Are Dirt Bikes Street Legal in Canada & Ontario (2025 Guide)

If you’re wondering whether dirt bikes are street legal in Canada, here’s the short answer: they’re not - at least, not right out of the box.

Dirt bikes are built for off-road performance, not for paved streets or public roads. They don’t come with the required equipment for safe highway use, like turn signals, mirrors, headlights, brake lights, or licence plate holders. Most also lack the emissions and noise certifications needed to register as a street-legal motorcycle.

That said, many riders searching for “street legal dirt bikes” are really looking for something that’s fun, powerful, and road-friendly, without all the licensing and paperwork. That’s where electric bikes come in.

Modern e-bikes, like the Movin Urban Series, give you the same thrill of speed and off-road flexibility, but they’re already approved for road use under Canadian laws. They don’t require registration, insurance, or a licence, as long as they meet Transport Canada’s definition of a power-assisted bicycle (500W motor max and 32 km/h top speed).

Are Dirt Bikes Street Legal in Canada?

In most parts of Canada, dirt bikes are classified as off-highway vehicles (OHVs) under the Motor Vehicle Safety Act (MVSA) and provincial highway laws. This means they’re not legal for street use unless they meet specific modifications and certifications.

To be considered street legal, a dirt bike must have:

• Working headlights, taillights, and brake lights
• Rear-view mirrors and functional turn signals
• A horn and licence plate holder
• Street-approved tires
• Safety certification from Transport Canada

Most off-road dirt bikes don’t come equipped with these parts, and installing them doesn’t automatically make the bike legal. Even if you modify it, you’d still need to have it inspected and registered as a motorcycle, which requires insurance and a Class M licence in most provinces.

Important note:

Even electric dirt bikes (like Sur-Ron or Talaria models) are usually considered off-road vehicles in Canada because they exceed the 32 km/h limit or lack pedals. They can be used on private property or designated trails, but not on public roads.

If you’re looking for something that offers that same power and freedom, without legal barriers. A street-legal e-bike like the Movin Urban Cruiser fits the bill. It’s designed for city roads but strong enough for light trails, giving you the best of both worlds.

Are Dirt Bikes Street Legal in Ontario?

In Ontario, dirt bikes fall under the Off-Road Vehicles Act (ORVA), and the law is very clear: you can’t ride a dirt bike on public roads or highways unless it’s been registered and plated as a motorcycle.

Here’s what that means in practice:

• You can ride on private property or on designated off-road trails (with a valid trail permit).
• You cannot ride a dirt bike on public streets, sidewalks, or highways, even small backroads, unless it meets motorcycle-level safety and emissions requirements.
• The bike must be registered, plated, and insured, and the rider must hold a valid M-class licence.

The same rules apply to electric dirt bikes that exceed e-bike limits (32 km/h top speed or 500W motor). Since they don’t meet the power-assisted bicycle definition under Ontario’s Highway Traffic Act, they’re considered motor vehicles and can’t be used on public roads without full registration and insurance.

✅ What’s allowed:  Electric bikes with pedals, 500W or less, and a speed limit of 32 km/h.

🚫 What’s not allowed:  Throttle-only or motocross-style electric dirt bikes with no pedals.

So while dirt bikes, gas or electric, remain off-road vehicles in Ontario, e-bikes give riders a legal and eco-friendly alternative for city streets and bike lanes. You can browse fully compliant models at Movin E-Bikes Collection to find one that matches your riding style.

Are Electric Dirt Bikes Street Legal in Ontario?

Electric dirt bikes sound like the perfect mix of clean power and outdoor fun, but legally, Ontario treats them almost the same as gas dirt bikes. To be street legal, a vehicle must meet Transport Canada’s definition of a “power-assisted bicycle” (PAB) under the Highway Traffic Act. That means it must:

• Have functional pedals that can propel the bike, even without the motor.
• Be powered by an electric motor of 500 watts or less.
• Have a maximum assisted speed of 32 km/h on flat ground.
• Display the manufacturer’s compliance label stating it meets federal e-bike regulations.

Most electric dirt bikes, including popular models like Sur-Ron Light Bee, Segway X260, and Talaria Sting, exceed these limits. They use high-torque motors (2,000–5,000W), go well above 60 km/h, and lack pedals. As a result, they’re legally classified as motorcycles or off-road vehicles, not bicycles.

This means you can’t ride them on Ontario roads, bike lanes, or sidewalks. You can only use them on private property or off-road trails that allow motorized vehicles.

