflict

2.01   The definitions in sections 1 and 119 of the Act apply to these regulations, but if there is any conflict between a definition under section 1 and a definition under section 119, the definition under section 119 prevails.

[am. B.C. Reg. 46/67, s. 3.]

Application

2.011   Except as otherwise provided in Division 24, Divisions 4 [Lamps], 5 [Brakes], 7 [Other Equipment] and 7B [Slow Moving Vehicles and Equipment] do not apply to

(a) the vehicles listed in section 24.02 (1), or

(b) an industrial utility vehicle to which section 3.1 of the Act applies.

[en. B.C. Reg. 128/2012, Sch., s. 2.]

Removal in case of collision or breakdown

2.02   Notwithstanding section 7.09,

(a) a vehicle on a highway that, as a result of collision, or otherwise, ceases to be properly equipped under the Act or these regulations shall be removed from the highway forthwith or taken on the highway to a garage or repair shop by a tow car or other vehicle capable of safely carrying out the movement, and

(b) a vehicle that is not properly equipped under the Act or these regulations may be moved on a highway, in order to take the vehicle to a garage or repair shop, by a tow car or other vehicle capable of safely carrying out the movement, and

in either case, if the person then in charge of the vehicle takes reasonable precaution for the safety of traffic on the highway, these regulations are, with respect to the equipment that is defective, suspended.

[en. B.C. Reg. 33/64, s. 1.]

Determination of maximum vehicle width

2.03   Where a motor vehicle or trailer or semitrailer is equipped with one or more rear view mirrors that extend in whole or in part beyond the side of the vehicle or one or more lamps, required by these regulations, that extend in whole or in part beyond the side of the vehicle, the amount of such extension shall not be included in determining the maximum width of the vehicle for the purpose of these regulations.

[en. B.C. Reg. 33/64, s. 2.]

Prohibition

3.01   A person must not drive or operate a vehicle on a highway unless number plates are displayed on it in accordance with this Division.

[en. B.C. Reg. 24/2022, Sch. 2, s. 1.]

Attachment of number plates

3.011   Number plates issued for a vehicle under the Commercial Transport Act or Motor Vehicle Act must be attached

(a) one plate to the front and one plate to the rear of the vehicle, if 2 number plates are issued for a vehicle, and

(b) to the rear of the vehicle, if a single number plate is issued for a vehicle.

[en. B.C. Reg. 279/2006.]

Application to off-road vehicles

3.0111   Section 3.011 does not apply to an off-road vehicle registered under the Off-Road Vehicle Act and displaying a number plate or number sticker issued under that Act.

[en. B.C. Reg. 193/2015, App. 3, s. 1.]

Attachment of validation decal

3.012   (1) Subject to subsection (2), if a validation decal is issued under the Commercial Transport Act or Motor Vehicle Act for attachment to a number plate, it must be attached

(a) in the case of a motor vehicle licensed under the Commercial Transport Act that has a licensed gross vehicle weight exceeding 5 500 kg, to the place provided on the front number plate,

(a.1) in the case of an off-road vehicle registered under the Off-Road Vehicle Act, on the number plate or number sticker issued under that Act, or

(b) in the case of any other vehicle, to the place provided on the rear number plate.

(2) Subsection (1) does not apply in respect of a validation decal that was issued before May 1, 2022 in respect of a licence with a term ending on or after May 1, 2022.

[en. B.C. Reg. 279/2006; am. B.C. Regs. 193/2015, App. 3, s. 2; 24/2022, Sch. 2, s. 2.]

Prescribed actions respecting validation decals

3.013   (1) For the purposes of section 12 (2) (c) [number plates] of the Act, the recording of the numbered licence and its expiry date in the file or index described in section 3 (7) [registration, licence and insurance] of the Act is a prescribed action.

(2) For the purposes of section 20 (1) (f) [notice of removal or destruction of motor vehicle] of the Act, dealing with the number plates for the motor vehicle or trailer as directed by the corporation is a prescribed action.

(3) For the purposes of section 51 (2) (b) [issuance of new number plate or validation decal] of the Act, the recording of the numbered licence and its expiry date in the file or index described in section 3 (7) [registration, licence and insurance] of the Act is a prescribed action.

[en. B.C. Reg. 24/2022, Sch. 2, s. 3.]

Number plates in horizontal position

3.02   A number plate shall at all times be securely fastened in a horizontal position to the vehicle for which it is issued.

Vertical position permitted for motorcycles

3.021   Despite section 3.02, a number plate may be attached in vertical position on the left front fork of a motorcycle, with the first number or letter at the bottom of the fork.

[en. B.C. Reg. 193/2015, App. 3, s. 3.]

Plates to be unobstructed

3.03   A number plate must be kept entirely unobstructed and free from dirt or foreign material, so that the numbers and letters on it may be plainly seen and read at all times and so that the numbers and letters may be accurately photographed using a speed monitoring device or traffic light safety device prescribed under section 83.1 of the Act.

[en. B.C. Reg. 185/96, s. 1; am. B.C. Reg. 215/99, App. 1, s. 1.]

Transfer fee

3.04   The Insurance Corporation of British Columbia shall not accept a notice of transfer of title or interest in a vehicle under section 17 of the Act unless the notice of transfer is accompanied by the fee prescribed in the Motor Vehicle Fees Regulation.

[en. B.C. Reg. 431/73, s. 1; am. B.C. Regs. 518/81, s. 1; 317/96, s. 1.]

Removal of number plates on transfer

3.05   Every person who transfers title or interest in a vehicle under section 17 of the Act shall, before giving up possession of the vehicle pursuant to the transfer, remove the number plates and dispose of them as provided in section 3.08 or 3.09.

[en. B.C. Reg. 431/73, s. 1.]

Transfer by operation of law

3.06   (1) For this section, "spouse" means a person who was married to another person at the relevant time or who was living for at least 2 years immediately before the relevant time in a marriage-like relationship.

(2) Notwithstanding section 3.05,

(a) where the title or interest of an owner of a vehicle is transferred by operation of law under section 17 of the Act as a result of the owner's death, the deceased person's executor, administrator or trustee shall remove the number plates and dispose of them only as provided in section 3.09; but where the ownership of the vehicle passes to the deceased person's spouse, the spouse may, upon application in the prescribed form to the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia and upon payment of the prescribed transfer fee, have the vehicle registered in the spouse's name and retain the number plates on the vehicle, or

(b) where the title or interest of an owner of a vehicle is transferred by operation of law under section 17 of the Act for any reason other than as a result of the owner's death, the owner shall remove the number plates and dispose of them as provided in section 3.08 or 3.09.

[en. B.C. Reg. 431/73, s. 1; am. B.C. Regs. 317/96, s. 1; 393/99, s. 1; 375/2012; 64/2021, s. 8.]

Where owner cannot be located

3.07   Where the owner referred to in section 3.06 (2) (b) does not have possession of the vehicle at the time of its transfer by operation of law, the person who has possession of the vehicle shall remove the number plates and forthwith deliver them to the owner who shall dispose of them as provided in section 3.08 or 3.09; but, if the owner cannot be located within 7 days of the transfer, the person who has possession of the vehicle shall, at the expiration of the 7 days, forthwith deliver the number plates to an office of the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia.

[en. B.C. Reg. 431/73, s. 1; am. B.C. Regs. 317/96, s. 1; 393/99, s. 2.]

Substitute vehicle

3.08   (1) Where a person who has removed number plates pursuant to section 3.05 and has retained possession of them as provided in section 3.09 acquires another motor vehicle or trailer of the same class, the owner may display the number plates on the substitute vehicle for a period not exceeding 10 days from the time of acquisition of the substitute vehicle and shall within that period comply with the requirements for licensing the substitute vehicle in the person's name.

(2) Where a person operates a substitute vehicle during the period not exceeding 10 days referred to in subsection (1) and prior to the owner licensing the substitute vehicle in the person's name in accordance with that subsection, the operator shall carry, and produce to a peace officer upon request, the following:

(a) the owner's certificate of insurance and vehicle licence that corresponds with the number plates displayed on the vehicle;

(b) the proof of vehicle registered ownership for the substitute vehicle or, if the vehicle is a new vehicle sold by a B.C. registered dealer, a bill of sale;

(c) a duly completed notice of transfer, signed by both the seller and the buyer as required by section 17 of the Act.

(3) Where a substitute vehicle is not of the same class as the vehicle for which it is substituted, the owner shall comply immediately with the requirements for licensing the substitute vehicle in the person's name, and, if directed to do so by the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia, the person shall surrender the number plates removed pursuant to section 3.05 and attach other number plates to the substitute vehicle.

(4) Where a person who is the registered owner of more than one motor vehicle or trailer removes number plates from one vehicle and wishes to display them on a substitute vehicle owned by the person, the person shall, before doing so, ensure that the requirements for licensing the substitute vehicle, including payment of the fee prescribed in the Motor Vehicle Fees Regulation, are complied with before the vehicle is operated.

[en. B.C. Reg. 518/81, s. 2; am. B.C. Regs. 317/96, s. 1; 64/2021, ss. 5 to 7.]

Disposal of number plates

3.09   (1) A person who

(a) removes number plates under section 3.05, and

(b) does not attach the number plates on a substitute vehicle under section 3.08

must not attach or display those number plates on any other vehicle.

(2) If a person described in subsection (1) applies for a remission of fees, the person must

(a) file with the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia an application in the form required by the corporation, and

(b) deal with the number plates as directed by the corporation.

[en. B.C. Reg. 24/2022, Sch. 1, s. 1.]

Remission of fees

3.10   (1) On completion of the requirements referred to in section 3.09 (2) to the satisfaction of the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia, the Minister of Finance may remit to the person surrendering the number plates

(a) the licence fee prorated for the number of full days remaining in the term of the licence,

(b) Repealed. [B.C. Reg. 24/2022, Sch. 1, s. 2 (b).]

(c) in the case of personalized number plates issued on or after January 1, 1984, 1/12 of the personalized number plate fee for each month that remains on the one year term of the number plates.

(2) The Minister of Finance must not make a remission under subsection (1) if the amount to be remitted is less than $5.

[en. B.C. Reg. 480/83, s. 1; am. B.C. Regs. 317/96, s. 1; 232/2009, ss. (b) and (c); 24/2022, Sch. 1, s. 2.]

Fee adjustment on transfer

3.11   There shall be no adjustment of licence fees on a transfer of number plates under section 3.08 except where the amount of the adjustment, where including any fees incidental to the transfer and any premium adjustment under the Insurance (Vehicle) Act, is more than $5.

[en. B.C. Reg. 122/74, s. 1; am. B.C. Reg. 161/2007, s. 4.]

Number plates transferable only within class

3.12   (1) Notwithstanding section 3.08, number plates shall not be attached on a vehicle that is not of the same class of vehicle from which the number plates were removed pursuant to section 3.05.

(2) Subsection (1) does not apply where the number plates are personalized number plates issued under Division 34.

[en. B.C. Reg. 431/73, s. 1; am. B.C. Reg. 295/79, s. (b).]

Prohibition — vehicles regulated under Division 24

3.121   Despite section 3.08 (1), a person who has, in accordance with section 3.05,

(a) removed number plates from a motor vehicle may not display or attach the number plates to or on a substitute vehicle to which Division 24 [Vehicles of Unusual Size, Weight or Operating Characteristics] applies, or

(b) removed number plates from a motor vehicle to which Division 24 applies may not display or attach the number plates to or on a substitute vehicle of another class.

[en. B.C. Reg. 351/2008, Sch., s. 3.]

Classes of vehicles

3.13   For the purposes of section 3.12 and 3.121, vehicles are divided into the following classes:

(a) motorcycle;

(b) passenger motor vehicle;

(c) trailer licensed under this Act;

(d) motor vehicle or trailer licensed under the Commercial Transport Act;

(e) motor vehicle to which Division 24 [Vehicles of Unusual Size, Weight or Operating Characteristics] applies.

[en. B.C. Reg. 431/73, s. 1; am. B.C. Reg. 351/2008, Sch., s. 4.]

Hours prescribed for lighted lamps

4.01   A person who drives or operates a vehicle on a highway must illuminate the lamps required by this Division

(a) from 1/2 hour after sunset to 1/2 hour before sunrise, and

(b) at any other time when, due to insufficient light or unfavourable atmospheric conditions, objects on the highway are not clearly discernible at a distance of 150 m.

[en. B.C. Reg. 476/98, s. 2.]

General lighting requirements

4.02   (1) A vehicle on a highway must only be equipped with and use lamps, reflectors or other illuminating devices authorized by this Division or authorized in writing by the director.

