A Second Quad Means a Second Trails Fee
A second quad raises a practical question: does Manitoba charge the off-road trails fee once per owner, or once for each machine? The key distinction is that the proposed fee is tied to registered off-road vehicles, not a household’s trail use. Here’s how to understand the proposal, what it could mean for a second quad, and what to verify before registering or riding.
Does a second quad mean another trails fee?
The Manitoba Government’s proposed off-road trails safety and maintenance act includes an annual fee for registered off-road vehicles. If that proposal applies to your situation, the fee would be associated with each registered machine. Owning a second quad would therefore mean a second fee, rather than one fee covering every quad in your household.
The proposal describes a $25 annual fee, collected by Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) when an off-road vehicle is registered. The Manitoba Government says the fee would not apply to off-road vehicles exempt from registration under the Drivers and Vehicles Act. Those details matter: the proposal is framed around registered vehicles, not the number of people riding, the number of trips taken, or whether an owner actually uses a trail.
However, a proposed fee and a fee currently being collected are not the same thing. The Manitoba Government information describes the fee as part of proposed legislation and says implementation was anticipated in late 2023 if the legislation was approved. Since that anticipated date has passed, don’t assume the proposal’s wording alone confirms what MPI will charge today. Check the current status with MPI or an Autopac agent before budgeting for a registration.
| Situation | What the proposal indicates | What to confirm |
|---|---|---|
| You register one quad | A fee would apply to a registered off-road vehicle | Whether the fee is currently in effect and collected with registration |
| You register a second quad | The proposed fee is tied to registered vehicles, so each registered machine may have its own fee | Whether both machines are subject to the current registration and fee rules |
| A machine is exempt from registration | The Manitoba Government says the proposed annual fee would not apply to off-road vehicles exempt from registration | Whether the machine qualifies for a specific exemption |
| You ride only on trails | Trail use alone does not answer whether a registered machine is subject to the proposed fee | The vehicle’s registration status and the current fee rules |
For more on how the proposed charge is described, see The $25 Trails Fee Added to Every Registration and Manitoba Trails Fee Collected With Registration. The central planning point is simple: don’t assume that registering one quad covers a second one. Ask how the rules apply to each machine separately.
Why the fee is tied to the machine
The proposal is intended to support off-road trail safety and maintenance. The Manitoba Government identifies Snowmobilers of Manitoba Inc. and the All-Terrain Vehicle Association of Manitoba as organizations involved in managing the province’s off-road trail networks. The organizations are involved in managing more than 13,000 kilometres of trail, according to the Manitoba Government.
That funding purpose can make the fee feel like a trail-use pass, but it is important to distinguish the two. A charge attached to vehicle registration is not necessarily a pass that grants access to every route. It also does not mean you can ride anywhere simply because the vehicle is registered or the fee has been paid.
Registration and permission to use a route are separate questions. The Manitoba Government says off-road vehicles are strictly limited to designated routes within provincial parks. You still need to check whether the particular trail is open and whether your machine is allowed there. For background on the difference between a registration-related charge and a trail pass, see Manitoba Has No ATV Trail Pass.
That distinction is especially useful when you own more than one machine. A second registration may bring a second registration-related fee if the current rules require it, but it does not automatically give the second machine access to every trail. Check the route rules for the riding area and the machine type before unloading.
Nor does a fee mean that a route is open. Trail conditions and closures can change because of road work, damage, or other hazards. For example, Environment and Climate Change Manitoba reports closures on specific trails in Duck Mountain and Hecla/Grindstone provincial parks, as well as other park-area closures. Check current park notices before making a trip, even if your machine is registered.
What to check before registering a second quad
Before you take a second quad to an Autopac agent, sort out the vehicle’s registration status and the current fee status separately. The Manitoba Government says off-road vehicles require registration and plating, but it also identifies exemptions for certain vehicles. If you think the quad qualifies for an exemption, confirm the details rather than treating an intended use or location as automatic proof.
A practical sequence can prevent an unexpected bill or an incomplete registration:
- Identify the machine. Have the vehicle details and ownership paperwork available so the agent can determine what registration process applies.
- Ask whether it must be registered. If you believe it is exempt, ask which rule applies and what evidence is needed.
- Ask whether the annual trails fee is currently being collected. The proposed fee’s description does not by itself establish its current status.
- Confirm whether the fee applies to this specific machine. Don’t assume another quad on the same account or owned by the same person changes the answer.
- Check what you must carry and display. Registration, a plate, and other required equipment are separate from trail permission.
- Check the planned route. Verify that the trail is designated for off-road vehicles, open, and appropriate for your machine.
MPI and Autopac agents handle vehicle registration, but an agent’s answer about registration does not replace checking trail access. The article Manitoba Registration for a Second Machine covers the separate-machine issue, while Manitoba ORV Registration Through MPI provides more detail about the registration process.
If one of the quads is exempt, don’t assume that every other obligation disappears. The Manitoba Government’s proposed fee exemption is specifically linked to off-road vehicles exempt from registration under the Drivers and Vehicles Act. Confirm how the registration exemption works for the actual machine and use case. Manitoba Registration Exemptions Explained can help you narrow down what to ask.
Registration is not the same as being ready to ride
A registered quad still needs to meet applicable safety requirements, and the rider still has to follow operating rules. The Manitoba Government lists headlights and taillights, mufflers, and spark arresters among off-road vehicle requirements. It also requires helmets when operating an off-road vehicle and seat belts on applicable vehicles.
Transporting cannabis in or on an off-road vehicle is regulated, and consumption of cannabis in or on an off-road vehicle is prohibited, according to the Manitoba Government. These requirements apply to the ride itself; paying a registration-related fee does not replace them.
Trail access needs its own check, too. Duck Mountain Provincial Park is highlighted by Environment and Climate Change as a signature off-road riding destination. Its Mossberry Trail spans 30 kilometres and accommodates off-road vehicles alongside other activities, according to Environment and Climate Change. The department also describes three backcountry campsites along remote lakes in the Duck Mountains for multi-day riding, fishing, and camping.
Those examples are not a blanket invitation to ride wherever you choose in a park. Environment and Climate Change says off-road vehicles are limited to designated routes within provincial parks. Check current notices for the intended route, since closures can affect access even when a destination is generally known for riding. For other Manitoba riding areas, Environment and Climate Change points readers to ATVMB.
A second quad can be a useful addition for a family or group, but plan for each machine on its own terms: its registration, any applicable fee, its safety equipment, and the route you intend to ride. Start by confirming whether the proposed $25 charge is currently in effect and whether it applies to each registered machine. Then check route access and closures. That approach avoids treating one registration or one fee as permission for every vehicle and every trail.
Sources
- Manitoba Government — Province of Manitoba | News Releases | Manitoba Government Introduces Off-Road Trails Safety and Maintenance Act (checked November 3, 2026)
- Environment and Climate Change — Parks and Protected Spaces | Environment and Climate Change | Province of Manitoba (checked November 3, 2026)
Disclaimer
This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Laws, prices and regulations vary by location and change over time. Consult a qualified professional for guidance on your specific situation.
