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New Oregon All-Terrain Vehicle Operator Requirements |
New Oregon All-Terrain Vehicle Operator Requirements
Senate Bill 101 was signed into law by Governor Ted Kulongoski on August 15, 2007. The law requires that all Oregonians 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:
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Is at least 18 years of age.
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Holds a valid All-terrain Vehicle 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.)
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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:
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Starting January 1, 2009--All youth under 16 must always be supervised by an adult over age 18 and have an ATV education card.
Class I Rider Fit:
Rider Fit Guidelines are currently being developed for youth under 16 who operate Class I ATVs (quads). These guidelines will help properly match the size of the youth to the correct size quad. (Note: This specific requirement will begin on January 1, 2009.) More information about the new guidelines will be posted as it becomes available.
2010 through 2014
**Mandatory safety education for Class I (quads) and Class III (motorcycles) ATV operators on public lands:
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Starting January 1, 2010 -- all persons under age 31 must have an ATV education card.
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Starting January 1, 2011 all persons under age 41 must have an ATV education card.
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Starting January 1, 2012 all persons under age 51 must have an ATV education card.
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Starting January 1, 2013 all persons under age 61 must have an ATV education card.
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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.oregonohv.org |
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