ATV Operation & Safety Requirements

No person shall operate, ride, or be otherwise propelled on an all-terrain vehicle on public lands unless the person wears a safety helmet meeting requirements established for motorcycles and motorized bicycles pursuant to Section 27802. (CVC §38505)

No operator of an all-terrain vehicle may carry a passenger when operating on public lands. However, the operator of an all-terrain vehicle, that is designed for operation off of the highway by an operator with no more than one passenger, may carry a passenger when operating on public lands. (CVC §38506)

All-terrain vehicle (ATV) operators under age 18 years of age must comply with the following CVC requirements when operating an ATV on public lands. The OHMVR Division currently provides funding for ATV safety certificate training for those age 6 through 17. For more information and to sign up for training, contact the ATV Safety Institute at (800) 887-2887.  Additional information is available on the Free ATV Safety Training web page.

Special conditions apply for Minors operating ATVs. Please refer to the Minors and ATVs: Special Conditions web page for important information relating to Minors operating ATVs.