HF 1071

as introduced - 90th Legislature (2017 - 2018) Posted on 02/13/2017 12:06pm

A bill for an act
relating to natural resources; modifying youth all-terrain vehicle operation
restrictions; amending Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 84.9256, subdivision 1.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 84.9256, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Prohibitions on youthful operators.

(a) Except for operation on public
road rights-of-way that is permitted under section 84.928 and as provided under paragraph
(j), a driver's license issued by the state or another state is required to operate an all-terrain
vehicle along or on a public road right-of-way.

(b) A person under 12 years of age shall not:

(1) make a direct crossing of a public road right-of-way;

(2) operate an all-terrain vehicle on a public road right-of-way in the state; or

(3) operate an all-terrain vehicle on public lands or waters, except as provided in
paragraph (f).

(c) Except for public road rights-of-way of interstate highways, a person 12 years of age
but less than 16 years may make a direct crossing of a public road right-of-way of a trunk,
county state-aid, or county highway or operate on public lands and waters or state or
grant-in-aid trails, only if that person possesses a valid all-terrain vehicle safety certificate
issued by the commissioner and is accompanied by a person 18 years of age or older who
holds a valid driver's license.

(d) To be issued an all-terrain vehicle safety certificate, a person at least 12 years old,
but less than 16 years old, must:

(1) successfully complete the safety education and training program under section 84.925,
subdivision 1, including a riding component; and

(2) be able to properly reach and control the handle bars and reach the foot pegs while
sitting upright on the seat of the all-terrain vehicle.

(e) A person at least 11 years of age may take the safety education and training program
and may receive an all-terrain vehicle safety certificate under paragraph (d), but the certificate
is not valid until the person reaches age 12.

(f) A person at least ten years of age but under 12 years of age may operate an all-terrain
vehicle with an engine capacity up to deleted text begin 90cc deleted text end new text begin 170 cubic centimeters new text end on public lands or waters
if accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

(g) A person under 15 years of age shall not operate a class 2 all-terrain vehicle.

(h) A person under the age of 16 may not operate an all-terrain vehicle on public lands
or waters or on state or grant-in-aid trails if the person cannot properly reach and control
the handle bars and reach the foot pegs while sitting upright on the seat of the all-terrain
vehicle.

(i) Notwithstanding paragraph (c), a nonresident at least 12 years old, but less than 16
years old, may make a direct crossing of a public road right-of-way of a trunk, county
state-aid, or county highway or operate an all-terrain vehicle on public lands and waters or
state or grant-in-aid trails if:

(1) the nonresident youth has in possession evidence of completing an all-terrain safety
course offered by the ATV Safety Institute or another state as provided in section 84.925,
subdivision 3; and

(2) the nonresident youth is accompanied by a person 18 years of age or older who holds
a valid driver's license.

(j) A person 12 years of age but less than 16 years of age may operate an all-terrain
vehicle on the roadway, bank, slope, or ditch of a public road right-of-way as permitted
under section 84.928 if the person:

(1) possesses a valid all-terrain vehicle safety certificate issued by the commissioner;
and

(2) is accompanied by a parent or legal guardian on a separate all-terrain vehicle.