Announcements

New Oregon All-Terrain Vehicle Operator Requirements

OHV in Dunes, OR

Senate Bill 101 was signed into law by Governor Ted Kulongoski on August 15, 2007. The law requires that everyone operating Class I (quads) or Class III (motorcycle) All-terrain Vehicles (ATV) for recreational purposes on public lands* successfully complete an ATV safety education course. It also includes new requirements for adult supervision of youth under 16 years of age, fastening of helmet chin straps, and properly matching youth under 16 with a correct size quad. These new requirements will be phased in over a period from January 1, 2008 through January 1, 2014. The following schedule shows when each of these specific requirements will be put into effect.

Starting January 1, 2008

Supervision: Starting January 1, 2008, all youth under 16 operating a Class I or Class III ATV on public lands must be supervised by an adult who:

  • Is at least 18 years of age.
  • Holds a valid All-terrain Vehicle Safety Education Card. (Note: The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department is currently developing requirements for the ATV safety education course. As a result, this specific requirement will begin on January 1, 2009.)
  • Is able to provide immediate assistance and direction to the children.

Chin Straps: Helmets are currently required for youth under 18 for Class I and III ATVs. Oregon law now clarifies that the helmet’s chin strap must be fastened.

Starting January 1, 2009

**Mandatory safety education for all Class I (quads) and Class III (motorcycles) ATV operators on public lands: Starting January 1, 2009--All youth under 16 must always be supervised by an adult over age 18 and have an ATV Safety Education card.

Class I Rider Fit (proposed for OAR inclusion): A Class I ATV operator under the age of 16, must meet all the following minimum physical size requirements in relationship to the vehicle;

  1. Brake Reach: With hands placed in the normal operating position and fingers straight out, the first joint (from the tip) of the middle finger will extend beyond the brake lever, and
  2. Leg Length: While sitting, with their feet on the pegs, the knee must be bent at least 45 degrees, and
  3. Grip Reach: While sitting upright on the ATV with hands on the handlebars and not leaning forward, there must be a distinct angle between the upper arm and the forearm, and
  4. The rider must be able to turn the handle bars from lock to lock while maintaining grip on the handle bars and maintaining throttle and brake control.

2010 through 2014

**Mandatory safety education for Class I (quads) and Class III (motorcycles) ATV operators on public lands:

  • Starting January 1, 2010 -- all persons under age 31 must have an ATV education card.
  • Starting January 1, 2011 all persons under age 41 must have an ATV education card.
  • Starting January 1, 2012 all persons under age 51 must have an ATV education card.
  • Starting January 1, 2013 all persons under age 61 must have an ATV education card.
  • Starting January 1, 2014 all persons must have an ATV safety education card.

*This bill exempts the above requirements for operators using ATVs exclusively for farming, agriculture, forestry, nursery or Christmas tree growing operations and being used on lands owned or leased by the owner of the vehicle.

**Mandatory ATV safety education requirements are being developed during 2008. ATV education cards will be available through an online course and test, similar to the Oregon State Marine Board’s Boater education program. Hands-on safety training requirements are also being explored for youth.

www.rideATVoregon.org