FAQ

The Fédération des clubs de motoneigistes du Québec (FCMQ) is a non-profit organisation, governed by Board composed of 13 volunteer administrators.

The FCMQ is dedicated to the development and promotion of snowmobiling throughout Quebec and is comprised of 197 member snowmobile clubs.

The FCMQ offers various services to its members, including administering financial assistance programs, negotiating preferential trail signage pricing, producing a magazine for its members, etc.

For additional details, click here.

A snowmobile club is a non-profit organisation, with a Board composed of volunteers. The club ensures the smooth functioning of snowmobiling on its territory. Volunteers develop and maintain trails and infrastructures prior to installing signage, along with organising activities for its members. Clubs also include trail wardens amongst their volunteers, with their mandate being member safety.

The primary funding source for snowmobile clubs is trail permit sales revenue (user/pay principle). Monies from these sales are re-injected into trail maintenance, signage purchasing, bridge construction, to name but a few. 

To locate the coordinates of a club, consulte our snowmobile clubs directory.

Are you interested in snowmobiling clients?

You are not on the interactive trail map or the iMotoneige application, but you would like to be there?

Register with your regional tourism association, or contact FCMQ Customer Service for the contact details of the person responsible for points of service at the tourism association concerned. Your business will then be displayed on the interactive trail map and on the iMotoneige* application.

Click here to see the types of eligible businesses by viewing the service legend on the interactive map.

*Some conditions apply.

Please note that if you wish to sign up for the Hotel sécuritaire package, you must do so with Valérie Ménard (vmenard@fcmq.qc.ca).

Whether it’s installing trail signage, negotiating land-use permissions, grooming trails, volunteers are still at the heart of the Quebec snowmobile industry.

What better way to meet like-minded passionate snowmobilers than to enlist your help and contribute to the maintenance and development of a trail system that brings so much joy to so many.

Do you want to become a volunteer?
Contact your local club to offer your services.

Whether you call it a "trail permit sticker" or a "membership card", the trail permit is mandatory to ride on snowmobile trails. The trail permit is composed of a sticker*, which must be installed on the left side of the cab, as well as the "member copy" receipt, both of which are required during trail-side checks.  

Please note that it is prohibited by law to ride on an FCMQ trail without a trail permit.

*Valid for annual and antique annual trail permits. Conditions apply for the other categories of trail permits.

Buying trail permit is a legal obligation for trail users, but above all it's a socially responsible gesture to share the associated operating costs. Clubs are responsible for maintaining snowmobile trails, and that's expensive!

For an annual trail permit sold in presale, 58% of your investment goes back to your club! 

The purchase of the trail permit provides you with:

• The right to ride on all FCMQ member club trails throughout the province; 33,000 km of pure snow heaven;
• Free subscription to Motoneige Québec magazine (4 issues, distributed in Quebec only);
• $1,000,000 (mandatory) public liability insurance coverage.

The cost of trail permits includes civil liability insurance coverage as required by article 19 of An Act Respecting Off-Highway Vehicles, as well as all applicable taxes.

For additional details, click here.

Most of the dollars invested in the purchase of a trail permit go directly to the club for trail maintenance. We strongly recommend that you choose a club where you ride most often.

For additional details, click here.

You must stick it on the left side of the cab*, preferably on a smooth surface or on the windshield

What precautionary measures should I take before I stick my trail permit on my snowmobile?

• Avoid placing it on top of your old trail permit sticker, and avoid cleaning the chosen area with solvent-based cleaners.
• Trail permit sticker should not be installed on a very cold surface. Warm the chosen surface prior to placing the sticker. The warmth from your hand for a few minutes should be sufficient to warm the surface area.
• Avoid using a pressure washer on, or close to, the trail permit sticker.

* Please note that no sticker will be issued for a daily trail permit purchase. You will have to print your proof of purchase (received by email) and follow the listed instructions.

It is possible to purchase you trail permit without insurance, however, civil liability insurance remains mandatory for all snowmobile owners. The FCMQ has negotiated a preferential rate with Intact Insurance for you, for only $37.49 taxes included.