Where You Can Ride

• Private property (with owner’s consent)
• Approved motocross or off-road parks
• Designated forest trails under the Ontario Federation of Trail Riders (OFTR)

Where You Can’t Ride

• Public streets or highways
• Bicycle paths or sidewalks
• Provincial parks with non-motorized designations

If your goal is to have a bike that’s electric, fast, and still road-legal, an e-bike like the Movin Urban Series is the safer choice. It follows all provincial e-bike laws and gives you city range, legal status, and zero emissions, without licensing headaches.

Are Electric Dirt Bikes Street Legal in Alberta?

Alberta’s stance is similar to Ontario’s, but with a few key differences. The province classifies dirt bikes (gas or electric) as Off-Highway Vehicles (OHVs) under the Traffic Safety Act.

That means electric dirt bikes can’t be operated on public roads unless they meet full motorcycle safety standards, lights, mirrors, licence plates, and insurance, and have been approved by Transport Canada for on-road use.

Alberta’s Key Rules for Electric Dirt Bikes

In Alberta, you can use your electric dirt bike:

• On private property with permission.
• On designated trails that permit OHVs (example: McLean Creek, Waiparous).
• On rural routes where local bylaws specifically allow off-road vehicles.

But again, most electric dirt bikes exceed e-bike specs and therefore can’t legally operate on city streets or highways.

If you’re in Alberta and want a legal electric ride for daily use, look for a model that fits e-bike regulations instead. The Movin Urban Cruiser, for example, is fully compliant, with 32 km/h top speed, pedal assist, and zero need for registration or a licence. It’s built for Canadian roads, not off-road circuits.

Pro tip: Always check your local bylaw office before riding on public paths. Some Alberta municipalities (like Canmore or Lethbridge) have stricter rules about motorized bikes, even if they meet e-bike definitions.

How to Make a Dirt Bike Street Legal (In Theory)

You might’ve seen videos or forum posts claiming “you can make your dirt bike street legal.” Technically, that’s true, but in reality, it’s expensive, time-consuming, and rarely worth the effort.

To make a dirt bike road-legal in Canada, you’d need to convert it to meet Transport Canada’s on-road motorcycle safety standards. That includes:

Essential Modifications

1. Lighting and Signals — Install DOT-approved headlight, taillight, brake light, and turn signals.
2. Mirrors and Horn — Two rear-view mirrors and a functional horn are mandatory for visibility and communication.
3. Tires and Fenders — Off-road tires need to be replaced with street-rated ones for grip and compliance.
4. Speedometer and Odometer — Necessary for road compliance and speed verification.
5. License Plate Bracket — Must be properly illuminated at night.
6. VIN and Safety Inspection — Your bike must have a verifiable Vehicle Identification Number and pass inspection from an authorized service center.

Once modified, you’d still need to:

• Insure and register it as a motorcycle.
• Obtain a motorcycle licence (Class M or 6).
• Pass safety checks before getting a plate.

And even after all that, some provinces (like Ontario and Quebec) still won’t issue road plates for converted dirt bikes because they weren’t originally certified by the manufacturer for on-road use.

Bottom Line

Making a dirt bike street legal might sound cool, but in most cases, it’s not practical. The cost of conversion, inspection, and certification can exceed the value of the bike itself.

If your main goal is to ride legally, save money, and stay electric, a purpose-built Movin E-Bike is a smarter alternative. It’s street-legal out of the box, lightweight, and built for Canadian regulations.

Electric Bikes: The Legal and Practical Alternative

If your main goal is to ride legally on the road, enjoy electric power, and skip all the licensing stress, e-bikes are the way to go.

Unlike dirt bikes or electric motocross models, e-bikes are recognized by Transport Canada as power-assisted bicycles (PABs). This makes them fully legal on public roads, bike lanes, and city streets, as long as they follow these key rules:

In short, an electric dirt bike might look fun, but it’s legally an off-road vehicle, while an electric bike gives you real-world freedom.

Models like the Movin Urban Series are perfect examples:

• 32 km/h top speed for safe road use.
• Pedal-assist technology for better control.
• Zero licensing, registration, or fuel costs.

If you’re after that “electric thrill” without dealing with fines or restrictions, switching to an e-bike is the smarter (and greener) move.

Final Thoughts: Ride Smart, Ride Legal

So, are dirt bikes street legal in Canada or Ontario?

Not really. Dirt bikes - gas or electric - fall under off-road vehicle laws and can’t be used on public roads without motorcycle-level certification.

But that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy electric two-wheel fun. E-bikes bridge the gap perfectly, giving you speed, freedom, and convenience, while keeping things 100% road-legal.

Before you buy a dirt bike that stays parked in your garage, check out the Movin E-Bikes Collection, electric rides built for city streets, trails, and everything in between.

You’ll save on gas, skip the paperwork, and still get that same adrenaline rush, minus the legal headaches.