(2) A vehicle on a highway must be equipped with lamps equivalent to those provided by the original manufacturer in accordance with the requirements that applied under the Motor Vehicle Safety Act (Canada), or a predecessor to that Act, at the time of vehicle manufacture.

(3) All lamps, lamp bulbs and reflectors required or permitted by this Division must comply with

(a) the approved standards established by the Motor Vehicle Safety Act (Canada) and the applicable SAE standards,

(b) the conditions of use described in this Division, and

(c) the requirements of Table 1 of the Schedule to this Division.

(4) The function of 2 or more lamps or reflectors may be combined if each function meets the following requirements:

(a) no turn signal lamp may be combined optically with a stop lamp unless the stop lamp is extinguished when the turn signal is flashing;

(b) a clearance lamp must not be combined optically with a tail-lamp or identification lamp.

(5) The director may exempt vehicles or classes of vehicles from the requirements of this section.

[en. B.C. Reg. 476/98, s. 2; am. B.C. Reg. 135/2003, s. 1.]

Mounting of lamps and reflectors

4.03   (1) If 2 lamps of the same type are required or permitted on a vehicle, the lamps must be mounted at the same height unless otherwise specified in this Division.

(2) If 2 lamps of the same type are required or permitted on the side, front or rear of a vehicle, the lamps must, unless otherwise specified in this Division, be mounted with one lamp at or near the extreme left and one lamp at or near the extreme right of the vehicle, so as to indicate the approximate width of the vehicle.

[en. B.C. Reg. 476/98, s. 2.]

General maintenance

4.04   (1) Lighting devices required by this Division must be maintained in good working order.

(2) Lamps and reflectors required by this Division

(a) must be securely mounted on the vehicle,

(b) must not have any cracked, broken, missing or incorrectly installed lenses, and a lamp must not have bent or broken rims that allow water to enter the lamp, and

(c) must not be shielded, covered or obscured by any part of the vehicle or load or by dirt or other material.

[en. B.C. Reg. 476/98, s. 2.]

Headlamps

4.05   (1) A motor vehicle must be equipped with either one or 2 headlamps mounted on each side of the front of the vehicle and capable of displaying white light.

(2) The headlamps must be mounted at a height of not less than 56 cm and not more than 1.37 m.

(3) Subsection (2) does not apply to highway construction and maintenance equipment.

(4) Despite subsection (1), a motorcycle must be equipped with at least one and not more than 2 headlamps.

(5) A motorcycle manufactured after December 31, 1974 must be equipped with a headlamp or headlamps which automatically turn on when the engine of the motorcycle is started and which remain illuminated as long as the engine is running.

(6) The headlamp on a motorcycle travelling at less than 50 km/h must reveal an object at a distance of 30 m.

(7) The headlamp on a motorcycle travelling at 50 km/h or more must reveal an object at a distance of 60 m.

(8) A motorcycle may be equipped with modulating headlamps if the headlamps comply with section 5.6 of the Technical Standards Document No. 108, Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations (Canada).

[en. B.C. Reg. 476/98, s. 2.]

Multiple beam headlamps

4.06   (1) The headlamps of a motor vehicle must function so that the driver may select lamps capable of displaying

(a) an upper beam of light which, regardless of the load on the vehicle, will reveal an object at a distance of 100 m, and

(b) a lower beam of light which, regardless of the load on the vehicle, will reveal an object at a distance of 30 m and the high intensity portion of the lower beam will not strike the eye of an oncoming driver.

(2) The lighting system must include a tell-tale lamp which clearly indicates when the upper beam of light is being displayed.

(3) Subsection (2) does not apply to a motor vehicle manufactured before January 1, 1940.

(4) If an automatic dimmer switch is installed, the device must have a manual control.

(5) A person who drives or operates a motor vehicle must not illuminate the upper beam of a headlamp if another motor vehicle is within a distance of 150 m from that vehicle, unless the driver has overtaken and passed the other vehicle, so that the high intensity portion of the beam does not strike or reflect into the eye of the other driver.

(6) Whenever a motor vehicle is parked or standing on a highway, the upper beam of the motor vehicle headlamps must not be illuminated.

[en. B.C. Reg. 476/98, s. 2.]

Single beam headlamps

4.07   Despite section 4.06, a motor vehicle, including a motorcycle, may be equipped with single beam headlamps instead of multiple beam headlamps if

(a) the illuminated headlamps reveal an object at a distance of 60 m, and

(b) each headlamp is mounted and directed so that the high intensity portion of the beam is, at a distance of 8 m from the headlamp, at least 12 cm below the height of the headlamp and, at a distance of 25 m from the lamp, not higher than 1.06 m from the road surface.

[en. B.C. Reg. 476/98, s. 2.]

Daytime running lamps

4.08   A motor vehicle may be equipped with daytime running lamps, mounted on the front of the vehicle at a height of not less than 30 cm and not more than 2.11 m, that comply with the requirements of the Motor Vehicle Safety Act (Canada).

[en. B.C. Reg. 476/98, s. 2.]

Auxiliary driving lamps

4.09   (1) A motor vehicle may be equipped with 2 auxiliary driving lamps, mounted on the front of the vehicle at a height of not less than 40 cm and not more than 1.06 m, that are capable of displaying only white light.

(2) An auxiliary driving lamp must be directed so that the high intensity portion of the beam is, at a distance of 8 m from the lamp, at least 12 cm below the height of the lamp and, at a distance of 25 m from the lamp, not higher than 1.06 m from the road surface.

(3) An auxiliary driving lamp must operate so that it is illuminated only when the upper beam of a multiple beam headlamp is illuminated.

[en. B.C. Reg. 476/98, s. 2.]

Parking lamps

4.10   (1) A vehicle may be equipped with 2 parking lamps, mounted on the front of the vehicle, that are capable of displaying only white or amber light.

(2) A vehicle may be equipped with 2 parking lamps, mounted on the rear of the vehicle, that are capable of displaying only red light.

[en. B.C. Reg. 476/98, s. 2.]

Fog lamps

4.11   (1) A motor vehicle may be equipped with 2 fog lamps, mounted on the front of the vehicle below the headlamps, that are capable of displaying only white or amber light.

(2) Each fog lamp must be

(a) mounted not more than 30 cm below the headlamps, and

(b) adjusted and aimed so that, at a distance of 8 m from the lamp, the centre of the beam is at least 10 cm below the height of the fog lamp.

(3) The fog lamp wiring and switch must permit simultaneous operation of the parking lamps, tail lamps, licence plate lamp and, if required, clearance lamps.

(4) The operator of a vehicle may use fog lamps instead of headlamps when atmospheric conditions make the use of headlamps disadvantageous.

[en. B.C. Reg. 476/98, s. 2.]

Side-marker lamps

4.12   (1) A vehicle may be equipped with

(a) 2 side-marker lamps, mounted on each side of the vehicle near the front, that are capable of displaying only white or amber light, and

(b) 2 side-marker lamps, mounted on each side of the vehicle near the rear, that are capable of displaying only amber or red light.

(2) The side-marker lamps referred to in subsection (1) may operate in conjunction with turn signal lamps or the hazard warning signal.

(3) A vehicle with an overall width of 2.05 m or more, or having a gross weight in excess of 1 400 kg, may be equipped with side-marker lamps mounted on each side of the vehicle at the horizontal mid-point of the vehicle.

[en. B.C. Reg. 476/98, s. 2.]

Turn signal devices

4.13   (1) A vehicle may be equipped and mounted with

(a) a lamp type turn signal system, or

(b) a semaphore turn signal device,

functionally equivalent to original equipment supplied by the vehicle manufacturer or of a type or make approved by the director.

(2) A lamp type turn signal system must

(a) have 2 lamps, mounted on the front of the vehicle, that are capable of displaying flashes of white or amber light which are visible to the front,

(b) have 2 lamps, mounted on the rear of the vehicle, that are capable of displaying flashes of red or amber light which are visible to the rear,

(c) be visible on each side of the vehicle at a distance of 100 m in normal sunlight at an angle of 45° from the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, and

(d) include a tell-tale lamp which gives a clear indication that the system is activated.

(3) During the time specified in section 4.01, a semaphore turn signal device must be capable of illumination by light or reflection visible from a distance of 100 m.

(4) A public passenger vehicle or a commercial vehicle that weighs more than 4 500 kg may be equipped with supplementary turn signal lamps in addition to the turn signal system required by subsection (2).

(5) A turn signal lamp must be mounted on the vehicle at a height of not less than 38 cm and not more than 1.83 m.

(6) Subsection (5) does not apply to highway construction vehicles, maintenance vehicles, tow cars or vehicles being towed by a tow car.

(7) A vehicle which is being transported in a drive-away/tow-away operation, or is being towed by a tow car, must have turn signals that are synchronized with the turn signals of the towing vehicle when the tow vehicle turn signals are illuminated.

(8) Despite subsection (5), a tow car may be equipped with supplementary turn signal lamps mounted within the maximum allowable vehicle height (4.15 m) and as far forward as the rear of the cab.

(9) The centre of the front signal lamps must be at least 10 cm from the edge of the low beam headlamps

[en. B.C. Reg. 476/98, s. 2; am. B.C. Reg. 135/2003, s. 1.]

Cowl and fender lamps

4.14   A vehicle may be equipped with no more than 2 cowl or fender lamps, mounted on each front cowl or front fender of the vehicle, that are capable of displaying only amber or white light visible to the front and amber or red light visible to the rear.

[en. B.C. Reg. 476/98, s. 2.]

Tail lamps

4.15   (1) A motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer must be equipped with 2 tail lamps, mounted on the rear of the motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer, that are capable of displaying only red light visible from a distance of 150 m to the rear on both sides of the motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer at an angle of 45° from the longitudinal axis of the motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer.

(2) Despite subsection (1),

(a) a motorcycle may be equipped with only one tail lamp, and

(b) a vehicle manufactured before January 1, 1959 may be equipped with only one tail lamp.

(3) Each tail lamp must be mounted on the vehicle at a height of not less than 38 cm and not more than 1.83 m.

(4) Subsection (3) does not apply to vehicles being towed by a tow car.

(5) Despite subsection (3), a tow car may be equipped with 2 supplemental tail lamps mounted within the maximum allowable vehicle height (4.15 m) and as far forward as the rear of the cab.

(6) A vehicle which is being transported in a drive-away/tow-away operation, or is being towed by a tow car, must have 2 tail lamps that are synchronized with the tail lamps of the towing vehicle when the tow vehicle tail lamps are illuminated.

[en. B.C. Reg. 476/98, s. 2.]

Licence plate lamp

4.16   (1) The rear licence plate of a vehicle must be illuminated by a lamp that is capable of displaying only white light so that the numbers on the licence plate are legible from a distance of 15 m to the rear of the vehicle.

(2) The lamp required by subsection (1)

(a) must illuminate whenever the headlamps or parking lamps are illuminated, and

(b) must not project white light to the rear of the vehicle.

[en. B.C. Reg. 476/98, s. 2.]

Stop lamps

4.17   (1) A motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer on a highway must be equipped with 2 stop lamps, mounted on the rear of the motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer, that are visible to the rear on both sides of the motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer at an angle of 45° from the longitudinal axis of the motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer.

(2) Despite subsection (1),

(a) a motorcycle may be equipped with only one stop lamp, and

(b) a vehicle manufactured before January 1, 1959 may be equipped with only one stop lamp.

(3) A stop lamp must be

(a) capable of displaying only red light visible from a distance of 100 m to the rear of the vehicle in normal sunlight,

(b) illuminated exclusively upon application of the service brake, and

(c) mounted on the vehicle at a height not less than 38 cm and not more than 1.83 m.

(4) Subsection (3) (c) does not apply to vehicles being towed by a tow car.

(5) A vehicle may be equipped with one additional centre-mounted stop lamp that is capable of displaying only red light visible to the rear.

(6) A public passenger vehicle may be equipped with 2 supplemental rear stop lamps.

(7) A tow car may be equipped with 2 supplemental rear stop lamps mounted within the maximum allowable vehicle height (4.15 m) and as far forward as the rear of the cab.

(8) A vehicle which is being transported in a drive-away/tow-away operation, or is being towed by a tow car, must be equipped with and illuminate 2 stop lamps that are synchronized with the stop lamps of the towing vehicle when the tow vehicle stop lamps are illuminated.

[en. B.C. Reg. 476/98, s. 2.]

Backup lamps

4.18   (1) A vehicle may be equipped with not more than 2 backup lamps, mounted on the rear of the vehicle, that are capable of displaying only white light to the rear of the vehicle.

