The Highway Traffic Act (, HTA; "the Act") is a statute in Ontario, Canada regulating the licensing of vehicles, classification of traffic offences, administration of loads, classification of vehicles and other transport-related issues. First introduced in 1923 to deal with increasing accidents during the early years of motoring in Ontario, and replacing earlier legislation such as the Highway Travel Act, there have been amendments due to changes to driving conditions and new transportation trends. For example, in 2009, the Act was revised to ban the use of cell phones while driving.
Offences under the Highway Traffic Act are the most commonly tried in Provincial Offences court. Over 1.3 million offences are tried each year under the Act, with the most common charges being speeding (559,013 occurrences, s. 128 - Speeding), running a red light (127,836 occurrences, s. 144 - Red light - proceed before green), driving whilst disqualified (117,470 counts, s. 7 - Drive motor vehicle, no currently validated permit), fail to stop (51,263 counts, s. 136 - Disobey stop sign - fail to stop) and telephoning whilst driving (51,210 counts, s. 78.1 - Drive - hand-held communication device).
Sections
Section 1 of the Act covers definitions and application of the Act to places other than highways. The definition of "highway" in the Act is broad in nature to include "a common and public highway, street, avenue, parkway, driveway, square, place, bridge, viaduct or trestle, any part of which is intended for or used by the general public for the passage of vehicles and includes the area between the lateral property lines thereof".
Part I: Administration Part I covers the following items in sections 2 to 5 of the Act: Powers and duties of the Ministry of Transportation Registrar of Motor Vehicles Deputy Registrar Forms Power to do things electronically Regulations re fees Administrative monetary penalties Cancellation of permit, license where false information is provided Cancellation of the permit, license where information on permit, the license is incorrect Protection from personal liability Requirements for applicant
Part II: Permits Part II covers the following items in sections 6 to 23 of the Act:
Permit requirements International Registration Plan Record-keeping by IRP permit holders Examination and inspection Sharing examination, inspection findings with other IRP jurisdictions IRP inspector's costs Assessment and reassessment of fees, etc. Interest Objections Appeal or review from Minister's decision False statements on IRP documents Permit refusal or cancellation Collection and disclosure of information Assignment to another minister Disclosure to Minister of Finance re taxing statutes Regulations Fees Permit limitations False statement, change of name or address, obliterated vehicle no., etc. Manufacturer's vehicle information number to be affixed Where the transfer of ownership or end of lease Used vehicle information package Violations as to number plates Number plates, further violations Improper or invalid number plates and cab cards Exceptions as to residents of other provinces, permit requirements, etc. Commercial motor vehicles CVOR certificates issued, renewed by Registrar Revocation of CVOR certificate for dishonoured payments Refusal to issue, replace or new CVOR certificates Safety ratings, commercial motor vehicle operators Person deemed to be operator Commercial motor vehicles, enforcement of ss. 16-23, etc. Offences, commercial motor vehicles Regulations and fees, commercial motor vehicles Liability insurance for commercial motor vehicles Insurance
Part III: Parking Permits Part III covers the following items in sections 26 to 30 of the Act: Accessible parking permits Offence, accessible parking permit Inspection, accessible parking permit Regulations, accessible parking permits
Part III.1: Electric vehicle charging stations Part III.1 covers the following items in section 30.4 of the Act, with regard to charging stations: Definitions Improper use Penalty Regulations
Part IV: Licences Part IV covers the following items in sections 31 to 58 of the Act:
Driving a privilege Driver's licence Combined photo card in lieu of driver's licence card Photo-comparison technology As to carrying licences and surrender on demand Exemption as to non-residents, licensing requirements Displaying licence that has been suspended, altered, etc. Driving prohibited while licence suspended Drivers under 16 prohibited Minimum age to drive motor-assisted, power-assisted bicycle Prohibition as to letting or hiring Picking up passengers for compensation prohibited without a licence, etc. Agreements with other jurisdictions Suspension on conviction for certain offences Suspension on: reinstatement, reduction, an extension of conviction Reinstatement conditions, ignition interlock devices Ignition interlock devices, further provisions Administrative vehicle impoundment for contravening ignition interlock condition Suspension for driving while disqualified Suspension while prohibited from driving Increased suspension time Condition on the licence that blood alcohol concentration level be zero When driver may be disqualified Defaulted fine Suspension and cancellation of licence, etc., general Notice, proposed action s. 47 or safety concern Administrative licence suspension for blood alcohol concentration above .05 Short-term administrative licence suspension for drug or drug and alcohol impairment Breath testing, novice drivers Breath testing, driver accompanying novice Breath testing, young drivers Administrative suspension of licence for blood alcohol concentration above .08, failing or refusing to provide a breath sample Long-term administrative licence suspension for drug or drug and alcohol impairment Administrative vehicle impoundment for drug or drug and alcohol impairment, blood alcohol concentration above .08, failing to provide a sample or submit to tests Proceedings before Tribunal Appeal Appeal of ninety-day suspension Appeal of long-term vehicle impoundment for driving while suspended Appeal of impoundment, commercial motor vehicles Penalty for driving motor vehicle when permit suspended or cancelled Service of notice of licence suspension Driving while driver's licence suspended Where person whose permit or licence suspended does not hold permit or licence Suspension on appeal Long-term vehicle impoundment for driving while suspended Short-term vehicle impoundment for driving while suspended Demerit point system Conduct review programs Regulations, novice drivers Police request for novice driver's passenger's identification Offence, novice driver regulations Driving instructors Driving schools Inspectors