The law stipulates that as a snowmobile owner, you must have a 1 000 000$ minimum, civil liability insurance guaranteeing compensation for material and bodily damage caused by your vehicle. This insurance is mandatory for all snowmobile drivers that ride in or out-of-trails.  

NOTICE: Insurance verification, administration and handling fees of $23.00 taxes included will be applied.

You must foresee a 21-day delay, for verification and validation, before receiving your trail permit.

You must go through the transactional platform  to complete the process of purchasing your trail permit without insurance.

The purchase order form must be filled out completely and returned with all required documents, along with payment information. No personal cheques or money orders accepted.

For additional details, click here.

Other available options

Do you already have liability insurance for your snowmobile, or do you think you can get coverage for a better price? You have the option to purchase a trail permit without insurance. Find out more under Trail Permit – Information.

If you have already purchased your trail permit and wish to cancel the liability insurance included with it, for a refund, fill out the form provided.

ATTENTION! You have a 10-day complimentary examination period. After the first 10 days, only the portion of the insurance premium that is an overpayment can be refunded.

Be protected… and save money with liability coverage from Intact Insurance, included in the price of your trail permit!

All trail permit categories are sold online by the FCMQ for snowmobile clubs.

Promotional video (french only)
Purchase your trail permit online

For more details, click here.

Please note that trail wardens may also sell trail permits in the course of a trail-side verification. However, the snowmobiler will have to pay $800 and could also be eligible for a fine due to having previously ridden on trails without possessing a valid trail permit.

Please note that it is preferable to use the landscape format and not portrait on your tablet or cell phone in order to properly navigate the online purchasing platform of the trail permit.

To purchase online, you will need:

• Equipment (computer, tablet or cellular phone) with access to the Internet*;
  • *Please note it is preferred to be in panoramic mode and not in portrait mode on your tablet or cell phone, in order to navigate through the platform for your on-line trail permit purchase.
• A valid e-mail address;
• How to create an email: Gmail or Outlook
• Open up an existing profile or create a new one;
  • Please ensure that the profile is created in the name of the owner of the snowmobile, the trail permit is automatically issued under the name and address registered in your profile.
  • Make sure that your information is valid, up to date and complete (postal address, telephone, e-mail, etc.).
• Information pertaining to your snowmobile, including the serial number as it appears on your proof of registration.

You can then list your snowmobiles which will require a trail permit in order to be ridden on the magnificent 33,000 km of federated trails.

You will be directed to the club selection page. You can choose your club by selecting it on the map according to its location, entering its number or scrolling through the drop down menu.

Once your club has been selected, you will be able to choose, according to the information entered for your snowmobile, the type of trail permit you want.

• Annual trail permit
• Antique (annual) trail permit* (MY2002 and under)
• "Daily" trail permits (7-day, 3-day and 1-day)

*The antique trail permit option will only appear if the information pertaining to your snowmobile qualifies it according to the years of eligibility.

Once your selection is complete, all you have to do is go to the checkout and pay the amount on the invoice. You will receive, by email, your 21-day temporary trail permit, your Intact Insurance civil liability insurance documentation, and your proof of insurance form. You will receive your official sticker** by mail within a reasonable time.

**Valid for annual and antique annual trail permits. Different conditions apply for the other categories of permits.

To view the demo on YouTube

Take advantage of the "early bird" sale and save on the purchase of your trail permit. The early bird period ends on December 9th.

Beginning December 10th, and without exception, the trail permit rates are the regular rates until the end of the season.

Please note, by law, it is forbidden to circulate in the FCMQ trails until such time, you have received and installed your trail permit on your snowmobile.
However, you may use your temporary trail permit, valid for 21 days, (also accepted on your smart phone). This information will be included in the email, confirming your trail permit purchase. You must also have a civil liability insurance.

1. Canada Post delays vary from 2 to 5 days, added to the time needed to process your order. These delays may increase, particularly during the intense pre sale period.
2. Validate your postal address in your profile.
3. Validate that the FCMQ does not have to wait for complementary information on your behalf if you have chosen to purchase your trail permit without insurance. Please note, by law, it is forbidden to circulate in the FCMQ trails until such time, you have received and installed your trail permit on your snowmobile. 
   You will not receive a temporary trail permit if you have purchased your trail permit without insurance.
4. Following this delay and having validated your information in your profile, call the FCMQ customer service.