(2) A backup lamp must illuminate only when the vehicle is in reverse gear.

[en. B.C. Reg. 476/98, s. 2.]

Docking lamps

4.19   (1) A truck or truck tractor, and no other vehicle, may be equipped with 2 docking lamps, directed to the rear of the vehicle, which illuminate only when the truck or truck tractor is in neutral or reverse gear.

(2) The docking lamps must be directed in such a way that the high intensity portion of the beam does not strike the eye of another driver.

[en. B.C. Reg. 476/98, s. 2.]

Lamps or flags on front and rear projections

4.20   (1) A vehicle on a highway must not carry a load or have an integral part of the vehicle which projects more than 1 m beyond the front wheels or the front bumper of the vehicle unless,

(a) during the time specified in section 4.01, the extreme tip of the projection is illuminated with a lamp that is capable of displaying only white light visible from the front and sides of the vehicle, and

(b) at any time other than that specified in section 4.01, a red flag or cloth that complies with section 8.05 (c) of the Commercial Transport Regulations and which is visible from the front and sides of the vehicle is attached to the extreme tip of the projection.

(2) A vehicle on a highway must not carry a load or have an integral part of the vehicle which projects more than 1.2 m to the rear of the load-deck or body of the vehicle unless,

(a) during the time specified in section 4.01, the extreme tip of the projection is lighted with a lamp that is capable of displaying only red light visible from a distance of 150 m to the rear of the vehicle, and

(b) at any time other than that specified in section 4.01, a red flag or cloth that complies with section 8.05 (c) of the Commercial Transport Regulations and which is visible to the driver of a vehicle to the rear is attached to the extreme tip of the projection.

[en. B.C. Reg. 476/98, s. 2.]

Reflective devices

4.21   (1) A vehicle must be equipped with at least one red reflector at the rear of the vehicle, either separate or incorporated into a tail lamp, that is mounted at a height of not less than 38 cm and not more than 1.83 m.

(2) Subsection (1) does not apply to a vehicle manufactured before January 1, 1958.

(3) Only amber reflectors may be mounted on the front or side of a vehicle.

(4) Only red reflectors may be mounted on the rear of a vehicle or on the side of the vehicle at or toward the rear of the vehicle.

(5) A vehicle with an overall width of 2.05 m or more, or a trailer or semitrailer having a gross weight in excess of 1 400 kg, must be equipped with at least

(a) 2 amber reflectors mounted on the side of the vehicle, trailer or semitrailer near the front,

(b) 2 amber reflectors mounted on the side of the vehicle, trailer or semitrailer near the rear, and

(c) 2 red reflectors mounted on the rear of the vehicle, trailer or semitrailer.

(6) A trailer or semitrailer must be equipped with at least one red reflector on the rear of the vehicle at each side.

(7) A pole trailer must be equipped with at least

(a) one amber reflector on each side of the vehicle at the front and the horizontal mid-point, and

(b) one red reflector on the rear of the vehicle or load at each side.

(8) A commercial trailer with a width of more than 2.05 m and a gross vehicle weight rating of more than 4 536 kg must be equipped with reflective markings on the rear and side of the vehicle to meet the approved standards established by the Motor Vehicle Safety Act (Canada) and the applicable SAE standards

(a) on and after January 1, 2000 if the vehicle was manufactured on or after December 1, 1993, and

(b) on and after January 1, 2002 if the vehicle was manufactured before December 1, 1993.

(9) Despite subsections (1) to (7), reflective markings may replace red or amber reflectors on the side or rear of a vehicle.

[en. B.C. Reg. 476/98, s. 2; am. B.C. Reg. 413/99.]

Clearance lamps

4.22   (1) A commercial vehicle may be equipped with 2 amber clearance lamps mounted on the front of the vehicle, near or at the top of the vehicle, in such a manner as to indicate the overall width of the vehicle.

(2) A truck tractor must be equipped with amber clearance lamps mounted on the front of the vehicle.

(3) During the time specified in section 4.01, a vehicle with an overall width of 2.05 m or more, or a trailer or semitrailer having a gross weight in excess of 1 400 kg, must illuminate

(a) a clearance lamp,

(i) mounted on the front at each side of the vehicle, that is capable of displaying only amber light visible from a distance of 150 m to the front, or

(ii) mounted on the front of the vehicle, that is capable of displaying amber, green or white light, but only if the vehicle was manufactured before January 1, 1959, and

(b) a clearance lamp, mounted on the rear at each side of the vehicle, that is capable of displaying only red light visible from a distance of 150 m to the rear.

(4) Subsection (3) does not apply to a pole trailer.

(5) Clearance lamps on vehicles manufactured after December 31, 1993 must be mounted near or at the top of the vehicle in such a manner as to indicate the overall width of the vehicle.

[en. B.C. Reg. 476/98, s. 2.]

Identification lamps

4.23   (1) A commercial vehicle may be equipped with 3 identification lamps, mounted in a row on the front of the vehicle at or near the top, that are capable of displaying only amber light.

(2) A commercial vehicle with an overall width of 2.05 m or more may be equipped with 3 identification lamps,

(a) mounted in a row on the rear of the vehicle at or near the top, or

(b) mounted below the rear door of a van trailer when the top header is 2.5 cm or less in width,

that are capable of displaying only red light.

[en. B.C. Reg. 476/98, s. 2.]

Spotlamps

4.24   (1) A motor vehicle on a highway may be equipped with not more than 2 spotlamps that are capable of displaying only white light.

(2) An illuminated spotlamp must be directed so that the high intensity portion of the beam will not strike the windows, mirrors or occupants of another vehicle.

(3) A spotlamp must be securely fastened to the motor vehicle, and the lamp or control must not interfere with the driver's vision or control of the vehicle.

(4) A spotlamp must not be used in substitution of headlamps.

(5) Subsections (1) to (3) do not apply to emergency vehicles.

[en. B.C. Reg. 476/98, s. 2.]

Off-road lamps

4.25   Despite section 4.04 (2) (c), a vehicle equipped with off-road lamps when on a highway must have the off-road lamps concealed with opaque covers.

[en. B.C. Reg. 476/98, s. 2.]

Sequential lamps

4.26   A sequential direction lamp may only be used by emergency vehicles and public and private utility highway maintenance vehicles.

[en. B.C. Reg. 476/98, s. 2.]

Lighted signs and air deflectors

4.27   (1) A motor vehicle must not be equipped with an illuminated taxi sign except in accordance with conditions set out in writing by the director.

(2) A motor vehicle, other than a motorcycle or taxi, may be equipped with one internally illuminated sign if the sign complies with all of the following:

(a) the sign is securely mounted on the roof of the vehicle, has no moving parts and does not overhang the roof of the vehicle;

(b) the sign does not increase the overall height of the vehicle by more than 50 cm, and the vehicle and sign together do not exceed 4.15 m in overall height;

(c) the surfaces of the sign are illuminated only to the sides of the vehicle and not to the front or rear;

(d) the illuminated surface of the sign is not more than 3 000 cm² on each side;

(e) the illuminated surfaces of the sign do not depict graphics which resemble any official traffic control device;

(f) the light displayed is uniformly diffused and is a non-flashing light of not more than 32 watts.

(3) Despite subsection (2) (c) and (d), a truck or truck tractor may be equipped with an internally illuminated air deflector mounted on the roof of the truck or truck tractor if

(a) the illuminated surface of the deflector does not exceed 4 700 cm² in area and is no closer to the road surface than 1.5 m at any point, and

(b) the deflector does not reduce the field of vision of the driver of the vehicle or obscure the clearance or identification lamps.

(4) A public passenger vehicle may be equipped with one or more signs having letters not more than 20 cm in height and illuminated by diffused white light.

(5) For the purposes of section 19.15 (1) (a), a bus may be equipped with not more than one illuminated yield sign if the yield sign

(a) displays, in amber flashes of light, the word "YIELD" so that the word, when illuminated, is visible from a distance of 100 m in normal sunlight,

(b) is mounted to the left side at the rear of the bus,

(c) has an automatic cancellation feature on a timer with a maximum duration of 10 seconds, and

(d) is connected to a tell-tale lamp or device that gives a clear indication to the driver of the bus that the yield sign is in operation.

[en. B.C. Reg. 476/98, s. 2; am. B.C. Regs. 91/99, s. 1 (a); 135/2003, s. 1; 351/2008, Sch., s. 5.]

Flashing lamps

4.28   (1) A vehicle on a highway may only be equipped with lamps that are capable of displaying flashes of light if

(a) the lamps are operated in accordance with this Division, or

(b) the director has given written permission and the lamps are lighted in accordance with the conditions specified by the director.

(2) Red, white or amber flashing lamps may be used on the following vehicles:

(a) a fire department vehicle driven by a member of the fire department in the discharge of the member's duties;

(b) an official vehicle driven by a peace officer, constable or member of the police branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the discharge of the officer's duties;

(c) an ambulance, as defined in the Emergency Health Services Act, if the ambulance is responding to an emergency call or transporting a patient and it is essential for the ambulance to gain the right of way;

(d) a bus described in section 169.1 (4) (a) or (b) of the Act if the flashes of light are emitted

(i) from the centre and right side clearance lights at the rear of the bus, and

(ii) only when the bus is stopped, standing or parked at a bus stop;

(e) an official vehicle driven by a fishery officer designated under section 5 (1) of the Fisheries Act (Canada) in the discharge of the officer's duties under that Act or the Coastal Fisheries Protection Act (Canada);

(f) an official vehicle driven by a sheriff, in the discharge of the sheriff's duties under the Sheriff Act, while transporting a person in the lawful custody of a sheriff.

(3) Only those vehicles described in subsection (2) may be equipped with a system which alternately flashes the headlamps of the vehicle.

(4) A school bus may be equipped with alternately flashing red lamps and alternately flashing amber lamps of a type approved by the director.

(5) Two amber flashing lamps may be illuminated on the following vehicles:

(a) a tow car while attending a vehicle being connected to or disconnected from the tow car, if the lamps are mounted within the maximum allowable vehicle height of 4.15 m and as far forward as the rear of the cab;

(b) a tow car when towing a vehicle which projects beyond the width of the lane in which it is being towed;

(c) snow removal equipment, sand spreading equipment or other highway maintenance equipment being used on a highway during highway maintenance or construction;

(d) the roof of a pilot car as specified in Division 8 of the Commercial Transport Regulations and illuminated only while escorting an oversize vehicle or load.

(6) A vehicle that under the Commercial Transport Act is an oversize vehicle or is a vehicle used to transport oversized loads may be equipped with and operate flashing amber lamps in accordance with a permit issued under the Commercial Transport Act.

(7) Turn signals, or side-marker lamps used in conjunction with turn signals, may be used as warning lights by a slow moving vehicle as described in Division 7B or as warning lights whenever a vehicle is disabled on a highway.

(8) Any of the following officers may drive an official vehicle equipped with blue flashing lights and illuminate them in the discharge of the officer's duties:

(a) a member of a municipal police force;

(a.1) a designated constable of the Stl'atl'imx Tribal Police Service, appointed under section 4.1 (11) of the Police Act;

(a.2) a designated constable of the South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority Police Service, appointed under section 4.1 (11) of the Police Act;

(a.3) a designated constable of the Organized Crime Agency of British Columbia, appointed under section 4.1 (11) of the Police Act;

(a.4) a person appointed under section 38.06 (2) of the Police Act to serve as an investigator with the Independent Investigations Office;

(b) a member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police;

(c) a member of the police branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces;

(d) a member of the Conservation Officer Service as described in section 106 of the Environmental Management Act;

(e) a person authorized to exercise the powers and duties of a constable or peace officer for purposes set out in section 1 of the Inspectors Authorization Regulation, B.C. Reg. 372/92;

(f) a park ranger appointed under section 4 (2) of the Park Act;

(g) Repealed. [B.C. Reg. 145/2021, Sch. 1, s. 1 (b).]

(g.1) a fishery officer designated under section 5 (1) of the Fisheries Act (Canada);

(h) an employee of the Canada Border Services Agency who is described in paragraph (d) or (d.1) of the definition of "peace officer" in section 2 of the Criminal Code (Canada).

[en. B.C. Reg. 476/98, s. 2; am. B.C. Regs. 91/99, s. 1 (b); 135/2003, ss. 1 and 3; 90/2008; 90/2012; 145/2013, App. 2, s. 11 (a); 145/2021, Sch. 1.]

Implements of husbandry

4.29   (1) An implement of husbandry operating on a highway is exempt from sections 4.02 (3) and 4.03 to 4.27.

