Equipment Requirements for Motorcycles  

The following are selected portions, taken directly from the Alberta Highway Traffic Act, Revised Statutes of Alberta 1980, Chapter H-7 with amendments in force as of May 17, 1995. It contains the current laws, within the Province of Alberta, regarding equipment requirements for Motorcycles. This listing is current as of the date of publishing of this document. There may be requirements in addition to those listed below. For additional information, contact .

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police

"K" Division

11140 - 109 St. Edmonton, Alberta

T5G 2T4

Canada

(780) 945-5424

Headlights:

Section 23 
(1) Headlamps arranged to provide a single distribution of light may be used: 
     (b) on motor cycles manufactured and sold before January 1, 1969. 

Section 24
Every motor cycle, moped and power bicycle shall be equipped with at least one headlamp  but not more than 2 headlamps. 

Tail Lights:

Section 26 
(2) Every motor cycle, moped and power bicycle shall be equipped with at least one  tail lamp mounted at the rear of the vehicle. 

Section 26 
(7) A tail lamp shall be so constructed that the rear license plate of the vehicle will be illuminated and clearly visible from a distance of 15 meters to the rear, or a separate lamp shall be mounted on the rear of the vehicle to illuminate the license plate and make it visible from a distance of 15 meters to the rear. 

Section 28 
(1) Except as permitted by this Act, no vehicle shall display to the rear of it a light of any color other than red. 

Brake Lights:

Section 29 
(1) Unless otherwise provided by the regulations: 
     (a) every motor cycle, moped and power bicycle shall be equipped with at least one stop lamp mounted at the rear of the vehicle. 

Section 29 
(2) When stop lamps are used on a vehicle, 
     (b) they shall be located, 
          (i) in the case of a motor cycle, moped or power bicycle, on the vertical center line unless more than one stop lamp is used and, in that case, they shall be symmetrically disposed about the vertical center line. 

Auxiliary Lights:

Section 40 
(1) A motor vehicle may be equipped with fixed or moveable auxiliary lamps or fog lamps mounted on the front of the vehicle and below the level of the centers of the headlamps and at a height not less than 400 millimeters above the level on which the vehicle stands. 

(2) Not more than 2 auxiliary lamps or 2 fog lamps mounted on opposite sides of a vehicle may be used and the use of those lamps shall be in connection with but not in substitution for headlamps except under conditions of fog or rain rendering disadvantageous the use of headlamps. 

(3) In no event shall the number of auxiliary and fog lamps on a motor vehicle 
exceed a combined total of 4 and in no event shall more than 2 of those lamps be lighted for use with lighted headlamps. 

(4) An auxiliary lamp or fog lamp on a motor vehicle shall be adjusted and aimed so that when the vehicle is unloaded none of the high intensity portion of the light to the left of center of the vehicle projects, at a distance of 8 meters ahead, higher than 100 millimeters below the center of the lamp from which the beam of light is projected. 

(5) The term "auxiliary lamp" or "fog lamp" denotes any combination of reflector, lens and lamp bulb designed to illuminate the roadway close to and 
forward or forward and to the sides of the motor vehicle and otherwise meeting the requirements of this section. 

Brakes:

Section 43 
(3) No motor cycle, moped or power bicycle shall be operated on a highway 
unless each wheel of the vehicle is equipped with an adequate service brake. 

Section 44 
(2) Every person driving a motor vehicle on any highway shall, on request of a 
 peace officer
          (a) permit the officer to inspect and test the brakes with which the motor  vehicle is equipped and for that purpose to operate the vehicle , or
          (b) at the option of the officer, operate the motor vehicle as directed by the officer for the purpose of the inspection and testing of the brakes. 

Horns:

Section 45 
(1) Every motor vehicle, motor cycle, moped, power bicycle and bicycle shall be equipped with an adequate horn, gong or bell and it shall be kept in good 
working order and shall be sounded whenever it is reasonably necessary to 
warn persons on or approaching the highway in the vicinity of the vehicle or 
motor cycle, moped, power bicycle or bicycle. 

Mufflers:

Section 46 
(1) A motor vehicle propelled by an internal combustion engine shall be equipped with an exhaust muffler consisting of a series of pipes or chambers which ensures that the exhaust gasses from the engine are cooled and expelled without excessive noise and without the emission of any flame or sparks. 

(2) No person shall drive or operate a motor vehicle propelled by an internal 
combustion engine when the muffler with which the vehicle is equipped is 
cut out or disconnected from the engine. 

(3) No person shall drive or operate a motor vehicle propelled by an internal 
combustion engine equipped with a muffler from which has been removed a  
baffle-plate or other part. 

(4) No person shall drive or operate a motor vehicle propelled by an internal 
combustion engine equipped with a muffler, the exhaust outlet of which has 
been opened or widened. 

Rear View Mirror:

Section 53 
(1) Every motor vehicle shall carry a mirror securely attached to it and placed in a position that will afford the driver a clear view of the roadway to the rear and of any vehicle approaching from the rear. 

Speedometer:

Section 54 
Every motor vehicle shall be equipped with a speedometer to indicate the speed of the vehicle when moving forward.