Q: Can I still ride a Class I, II, III or IV ATV on public lands if my Oregon driver’s license is suspended?
A: No. Having a suspended driver’s license also suspends you from operating any class of ATV on public lands in Oregon.
Q: Can I ride two-up (double) on my ATV or off-road motorcycle?
A: There are no ATV-specific laws about passengers other than making sure they have a seat and a floor pan or foot pegs OAR 735-116-0000. However there is a motor vehicle law that says the passenger cannot be in the operator’s lap or embrace ORS 811.190 “Driver Operations With Obstructing Passenger”. This is a Class D traffic violation.
ATV Safety Education Card
Q: What is the minimum age to operate an ATV, Motorcycle, or Side-by-side in Oregon?
A: There is no minimum age for riding a Class I ATV in Oregon. The minimum age for motorcycle riders is seven years old. Youth under 16 operating a Class IV ATV must meet the manufacturer's minimum age recommendation.
Q: Who is required to have a ATV Safety Education Card?
A: All Class I and III riders must have an ATV Safety Education Card
Q: I’m from another state or country and wish to ride an ATV or motorcycle in Oregon. Do I need to take the online ATV safety education course and carry an Oregon ATV Safety Education Card?
A: Yes, all non-residents riding in Oregon are required to take the online ATV Safety Course and carry an ATV Safety Education Card. They are exempt if they possess a card issued by another state or country.
Q: I don’t like to carry my wallet when I ride. Must I carry my ATV Safety Education Card on my person?
A: No. The law only requires that you must possess the card. That means that the card could be in a zip lock next to the battery. Having the card at home or back in your car is not “possessing” the card from a law enforcement point of view.
Q: What requirements are there for youth operating Class IV ATVs?
Q: My child has already taken OPRD’s on-line Safety Course and the ASI hands-on RiderCourseSM, will they need to get retrained in 2012?
A: No. Those who have already received hands-on training via ASI or MSF and have completed the on-line safety training (above) have already met this requirement and can get a new, endorsed, ATV Safety Education Card at no cost now! Just send us a copy of the card provided by the hands-on instructor with an application and we’ll do the rest.
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Rider Fit
Q: Why is there a need for youth rider fit requirements?
A: Special fit requirements have been created because of the large number of crashes involving riders under age 16. Crash research clearly identifies that riding too-large adult-sized quads is a significant injury and fatality risk. Rider fit requirements help parents and law enforcement officers measure a “proper fit” between youth and the quad they are operating.
Q: What are the rider-fit requirements?
A: A Class I operator (quad rider), under the age of 16, must meet all the following minimum physical size requirements (Rider Fit) in relationship to the vehicle:
1. Brake Reach: With hands placed in the normal operating position and fingers straight out, the first joint (from the tip) of the middle finger will extend beyond the brake lever and clutch.
2. Leg Length: While sitting and with their feet on the pegs, the knee must be bent at least 45 degrees.
3. Grip Reach: While sitting upright on the quad with hands on the handle bars and not leaning forward, there must be a distinct angle between the upper arm and the forearm, and;
4. The rider must be able to turn the handle bars from lock to lock while maintaining grip on the handle bars and maintaining throttle and brake control.
5. Disabled riders are allowed to use prosthetic devices or modified or adaptive equipment to achieve rider fit.
Q: Are there similar rider fit requirements for youth riding Class III All-Terrain Vehicles (motorcycles)?
A: No. This requirement was not a part of Senate Bill 101.
Q: Can my 12-year-old child go to the American Safety Institute (ASI) training course on his 250 cc quad?
A: No. ASI has their own rules for matching the age of the rider to the ATV.
Helmet requirements
Q: Who must wear a helmet?
A: All riders any class ATV under the age of 18.
Q: Are there any exceptions to youth wearing a helmet?
A: Yes. A helmet does not need to be worn if the youth is riding in a street-legal Class II vehicle registered in Oregon.
Q: What kind of helmet must be worn?
A: DOT (or Snell) approved motorcycle helmet with the chin strap fastened.
Youth Supervision
Q: Who must be supervised?
A: All youth under 16 operating Class I, III, or IV ATVs on public lands must be supervised.
Q: How old must a “Supervisor” be?
A: Supervisors of youth on ATVs must be 18 or over.
Q: The law states that the supervising adult must have a valid ATV Safety Education Card. Am I supposed to go through on-line ATV training before I can ride with my child?
A: Yes. All youth under age 16 operating a Class I or Class III ATV on public lands must be supervised by an adult who is at least 18 years old and holds a valid
ATV Safety Education Card. As a result, any adult supervising a youth under age 16 must also complete the on-line safety training course starting on January 1, 2009.
Q: The law says that the supervising adult must be able to provide immediate assistance and direction. What does that mean?
A: The youth being supervised must be able to hear and see the supervising adult. The adult needs to be capable of providing assistance to the youth without delay.
Q: How will a law enforcement officer handle an unsupervised youth?
A: Based on the youth operator’s age, an officer may choose to cite the youth under ORS 821-170 (or 821.172) “Operation of Class I (or Class III) all-terrain vehicle without driving privileges” or write a traffic citation against the responsible adult under ORS 821.291 (or 821.292) “Endangering a Class I (or Class III) All-Terrain Vehicle Operator”. All are Class C traffic violations.