Bill 191 2016

An Act to amend the Highway Traffic Act with respect to number plates and carrying racks

Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Ontario, enacts as follows:

   1.  (1)  Section 7 of the Highway Traffic Act is amended by adding the following subsections:

Exception, number plates and carrying racks

   (1.2)  Despite the regulations made under clause (1) (b), if a carrying rack is mounted on the rear of a motor vehicle in accordance with the regulations made under clause (24) (e.1), a person may drive the vehicle on a highway even if the rack obscures the number plate for the vehicle that is required to be attached to the rear of the vehicle.

Definition

   (1.3)  In subsection (1.2),

"carrying rack" means a bicycle rack, luggage rack, ski rack, wheelchair carrier, wheelchair lift, trailer hitch or other similar carrying device.

   (2)  Subsection 7 (24) of the Act is amended by adding the following clause:

(e.1) prescribing requirements for the mounting of carrying racks for the purposes of subsection (1.2);

Commencement

   2.  This Act comes into force on the day it receives Royal Assent.

Short title

   3.  The short title of this Act is the Highway Traffic Amendment Act (Number Plates and Carrying Racks), 2016.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Bill amends the Highway Traffic Act. If a carrying rack, such as a bicycle rack, is mounted on the rear of a motor vehicle in accordance with the regulations made under the Act, a person may drive the vehicle on a highway even if the rack obscures the number plate for the vehicle that is required to be attached to the rear of the vehicle.