Reference
ATV safety course by state — ASI nationwide + state-run alternatives
Last updated: 2026-05-29
The ATV Safety Institute (ASI) runs the nationwide ATV RiderCourse — a ≈ 4 hours hands-on hands-on course recognised in most states that mandate ATV safety training. 25 states impose a statutory under-age safety-course requirement; 10of those require their own state-administered course rather than accepting ASI completion. The table below shows each state’s route.
Nationwide default
ATV Safety Institute (ASI / SVIA)
ASI is operated by the Specialty Vehicle Institute of America, the industry trade group representing major OHV manufacturers (Polaris, Honda, Yamaha, Can-Am, Kawasaki, Suzuki). Two course tracks:
- ATV RiderCourse — in-person hands-on
- $25 in-person hands-on (free with new SVIA-member-brand machine purchase within 90 days; rebate for owner + 1 family member). ≈ 4 hours hands-on of practical instruction at SVIA-member dealers and partner sites nationwide. Recognised by every state that mandates safety training (with the 10 state-run exceptions below).
- atvsafety.org/atv-ridercourse ↗
- ATV E-Course — online
- $39 online. ≈ 1.5 hours online. Satisfies most under-age statutory mandates in states that recognise ASI; check your state’s row below before relying on E-Course alone. Some states require the in-person hands-on RiderCourse, not the online E-Course.
- atvsafety.org/atv-ecourse ↗
Age eligibility: 6 years and up (machine size matched to rider age). Machine-size restrictions apply by age — kids’ courses run on age-matched bikes (50cc / 90cc / 110cc tiers).
50-state safety-course directory
50 states · 25 with under-age mandate · 10 require state-run course · 2025 model year
Three route classes appear in the table:
- State-run course required — the state DNR / agency mandates its own course and does not accept ASI completion as a substitute. The state course is usually free or low-cost and runs as an online module plus an in-person field day. Riders must complete the state course even if they already hold an ASI certificate.
- ASI or state course — the state mandates safety training under a specific age but accepts either ASI completion or a state-listed equivalent. ASI E-Course is the fastest path; in-person RiderCourse may be required for youngest age band.
- ASI recognised — no statutory under-age mandate. ASI ATV RiderCourse remains the recognised nationwide option for new riders.
50 of 50 states
| State | Mandate under age | Course route | Notes & statute | Course page |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama(AL) | No mandate | ASI recognised | Alabama has no statutory safety-course mandate. ASI ATV RiderCourse remains the recognised nationwide option for new riders and parents enrolling minors. | Open ↗ |
| Alaska(AK) | No mandate | ASI recognised | Alaska has no statewide course mandate. Local communities and SVIA dealers host ASI RiderCourse seasonally. | Open ↗ |
| Arizona(AZ) | No mandate | ASI recognised | Arizona Game & Fish posts OHV-safety guidance and points riders to ASI RiderCourse + ASI E-Course. No state-run alternative course. | Open ↗ |
| Arkansas(AR) | No mandate | ASI recognised | Arkansas has no statutory safety-course mandate. ASI ATV RiderCourse is the recognised nationwide option. | Open ↗ |
| California(CA) | < 18 | ASI or state course | California (Veh. Code §38503) requires under-18 riders to complete a safety course or ride under direct supervision of a certified-completion adult. ASI ATV RiderCourse satisfies; state OHV program also lists in-person providers. | Open ↗ |
| Colorado(CO) | No mandate | ASI recognised | Colorado Parks & Wildlife runs a youth OHV education program; no statewide adult mandate. ASI ATV RiderCourse recognised. | Open ↗ |
| Connecticut(CT) | < 16 | ASI or state course | Connecticut DEEP requires safety-education certificate for under-16 ATV riders on public lands. State recognises ASI plus DEEP-administered course. | Open ↗ |
| Delaware(DE) | No mandate | ASI recognised | Delaware has no statutory safety-course mandate. ASI ATV RiderCourse is the recognised nationwide option. | Open ↗ |
| Florida(FL) | < 16 | ASI or state course | Florida (Fla. Stat. §261.03) requires riders under 16 to complete a state-recognised safety course before operating on public lands. ASI ATV RiderCourse + ASI E-Course both satisfy the requirement. | Open ↗ |
