Experience and maturity can make a big difference in safety when operating any motor vehicle, including ATVs. While ATVs can be fun for people of all ages, parents and adults must keep their kids safe.
In Minnesota, there are specific laws that parents and children must follow when operating an ATV.
Children under 12 years old
You can allow children under 12 years old to operate an ATV. However, they cannot use the vehicle on public property. Kids under 10 years old can only operate the vehicle on private property with the owner’s permission. Parents or guardians must attend hands-on ATV safety training with their children.
Kids aged 10 and 11 can operate an ATV up to 90cc in public if their guardian or parent stays with them. If the child wants to use an ATV up to 110cc, he or she must have a straddle-style seat with a parent or guardian. For ATVs up to 110cc, the kids must have a side-by-side style ATV with a steering wheel and remain accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Children under 16 years old
Older kids must have a safety certificate to operate an ATV on public property or to cross roadways. Additionally, adults 18 years and older with valid driver’s licenses must remain with them. Kids can also ride on slopes, ditches and banks of a public road as long as the kids have ATV safety certifications and stay with parents or legal guardians on separate ATVs.
When it comes to kids 16 and older, they must have a valid driver’s license and safety certification to operate on public roadways.
