Transport Canada receives many inquiries concerning the admissibility of miniature “Pocket Bike” type motorcycles for importation into Canada. Historically, these miniature motorcycles were manufactured in Europe for racing, and were imported into Canada in small numbers as “competition vehicles” for the purpose of competition in closed-course racing environments. Nowadays, most of these vehicles are being imported from Asian countries. Competition vehicles are not a regulated class of vehicle under the Motor Vehicle Safety Act. Commercial or private importers, who are importing “race-style” competition pocket bikes, are not required to provide a letter of admissibility from Transport Canada. Also, competition vehicles are not subject to the Registrar of Imported Vehicles (RIV) and the Vehicle Import Form (Form 1) is not required.

Under the Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations, a competition vehicle is defined as:

a vehicle that is designed for use exclusively in closed-course competition and

1. bears a label affixed by the manufacturer stating, in both official languages, that the vehicle is a competition vehicle and is for use exclusively in closed-course competition, or
2. is accompanied by a signed declaration clearly indicating that the vehicle is a competition vehicle and is for use exclusively in closed-course competition.

Currently, the majority of these vehicles are not being used in racing environments, but are rather being used for recreational use. Most of these recreational vehicles are equipped with road equipment such as speedometers, headlights, turn signals, and other equipment that indicates that these vehicles are not originally designed exclusively for use in competition.

Miniature motorcycles which are not designed exclusively for closed course competition can be imported as restricted-use motorcycles and must be certified as such. 

	Red vehicle on left is admissible as a competition vehicle (pocket bike style) as it is not equipped with road-type equipment. Green vehicle is not admissible as a competition vehicle because lighting and other equipment is added.
Contact Transport Canada for further information if you wish to import any new style of vehicle into Canada.

Competition vehicles must also bear an indelible bilingual label, affixed in a conspicuous location (usually on the fuel tank), stating:

Requirements for Importing Restricted-Use Motorcycles:

In the event that an importer wishes to import Restricted-Use Motorcycles, please consult the section on our web site entitled Transport Canada’s Pre-clearance Program: Introduction.