(2) During the times specified in section 4.01, an implement of husbandry on a highway must comply with all of the following:

(a) the operator must illuminate 2 lamps that are capable of displaying only amber light, which indicate the extreme left and right of the vehicle, visible from a distance of 100 m to the front;

(b) the operator must illuminate 2 lamps that are capable of displaying only red or amber light, which indicate the extreme left and right of the vehicle, visible from a distance of 100 m to the rear;

(c) on a self-propelled implement, the operator must illuminate one lamp that is capable of displaying only white light, visible from a distance of 150 m to the front, which does not exceed the limitations specified in section 4.05;

(d) if the vehicle extends more than 10 m behind the hitch point, the vehicle must be equipped with amber reflectors visible to the left and the right sides of the vehicle, spaced at 5 m intervals.

[en. B.C. Reg. 476/98, s. 2.]

Slow-moving vehicles

4.30   The operator of a slow-moving vehicle on a highway, as described in Division 7B of these regulations, must at all times illuminate amber non-rotating flashing lamps as warning lights visible from a distance of 100 m to the front, and red or amber non-rotating flashing lamps visible from a distance of 100 m to the rear.

[en. B.C. Reg. 476/98, s. 2.]

Brakes required

5.01   No person shall drive or operate a vehicle upon a highway unless the vehicle is equipped with brakes and equipment as required by these regulations.

[am. B.C. Regs. 46/67, s. 9; 226/67, 2; 256/84, s. 4.]

Repealed

5.011   Repealed. [B.C. Reg. 256/84, s. 5.]

Stopping distances

5.02   (1) Every motor vehicle and every combination of vehicles shall be equipped with service brakes which, when applied, will not affect the direction of travel of the motor vehicle or combination of vehicles, and under all conditions of loading will be adequate, when the motor vehicle or combination of vehicles is travelling at a speed of 30 km/h on a substantially level, dry, smooth, hard surfaced road free of loose material where the grade does not exceed 1%, to stop the travel

(a) of a passenger vehicle designed to carry not more than 9 persons, including the driver, within 8 m,

(b) of the motor vehicle if it is not part of a combination of vehicles and is not as described in paragraph (a) and has a manufacturer's gross vehicle weight rating of less than 4 600 kg, within 9 m,

(c) of the motor vehicle if it is not part of a combination of vehicles and is not as described in paragraph (a) or (b), within 12 m,

(d) of the combination of vehicles if it includes either a passenger motor vehicle designed to carry not more than 9 persons, including the driver, or a motor vehicle with a manufacturer's gross vehicle weight rating of less than 4 600 kg, within 12 m, or

(e) of the combination of vehicles if it is other than as described in paragraph (d), within 15 m.

(2) For purposes of this section, any motor vehicle designed, used or maintained primarily for the transportation of property and not equipped with a plate or marker showing the manufacturer's gross vehicle weight rating and which has

(a) less than 6 wheels is deemed to be a vehicle having a manufacturer's gross vehicle weight rating of less than 4 600 kg,

(b) 6 wheels or more is deemed to be a vehicle having a manufacturer's gross vehicle weight rating of 4 600 kg or more.

Trailer brakes

(3) A trailer shall be equipped with brakes at each end of each axle, but brakes are not required

(a) on one axle of a house trailer that is equipped with more than 2 axles,

(b) on any axle of a trailer other than a towing dolly if the licensed vehicle weight of the trailer

(i) is 1 400 kg or less, and

(ii) is less than 50% of the licensed vehicle weight of the vehicle by which it is being towed,

(c) on any axle of a towing dolly towed by a motor vehicle where

(i) the aggregate of the net weight of the towing dolly and the gross vehicle weight of the motor vehicle one axle of which is being carried by the towing dolly does not exceed 1 400 kg, or

(ii) the motor vehicle towing the towing dolly has a gross vehicle weight rating in excess of the aggregate of

(A) the net weight of the towing dolly,

(B) the gross vehicle weight of the motor vehicle one axle of which is being carried by the towing dolly, and

(C) the gross vehicle weight of the motor vehicle towing the towing dolly,

(d) on any axle of a motor vehicle one axle of which is being carried by a towing dolly, and

(e) on any axle of a trailer that consists of a piece of construction machinery towed by a truck where the truck has a gross vehicle weight rating in excess of the aggregate of the gross vehicle weights of the trailer and the truck.

(4) Brakes with which a trailer is equipped shall

(a) when applied be adequate to maintain control of the trailer,

(b) when applied not affect the direction of travel of the trailer, and

(c) where the licensed vehicle weight of the trailer exceeds 2 800 kg, be capable of being applied by the driver of the motor vehicle towing the trailer from the driver's normal seated position.

(5) Notwithstanding subsection (1), a motorcycle shall be equipped with a brake on each wheel in contact with the ground, other than a wheel attached directly to a sidecar, and the brake on a rear wheel shall be operated by a right foot control, except where the motorcycle has a motor that produces 3.75 kW or less, in which case the rear wheel brake may be operated by a control mounted on the left handlebar.

(6) Brakes and coordinated brake control are not required on a motor vehicle with gross vehicle weight less than 2 800 kg which is being towed by

(a) a commercial vehicle with gross vehicle weight rating over 5 500 kg, or

(b) a rubber tired road building machine such as a motor-grader with normal operating weight rating over 5 500 kg,

provided that the aggregate weight of the combination does not exceed

(c) the gross vehicle weight rating of the towing motor vehicle, or

(d) in the case of a rubber tired road building machine, the registered test weight in the compliance testing of the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) J1473 brake performance standard.

(7) Brakes and coordinated brake control are not required on a towed motor vehicle that has a laden gross vehicle weight less than 2 000 kg and that is less than 40% of the gross vehicle weight rating of a motor home towing it via a tow bar.

[am. B.C. Regs. 69/59, s. (j); 46/67, s. 10; 226/67, s. 4; 205/72, s. 6; 343/77; 459/77, s. 2; 256/84, s. 6; 257/96, s. 1; 109/97, s. 1; 64/2021, s. 6.]

Emergency or parking brakes

5.03   (1) A motor vehicle, except a motorcycle, and a combination of vehicles shall be equipped with an emergency braking system or a parking brake which, when applied, will alone stop and hold stationary the motor vehicle or combination of vehicles.

Braking parked trailer

(2) No person shall park or leave a detached trailer at any place on a highway unless the wheels are locked so that the trailer will remain stationary at that place.

[am. B.C. Reg. 46/67, s. 11.]

Vehicles exempted, brakes

5.04   (1) Sections 5.01, 5.02 and 5.03 do not apply to a motor vehicle originally designed and manufactured without emergency or parking brakes, any implement of husbandry, a special mobile vehicle or any chassis without body or load.

Stopping distance, exempted vehicles

(2) No person shall operate, at a speed greater than 20 km/h, an implement of husbandry or a special mobile vehicle or a chassis without body or load on a highway, unless the implement, vehicle or chassis is one that can be stopped within 10 m when travelling at a speed of 20 km/h.

[am. B.C. Regs. 69/59, s. (k); 343/77; 419/90, s. 2.]

Driver or operator to permit vehicle brake inspection on request

5.05   (1) Every person driving or operating a vehicle or combination of vehicles upon any highway shall, upon request of any peace officer or constable of the Provincial police force or the police force of any municipality, permit such peace officer or constable to inspect and test the brakes with which the vehicle or combination of vehicles is equipped and, on the direction of the officer or constable, shall operate the vehicle or combination of vehicles as directed by the officer or constable for the purpose of the inspection and testing of the brakes.

(2) No person shall test the brake performance of a vehicle or combination of vehicles at a speed in excess of 40 km/h.

[am. B.C. Regs. 343/77; 135/2003, s. 2; 64/2021, s. 7.]

Brake tubing and hose adequacy

5.06   No person shall drive or operate a vehicle on a highway unless the brake tubing and brake hose installed on the vehicle

(a) will not, upon proper application, impede or adversely affect the operation of the brakes,

(b) are of such length and flexibility that no wear or damage results from the normal movement of the parts of the vehicle to which they are attached,

(c) are effectively secured against chafing, kinking or other injury, and

(d) are in conformity to specifications of the director.

[am. B.C. Regs. 413/97, App. 1, s. 2; 135/2003, s. 1.]

Brake connection adequacy

5.07   No person shall drive or operate a vehicle on a highway unless the connections for any air, vacuum or hydraulic braking system with which the vehicle is equipped are

(a) of such manufacture and design and so installed and maintained that the proper operation of the brakes of the vehicle shall not be impeded or adversely affected,

(b) secured adequately against accidental disconnection, and

(c) of such manufacture and design and so installed and maintained that no leaks, constrictions or other defects occur, and,

in the case of a vehicle equipped with a vacuum braking system, unless the vacuum brake engine manifold connection is at least 9.5 mm in diameter.

[am. B.C. Reg. 343/77.]

Brake lining

5.08   No person shall drive or operate a vehicle on a highway unless the linings of the brakes of the vehicle are of such manufacture and design and so installed and maintained that they are of a thickness adequate for the safe and reliable operation of the brakes and that they are not subject to excessive fading or grabbing.

[en. B.C. Reg. 33/64, s. 5; am. B.C. Reg. 224/74, s. 1.]

Brake fluid

5.09   (1) Brake fluid used in a vehicle equipped with hydraulic brakes must conform to the specifications and requirements of the federal Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations, section 116 — "Hydraulic Brake Fluid".

(2) A person must not offer for sale brake fluid unless the fluid container is labelled with a statement to indicate that the brake fluid meets the standard of Society of Automotive Engineers J1703 "Motor Vehicle Brake Fluid" or federal Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations section 116 — "Hydraulic Brake Fluid".

[en. B.C. Reg. 285/95.]

Special interpretation

6.01   In this Division, unless the context otherwise requires:

"bus" means a motor vehicle of a weight, when unloaded, of more than 2 800 kg, and which is designed, constructed and used for the transportation of more than 9 passengers;

"commercial trailer" means a trailer, or semitrailer, or house trailer, with a gross weight of more than 1 400 kg, but does not include a towed motor vehicle that weighs less than 2 000 kg and is less than 40% of the gross vehicle weight rating of a motor home towing it via a tow bar;

"truck" means a motor vehicle of a weight, when unloaded, of more than 2 800 kg, and which is designed or used exclusively for the transportation of goods;

"truck tractor" means a motor vehicle of a weight, when unloaded, of more than 2 800 kg, and which is designed and used for the towing of a trailer or semitrailer, and which is not designed or constructed to carry any load except a part of the weight of a semitrailer.

[am. B.C. Regs. 226/67, s. 5; 343/77; 109/97, s. 2.]

Braking requirement

6.02   (1) In this section, "effective working order" means service brake performance of a vehicle that is not less than the standards set out in sections 23 and 24 of the Schedule to Division 7.

(2) A person must not operate a bus, truck, truck tractor or commercial trailer, or a combination of vehicles, on a highway at any time unless

(a) the vehicle or vehicle combination is, in accordance with these regulations, equipped with whatever braking equipment is required by this Division, and

(b) the service brakes required by this Division are in effective working order.

[en. B.C. Reg. 124/97.]

Two means of brake application required

6.03   Every bus and every truck and every truck tractor shall be equipped with at least 2 separate braking systems, one of which shall be mechanical and shall include a ratchet and pawl or other effective locking and releasing mechanism.

[en. B.C. Reg. 69/59, s. (l).]

Independent means of applying brakes

6.04   The separate braking systems of a truck or truck tractor shall not be in any way connected unless the systems are of such manufacture and design and are so installed that the failure of any part of a system to function properly will not affect the effectiveness of any other system.

[en. B.C. Reg. 69/59, s. (m).]

Parking brakes

6.05   Every bus and every truck and every truck tractor shall be equipped with a parking brake as set forth in section 5.03 (1), and the parking brake shall be of such manufacture and design and so installed and maintained that the application thereof shall lock the rear driving wheels of the vehicle and shall be controlled separately from the service brakes of the vehicle.

Brakes required on all wheels

6.06   (1) Every bus, truck, truck tractor and commercial trailer shall be equipped with a service brake on each wheel.

(2) Subsection (1) does not apply to

(a) Repealed. [B.C. Reg. 491/94, s. (b).]

(a.1) a motor vehicle which is being towed in a combination allowed under section 5.02 (6),

(b) a truck or a truck tractor which has 3 or more axles to the extent that

(i) if the vehicle may be steered by the wheels adjoined to one axle only, the front wheels need not be equipped with service brakes, or

(ii) if the vehicle may be steered by the wheels adjoined to more than one axle, only the wheels adjoined to one of such axles need be equipped with service brakes, or

(c) a house trailer with 3 or more axles which may be operated without service brakes on one axle as provided in section 5.02.