The trail permit is personal. It is non-transferable and non-refundable. It is an offence to operate a snowmobile on an approved trail without having paid the prescribed access fee as determined by the Board of Directors.

For more details, click here.

You can purchase a replacement trail permit from your online account, only if you have already purchased an annual trail permit.

Changing your snowmobile?

IMPORTANT: you must remove the sticker from your old snowmobile and keep it for any request for replacement. This proof is mandatory.
Moreover, by leaving the sticker on your old snowmobile, you expose the new owner to an offence since all trail permits must be in the name of the owner of the snowmobile. It's a question of insurance, too.

Procedure :

• Login to your profile;
• Select the replacement option;
• Complete the steps;
• Enter the details of your new snowmobile if applicable;
• Upload the supporting documents required to replace your right-of-entry sticker (photos of the right-of-entry sticker peeled off your snowmobile and cut in half***Make sure the sticker number is visible, to validate your request).
• Finalize your purchase with a credit card.

You will need to download the original documents of your initial purchase from the FCMQ including the original trail permit sticker peeled off the front of your snowmobile.

Do not send documents and payment by mail. Documents and payment must be managed through your profile.

Depending on the reasons for the replacement, you will have to provide documents for the evaluation of the file. For example:

• Snowmobile and annual trail permit have been damaged, the FCMQ will need photos of the damaged snowmobile, the damaged trail permit sticker, the original documents of your initial purchase (originals only) and an accident report if available.
• If the snowmobile is sold, the snowmobiler must recover the trail permit sticker originally purchased by removing it from the snowmobile sold and the original documents of your initial purchase.
• Theft of the snowmobile, the FCMQ will need, amongst other things, the police report, the original documents of your initial purchase.
• Theft of the annual trail permit sticker, the FCMQ will need, amongst other things, the police report and the original documents of your initial purchase.

We recommend that you keep a copy of all these documents for your files.

Verifications may be carried out during the season, and in the event that you are subject to such verifications, the FCMQ may require you to return the original sticker by mail to its offices. It is therefore your responsibility to retain the original 2024 sticker. Failure to do so will result in additional charges to your credit card as a penalty.

* Please note that a FCMQ employee will verify the supporting documents submitted for the purchase of your replacement pass. In the event that the documents sent do not comply with FCMQ requirements, an e-mail will be sent to you and you should send us the correct documents within five (5) days. Failure to do so may result in additional charges to your credit card. You will not receive your replacement right of access until we have received the supporting documentation.

Click on the "Forgotten password" button on the platform and follow the steps.

You will receive an email message that will include it.

The FMCQ does not have access to this private information.

Enter your account using your initial email, make the change in the "Email" field of your profile and save before leaving the page.

Your account will now be updated with your new email address.

The name on the access right will be the one entered in the profile from which you purchased your access right, and it must be the owner of the snowmobile. If this is not the case, you will need to apply for a replacement access right.

For additional details, click here.

You will receive, by email, your temporary access right valid for 21 days when you purchase your annual access right.

You must contact the authorities to obtain an incident report. In addition, you must inform the FCMQ by the customer service or call us at 1-844-253-4343.

In order to obtain a new trail permit, you must go to the FCMQ online purchase platform and select the snowmobile that has been stolen by clicking on "Replacement trail permit".

Procedure :

• Log in to your profile;
• Select the replacement option;
• Complete the steps;
• Download the supporting documents (police report or photos of the trail permit sticker removed from the front of your snowmobile);*.
• Finalize the purchase with a credit card.

View tutorials for purchasing a replacement trail permit on YouTube (available soon)

You will need to download the original documents of your initial purchase from the FCMQ.

Do not send documents and payment by mail. Documents and payment must be managed through your profile.

