as introduced - 90th Legislature (2017 - 2018) Posted on 02/17/2017 09:01am
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:
Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 84.9256, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
(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 90cc 170 cubic centimeters 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.