From the B.C. Forestry Safety Council
Using ATVs and Snowmobiles on Forestry Service Roads
No matter where you use your ATV (all-terrain vehicle) or
snowmobile, it’s likely you will be traveling on a B.C. Forestry Service
Road at some point. After all, Forestry Service Roads, old logging roads and
skid trail make up most of our valley's trails.
It is important to know the rules around the use of ATVs and
snowmobiles on B.C. Forestry Service Roads. An ATV may be used on a B.C. Forest
Service road at any time unless the road is posted with a sign
restricting use. An ATV operator must hold a valid driver’s
license and carry a minimum of $200,000 third-party liability
insurance. Remember, safety helmets are mandatory when
operating two and three wheeled ATVs.
Snowmobiles may use a Forest Service road during winter,
provided that the road has not been snow plowed and is not fit
for travel by vehicles other than snowmobiles.
See the B.C. Forestry Safety Council's pamphlet.
ATV INSURANCE
Membership has it privileges. Heard that before? Well, same with a
membership from the East Kootenay ATV Club. If you are a member of the East
Kootenay ATV Club you can get your Third Party ATV Liability Insurance at a
reduced rate. Shop around, you will agree.
Third Party ATV Liability Insurance (Albertans - see below)
The required Third Party Liability Insurance for operating ATVs
on B.C. Forestry Service Roads within the province of British Columbia
(as required by the British Columbia Provincial Government) can be purchased through
1) a British Columbia insurance agency,
2) directly through ATVBC,
3) or through East Kootenay ATV Club (EKATV).
If you want to join the EKATV Club for a cost reduction in your ATV
Third Party Liability Insurance, here is the deal.
In order to qualify for the ATVBC's ATV Third Party Liability Insurance,
you must purchase an
ATVBC Membership ($40.00) and an
EKATV Membership ($20.00).
After acquiring the memberships, the cost of the
Third Party Liability Insurance is $125.00 for the year per ATV.
You can purchase your EKATV and ATVBC membership through us.
We will issue you an ATV/BC membership number and documentation stating
that you are a current member.
Upon acquiring your ATV/BC membership number, you can take that documentation
down to the local insurance office and purchase your ATV Third Party Liability
Insurance through them. Be sure to present your ATV/BC membership to get the ATV
membership rates.
Your ATV insurance with membership works out to $185.00 per year for the
first ATV and an additional $125 per additional ATV after the first ATV, if they
are all registered under your name.
REMEMBER: Riding on the BC Forestry Roads without insurance, a helmet and a valid drivers
license is illegal and can be very costly. A few of our members have already been stop checked, by the
Conservation Officers, checking for valid driver's license and insurance. The fine
for no insurance can be over $560.00 per non-insured ATV.
ATV Riders of Alberta Residence or Other Provinces
If you are an out of province resident, you are also required to have ATV Third
Party Liability Insurance to legally drive your ATV on B.C. Forestry Service
Roads. If your ATV is currently registered in
your home province and has a license plate and ATV Third Party Liability
Insurance for $200,000.00, you are good to go.
However, if you store your ATV in British Columbia and it is not registered in
your home province and does not have a license plate or ATV Third Party Liability
Insurance (minimum $200,000.00) you must purchase ATV Third Party Liability Insurance to legally
drive your ATV on B.C. Forestry Service roads.
You can purchase your ATV Third Party Liability Insurance as noted above in the section
Third Party Liability Insurance.
You are not required to purchase an EKATV Membership if your ATV is properly insured
in your home province.
However, we hope you would choose to support the local ATV club in the area in which you choose to ride.
Thank You.
Please check out the Memberships page.
We will be providing more Insurance information here soon.
East Kootenay ATV Club, Columbia Valley Division