Ride safely - Wisconsin Department of Tourism

ANN HARDEN
ATV Safety Training
Riding an all-terrain vehicle is exciting
and exhilarating. But in the hands of
an untrained operator, an ATV can also
be very dangerous. ATV’s handle differently
than other vehicles. Accidents happen
fast, even during routine exercises
like turning, riding over obstacles, or riding
on hills.
The purpose of the Wisconsin ATV
Safety Training Program is to promote
responsible, safe and ethical ATV use. By
participating in the program, students
obtain a better understanding of their
obligations to the resources, the
landowner, other ATV users and themselves.
If you want to enroll in an ATV safety
course, contact your nearest DNR service
center or visit
www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/es/enforcement/safety/upcoming.html.
Who is required to be
certified?
All ATVers who ride on public riding
areas (trails, frozen waters, routes, permitted
county and/or forest lands, etc.)
who are at least age 12 and who were
born on or after January 1, 1988 must
have completed a safety certification
course. These ATV operators must carry
their safety certification card and they
must display it to law enforcement officers
when requested. Anyone 11 years
of age or older is eligible to take the
class and receive a safety education completion
certificate. The certificate does
not become valid until the child reaches
12 years of age.
ATV exhausts and noise
Unusually loud ATVs disturb nearby
landowners, wildlife, and other recreators.
That, in turn, hurts Wisconsin’s
opportunity for more trails. Don’t modify
your exhaust so that it’s louder than originally
manufactured. ATV noise must be
no louder than 96 decibels when tested
in accordance with standards. Remember
– loud pipes hurt trails.
ATV registration
If you live in Wisconsin or your ATV
is kept in Wisconsin for more than 15
consecutive days, you must register your
ATV with the Wisconsin Department of
Natural Resources to ride on Wisconsin
ATV trails.
The All Terrain Vehicle (ATV)
Registration Application must be validated
prior to operation of the machine.
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Wisconsin ATV Guide 3