2006 Minnesota Statutes

84.9256 YOUTHFUL OPERATORS; PROHIBITIONS.
    Subdivision 1. Prohibitions on youthful operators. (a) Except for operation on public road
rights-of-way that is permitted under section 84.928, 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, only if that person possesses
a valid all-terrain vehicle safety certificate issued by the commissioner and is accompanied on
another all-terrain vehicle 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 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.
    Subd. 2. Helmet required. A person less than 18 years of age shall not operate an all-terrain
vehicle on public land, public waters, or on a public road right-of-way unless wearing a safety
helmet approved by the commissioner of public safety.
    Subd. 3. Prohibitions on person in lawful control. It is unlawful for any person who is in
lawful control of an all-terrain vehicle to permit it to be operated contrary to this section.
    Subd. 4. Suspension. When the judge of a juvenile court, or its duly authorized agent,
determines that a person, while less than 18 years of age, has violated sections 84.92 to 84.929, or
other state or local law or ordinance regulating the operation of an all-terrain vehicle, the judge or
duly authorized agent shall immediately report the determination to the commissioner and (1)
may recommend the suspension of the person's all-terrain vehicle safety certificate, or (2) may
recommend to the commissioner of public safety, the suspension of the person's driver's license.
The commissioner may suspend the certificate without a hearing.
History: 1986 c 452 s 13; 1989 c 331 s 14-16; 1993 c 184 s 5; 1Sp2001 c 2 s 81; 2005 c 146
s 5; 1Sp2005 c 1 art 2 s 43; 2006 c 281 art 2 s 4