Here are some answers to the frequently asked questions. If your question wasn't answered here, emailed us at info@durhamstopofficer.org and we will answer it as soon as possible.

My muffler is cracked and needs replacing. Can I replace it with an aftermarket muffler?

No, you must replace it with a muffler from the manufacturer for that make, model, and year of the sled. Replacing or modifing the muffler for performance gains or noise is strictly prohibited. This also applies to other components on the snowmobile.

The law reads:

Muffler in working order

18. (1) No person shall drive a motorized snow vehicle unless it is equipped with a muffler in good working order and in constant operation and no person shall drive a motorized snow vehicle which has a muffler cut-out, straight exhaust, gutted muffler, hollywood muffler, by-pass or similar device upon the motorized snow vehicle. R.S.O. 1990, c. M.44, s. 18 (1).

I want to put custom registration numbers on snowmobile instead of the issued ones. Where do they go? What are the guidelines?

  • they must be placed on both sides of the cowling
  • they must be not less than 10 centimeters and not more than 15 centimeters from the rear of the cowling.
  • they must be in a colour that contrasts with its background;
  • they must be not less than five centimeters and not more than 7.6 centimeters high;
  • they must have a stroke width of not less than five millimeters and not more than 13 millimeters;
  • they must have digits of uniform style and height; and
  • they must, where practicable, have the digits separated by spaces that are not more than five centimeters wide.
  • The validation device must be displayed on the left side of the cowling of the vehicle between the registration number and the rear of the cowling
  • The validation device must be affixed to the centre of an area of white background that forms a border of at least one centimeter in width surrounding the adhesive part of the validation device.

For a full description of these guidelines, consult MSVA Regulation 804, Section 23.

Can I use photocopies of my driver’s licence, registration, and insurance?

No, you must carry all original documents. These documents are a valid driver’s licence or valid motorized snow vehicle operator’s licence, the snowmobile's registration and proof of insurance for that snowmobile. A good point to remember is to carry all documents on you and not left in the snowmobile.

The law reads:

Production of evidence of insurance

12. (2) The driver of a motorized snow vehicle who drives or permits the driving of the motorized snow vehicle shall, upon the request of a police officer or conservation officer, produce evidence that the vehicle is insured under a motor vehicle liability policy in accordance with the Insurance Act.

Driver to carry documents

16. (1) Subject to subsection (2), every driver of a motorized snow vehicle shall carry his or her driver’s licence or motorized snow vehicle operator’s licence and evidence of the motorized snow vehicle’s registration at all times while operating a motorized snow vehicle and shall produce them when demanded by a police officer or conservation officer.

Now that trail permit are mandatory where must they be placed?

The law reads:

MSVA Regulation 185/01

Trail permits

3. (1) A person shall not be issued a trail permit unless the person completes the application in full and pays the fee established by the Minister. O. Reg. 185/01, s. 3 (1).

(2) A trail permit is valid until the 31st day of May after the date the permit is issued. O. Reg. 185/01, s. 3 (2).

(3) A trail permit shall be affixed to the motorized snow vehicle,

(a) at the bottom edge of the centre of the windshield; or

(b) on top of and to the left of centre of the engine cowling as close as possible to the centre of the windshield, without obscuring or being obscured by the registration number required to be displayed on the vehicle. O. Reg. 185/01, s. 3 (3).