| Georgia(GA) | No mandate | ASI recognised | Georgia has no statutory safety-course mandate. ASI ATV RiderCourse is the recognised nationwide option for new riders. | Open ↗ |
| Hawaii(HI) | No mandate | ASI recognised | Hawaii has no statewide safety-course mandate. ASI RiderCourse is the recognised option; offerings are seasonal in the islands. | Open ↗ |
| Idaho(ID) | < 16 | ASI or state course | Idaho requires under-16 riders to hold a safety-education certificate on public lands. Idaho Parks & Recreation runs the state OHV Education Program; ASI ATV RiderCourse also recognised. | Open ↗ |
| Illinois(IL) | No mandate | ASI recognised | Illinois DNR publishes ATV safety guidance and recognises ASI completion. No statewide mandatory-course statute. | Open ↗ |
| Indiana(IN) | No mandate | ASI recognised | Indiana has no statutory safety-course mandate. ASI ATV RiderCourse is the recognised nationwide option for new riders. | Open ↗ |
| Iowa(IA) | < 16 | State-run course required | Iowa DNR mandates a state-administered ATV education certificate for riders age 12–17 to operate on public land. Course is DNR-run (online + field day); ASI completion does not substitute. | Open ↗ |
| Kansas(KS) | No mandate | ASI recognised | Kansas has no statutory safety-course mandate. ASI RiderCourse is the recognised nationwide option. | Open ↗ |
| Kentucky(KY) | < 16 | ASI or state course | Kentucky (KRS §189.515) requires safety-training certificate for riders age 12–15 operating ATVs in public areas. ASI ATV RiderCourse satisfies. | Open ↗ |
| Louisiana(LA) | No mandate | ASI recognised | Louisiana has no statutory safety-course mandate. ASI ATV RiderCourse is the recognised nationwide option. | Open ↗ |
| Maine(ME) | < 16 | State-run course required | Maine Inland Fisheries & Wildlife mandates state-approved ATV-safety course for riders under 16. Course is volunteer-instructor administered statewide; ASI E-Course completion accepted where the state lists it as an alternative. | Open ↗ |
| Maryland(MD) | No mandate | ASI recognised | Maryland has no statutory safety-course mandate for ATV riders. ASI RiderCourse is the recognised nationwide option. | Open ↗ |
| Massachusetts(MA) | < 18 | State-run course required | Massachusetts Environmental Police mandates safety-certificate for under-18 riders operating ATVs / snowmobiles. State-administered course required; ASI completion may be accepted on a case-by-case basis — confirm with MEP. | Open ↗ |
| Michigan(MI) | < 16 | State-run course required | Michigan DNR mandates ORV Safety Certificate for riders ages 12–15 operating ORVs on public lands. State-administered (online + field day); ASI does not substitute. | Open ↗ |
| Minnesota(MN) | < 16 | State-run course required | Minnesota DNR mandates ATV-safety certificate for riders born after 1 July 1987 operating Class 1 / Class 2 ATVs on public lands. State-administered course (online + ride day) required. | Open ↗ |
| Mississippi(MS) | No mandate | ASI recognised | Mississippi has no statutory safety-course mandate. ASI ATV RiderCourse is the recognised nationwide option. | Open ↗ |
| Missouri(MO) | No mandate | ASI recognised | Missouri has no statutory safety-course mandate. ASI ATV RiderCourse is the recognised nationwide option. | Open ↗ |
| Montana(MT) | No mandate | ASI recognised | Montana FWP does not mandate a safety course but recommends ASI completion for new riders. No statewide statutory mandate. | Open ↗ |
| Nebraska(NE) | No mandate | ASI recognised | Nebraska has no statutory safety-course mandate. ASI ATV RiderCourse is the recognised option. | Open ↗ |
| Nevada(NV) | No mandate | ASI recognised | Nevada has no statutory safety-course mandate for ATV riders. ASI RiderCourse is the recognised nationwide option. | Open ↗ |
| New Hampshire(NH) | < 18 | State-run course required | New Hampshire Fish & Game mandates OHRV safety-education certificate for riders age 12–17. State-administered course (in-person field day) required; volunteer-instructor delivered. | Open ↗ |
| New Jersey(NJ) | < 16 | ASI or state course | New Jersey (N.J.S.A. §39:3C-23) requires safety certificate for under-16 ATV operators. ASI ATV RiderCourse + ASI E-Course satisfy. | Open ↗ |
| New Mexico(NM) | < 18 | State-run course required | New Mexico Energy Minerals & Natural Resources mandates OHV safety certificate for riders under 18 statewide. State runs its own online + field training program. | Open ↗ |