Part V: Garage and Storage Licences Part V covers the following items in sections 59 to 60: Licence respecting dealing in motor vehicles, etc. Second-hand vehicles, offences
Part VI: Equipment Part VI covers the following items in sections 61 to 107 of the Act:
Lamps Vehicles with right-hand drive Brakes Hydraulic brake and system fluid Other equipment Extended mirrors Speedometers required in buses Speed-limiting systems Tires and wheels Regulations and offences, tires Rebuilt tires Safety glass Equipment obstructing the view Windows to afford clear view Noise, smoke, bells and horns Slow-moving vehicle sign Sleigh bells Display screen visible to driver prohibited Hand-held devices prohibited Speed measuring warning devices Pre-empting traffic control signal devices prohibited Attachments required when vehicle drew on highway Regulations re bumpers Inspections, unsafe vehicles Inspections, unsafe commercial motor vehicles Regulations re inspection of certain motor vehicles Penalty for driving an unsafe vehicle Offence if wheel detaches from commercial motor vehicle Offence if parts, etc., detach Offence of causing parts to detach Prohibition where evidence of inspection required Certificates and stickers provided by Ministry Regulations re inspection of vehicles Director Safety standards certificate and vehicle inspection sticker Motor vehicle inspection station licence Motor vehicle inspection mechanic Revocation of registration of motor vehicle inspection mechanic Hearing re terms of the licence Proposal to refuse to issue or revoke licence or registration Tribunal hearings, general Service of notice Inspectors Offences Regulations, safety standards certificates, motor vehicle inspection stations, etc. Regulations, accessories and ornaments Regulations, safety devices Commercial motor vehicles, further provisions Power-assisted bicycles Motorcycle and bicycle helmets Horse-riders, helmets and footwear Sale of new vehicles Seat belts Inspection and maintenance of commercial motor vehicles
Part VII: Load and Dimensions Part VII covers the following items in sections 108 to 113 of the Act: Vehicle dimensions Permits to exceed dimension and weight limits (use of highway) Special permits to exceed dimension and weight limits Carrying and production of a special permit Suspension, etc., of a special permit Additional power of Registrar to suspend, etc., special permits Loading vehicles Regulations, carriage of explosives, etc. Farm vehicles
Part VIII: Weight Part VIII covers the following items in sections 114 to 127 of the Act: Restrictions as to weight on tires Maximum allowable axle unit weights Maximum allowable axle group weights Maximum allowable gross vehicle weights Raw forest products allowance during freeze-up Prohibition re operation on Class B Highway Operating within permitted weight Reduced load periods Weight on bridges Power of officer to have vehicle weighed, examined Offence and penalty Overloading by consignor Regulations, weight standards
Part IX: Rate of Speed Part IX covers the following items in sections 128 to 132 of the Act: Rate of speed Conversion of the rate of speed set out in by-laws Careless driving Territory without municipal organization Unnecessary slow driving prohibited
Part X: Rules of the Road Part X covers the following items in sections 133 to 191 of the Act:
Direction of traffic by a police officer Removal of vehicle, debris blocking traffic Right of way at uncontrolled intersections Stop at through highway Stop signs, erection at intersections Yield right-of-way signs Right of way on entering highway from private road Pedestrian crossover Turning at intersections Signalling turns and stops Requirement to yield to bus from bus bay U-turns prohibited Traffic control signals and pedestrian control signals Blocking intersection Portable signal lights Traffic control stop and slow signs Slow vehicles to travel on right side Overtaking and passing rules Driving to left of centre prohibited under certain conditions Passing to right of the vehicle Highways designated for use of paved shoulder Meaning of "designated", ss. 141, 153 and 154 Highway designated for one-way traffic Where highway divided into lanes Regulations for high occupancy vehicle lanes Restricted use of border approach lanes Times designation applicable Moving from roadway to roadway on divided highways Backing prohibited, speed limit over 80 km/h Headway Approaching, following emergency vehicles Towing of persons on bicycles, toboggans, etc., prohibited Only one vehicle to be drawn on highway Crowding driver's seat Vehicles required to stop at railway crossing signal Driving of vehicles under crossing gates prohibited Opening of doors of motor vehicles Passing streetcars Approaching ridden or driven horses, etc. Use of passing beam Alternating beams Parking on roadway Tow truck services Racing, stunts, etc., prohibited Nitrous oxide fuel systems prohibited Horse racing on a highway Railway crossings