Minimum age to ride atv trails?

[ibthetrout]

I recently picked up a pair of quads for my kids ages 8 and 10. Is there a minimum age they have to be in order to ride on Michigan atv trails?

[Burksee]

DNR/State website; http://www.offroad-ed.com/mi/handbook/age_restrictions.htm

Looks like at this time they're a bit underage for the DNR trails. :sad:

[malainse]

As Burksee's link points out:

Must be at least 12 yrs old before can ride on trails. Then must have ORV certificate and visual supervision.

[ibthetrout]

The "MAN" sure has a long reach into my private life! Hard to believe they can tell me when my kid is ready to ride. I guess I am currently operating against the law because neither of my kids have taken an official orv class and we ride our property quite a bit. Thanks for the quick response!

[William H Bonney]

If I'm not mistaken,, doesn't the size of the ATV/engine have some bearing on the age of the rider?? Like the bigger the engine, the older they have to be?

[ibthetrout]

I did not see that anywhere in the link provided. I have to say I am a bit shocked to see the actual law on this. I may have to put up a poll on soundoff to see how many people have kids under 10 that ride atvs on private property that is not farm land. I'm thinking this is one of those laws that rarely gets enforced.

Burksee - have you ever written someone up under this law while they were on their own property?

[malainse]

If I'm not mistaken,, doesn't the size of the ATV/engine have some bearing on the age of the rider?? Like the bigger the engine, the older they have to be?

Not under Michigan law. But, you do see the manufactures place stickers on quads that state "must be over 16" etc.

As for enforcement on own/private property. I treated it like the guy that was going 2 MPH plowing snow with no helmet..

I just looked at the other side of the road.....;):whistle:

[ibthetrout]

Thanks Mal, I would hope that law would only be used against someone only when it really warrants it. For my kids riding their atvs is a lot like shooting their guns, lots of safety talk every time we go out. They are required to wear a helmet, googles, long pants, shoes and socks. It still gets me that this is technically illegal. Anyway you guys have answered my question and whether I like it or not has nothing really to do with the law. Feel free to lock this one if you like.

[Burksee]

.......Burksee - have you ever written someone up under this law while they were on their own property?LOL! Just because I have a Charger State Police ride in my avatar everyone thinks I'm a state trooper! LOL! Farthest thing from the truth, I'm just a wrench that supports the vehicle line. ;)

[boehr]

The "MAN" sure has a long reach into my private life! Hard to believe they can tell me when my kid is ready to ride. I guess I am currently operating against the law because neither of my kids have taken an official orv class and we ride our property quite a bit. Thanks for the quick response!There is an old saying, "buy your kid an ORV for their last birthday". ORV's have become much safer verses when they had three-wheelers. A lot happens when the parent doesn't teach a kid to ride properly but one must remember and if each of us that is older now will remember ourselves, kids have no fear and doing things that they believe are fun when they are invincible until a mistake happens when then the experience sometimes becomes the teacher.

:fish:As for riding on your own property, I have never myself or ever heard of another officer giving a ticket or even a waring when they are on their own property. Just remember though, your own property doesn't include the public road and that is where I have seen some get into trouble.