Yes No Share to Facebook
Person Aboard Trailer
Contrary to Section 188 of the Highway Traffic Act
What Is the Law and Fine For Towing a Trailer With a Person Onboard?
Driving While Towing a House Trailer or Boat Trailer, Among Other Types, While a Person Is Inside Violates Section 188 of the Highway Traffic Act. Upon Conviction a Driver Is Subject to Penalties That Include a Fine In a Range From $60 to $1,000 Plus a Statutory Victim Surcharge and Court Cost As Well As Potential Insurance Rate Consequences.
Understanding the Highway Traffic Act Offence For Towing a Trailer With a Person Aboard Including Applicable Penalties
The law requires that all persons traveling are onboard the towing vehicle rather than inside a house trailer or boat trailer that is under tow as serious injury or death could arise in the event of an accident occurrence; and accordingly, a driver may be charged for permitting a person to ride inside a trailer that is under tow.
The Law
The law forbidding a driver from towing a house trailer or boat trailer with a person onboard is found at section 188 of the Highway Traffic Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8 and the applicable penalty upon conviction for a violation is found at section 214(1) of the Highway Traffic Act as section 188 is silent about, meaning failing to state, the penalty details. Specifically, section 188 and section 214(1) of the Highway Traffic Act state:
Riding in house or boat trailers prohibited
188 No driver of a motor vehicle to which a house trailer or boat trailer is attached shall operate the motor vehicle on a highway if the trailer is occupied by any person.
General penalty
214 (1) Every person who contravenes this Act or any regulation is guilty of an offence and on conviction, where a penalty for the contravention is not otherwise provided for herein, is liable to a fine of not less than $60 and not more than $1,000.
As is described via the relevant sections referenced above, the general penalty mandated per section 214(1) of the Highway Traffic Act prescribes a fine that ranges from sixty ($60) dollars to one thousand ($1,000) dollars upon conviction for the towing of a house trailer or of a boat trailer with a person inside. Additionally, also upon conviction, the statutory victim surcharge as well as court cost will apply. Furthermore, a conviction may result in insurance rate increases.
Summary Comment
When a driver operates a motor vehicle that is towing a house trailer or boat trailer with a person inside, doing so creates a great risk of serious harm to the person inside the trailer, especially in an accident occurrence. Accordingly, drivers are legally forbidden from doing so and upon a conviction for a violation a fine of up to one thousand ($1,000) dollars, among other penalties, applies.
NOTE: A considerable amount of online searches featuring “lawyers in my area” or “top lawyer in” typically indicate a pressing need for competent legal assistance rather than a specific designation. In Ontario, licensed paralegals fall under the jurisdiction of the same Law Society that governs lawyers and possess the authority to represent clients in certain litigation matters. Advocacy, legal assessment, and procedural expertise are fundamental to that position. Off the Hook Paralegal provides legal representation within its licensed scope, focusing on strategic positioning, evidence preparation, and compelling advocacy aimed at achieving efficient and favourable outcomes for clients.
