Press release
The Genesee County Sheriff’s Office would like to remind county residents that operating all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and off-road vehicles on public highways or sidewalks is prohibited.
Off-road vehicles are any vehicle propelled by other than muscular power, including but not limited to snowmobiles, two-wheeled motor vehicles known as trail bikes, minibikes, and motor scooters; three-wheeled motor vehicles known as all- terrain cycles; and four-wheeled motor vehicles known as go-carts, golf carts or all-terrain vehicles.
In addition, a parent or guardian may not knowingly permit or authorize a child under age 16 to operate an ATV in violation of state or local laws. An ATV owner, or another person in possession of an ATV, may not knowingly permit or authorize any person under age 16 to operate an ATV in violation of any state or local law.
If you are age 14 to 15, you may operate an ATV only:
- under adult supervision; or,
- without adult supervision on lands owned or leased by your parent or guardian; or,
- on any lands where ATV use is permitted, without adult supervision, if you have completed an ATV safety training course approved by the DMV. You must carry your course completion certificate when you operate any ATV.
If you are under age 14, you may operate an ATV only:
- under adult supervision; or,
- without adult supervision on lands owned or leased by your parent or guardian
Adult supervision means being accompanied by a person at least 18 years of age or a person 16 or 17 years of age who holds an ATV safety course completion certificate from the ATV Safety Institute. Both the owner and the operator of an ATV may be held liable for injury and/or damages resulting from an ATV accident.
ATV safety training courses approved by the Department of Motor Vehicles are available through the ATV
Safety Institute. For more information about courses or to enroll, visit www.atvsafety.org or call 1-800-887-2887
In addition to fines for violations, any off-road vehicle that is operating in violation of certain laws may be
towed and impounded.