The $100 Quebec Top-Up That Ended in 2023
If you ride Ontario trails and want to cross into Quebec, an old permit arrangement can cause confusion: Ontario riders once had a $100 top-up option, but that arrangement ended in 2023. The key point is that an Ontario trail permit should not be assumed to cover Quebec trails now. Here’s what changed and what to check before you travel.
What the $100 Quebec top-up was
The $100 top-up was a way for eligible Ontario permit holders to access Quebec’s organized ATV trail network through a cross-border arrangement. It was not the same thing as registering an ATV, and it did not change the rules for riding on public roads. It concerned trail access and the permits accepted by participating trail organizations.
The arrangement reflected cooperation between Ontario’s organized trail system and Quebec’s Fédération Québécoise des Clubs Quads, often shortened to FQCQ. It gave some Ontario riders a simpler way to arrange Quebec trail access than purchasing a separate Quebec permit under the regular system.
That convenience is the reason the old top-up still comes up in trip planning. Riders may have heard about it from a friend, seen an older permit discussion, or remember buying one before a Quebec trip. But the arrangement ended in 2023. An old explanation, receipt, or permit page does not establish that the same option is available for a current ride.
The word “top-up” can also blur several different permissions. An Ontario vehicle permit is about registering the machine. An Ontario trail permit is for access to participating Ontario trail networks. A Quebec trail permit is governed by Quebec’s current trail-pass system and the rules of the organizations operating those trails. These are separate matters.
| What you need | What it generally covers | What it does not establish |
|---|---|---|
| Ontario vehicle permit and plate | Registration of the machine in Ontario | Permission to use every trail |
| Ontario trail permit | Access to participating Ontario trail networks, subject to their rules | Automatic access to Quebec trails |
| Quebec trail permit | Access under Quebec’s current trail-permit arrangements | Ontario vehicle registration or road permission |
| Insurance and required riding documents | Compliance with applicable insurance and riding rules | A substitute for a trail permit |
For a fuller explanation of the distinction between trail access and vehicle registration, see Ontario ATV Trail Permits Explained and Riding Quebec on an Ontario Registration. The main practical takeaway is simple: an Ontario registration may help show that your machine is properly registered, but it does not by itself provide permission to ride a Quebec club trail.
What changed when the arrangement ended
When the cross-border arrangement ended in 2023, Ontario riders could no longer rely on the $100 top-up as a current route to Quebec trail access. If you are planning to ride there, check the current requirements with the relevant Quebec trail organization or permit provider before setting out. Do not assume that an Ontario trail permit, an expired top-up, or an older reciprocity agreement will be accepted.
For Ontario riders, this means planning for Quebec access separately. Start by checking whether the trails you intend to use require a Quebec permit and how that permit must be purchased or displayed. Confirm that it applies to your machine and intended riding dates, and check whether the route crosses into a different club’s area with its own requirements.
The end of the top-up did not automatically make an Ontario-registered ATV invalid in Quebec. Rather, vehicle registration and trail access are different questions. Whether your Ontario registration is suitable for taking the machine across the provincial border is separate from whether you have permission to ride a particular trail. Does Quebec Honour an Ontario Permit? and Why Quebec Agreement Ended in 2023 address those issues from different angles.
It also helps to distinguish a reciprocal agreement from a general rule that one province’s permit works everywhere. Agreements can set specific conditions, cover only certain permit types, and change over time. A past arrangement is not proof that trail access remains reciprocal today. For comparison, Ontario’s trail arrangements with other regions have their own limits; Ontario Permits Honoured in New Brunswick explains why riders should check the details rather than generalize from one border crossing.
How to plan a Quebec ride now
Use this process before you load the ATV or UTV. It is especially useful if you have relied on the old top-up before or are following a route that crosses several trail areas.
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Identify the trails and clubs on your route. A destination name is not always enough. Check which trail organization manages the sections you plan to ride and whether your route crosses into another area.
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Ask what permit is accepted for those trails. Check with the relevant Quebec organization or permit provider for current requirements. Ask specifically whether an Ontario permit provides any access, whether a Quebec permit is required, and whether there are separate club conditions.
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Confirm the permit period and display instructions. Check the dates it covers and how the permit must be displayed or carried. Do not assume an old sticker, a past purchase, or a screenshot of a former policy is adequate.
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Check the machine and rider requirements. Confirm that your registration, insurance, equipment, and any required documents meet the rules that apply to your ride. Requirements can differ between trail use and travel on public roads.
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Save the current information before leaving home. Keep the permit confirmation and useful contact details accessible. Mobile coverage can be unreliable in some riding areas, so do not depend on being able to resolve a permit question from the trail.
If your trip is built around a particular club network, contact that organization directly rather than relying only on a general discussion of reciprocity. Buying an FQCQ Permit for Quebec is a relevant starting point for understanding the separate Quebec permit route. Check current instructions with the provider before purchasing, since prices and permit terms can change.
Ontario riders may also find it helpful to review Ontario’s Separate Club Passes. Even within Ontario, a permit that serves one trail system does not necessarily cover every trail or organization. The same careful approach is useful when planning across the Quebec border: determine which network controls each part of the route and verify what it accepts.
Common mistakes to avoid
Treating a vehicle permit as a trail permit. Your Ontario registration concerns the vehicle. It does not automatically grant access to a Quebec trail system. Keep the registration question separate from the trail-permit question.
Assuming the old $100 top-up is still available. The arrangement ended in 2023. If an older web page, message, or receipt mentions it, confirm current options directly with the relevant provider before relying on it.
Assuming an Ontario trail permit works across the border. Trail permit reciprocity is specific, not universal. Rules for one neighboring region do not prove the same rules apply in Quebec. Ontario Trail Permit Reciprocity With the Maritimes offers a useful example of why each cross-border arrangement needs to be checked on its own terms.
Waiting until the trailhead to sort it out. A permit may need to be arranged in advance or through a particular organization. Leaving the check until arrival can waste riding time or leave you unable to access the trail you planned to use.
Confusing public-road permission with trail access. A trail permit does not make a machine legal on every road, and vehicle registration does not authorize riding on private or club-managed trails. If your route includes public roads, check the road rules separately from the trail pass.
Relying on someone else’s permit. A permit may be tied to a specific machine, rider, period, or set of conditions. Verify that the permit you plan to use actually covers your ride rather than assuming that a companion’s pass is enough.
In short, the old $100 Quebec top-up is a historical option, not a reliable basis for current trip planning. Treat Quebec trail access as a separate item to verify, and confirm the current permit, machine, and riding requirements before crossing the border.
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.