[am. B.C. Regs. 226/67, s. 6; 224/74, s. 2; 491/94, s. (b); 257/96, s. 2.]

Breakaway and emergency braking

6.07   (1) The service brakes with which a commercial trailer is equipped shall be of such manufacture and design and so installed and maintained that they will be applied automatically upon the separation of the commercial trailer from the vehicle by which it is being towed, and so that after such automatic application they will remain fully applied for not less than 15 minutes.

(2) Every air service brake system with which a trailer or semitrailer is equipped shall be of such manufacture and design and so installed and maintained that, by the use of no-bleed-back relay emergency valves or similar devices, back flow of air from the reservoir which supplies air for the service brakes shall be prevented.

(3) Every truck or truck tractor, if used to tow a commercial trailer equipped with brakes, shall be equipped with means for providing that in case of breakaway of such trailer the service brakes on the towing vehicle will be sufficiently operative to stop the towing vehicle.

(4) Every truck or truck tractor equipped with air brakes, while used to tow a commercial trailer, shall be equipped with not less than 2 means of applying the service brakes of the commercial trailer,

(a) one of which means shall be of such manufacture and design and so installed and maintained that such means will operate automatically upon the reduction of the air pressure of the service brake system of the truck or truck tractor below its fixed level, which shall be not less than 138 kPa and not more than 310 kPa,

(b) the other of which means, the method of operation of which shall be clearly indicated to the driver of the truck or truck tractor, shall be of such manufacture and design and so installed and maintained that such means may be controlled manually by the driver of the truck or truck tractor, and that the operation of such means shall not interfere with the effectiveness of the means specified in paragraph (a), and

(c) which means may be, but need not be, completely separate.

(5) Every truck or truck tractor used for towing a commercial trailer equipped with vacuum brakes shall, in addition to the control required under section 6.10, be equipped with a completely independent control, by the use of which the service brakes of the trailer may be operated.

(6) This section does not apply to a motor vehicle which is being towed in a combination allowed under section 5.02 (6).

[am. B.C. Regs. 69/59, s. (n); 343/77; 257/96, s. 3.]

Bus brakes

6.08   Unless it is being transported in driveaway-towaway operations, every bus manufactured after March 31, 1959, and equipped with air brakes shall be so equipped that

(a) in the event that a break occurs in an air line forward of the driver's seat of the bus or in an air line leading to the front wheels of the bus, the air supply to each line can or will be shut off manually or automatically, and

(b) in such event, the driver is able to apply from the driver's seat the brakes on the rear wheels of the bus.

Reduction of brake effort on front wheel permitted

6.09   (1) Notwithstanding these regulations, means may be used for reducing the braking force applied to the front wheels of a bus, truck or truck tractor as compared to the braking force applied to the other wheels of the vehicle.

(2) No person shall use or operate, or cause to be used or operated, any means for reducing the braking force applied to the front wheels of a vehicle as compared to the braking force applied to the other wheels of the vehicle, except when weather conditions make such use or operation essential to safety.

Single valve to operate all brakes

6.10   (1) Subject to section 6.07 (3), every bus, truck, truck tractor, commercial trailer and combination of vehicles shall be equipped with a single control, by the operation of which all service brakes of the vehicle may be applied.

(2) Subsection (1) does not apply to a bus, truck, truck tractor, commercial trailer, combination of vehicles being transported in a driveaway-towaway operation or to a vehicle which is being towed in a combination allowed under section 5.02 (6).

[am. B.C. Reg. 257/96, s. 4.]

Reservoirs required

6.11   (1) Every bus, truck, truck tractor and commercial trailer equipped with air or vacuum brakes shall have a reservoir of such manufacture and design and so installed and maintained that, in the event of failure of the supply of air or of the vacuum, the brakes will, notwithstanding, be effective to stop the travel of the vehicle in accordance with these regulations.

(2) The reservoir with which any vehicle is equipped under subsection (1) shall be equipped with a check valve or a similar device effective to prevent leakage back to the source, thereby affecting or reducing the vacuum or air pressure in the reservoir.

(3) Subsection (1) does not apply to a vehicle equipped so that, in the event of failure of the air pressure or vacuum, the service brakes may be operated mechanically or hydraulically.

[am. B.C. Reg. 69/59, s. (o).]

Warning devices

6.12   (1) No person shall use or operate on a vehicle or combination of vehicles on a highway an air or vacuum brake unless the vehicle or combination of vehicles is so equipped that an audible or visible signal will be given to the driver of the vehicle or combination of vehicles in the event of failure of the air pressure or the vacuum to the extent that the effectiveness of the brakes of the vehicle or combination of vehicles is affected.

(2) In subsection (1), "an audible or visible signal" does not include the indication or signal given by a gauge.

Air brake system performance

6.13   Every system of air brakes on any vehicle shall be of such manufacture and design and so installed and maintained that, if either before or after a full application of the service brakes the compressor is stopped while the air pressure is at operating level, the air pressure will not decrease at a greater rate than 27 kPa per minute.

[am. B.C. Reg. 343/77.]

Air brakes

6.14   (1) Subject to subsection (2), after December 31, 1983, every truck or truck tractor that is licensed or the subject of a permit under section 6 of the Commercial Transport Act for a gross vehicle mass in excess of 57 000 kg shall be equipped with air brakes that conform to the "L.75" air brake diagram in Schedule 6.

(2) Where a truck or truck tractor is first so licensed or first the subject of such a permit prior to January 1, 1984, subsection (1) does not apply to it until after December 31, 1993.

(3) Subject to subsection (4), after December 31, 1983, where a trailer or semitrailer is drawn by a truck tractor that is licensed or the subject of a permit under section 6 of the Commercial Transport Act for a gross vehicle mass in excess of 57 000 kg, the trailer or semitrailer shall be equipped with air brakes that conform to either the "SX" air brake diagram or the "X" air brake diagram in Schedule 6.

(4) Where a trailer or semitrailer described in subsection (3) is first so licensed or first the subject of such a permit prior to January 1, 1984, subsection (3) does not apply to it until after December 31, 1993.

(5) After December 31, 1983, where a combination of vehicles includes a truck or truck tractor that is required to conform to subsection (1) and each of the trailers or semitrailers in the combination of vehicles is required to conform to subsection (3), then the combination of vehicles shall be equipped so that the air pressure in each brake chamber of every axle of every vehicle, measured from the first movement of the service brake control,

(a) reached 414 kPa in not more than 0.45 seconds with an initial service reservoir (tank 3A) pressure of 690 kPa, and

(b) falls to 34 kPa in not more than 0.55 seconds with an initial service brake chamber air pressure of 655 kPa.

(6) Subsection (5) does not apply to a combination of motor vehicles that is incapable of achieving a licensed gross vehicle mass in excess of 57 000 kg while conforming to the requirements of Division 7 of the Commercial Transport Regulations, B.C. Reg. 30/78.

(7) Where a combination of vehicles includes a truck or truck tractor referred to in subsection (2), and each of the trailers or semitrailers in the combination of vehicles is one referred to in subsection (4), then the requirements of subsection (5) shall not apply to that combination of vehicles until January 1, 1994 but shall apply to that combination of vehicles on and after that date.

(8) A vehicle operated in the Province under the provisions of the International Registration Plan, the Canadian Agreement on Vehicle Registration or a non-resident 3 month permit issued under section 6.01 of the Commercial Transport Regulations, B.C. Reg. 30/78, shall be subject to the provisions of this section in the same manner as a vehicle that is licensed or the subject of a permit under section 6 of the Commercial Transport Act.

(9) This section does not apply to a combination of vehicles where a trailer or semitrailer is drawn by a truck tractor that is equipped with front axle brakes that comply with safety standards prescribed under the Motor Vehicle Safety Act (Canada).

[en. B.C. Reg. 5/83, s. 1; am. B.C. Regs. 49/88; 256/97, s. 2; 341/2004, s. 3.]

Conflict between regulations

6.15   In the case of conflict between these regulations and those made under the Highway (Industrial) Act, the latter shall prevail.

[am. B.C. Reg. 5/83, s. 1.]

Definitions

7.001   In this Division:

"4-wheel drive vehicle" means a motor vehicle with 2 axles, of which

(a) both axles are drive axles, and

(b) one axle is also a steering axle;

"cable chains" means 2 circular metal loops connected by strands of steel cable fastened on a single tire with a loop on each side of the tire;

"commercial motor vehicle" means a motor vehicle, used in the course of business for the transportation of persons or freight, that

(a) has a gross vehicle weight of greater than 5 000 kg, or

(b) is a truck or truck tractor with a licensed gross vehicle weight of greater than 5 000 kg, including an attached trailer;

"drive axle" means an axle that is connected to the power source of a motor vehicle and transmits tractive power to the wheels;

"licensed gross vehicle weight" means the gross vehicle weight for which a commercial motor vehicle is licensed under the Commercial Transport Act;

"single drive axle" means an axle configuration of a motor vehicle that has only one axle that is a drive axle;

"steel chains" means one of the following used to increase friction between a tire and a road surface covered with ice or snow:

(a) 2 circular metal loops connected by strands of steel links, of any shape or pattern, fastened on a single tire with a loop on each side of the tire;

(b) 3 circular metal loops connected by strands of steel links, of any shape or pattern, fastened on dual tires with a loop on the outer-facing side of each tire and a loop between the tires;

"steering axle" means a steering axle as defined in the Commercial Transport Regulations;

"super single tire" means a super single tire as defined in the Commercial Transport Regulations;

"tandem drive axle" means a tandem drive axle as defined in the Commercial Transport Regulations;

"tridem drive axle" means a tridem drive axle as defined in the Commercial Transport Regulations.

[en. B.C. Reg. 246/2018, s. 2.]

Equipment required

7.01   (1) Subject to subsections (2) and (4), no person shall drive or operate a vehicle on a highway unless the vehicle is equipped as required by this Division.

(2) An antique motor vehicle or a collector motor vehicle not originally designed and manufactured to be in compliance with section 7.02 to 7.04, 7.05 (3), (4) or (7), 7.06, 7.09, 7.16, 7.161 (4) or 7.19 need not be equipped as required by that section.

(3) Repealed. [B.C. Reg. 351/2008, Sch. s. 6 (b).]

(4) A person may drive or operate on a highway a motor vehicle that is not equipped as required by section 7.06 if

(a) the motor vehicle is

(i) a collector motor vehicle that

(A) has a licence and distinctive number plate issued for a collector motor vehicle under Division 22A for the current year,

(B) was manufactured in 1940 or earlier, and

(C) is described in Item 3 of the table in section 22A.01 (1) (c),

(ii) a motor vehicle

(A) that is duly registered outside British Columbia,

(B) for which the licensing requirements of the jurisdiction in which it is registered are fulfilled,

(C) that has displayed on it the registration number plates of that jurisdiction for the current year,

(D) that was manufactured in 1940 or earlier, and

(E) that is described in Item 3 (b) of the table in section 22A.01 (1) (c), or

(iii) a replicar or replikit

(A) that is duly registered inside or outside British Columbia,

(B) for which the licensing requirements of the jurisdiction in which it is registered are fulfilled,

(C) that has displayed on it the registration number plates of that jurisdiction for the current year, and

(D) that was manufactured, as in the case of a replicar, or was designed, as in the case of a replikit, to resemble the make and model of a motor vehicle manufactured in 1940 or earlier, and

(b) the highway is dry and paved.

(5) In this section:

(a) "replicar" means a motor vehicle that is

(i) manufactured to resemble the make and model of a motor vehicle which is no longer manufactured, and

(ii) constructed entirely of new components;

(b) "replikit" means a motor vehicle that is

(i) designed to resemble the make and model of a motor vehicle which is no longer manufactured, and

(ii) constructed of new or refurbished components.

[en. B.C. Reg. 419/90, s. 3; am. B.C. Regs. 145/2008, s. 2; 351/2008, Sch., s. 6; 164/2016, s. 1.]

Horn

7.02   (1) Subject to subsection (2), every motor vehicle shall be equipped with a horn which will emit sound audible under normal conditions from a distance of 60 m, but no horn shall emit an unreasonably loud or harsh sound or a whistle.

Sirens and theft alarms

(2) No vehicle shall be equipped with a siren, whistle or bell unless

(a) the vehicle is an emergency vehicle,

(b) the device is a siren, horn or theft alarm signal for the use of which the driver or operator of the vehicle has received written permission from the director and which is used in accordance with the conditions set forth in writing by the director, or

(c) the device is a theft alarm comprised of a bell, horn or buzzer.