| New York(NY) | < 16 | ASI or state course | New York mandates DMV-recognised ATV safety training for riders ages 10–15 (and recommended for adults). NY DMV recognises ASI ATV RiderCourse + state-listed providers. | Open ↗ |
| North Carolina(NC) | < 16 | ASI or state course | North Carolina requires hands-on safety course for riders ages 8–15 (G.S. §20-171.21). ASI ATV RiderCourse satisfies. | Open ↗ |
| North Dakota(ND) | No mandate | ASI recognised | North Dakota Parks & Recreation recommends ASI ATV RiderCourse. No statewide mandatory-course statute. | Open ↗ |
| Ohio(OH) | No mandate | ASI recognised | Ohio has no statutory safety-course mandate for ATV riders. ASI ATV RiderCourse is the recognised nationwide option. | Open ↗ |
| Oklahoma(OK) | No mandate | ASI recognised | Oklahoma has no statutory safety-course mandate. ASI ATV RiderCourse is the recognised nationwide option. | Open ↗ |
| Oregon(OR) | < 18 | State-run course required | Oregon Parks & Recreation mandates ATV Safety Education Card for ALL riders operating Class I / III ATVs on public lands (statewide adult mandate). State runs its own online course; ASI completion does not substitute. | Open ↗ |
| Pennsylvania(PA) | < 16 | ASI or state course | Pennsylvania DCNR requires safety-training certificate for riders ages 8–15. ASI ATV RiderCourse + DCNR-administered course both recognised. | Open ↗ |
| Rhode Island(RI) | < 16 | ASI recognised | Rhode Island has limited public OHV land; ASI ATV RiderCourse is the recognised option for under-16 riders. | Open ↗ |
| South Carolina(SC) | < 16 | ASI recognised | South Carolina mandates hands-on ATV safety course for riders ages 6–15 (S.C. Code §50-25-30). ASI ATV RiderCourse satisfies. | Open ↗ |
| South Dakota(SD) | No mandate | ASI recognised | South Dakota has no statutory safety-course mandate. ASI ATV RiderCourse is the recognised nationwide option. | Open ↗ |
| Tennessee(TN) | No mandate | ASI recognised | Tennessee has no statutory safety-course mandate. ASI ATV RiderCourse is the recognised nationwide option. | Open ↗ |
| Texas(TX) | < 18 | ASI or state course | Texas (Parks & Wildlife Code §29.005) requires safety certificate for under-18 riders operating on public lands. ASI ATV RiderCourse + state-recognised online course satisfy. | Open ↗ |
| Utah(UT) | < 18 | State-run course required | Utah mandates OHV Education Certificate for riders ages 8–17 statewide. State runs its own online course; ASI completion does not substitute for state cert. | Open ↗ |
| Vermont(VT) | < 16 | ASI recognised | Vermont VASA (state ATV trail association) administers ATV safety courses for under-16 riders on private trails network. ASI completion also recognised. | Open ↗ |
| Virginia(VA) | < 16 | ASI or state course | Virginia (Va. Code §46.2-915.1) requires ATV safety course completion for riders under 16. ASI ATV RiderCourse + ASI E-Course satisfy. | Open ↗ |
| Washington(WA) | No mandate | ASI recognised | Washington has no statutory safety-course mandate. ASI ATV RiderCourse is the recognised nationwide option. | Open ↗ |
| West Virginia(WV) | < 18 | ASI recognised | West Virginia (W. Va. Code §17F-1-3) requires riders under 18 to complete a safety course. ASI ATV RiderCourse satisfies. | Open ↗ |
| Wisconsin(WI) | < 16 | State-run course required | Wisconsin DNR mandates ATV/UTV safety certificate for riders born on or after 1 January 1988 operating on public lands. State-administered course required (online + field day for under-16); ASI does not substitute. | Open ↗ |
| Wyoming(WY) | No mandate | ASI recognised | Wyoming State Parks does not mandate a safety course but recommends ASI completion. No statewide mandatory-course statute. | Open ↗ |
When the state mandate kicks in
Most mandates apply on public land — state forest, DNR-managed OHV areas, designated public trails. Operation on the rider’s own private land is usually exempt under the same statute. The mandate age is typically tied to the under-16 or under-18 cohort, sometimes with an additional under-12 carveout requiring direct adult supervision regardless of course completion.
For the exact age-band rules in your state, see the minimum-age & supervision atlas — the safety-course mandate sits inside the same statute that sets the minimum-age and engine-size-by-age tiers.