Depending on the reasons for the replacement, you will have to provide documents for the evaluation of the file. For example:

• Snowmobile and annual trail permit have been damaged, the FCMQ will need photos of the damaged snowmobile, the damaged trail permit sticker, the original documents of your initial purchase and an accident report if available.
• If the snowmobile is sold, the snowmobiler must recover the trail permit sticker originally purchased by removing it from the snowmobile sold and the original documents of your initial purchase.
• Theft of the snowmobile, the FCMQ will need, amongst other things, the police report, the original documents of your initial purchase.
• Theft of the annual trail permit sticker, the FCMQ will need, amongst other things, the police report and the original documents of your initial purchase.

We recommend that you keep a copy of all these documents for your files.

In the event that the supporting documents are not received, the FCMQ will charge your credit card for the amount of the annual trail permit originally purchased less the snowmobile liability insurance fees and less the $30.00 fee already paid.

For additional information, click here.

The trail permit may be transferred from one snowmobile to another belonging to the same owner. You will need to apply for a replacement trail permit via the FCMQ purchasing platform.

You must go to the FCMQ online platform and select the snowmobile that has been sold by clicking on "Replacement trail permit" of the latter.

Procedure :

• Log in to your profile;
• select the replacement option;
• complete the steps;
• enter the information of your new snowmobile if applicable;
• finalize the purchase with a credit card.

View tutorials for purchasing a replacement trail permit on YouTube (available soon)

Regardless of the circumstances that require a replacement, the annual trail permit fee originally purchased will be replaced at a cost of $30.00 taxes included.

You will need to download the original documents of your initial purchase from the FCMQ including the original trail permit sticker.

Do not send documents and payment by mail. Documents and payment must be managed through your profile.

Depending on the reasons for the replacement, you will have to provide documents for the evaluation of the file. For example:

• Snowmobile and annual trail permit have been damaged, the FCMQ will need photos of the damaged snowmobile, the damaged trail permit sticker, the original documents of your initial purchase and an accident report if available.
• If the snowmobile is sold, the snowmobiler must recover the trail permit sticker originally purchased by removing it from the snowmobile sold and the original documents of your initial purchase.
• Theft of the snowmobile, the FCMQ will need, amongst other things, the police report, the original documents of your initial purchase.
• Theft of the annual trail permit sticker, the FCMQ will need, amongst other things, the police report and the original documents of your initial purchase.

We recommend that you keep a copy of all these documents for your files.

In the event that the supporting documents are not received, the FCMQ will charge your credit card for the amount of the annual trail permit originally purchased less the snowmobile liability insurance fees and less the $30.00 fee already paid.

For additional information, click here.

You can not use this trail permit because a trail permit is personal and non-transferable, and must be in the name of the snowmobile owner. You could receive a statement of offence, and you would have no civil liability if you did. You must purchase a new one with your information.

You must contact the authorities to obtain an incident report. In addition, you must inform the FCMQ by the customer service or call us at 1-844-253-4343.

In order to obtain a new trail permit, you must go to the FCMQ online purchase platform and select the snowmobile that has been stolen by clicking on "Replacement trail permit".

Procedure :

• Log in to your profile;
• Select the replacement option;
• Complete the steps;
• Enter the information of your new snowmobile;
• Finalize the purchase with a credit card.

View tutorials for purchasing a replacement trail permit on YouTube (available soon)

You will need to download the original documents of your initial purchase from the FCMQ.

Do not send documents and payment by mail. Documents and payment must be managed through your profile.

Depending on the reasons for the replacement, you will have to provide documents for the evaluation of the file. For example:

• Snowmobile and annual trail permit have been damaged, the FCMQ will need photos of the damaged snowmobile, the damaged trail permit sticker, the original documents of your initial purchase and an accident report if available.
• If the snowmobile is sold, the snowmobiler must recover the trail permit sticker originally purchased by removing it from the snowmobile sold and the original documents of your initial purchase.
• Theft of the snowmobile, the FCMQ will need, amongst other things, the police report, the original documents of your initial purchase.
• Theft of the annual trail permit sticker, the FCMQ will need, amongst other things, the police report and the original documents of your initial purchase.

We recommend that you keep a copy of all these documents for your files.

In the event that the supporting documents are not received, the FCMQ will charge your credit card for the amount of the annual trail permit originally purchased less the snowmobile liability insurance fees and less the $30.00 fee already paid.

For additional information, click here.