[am. B.C. Regs. 205/72, s. 7; 343/77; 413/97, App. 1, s. 3; 135/2003, ss. 1 and 3.]

Muffler

7.03   (1) A motor vehicle propelled by an internal combustion engine shall be equipped with an exhaust muffler consisting of a series of pipes or chambers which ensures that the exhaust gases from the engine are cooled and expelled without excessive noise.

Cut-outs prohibited

(2) No person shall drive or operate a motor vehicle propelled by an internal combustion engine when the muffler with which the vehicle is equipped is cut out or disconnected from the engine.

Part removal prohibited

(3) No person shall drive or operate a motor vehicle propelled by an internal combustion engine equipped with a muffler from which has been removed any baffle plate or other part.

Alteration prohibited

(4) No person shall drive or operate a motor vehicle propelled by an internal combustion engine equipped with a muffler the exhaust outlet of which has been opened or widened.

Noise increase or flames prohibited

(5) No person shall drive or operate a motor vehicle propelled by an internal combustion engine equipped with a muffler or exhaust system to which is attached any device which increases the noise of the expulsion of the gases from the engine or allows a flame to be emitted from the exhaust system.

[am. B.C. Reg. 29/59.]

Mirrors

7.04   (1) Subject to subsections (3) and (4), every motor vehicle shall be equipped with an inside mirror that provides the driver with an undistorted reflected view of the highway directly to the rear of the vehicle extending to the horizon from a point on the road surface not more than 61 m behind the vehicle.

(2) In addition to the requirements of subsections (1) and (3), every motor vehicle manufactured after January 1, 1973 shall be equipped with an outside mirror on the driver's side that provides the driver with an undistorted reflected view of the adjacent lane of the highway rearward to the horizon from a point on the road surface 11 m behind the driver.

(3) Where the inside mirror of a motor vehicle does not provide the view required by subsection (1), the vehicle shall be equipped with a second outside mirror on the side of the vehicle opposite the driver and in that case the inside mirror may be removed.

(4) Where a trailer or semitrailer in a combination of vehicles diminishes the driver's reflected rear view through the rear view mirrors required by subsections (1) to (3), the towing vehicle in the combination of vehicles shall be equipped with 2 mirrors, one affixed to each side of the motor vehicle, and each to provide the driver with an undistorted reflected view of the adjacent lane of the highway from a point on the road surface 11 m behind the driver to a point on the road surface 61 m from the rear of the combination of vehicles.

[en. B.C. Reg. 5/83, s. 2.]

Windshields and windows

7.05   (1) No person shall drive or operate on a highway a motor vehicle the windshield or any window of which is in such condition that the vision of the driver is impaired.

Windshield stickers

(2) No person shall drive or operate a vehicle on a highway while the person's view of the highway or of any intersecting highway is unduly obstructed by any windshield sticker, sign, poster or other thing or material placed over or affixed to the windshield or any window of the vehicle.

Windshield wiper

(3) A motor vehicle other than a motorcycle equipped with a windshield shall also be equipped with a device which is effective for clearing rain, snow or other moisture from the windshield.

(3.1) A bus manufactured prior to January 1, 1971, shall be equipped with 2 windshield wipers.

Windshield and windows, replacing glass

(4) No person shall replace, or cause to be replaced, any glass in a door or windshield or window of a motor vehicle or a camper except with safety glass, provided that glass replaced in a windshield of a motor vehicle shall not be heat treated or case hardened glass.

Windshield and windows, new vehicles

(5) No person shall sell any new motor vehicle unless the glass in the windshield and all the doors and all the windows with which the vehicle is equipped is safety glass, provided that the glass in the windshield shall not be heat treated or case hardened glass.

(6) On and after January 1, 1968, no person shall sell a new camper unless the glass in all the doors and all the windows with which the camper is equipped is safety glass.

(7) A bus manufactured prior to January 1, 1971, shall be equipped with a device for preventing or removing ice or condensation from the inside of the windshield.

(8) No person shall drive or operate on a highway a motor vehicle which has affixed to or placed on the windshield or a window any material that reduces the light transmitted through the windshield or window unless the material is affixed to or placed on

(a) the windshield but not more than 75 mm below the top of the windshield,

(b) a side window that is behind the driver, or

(c) the rear window if the motor vehicle is equipped with outside rear view mirrors on the left and right side of the motor vehicle.

(9) If a motor vehicle contains manufactured glass, tinting contained within the glass must meet the minimum light transmittancy requirements under the Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.

[am. B.C. Regs. 21/61; 46/67, ss. 12 and 13; 448/87, s. 1; 21/92, s. 1; 64/2021, s. 6.]

Mudguards

7.06   Every motor vehicle, trailer and semitrailer not constructed so that the spray and splash of water and mud to the rear of the vehicle is minimized shall be equipped with mudguards and, if necessary, mudflaps.

Trailer connections and towed vehicles

7.07   (1) No person shall drive or operate on a highway a motor vehicle and trailer unless

(a) the drawbar or other connection between the motor vehicle and trailer will hold the vehicles together,

(b) the device which couples the trailer to the motor vehicle is firmly attached to a structurally adequate integral part of the frame of each vehicle, or, where the towed vehicle is of a gross vehicle weight of less than 900 kg, to a structurally adequate part of the towing vehicle and to an integral part of the frame of the towed vehicle,

(c) the vehicles are equipped and connected with an auxiliary coupling device with a breaking strength of not less than the gross weight of the vehicle or vehicles being towed, except that this provision shall not apply where the coupling device is a fifth wheel and kingpin assembly used to couple a semitrailer to a truck tractor, and

(d) where the trailer is a towing dolly, the wheel at each end of the axle of the motor vehicle that is being carried by the towing dolly is secured to the towing dolly by a device that has a safe working load equal to

(i) the licensed vehicle weight of the motor vehicle one axle of which is being carried by the towing dolly, if that motor vehicle is licensed as a private passenger motor vehicle or commercial vehicle, or

(ii) the gross vehicle weight rating of the motor vehicle one axle of which is being carried by the towing dolly, if that motor vehicle displays a transporter number plate, demonstration number plate, manufacturer's number plate or repairperson's number plate.

(1.1) For the purpose of subsection (1) (d), "safe working load" means, in relation to a device, the maximum load, repeatedly applied, that the device is capable of withstanding with complete safety throughout its normal service life.

Draw bar length

(2) Except when the combination of vehicles consists of a motor vehicle and a pole trailer, the length of the drawbar or other connection between the motor vehicle and the trailer shall not exceed 6 m.

Trailer swerving prohibited

(3) No person shall drive or operate on a highway any combination of vehicles if any vehicle being towed whips or swerves unreasonably or otherwise fails substantially to follow the path of the towing vehicle.

Trailer windows

(4) No person shall cause to be towed or otherwise operated on a highway a trailer with a window or other fixture extended outwards beyond the fender or hubcap of the trailer.

Riding in house trailer prohibited

(5) No person shall be on or in a trailer used for living accommodation while it is moving on a highway.

Towing occupied motor vehicle prohibited

(6) No person shall tow a motor vehicle if there is a person in or on the towed motor vehicle.

[am. B.C. Regs. 69/59, s. (p); 46/67, s. 14; 343/77; 256/84, ss. 7 and 8; 150/91; 103/2006, s. 1; 97/2009, s. (b); 76/2022, s. 11.]

Inspection of motor vehicles

7.08   The owner or the person in charge of a motor vehicle or trailer operated, or about to be operated, on any highway shall, upon the request of any peace officer, forthwith take the motor vehicle or trailer to the place designated by the peace officer and submit the motor vehicle or trailer there for inspection and testing.

[am. B.C. Reg. 246/83, s. 1.]

Standards of safety and repair

7.09   (1) Subject to subsection (2), the standards of safety and repair set out in the Schedule to this Division shall be standards of safety and repair of motor vehicles and trailers for the purpose of the Act and these regulations.

(2) The standards set out in the Schedule to this Division do not apply to

(a) a tractor licensed under section 8 of the Act,

(b) a motor vehicle licensed under section 9 of the Act,

(c) a special mobile vehicle,

(d) a trolley bus, or

(e) a vehicle licensed under section 44 of the Act or driven under permit issued under Division 14.

(f) Repealed. [B.C. Reg. 351/2008, Sch. s. 8 (b).]

(3) Repealed. [B.C. Reg. 351/2008, Sch. s. 9.]

[en. B.C. Reg. 82/86, s. 1; am. B.C. Regs. 145/2008, s. 3; 351/2008, Sch., ss. 7 to 9.]

Clearance height

7.091   A motor vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of less than 4 500 kg must have a minimum clearance for all parts of it, other than the wheels in contact with the level roadway, that is no lower than the lowest point on the rim of any wheel in contact with the roadway.

[en. B.C. Reg. 167/2006, s. (a).]

Repealed

7.10-
7.12  
Repealed. [B.C. Reg. 82/86, s. 1.]

Safety belts

7.13   (1) In this section "safety belt" means a single occupancy safety seat belt for use in a motor vehicle.

(2) The manufacturer of a safety belt assembly shall not sell the assembly or offer it for sale unless

(a) it conforms to the standard of performance for safety belt assemblies made by the Society of Automotive Engineers or the Canadian Standards Association, and

(b) it bears an identifying mark showing compliance with the standard of performance for safety belt assemblies made by the Society of Automotive Engineers or the Canadian Standards Association, as the case may be.

(3) No person shall sell or offer for sale a safety belt assembly unless the assembly bears an identifying mark as required in subsection (2) (b).

[en. B.C. Reg. 33/64, s. 7.]

Motorcycle handlebars

7.14   No person shall drive or operate on a highway a motorcycle unless the handlebars of the motorcycle are

(a) firmly secured, and

(b) so secured that the maximum height to which the handlebars extend is not higher than the top of the driver's shoulders when the driver's seat is occupied.

[en. B.C. Reg. 46/67, s. 15; am. B.C. Regs. 343/77; 174/91.]

Repealed

7.15   Repealed. [B.C. Reg. 205/72, s. 8.]

Sale of pneumatic tires

7.16   No person shall sell or offer for sale a pneumatic tire either separately or as part of a vehicle intended to be used upon

(a) a passenger motor vehicle designed to carry not in excess of 10 persons, including the driver,

(b) a station wagon, or

(c) a trailer licensed under the Act,

unless the tire conforms to the standard of performance for tires from time to time made by the Canadian Standards Association, now numbered C.S.A. Standard D 238.1, entitled "New Pneumatic Tires for Passenger Cars"; and is labelled in accordance with the standard.

[en. B.C. Reg. 68/71, s. 1.]

Defects in pneumatic tires

7.161   (1) No person shall drive or operate a motor vehicle or trailer equipped with pneumatic tires that are not in good order or that have any one of the following defects or conditions:

(a) cord break or an air leak;

(b) tread damage including cracks, cuts or snags in excess of 2.5 cm in any direction and deep enough to expose the ply cords;

(c) bumps, bulges or lumps apparently caused by separation of the tread or sidewall from the ply cords or by partial failure of the tire structure, including the bead area;

(d) tread worn to the extent that

(i) in the case of a commercial vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of 5 500 kg or more, less than 3 mm of tread groove depth of a front tire or 1.5 mm of tread groove depth of a rear tire, or

(ii) in the case of a vehicle other than a vehicle referred to in subparagraph (i), less than 1.5 mm of tread groove depth on any tire

remains at 2 points on the circumference of the tire tread not closer together than 38 cm, or tread worn to the extent that tread wear indicators in any 2 adjacent grooves of the tread contact the road surface.

(2) No person shall drive or operate a motor vehicle or trailer that is equipped with both bias ply tires and radial ply tires; unless the vehicle operates on more than 4 wheels, in which case bias ply tires and radial ply tires shall not be used on the same axle.

(2.1) Notwithstanding subsection (2), a person may, during the period a regular tire is unusable due to its having been damaged, use a limited mileage temporary spare tire specified by the vehicle manufacturer for use with the other tires on the vehicle provided the person makes arrangements forthwith to repair or replace the tire for which the spare tire has been temporarily substituted.

(3) No person shall drive or operate a motor vehicle or trailer equipped with a tire that has been regrooved or recut, except a special tire that has extra undertread rubber for this purpose and is identified with the word "regroovable" moulded in the tire by the manufacturer.

(4) No person shall drive or operate a motor vehicle or trailer, except an implement of husbandry or a slow moving vehicle as defined in section 7B.01, that is equipped with a pneumatic tire not designed and manufactured for highway use and that does not have a tread pattern of material across the area of the tire in contact with the highway.

