Off-Road Vehicle (ORV) Safety

ORV Youthful Operators

A person under 16 years of age may not operate an ORV. The owner of an ORV may not knowingly allow it to be operated by a person under 16 years of age.

ORV General Operations

• All ORV passengers and operators must wear seat belts.
• A valid driver’s license is required to cross roads. THE ONLY EXCEPTION would be for those portions of a designated trail that specifically include a road right-of-way.
• ORV’s are required to have lights on while crossing public roads one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise and during periods of reduced visibility.
• An ORV environmental and safety training course is available on CD-Rom for persons 16 or older. The course covers ORV familiarization, operation procedures, laws, towing procedures, ethics, safety hazards and environmental considerations. Contact the DNR Information Center at 1-888-646-6367 or 651-296-6157 to request a copy of the CD-Rom.

ORV CD-Rom Completion Requirements:

• Read and complete each section of the ORV CD-Rom.
• Complete and pass the exam.
• Print one copy of the exam to use as a temporary certificate and print and mail another copy of the exam with a check or money order for $15 payable to the DNR to:

DNR Safety Training Section
15011 Hwy 115
Little Falls, MN 56345

You may:

• Operate on state forest roads, trails and lands, as described on pages 20 – 23 in the Off-Highway Vehicles Regulations booklet.

You may not:

• Operate an ORV within the right-of-way of an interstate highway;
• Operate an ORV within a public road right-of-way except on a designated trail.