An antique snowmobile is a vehicle that is 19 years of age or more. For the 2020-2021 season, admissible snowmobiles will be the ones from model year 2001 or less.

No, since the system will automatically classify your snowmobile according to the information entered. So, if you enter a model year 2001 or older while entering your snowmobile information, when clicking on the purchase link the annual antique trail permit will be chosen at pre-sale cost.

A daily trail permit gives you access to the trails for a period of one (1) day, three (3) consecutive days or seven (7) consecutive days.

When you purchase your daily trail permit, you become a member of the FCMQ and are automatically covered by Intact Insurance's civil liability insurance worth $1,000,000.

You must enter your riding date.

Example, if you purchase on a Monday your 1-day trail permit, but wish to ride the following Saturday, you will choose the date on which that Saturday falls on.

Yes, just chose the date accordingly. Following your purchase confirmation, you will receive by email your trail permit along with all necessary documentation for your chosen riding day. You will enjoy all federated trail riding privileges during legal trail riding hours. 

No. Following your purchase confirmation, you will receive by email your trail permit along with all necessary documentation for your chosen riding day. You will enjoy all federated trail riding privileges during legal trail riding hours. 

No, you will not receive your daily trail permit sticker as you will be using the trails for a short period of time.

You will receive your daily trail permit by email, immediately after confirmation of your purchase, along with all the necessary documents for a valid excursion. You will be able to enjoy the federated trails until they close, depending on the validity of your chosen daily trail permit.

You will be able to print it out and carry it with you at all times during your ride.

Yes! Purchasing your daily trail permit, you become an FCMQ member, therefore automatically being insured with a 1 000 000$ civil liability insurance from Intact Insurance.

No, if you are already insured with your insurer and wish to be reimbursed the insurance portion of your trail permit, you must fil out the Intact insurance form.

The law stipulates that as a snowmobile owner, you must have a 1 000 000$ minimum, civil liability insurance guaranteeing compensation for material and bodily damage caused by your vehicle. This insurance is mandatory for all snowmobile drivers that ride in or out-of-trails.  

Please note you must ask for your reimbursement before your ride out.  

Details here

Besides the Act and Regulation respecting off-highway vehicles, many other regulations, including the Highway Safety Code, contain articles related to snowmobile use.

You will find an internet link for each of these legal documents on our website.

For additional details, click here.

A helmet compliant with regulatory standards and proper footwear are mandatory no matter where the off-highway vehicle is driven. If the helmet is not equipped with a visor, goggles must be worn. Furthermore, all passengers aboard the snowmobile or transported in a sleigh or trailer (must be compliant to OHV laws) must also wear a helmet and goggles if the former is not equipped with a visor. However, if passengers are being transported in an enclosed closed sleigh or trailer, they are not required to wear goggles or a visor.

For additional details, click here.

Before leaving, ensure that your vehicle, regardless of model or type, is compliant with the Act respecting off-highway vehicles and is equipped with the following mandatory equipment:

1. One white headlight
2. One red taillight
3. One red stoplight at the rear
4. One rear-view mirror firmly attached to the left side of the vehicle
5. An conform exhaust system
6. A braking system
7. A functional speedometer
8. Any other equipment required by regulation.

Items 3, 4 and 7 from the list above only apply to snowmobiles built after January 1st, 1998.

It is strictly forbidden to modify or tamper with any of the components of the exhaust system. The owner of a carriage or trailer must equip this one with a red lamp, and must remain lit at all times.

The owner of sleighs and trailers must equip them with a red taillight, and the driver must ensure it remains lit at all times.

For additional details on the OHV act,  click here. 

It is forbidden to carry more passengers than what is indicated by the OHV manufacturer.

The carrying of a passenger on a snowmobile built for one is possible with the installation on of an add-on seat, however, certain conditions apply:

• the seat must be installed according to the manufacturer's instructions and recommendations;
• vehicle weight limit restrictions must be respected.

Additionally, it is forbidden to latch onto, stand or jump onto a moving OHV.

The minimum age requirement to drive an OHV is 16 years-old.