(5) No person shall, without an overload permit issued under the Commercial Transport Regulations, B.C. Reg. 30/78, drive or operate on a highway a vehicle so loaded that the tires are loaded above the maximum load specified by the tire manufacturer for the tire size, ply rating and service speed.

[en. B.C. Reg. 153/71, s. 3; am. B.C. Regs. 205/72, s. 9; 343/77; 452/82, s. 1; 206/96, s. 2; 64/2021, s. 5.]

Winter tires

7.162   (1) A winter tire under section 208 of the Act must have at least 3.5 mm of tread depth.

(2) A winter tire under section 208 of the Act must

(a) when tested in accordance with section 5 (4) (a) of the Motor Vehicle Tire Safety Regulations (Canada) meet or exceed the traction index prescribed by that section, or

(b) meet the specifications adopted by the Rubber Manufacturers Association to be labelled on a sidewall with the letters "M" and "S".

(3) A winter tire under section 208 of the Act must be labelled on a sidewall by the manufacturer with either of the following:

(a) the 3-peaked mountain and snowflake symbol as shown below:

(b) the letters "M" and "S".

[en. B.C. Reg. 177/2015, App., s. 3.]

Chains on light commercial motor vehicles

7.163   (1) In this section:

"minister" means the minister referred to in section 208 (2) of the Act;

"sign requiring the use of chains" means a sign, placed by the minister under section 208 of the Act, that prohibits a vehicle from being driven or operated on a highway unless the vehicle is equipped with chains.

(2) This section applies to the following types of commercial motor vehicles:

(a) a commercial motor vehicle that has a licensed gross vehicle weight less than 11 794 kg;

(b) a bus;

(c) a 4-wheel drive vehicle.

(3) Subject to subsection (4), if the minister places a sign requiring the use of chains, a person who drives or operates a motor vehicle referred to in subsection (2) may comply with the sign by equipping the motor vehicle with a traction device, in accordance with subsection (6), instead of chains.

(4) Subsection (3) does not apply if the minister specifies otherwise in a public notice or sign placed under section 208 of the Act.

(5) A motor vehicle referred to in subsection (2) is equipped with chains for the purposes of section 208 of the Act only if the following requirements are met:

(a) the chains are one of the following types:

(i) steel chains;

(ii) cable chains;

(iii) automatic chains having cross members that extend across at least 85 percent of the width of the vehicle;

(b) the chains are used on the motor vehicle in the manner intended by the manufacturer of the chains;

(c) if the chains are steel chains,

(i) no strand of steel links is broken, and

(ii) the steel chains are fastened on at least one tire on each side of one drive axle;

(d) if the chains are cable chains,

(i) no strand of steel cable is broken, and

(ii) the cable chains are fastened on at least the outside tire of each side of one drive axle;

(e) if the chains are automatic chains, the automatic chains are

(i) deployed on at least one tire on each side of one drive axle, and

(ii) not deployed on a tire on an axle that is not a drive axle.

(6) A motor vehicle referred to in subsection (2) is equipped with a traction device for the purposes of section 208 of the Act only if the following requirements are met:

(a) the traction device is one of the following types:

(i) a textile tire cover;

(ii) a wheel sander;

(b) the traction device is used on the motor vehicle in the manner intended by the manufacturer of the traction device;

(c) the traction device is used on one tire on each side of one drive axle.

[en. B.C. Reg. 246/2018, s. 3.]

Chains on heavy commercial motor vehicles without trailers

7.1631   (1) This section applies to a commercial motor vehicle, other than a bus or 4-wheel drive vehicle, that

(a) has a licensed gross vehicle weight equal to or greater than 11 794 kg, and

(b) is not towing a trailer.

(2) A motor vehicle referred to in subsection (1) is equipped with chains for the purposes of section 208 of the Act only if the following requirements are met:

(a) the chains are steel chains;

(b) the chains are used on the motor vehicle in the manner intended by the manufacturer of the chains;

(c) no strand of steel links is broken;

(d) the chains are fastened on at least one tire on each side of one drive axle.

[en. B.C. Reg. 246/2018, s. 4.]

Chains on heavy commercial motor vehicles with one trailer

7.1632   (1) This section applies to a commercial motor vehicle, other than a bus or 4-wheel drive vehicle, that

(a) has a licensed gross vehicle weight equal to or greater than 11 794 kg,

(b) is towing one trailer, and

(c) is not equipped with super single tires.

(2) A motor vehicle referred to in subsection (1) is equipped with chains for the purposes of section 208 of the Act only if the following requirements are met:

(a) the requirements set out in section 7.1631 (2) (a) to (c);

(b) if the motor vehicle has a single drive axle, the chains are fastened on at least 2 tires on each side of the drive axle;

(c) if the motor vehicle has a tandem drive axle or tridem drive axle, the chains are fastened on at least

(i) 2 tires on each side of one drive axle, or

(ii) one tire on each side of one drive axle and one tire on each side of another axle of the tandem drive axle or tridem drive axle.

[en. B.C. Reg. 246/2018, s. 4.]

Chains on heavy commercial motor vehicles with more than one trailer

7.1633   (1) This section applies to a commercial motor vehicle, other than a bus or 4-wheel drive vehicle, that

(a) has a licensed gross vehicle weight equal to or greater than 11 794 kg,

(b) is towing more than one trailer, and

(c) is not equipped with super single tires.

(2) A motor vehicle referred to in subsection (1) is equipped with chains for the purposes of section 208 of the Act only if the following requirements are met:

(a) the requirements set out in section 7.1631 (2) (a) to (c);

(b) if the motor vehicle has a single drive axle, the chains are fastened on at least 2 tires on each side of the drive axle;

(c) if the motor vehicle has a tandem drive axle or tridem drive axle, the chains are fastened on at least

(i) 2 tires on each side of one drive axle, and

(ii) one tire on each side of another axle of the tandem drive axle or tridem drive axle.

[en. B.C. Reg. 246/2018, s. 4.]

Chains on heavy commercial motor vehicles with trailers and super single tires

7.1634   (1) This section applies to a commercial motor vehicle, other than a bus or 4-wheel drive vehicle, that

(a) has a licensed gross vehicle weight of equal to or greater than 11 794 kg,

(b) is towing one or more trailers, and

(c) is equipped with super single tires.

(2) A motor vehicle referred to in subsection (1) is equipped with chains for the purposes of section 208 of the Act only if the following requirements are met:

(a) the requirements set out in section 7.1631 (2) (a) to (c);

(b) if the motor vehicle has a single drive axle, the chains are fastened on at least one tire on each side of the drive axle;

(c) if the motor vehicle has a tandem drive axle or tridem drive axle, the chains are fastened on at least

(i) one tire on each side of one drive axle, and

(ii) one tire on each side of another axle of the tandem drive axle or tridem drive axle.

[en. B.C. Reg. 246/2018, s. 4.]

When and where commercial motor vehicles must carry chains

7.1635   (1) In this section, "carry chains" means to store chains or a traction device, as applicable to the commercial motor vehicle under sections 7.163 to 7.1634, in or on the motor vehicle such that the chains or traction device is available to the driver of the motor vehicle to equip the motor vehicle with if the minister, under section 208 of the Act, prohibits the motor vehicle from being driven or operated without being equipped with chains or a traction device.

(2) Except as provided in subsection (3), (4) or (5), a person who drives or operates a commercial motor vehicle must carry chains from October 1 of each year to April 30 of the following year.

(3) A person who drives or operates a commercial motor vehicle on the following routes on Vancouver Island is not required to carry chains from April 1 to April 30 of each year:

(a) on Highway 1 between West Shore Parkway and Frayne Road;

(b) on Highway 4 between Highway 19 and Tofino Ucluelet Highway;

(c) on Highway 14 west of Sooke;

(d) on Highway 18;

(e) on Highway 19 north of Campbell River;

(f) on Highway 28;

(g) on Pacific Marine Road.

(4) A person who drives or operates a commercial motor vehicle on the following routes is not required to carry chains from April 1 to April 30 of each year:

(a) on Highway 1 between Highway 9 and Highway 97;

(b) on Highway 3 between Highway 5A and Highway 97;

(c) on Highway 3A;

(d) on Highway 3B east of Highway 22;

(e) on Highway 5A between Merritt and Kamloops and between Highway 3 and Highway 97C;

(f) on Highway 6 between Highway 97 and Cherryville and between Needles Ferry and Nelway Border Crossing;

(g) on Highway 7 east of Highway 9;

(h) on Highway 8;

(i) on Highway 12;

(j) on Highway 16 west of Terrace;

(k) on Highway 21;

(l) on Highway 22 north of Trail;

(m) on Highway 22A;

(n) on Highway 23 south of Highway 1;

(o) on Highway 31 between Highway 23 and Sawczuk Road and south of Gerrard Bridge;

(p) on Highway 31A;

(q) on Highway 33;

(r) on Highway 37 south of Terrace;

(s) on Highway 41;

(t) on Highway 97 between the border with the United States south of Osoyoos and Highway 1;

(u) on Highway 97A;

(v) on Highway 97B;

(w) on Highway 97C between Highway 8 and Highway 1;

(x) on Highway 97D;

(y) on Highway 99 between Horseshoe Bay and Highway 97;

(z) on Highway 113.

(5) A person who drives or operates a commercial motor vehicle on the following routes is not required to carry chains:

(a) in the Lower Mainland, on highways south of Horseshoe Bay and west of Hope;

(b) on highways on Haida Gwaii;

(c) on Vancouver Island, on Highway 14 east of Sooke, Highway 17, Highway 1 south of West Shore Parkway and Highway 1 north of Frayne Road.

[en. B.C. Reg. 202/2019, App. 1.]

Studs

7.164   (1) A person must not use studs as a traction device on tires unless the studs

(a) do not protrude more than 2.0 mm from the tread or traction surface of a tire,

(b) do not have a hollow centre, and

(c) are safely and securely embedded in the tire by the manufacturer or a person in the business of selling tires so as not to cause damage to the roadway.

(2) A person must not use studded tires on the front wheels of a motor vehicle unless the back wheels of the motor vehicle have studded tires.

(3) Despite subsection (1) (a), a person may use studs that protrude more than 2.0 mm but less than 3.5 mm from the tread or traction surface of a tire if

(a) the tire was manufactured on or before August 31, 2016, and

(b) the total number of studs in the tire does not exceed the following:

(i) 130 studs if the motor vehicle has a gross vehicle weight of 4 600 kg or less;

(ii) 175 studs if the motor vehicle has a gross vehicle weight of more than 4 600 kg.

[en. B.C. Reg. 177/2015, App., s. 3.]

Warning devices

7.17   A warning device referred to in section 207 of the Act, approved by the director, is a warning device that conforms to U.S. Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 125 and is labelled in accordance with that standard.

[en. B.C. Reg. 103/90; am. B.C. Regs. 413/97, App. 1, s. 2; 135/2003, s. 1.]

Repealed

7.18   Repealed. [B.C. Reg. 308/2009, Sch. 2, s. 1 (a).]

Motor vehicle licence

1   The current motor vehicle licence or trailer licence shall be available for examination at the time of inspection.

The motor vehicle licence or trailer licence shall correctly describe the vehicle presented for inspection and shall not be defaced, altered or mutilated.

The identification numbers shall be stamped or affixed to the vehicle and shall correspond to the numbers on the motor vehicle or trailer licence.

A commercial motor vehicle shall be marked as required by the Commercial Transport Regulations, section 3.04, with the words "G.V.W. kg" and when applicable "Farm Vehicle."

[en. B.C. Reg. 658/76, s. 2; am. B.C. Reg. 343/77.]

Number plates

2   Number plates shall be mounted on a vehicle as required by Division 3 of the regulations.

The number plates shall correspond in number to the motor vehicle licence or trailer licence issued for the vehicle.

The vehicle shall not display any other number plate, numbering or lettering not required for the operation of the vehicle and which might be confused with the current number plates.

[en. B.C. Reg. 658/76, s. 2.]

Lighting systems

2.1   Motor vehicle lighting systems and their operation must meet the requirements of Division 4.

[en. B.C. Reg. 476/98, s. 3.]

Repealed

3-7   Repealed. [B.C. Reg. 476/98, s. 3.]

Horn

8   A motor vehicle must be equipped with a horn as required by section 7.02 of the regulations.

The horn must be firmly mounted on the vehicle.

The horn control must provide a positive control over the sound emitted. A cycle of sound must be interruptible.

A horn must not produce a musical or any other sound not normally associated with a warning device.