Course completion vs operator certificate
ASI issues a Course Completion Card on completing the in-person RiderCourse and a separate certificate on completing the online E-Course. State DNR programs issue a Safety Education Certificate that the state recognises as proof of safety training. Both function as proof if recognised — riders must carry the card / printed certificate on the trail and produce it on request from a DNR officer or trooper.
Replacement cards: ASI re-issues completion cards (one re-issue free; subsequent re-issues carry a small fee). State DNRs typically charge $5–$10 for a replacement certificate and route the request through the same office that issues OHV registration stickers.
Topic guides
Reference explainers and typologies that sit alongside the per-axis state atlases — vehicle category, where you can ride, by rider, and what to check before a trip.
Vehicle category & paperwork
ATV / UTV / OHV glossary
Terminology dictionary — every abbreviation a state DNR page or OHV statute uses (ATV / UTV / SxS / ROV / LSV / NEV / OHV / ORV / OHRV / MPOHV / WATV / Class I-III / green-sticker / T-recoded VIN and more).
State DNR / OHV agency directory
50-state lookup for the agency that handles ATV / UTV / OHV permitting — name, phone, OHV program URL, sticker / reciprocity links. Call the state, not Google.
UTV vs ATV vs side-by-side
How states classify the OHV family — and when the category swaps a helmet, age, or registration rule.
Street-legal conversion by state
Four state pathways for putting an OHV on the road — DMV-plate full conversion, DNR on-road permit, local-option designation, or no pathway. Per-state matrix.
Title requirements by state
Which states title an OHV, which only register, and which transfer on bill of sale — with issuing-agency, machine-class, and vintage-cutoff notes.
Street-legal conversion (typology)
When and where an OHV becomes legal on public roads — federal LSV vs state OHV-on-road permit.
Title from a bill of sale
Four legal paths from a bill-of-sale-only purchase to a state-recognised title certificate.
Lost title recovery
Five recovery paths sorted by who the titleholder is, whether a lien is on it, and what's missing.
Where you can ride
ATV on the road shoulder
Crossing-vs-traveling, agricultural exemptions, and the federal Interstate carveout.
Federal & tribal lands
BLM, USFS, NPS, USACE, and tribal nations — five jurisdictions and what rule each carries.
ATV / OHV trail directory by state
State DNR, USFS, BLM, private, and tribal public-access trail systems across all 50 states — with operator authority and trail-system source.
50-state OHV trail-pass matrix
Per-state season structure (year-round / spring → fall / winter-shared / closure-default), nonresident requirement, and DNR pass page for every state.
Seasonal trail-pass calendar (explainer)
Four DNR season structures and how to spot which one your state runs before buying the pass.
By rider
Kids on ATVs by state
Parental-decision atlas — minimum age, supervision rules, engine-class tiers, safety-course requirement, and private-land carveouts.
Helmet certifications — DOT vs Snell vs ECE
Three standards cover every US-market helmet. What each one tests, which combination clears a state-law inspection, and the five novelty-helmet warnings every buyer should read.
Trip planning
Multi-state trip planner (tool)
Pick the states on your route — get a per-stop compliance card for registration, helmet, age, nonresident permit, and reciprocity. Free, no signup.
Compare two states side-by-side
121 adjacent-state pair pages — registration, helmet, age, and reciprocity lined up row-by-row for trailering across the line.
Cross-state trailering checklist
Five paperwork buckets and five compliance gotchas before you trailer across a state line.
State-to-state reciprocity
Four state approaches to out-of-state OHV recognition — and what each means for nonresidents.
ATV insurance requirements
Four state approaches plus four insurance products — and where each one leaves a coverage gap.
ATV insurance cost by state
Six drivers that move the premium and four state regimes that set the floor — plus where to actually get a real quote.
DUI on an ATV
How state codes treat off-highway impaired operation — four jurisdictional patterns.
Winter storage & spring re-commissioning
Nine-step winterization checklist and five-step spring wake-up — for the eight northern states where the trail season closes for winter.
Related lookups
- Minimum-age & supervision atlas — per-state minimum unsupervised age, supervised-minor age, and engine-size-by-age tiers. The safety-course mandate lives inside the same statute.
- Kids’ ATV rules by state — the parental-supervision side of the mandate.
- State DNR / OHV agency directory — call the state to confirm which course your destination recognises before booking.
- DUI on an ATV — explainer — course completion may be considered as a sentencing-mitigation factor in some states for low-BAC first-offense OHV-DUI cases.