A certification of knowledge and skills is mandatory for drivers of 16 or 17 years  in addition to holding a driver's licence unless said driver is holder of a valid drivers’ licence delivered by an authorized government authority other than la Société de l’assurance automobile du Quebec (for example, a driver's licence issued by the province of Ontario).

The Fédération des clubs de motoneigistes du Quebec has mandated the Conduipro group of driving schools to offer the proper training and deliver a knowledge and skills certification.

Online training is available for those who desire it or for those who do not have a Conduipro school in their region.

For additional details, click here.

You may ride with your child. However, by virtue of the Regulation respecting off-highway vehicles, the passenger must sit at all times behind the driver, face forward and their feet must touch the floorboards.  The snowmobile must be designed for two people (touring or single seat snowmobile equipped with approved add-on seat)

The harness is not included in the Act.

The maximum speed limit allowed on a snowmobile is 70km/h. However, this speed limit may be lower if regulatory signage indicates otherwise.

In a case where OHVs are permitted to circulate within 100 m from a home, a health-related establishment or an area where open-air activities take place, such as cultural, educational, recreational or sporting, the maximum speed limit allowed for OHVs is 50 km/h

However, if within 30 m of these establishments, if circulation is still permitted, the maximum speed limit is 30 km/h (even if no speed limit signage is present).

Pay attention to noise near residential areas: When approaching a residential area, please reduce speed to reduce noise. Be sure to be particularly vigilant at night, in those areas overnight circulation is permitted.

Excessive speeds, alcohol abuse and careless driving are the primary causes of deadly accidents involving OHVs.

For additional information regarding speed limits, fines and conduct, click here.

By virtue of the Law, riding is forbidden everywhere between midnight and 6 am (article 12.2, Act respecting off-highway vehicles), unless a municipality/MRC has approved an exception and relevant and approved signage is installed at the entrance and exit of the zone in which times differ from what is indicated in the Act. 

Circulation is also forbidden between 10 pm and 6 am on trails located on an abandoned railroad right-of-way, by virtue of paragraph 2, of article 1 of the Regulation respecting off-highway vehicles.

Driving a snowmobile with impaired ability through alcohol, drugs or medication is prohibited.

In the event of an infraction, the penalties are the same as those applicable to the driver of any other road vehicle.

You are prohibited from driving on public roads, except in rare exceptions provided by the OHV law.

You can cross or drive on a public road only if road signs allow you to do so and if you have a valid driver's licence.

Snowbikes (ex. Timbersled) and Bombardier B12’s, are not authorized on the trails. Only snowmobile-registered vehicles are allowed.

The trail wardens' role (both club and/or provincial) is mainly centered on educating snowmobilers on safety matters. Wardens are supported by off-highway laws, along with the collaboration of clubs and police forces. The warden may issue courtesy tickets or (infraction) tickets if he uncovers irregularities.

Safety on snowmobile trails requires that wardens be present throughout the territory of FCMQ member clubs, and this without exception.

You must contact your local club to offer your services. The club will then register you to a one-day training course which is given each fall.

In order to become a (provincial) trail warden for la Fédération des clubs de motoneigistes du Québec, candidates must respect certain criteria to be admissible.

For additional information, we invite you to communicate with us by email at: securite@fcmq.qc.ca

Snowmobile trails are maintained by snowmobile clubs; if you notice that a trail is poorly groomed, contact the responsible club directly. For this, please consult the directory of snowmobile clubs.

If you have already contacted the club and wish to make a complaint, you can send your request to the FCMQ at info@fcmq.qc.ca with all the necessary information. (Issue, location, trail number, etc.) It will be processed and a follow-up will be done.

Many confuse the Act respecting off-highway vehicles and the government pilot-project (Arrêté 2015-2018) dating back to the winter of 2015-2016.

The pilot project was challenged by the FCMQ, supported by the tourism industry, resulting in it no longer being applied to snowmobiles. In fact, the Quebec government reversed its decision and issued a decree (MTMDET 2016-06) modifying this pilot project to address studded tires only, which applies to quads.

Studs have always been legal for snowmobiles, and the FCMQ continues to promote and support their use, which helps to substantially improve safety on icy trails and at road crossings due to greatly improved traction.