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The Prospector ATV Club held an ATV safety class for kids age 11 to 15 years old on Saturday, May 4 at the Longbranch event center in Winton.
Those ATV riders born after July 1, 1987 and older than 16 years old must complete the on-line DNR safety certificate course and must have that available for inspection when out riding.
Kids 12 to 15 need to take the on-line course and attend class being taught by certified Safey Instructors and have their safety certificate with them when riding.
Trail Ambassador Mike Banovetz was the instructor with co-instructor DNR conservation officer Sean Williams and assisted by Trail Ambassadors Penny and Larry Reedy.
Field course skills test was managed by ATV Minnesota president and Prospectors ATV Club trail administrator Ron Potter, assisted by club members Bob Larson and Tom Maggio.
These ATV riders passed their class room and field skills tests and are new qualified ATV riders: Isabel Ebert, Maxwell Ice, Wyatt Carlson, Caleb Ebert, Ethan Nickelson, Garen Weisinger, Kellan Banovetz, Sophia Starkovich, Brooklyn Anderson, Madilyn Alaspa, Jack Alaspa, Isabel Carmondy, Brian Angelo, Sawyer Anderson, Mason Lee and Andre Roy.
The following is a cliff note refresher on the rules to avoid getting citations and help prevent accidents. Be sure to read and understand the full set of rules put out annually by the DNR.
Minnesota Class 1 and 2 ATV Requirements Summary: All riders under 18 years old must wear an approved helmet when riding. Be sure to check on ATV rules for each town planned for riding.
Minnesota Class 1 ATV Requirements: Under age 10:
• May operate ONLY on private property with permission of the land owner
• A parent or guardian must be present at the handson ATV safety training class Ages 10 and 11
• May operate on private property with permission of the land owner
• May operate an ATV up to 90cc on public lands and frozen waters if accompanied by a parent or legal guardian
• May operate an ATV up to 110cc with straddle-style seating on public lands and frozen waters if accompanied by a parent or legal guardian
• May operate an ATV up to 170cc with side-by-side seating and equipped with a steering wheel on public land and frozen waters if accompanied by a parent or legal guardian Ages 12 to 15
• Must have parent’s permission to operate an ATV
• May operate an ATV on public lands and frozen waters and make a direct crossing of roadways with a valid Safety Certificate and MUST be accompanied by a person 18 years or older who holds a valid driver’s license
• May operate an ATV on a bank, slope, or ditch of a public road right-of-way or roadway open by local ordinances with a valid ATV Safety Certificate when accompanied by a parent or legal guardian on a separate ATV
• An operator 12 to 17 years of age may carry one passenger on a Class 1 ATV only if the passenger is a parent or legal guardian and the ATV is designed for 2 riders Ages 16 and 17
• Must have a valid driver license and ATV Safety certificate to make a direct crossing of a roadway or operate on the road right-ofway or roadway open by local ordinance Minnesota Class 2 ATV Requirements: Minnesota requirements for Class 2 ATVs, which are much larger ATVs and operate more like automobiles, are much stricter and straight forward.
• Anyone under 15 may NOT operate a class 2 ATV anywhere
• 15-year-olds with a valid ATV Safety Certificate may operate a Class 2 on the right shoulder or extreme right-hand side of public roads when accompanied by a parent or legal guardian on a separate ATV
• Riding on or along any state highway or freeway is forbidden