The horn control must be readily accessible to the driver.

[en. B.C. Reg. 106/94.]

Windshield wipers

9   A motor vehicle, except a motorcycle, equipped with a windshield shall be equipped as required by section 7.05 (3) with a windshield wiper or wipers.

A motor vehicle shall be equipped with windshield wipers, in good working order, on the left and right sides of the windshield where 2 windshield wipers were installed by the manufacturer.

A windshield wiper must have blades that have not hardened or worn to the extent they are not effective. The wiper arm must have sufficient tension to hold the blade against the glass, and the wiper arm must make a full sweep.

[en. B.C. Reg. 658/76, s. 2.]

Left window riser

10   The left front window shall be capable of being readily opened and closed to facilitate manual signals.

[en. B.C. Reg. 658/76, s. 2.]

Door, body, hood, frame

11   The vehicle shall comply with section 19.02 of the regulations with regard to size and dimension.

Doors — Doors shall be installed in a vehicle where the vehicle was manufactured with doors.

The doors with which a vehicle is equipped shall be in good working order, and any hinge, latch or handle must not be broken, missing or inoperable.

The doors shall not be warped, twisted or weakened to the extent that a slight jar will open them.

A door shall be capable of being opened or closed with normal effort.

Body — A vehicle shall not have a body, body sill, door posts or body pillars which have rotted, deteriorated or been damaged to the extent that such part may collapse or create a hazard.

The body must not be loose upon the chassis.

The floor of a vehicle must not be rotted, broken or missing.

No part of a vehicle may be secured with rope or wire.

No part of a vehicle may have a sharp or ragged edge which could injure persons or objects.

Hood — The hood over the engine compartment shall be securely fastened and shall not have broken hinges or fasteners.

Frame — The frame of a motor vehicle or a motorcycle shall not flex, be cracked, welded or have fatigue points to the extent that these defects indicate the frame has suffered structural damage and constitutes a hazard.

[en. B.C. Reg. 658/76, s. 2.]

Bumpers, mudflaps

12   A motor vehicle, except a motorcycle, shall be equipped with a front bumper, and where a replacement bumper has been installed, it shall give substantially the same protection as the bumper originally installed by the manufacturer.

A motor vehicle shall be equipped with a rear bumper where the manufacturer of the vehicle installed a bumper, and where a replacement bumper has been installed, it shall give substantially the same protection as the original bumper.

A bumper shall be securely fastened to the vehicle, and the bumper bar or brackets shall not be broken, loose or missing.

A bumper must not have a sharp or ragged edge and must not protrude beyond the side of the vehicle.

Mudflaps — A vehicle must be equipped with mudflaps or mudguards as required by section 7.06 of the regulations, which shall not be damaged or worn to the extent they are not effective.

[en. B.C. Reg. 658/76, s. 2.]

Repealed

13-15   Repealed. [B.C. Reg. 476/98, s. 3.]

Engine emissions

16   The engine and exhaust system of every motor vehicle shall be equipped and adjusted to prevent the escape of excessive fumes or smoke as compared to other motor vehicles of the same or similar types and sizes.

[en. B.C. Reg. 658/76, s. 2;]

Repealed

17   Repealed. [B.C. Reg. 476/98, s. 3.]

Wheel alignment

18   Side slip of the front wheels shall not exceed 9 m per 1.6 km as measured on the alignment gauge.

The caster, camber or toe-in of a vehicle shall not be out of adjustment to the extent that it is apparent visually.

Vehicles shall not be misaligned to the extent that the variation of the track exceeds 75 mm and the variation of axle centre exceeds 50 mm.

Motorcycles — The swing arm bushing of a motorcycle shall not be worn beyond the manufacturer's specification which would affect the safe operation of the vehicle.

The longitudinal wheel alignment of a 2-wheel motorcycle shall be such that the rear wheel centreline must pass within 12.5 mm of the front wheel centreline when measured at a point directly below the front axle.

[en. B.C. Reg. 658/76, s. 2; am. B.C. Reg. 343/77.]

Steering mechanism

19   No component part of the steering mechanism of a vehicle shall be broken, fractured, cracked, bent, twisted or otherwise damaged, defective or worn to an extent that there is perceptible looseness between it and a connected component part.

Play in the steering system as measured at the outside diameter of the front tire shall not exceed for a wheel up to 406 mm in diameter 6 mm, for a wheel between 406 mm and 450 mm in diameter 9.5 mm, and for a wheel over 450 mm in diameter 12.7 mm.

Steering wheels shall be of substantially the same size, shape and strength as the steering wheel supplied by the manufacturer of the motor vehicle.

No vehicle shall be approved for operation if any part of the steering mechanism shows signs of failure or has been heated or welded.

Axles shall not be noticeably twisted or bent or out of alignment.

Frames or cross members shall not be fractured.

Front wheels shall be capable of being freely turned by the steering wheel, from full left to full right, without jamming or binding.

Steering wheels, steering columns and steering column support brackets shall not be loose or broken.

Peripheral movement in a steering wheel without an associated movement of the front wheels shall not exceed 50 mm in a steering wheel less than 450 mm in diameter or 100 mm in a steering wheel over 450 mm in diameter.

Wheel bearings shall not be broken or improperly adjusted.

Shock absorbing devices shall not be missing, disconnected or inoperative.

Power steering devices shall be installed, adjusted and maintained according to the manufacturer's specifications.

Power steering systems shall provide for manual steering in case of power failure.

There shall not be any looseness of any ball and socket joint in the steering linkage in alignment with the shank or neck of the ball.

A power steering system, including valve body and hose connections, shall not show signs of active leakage.

The play about either the horizontal or vertical axis of either front wheel of a vehicle having a GVW in excess of 4 000 kg shall not exceed 12 mm measured at the tread surface of the tire.

Torque arms, U-bolts, spring hangers or other axle positioning parts shall not be cracked, broken, loose or missing.

Not more than one leaf or more than 1/4 of the leaves, whichever is the lesser, or the main leaf in any leaf spring assembly shall be broken or missing.

No leaf shall be shifted from the normal position so that it can come in contact with a tire, rim, brake drum or disk, or frame.

An air suspension system shall not leak.

A torsion bar assembly or torque arm or any part used for attaching it to the vehicle frame or axle shall not be cracked or broken or have any part missing.

Motorcycles — The handlebar of a motorcycle shall not be cracked, deformed, improperly aligned or flex excessively and shall be mounted in the designed manner.

Handlebars of a motorcycle shall be constructed of at least 0.060 thick steel tubing or of equivalent strength.

The wheel bearings of a motorcycle should have no perceptible movement unless within the manufacturer's specifications.

The steering head bearing of a motorcycle should not show perceptible movement unless within the manufacturer's specifications.

The steering head bearing of a motorcycle should not show perceptible play or roughness or should not be tightened to the extent that steering is affected.

[en. B.C. Reg. 658/76, s. 2; am. B.C. Regs. 343/77; 452/82, s. 2.]

Tires, wheels

20   A vehicle shall be equipped with tires in compliance with sections 7.16 and 7.161 of the regulations.

No tire on a vehicle shall have any of the following defects:

(1) Cord break or air leak;

(2) Tread damage including cracks, cuts or snags in excess of 25 mm in any direction and deep enough to expose the ply cords;

(3) Sidewall cracks, scuffs, cuts or snags to the extent that body cords are damaged or exposed;

(4) Bumps, bulges or lumps apparently caused by separation of the tread or sidewall from the ply cords or by partial failure of the tire structure, including the bead area.

The wheels and tires with which a vehicle is equipped shall be of the same size on one axle.

No wheel shall have loose, missing or defective bolts, nuts or lugs, or bent, loose, cracked or defective rim or wheel flanges.

A wheel shall not have any missing, loose or broken spokes.

Hub caps shall be of such design and construction that minimizes the damage done to an object or injury to a person coming in contact with it.

The tires of a vehicle presented for inspection between May 1 and September 30 shall not be equipped with studs, and during the remainder of the year vehicles equipped with studded tires shall comply with section 19.03 of the regulations.

A disk wheel shall not have elongated bolt holes or cracks between handholds or stud holes.

A cast wheel of spoke type shall not be cracked.

Each rim and ring shall be matched and no rim or ring shall be bent, sprung or cracked.

A wheel or rim shall not be repaired by welding unless the weld repair is to an aluminum wheel or rim and is made in accordance with the Weld Repair of Aluminum Alloy Wheels Regulation.

A tire shall not be mounted or inflated so that it comes in contact with another tire and a tire marked "Not For Highway Use" or with other words having a similar meaning shall not be used.

A tire shall not be regrooved if it is not designed to permit regrooving and is not marked "regroovable" at the time of manufacture, or if it has tread or groove cracks extending to the fabric.

Motorcycles — The wheels of a motorcycle shall not, when measured at the rim, have an eccentricity or wobble in excess of 5 mm.

[en. B.C. Reg. 658/76, s. 2; am. B.C. Regs. 343/77; 452/82, s. 3; 206/96, s. 1; 364/96.]

Fuel system

21   A fuel system must not have a leakage in any part.

The fuel tank and piping must be securely installed.

There shall be an adequate filler cap.

The throttle linkage on a vehicle must operate freely on applying or releasing.

The carburettor of a vehicle must be equipped with a flame arrester.

[en. B.C. Reg. 658/76, s. 2.]

Exhaust muffler

22   A vehicle shall be equipped with an exhaust muffler which complies with section 7.03 of the regulations.

An exhaust system shall not have loose or leaking joints, seams or holes.

A muffler shall not have loose interior baffles or patches.

The exhaust system and its elements must be securely fastened.

The exhaust system shall not be located so that a person may be burned when entering or leaving the vehicle.

No part of an exhaust system may pass through a passenger compartment.

An exhaust system must not discharge excessive fumes or smoke.

Flexible hose used in an exhaust system shall be of a heavy duty type acceptable to the inspector.

[en. B.C. Reg. 658/76, s. 2.]

Service brake

23   Every vehicle shall comply with the requirements of Divisions 5 and 6 of the regulations.

The brake performance of the brakes of a vehicle shall not be less than shown in Table 2 of these standards.

The braking force developed on a wheel shall not be less than 65% of the force developed on the other wheel on the same axle.

The braking force developed on both wheels on one axle shall not be more than 70% of the total force of all wheels of the vehicle. This shall be varied when, in the opinion of the inspector, the design of the vehicle does not require such a distribution of braking force and the braking force is adequate to stop the vehicle as required in Table 2.

The hydraulic hoses shall not be abraded, or the hoses, tubes or connections shall not leak or be restricted, crimped, cracked or broken. The connecting lines shall be properly attached or supported to prevent damage or abrasion by contact with the frame, axle, other lines or any other part of the vehicle.

The master cylinder rod shall be correctly adjusted.

There must be no tendency for the service brake pedal to move slowly toward the applied position while foot pressure is maintained.

The fluid level of the master cylinder shall not be below the full mark.

Table 2 — Required Brake Performance

[en. B.C. Reg. 343/77.]

Brake lining and pads (where a wheel or wheels are removed) — The thickness of bonded brake lining shall not be, when measured at the thinnest point, less than 15% of its original thickness or 1 mm, whichever is the lesser.

The wire in a wire backed brake lining shall not be visible in a friction surface.

Riveted lining shall not be worn within 0.5 mm of a rivet head.

Pads on disk brakes shall not be worn below the manufacturer's specifications for replacement.

Rivets and bolts shall not be loose or missing from a lining or pad.

Linings shall not be broken or cracked so that the linings or parts of the lining are not firmly attached to the shoe.

The friction surface of the lining shall not be contaminated in such a manner as to change its frictional qualities.

Brake drum and disk (where a wheel is removed) — Brake drums or disks should not be contaminated in such a manner as to change the functional qualities of the friction face.

Brake drums or disks must not have external cracks or substantial cracks on the friction surface that reach an edge of the bore or periphery of the disk or any mechanical damage to the friction surface other than wear.

Brake drums shall not have a larger inside diameter than the manufacturer's recommended limit for rebore plus 50% wear allowance, or the maximum diameter stamped on the drum.

Disks shall not have a thickness less than the minimum thickness stamped on the assembly.

Motorcycles — Motorcycles manufactured with both front wheel brakes and rear wheel brakes must have both brakes performing adequate braking.

[en. B.C. Reg. 658/76, s. 2; am. B.C. Regs. 343/77; 452/82, s. 4.]

Pedal reserve

24   Pedal travel of the service brake pedal of a hydraulic, mechanical or power assisted hydraulic system shall not exceed 80% of the manufacturer's specified available pedal travel or the available pedal travel.