It's that time of year again when we need to start preparing for the upcoming riding season.

One of those things is ensuring our kids receive the proper training prior to hitting the trails.

MN DNR ATV SAFETY TRAINING CLASSES

Click on the above link and scroll down to see a list of currently scheduled classes. As you will note, there is a wealth of classes by the end of April.

I strongly encourage anyone who has a child age 11 or older and plans on riding this spring to enroll them into one of these classes. Students who are 11 years of age when they complete the Safety Course will receive their certification on their 12th birthday. All other laws in regards to age and displacement limits must be followed. Age 11 must still ride machines 90cc or less on public lands/frozen waters until they reach age 12.

Students under the age of 16 must complete the home study CD-ROM prior to entering the class.

Those age 16 or older only need to complete the home study CD-ROM and mail the results into the MN DNR office in Little Falls, MN.

Anyone born on or after July 31st, 1987 must be certified in order to ride an ATV on public lands or frozen waters.

Anyone born on or after July 1st, 1987 must be certified in order to ride an ATV on public lands or frozen waters.


What? Are you saying that everyone that was born after 87 needs to take this course? Was this always the case?

Also what is the link or phone # to request a copy of the cd?

LEP provided a link, above, to the information.

Oops!! Sorry didnt click on the link!

Does anyone know if this applies to "out of staters"? I don't see where it says that it applies to residents only or am I missing something somewhere?

I had one gentleman bring his son from Brandon SD to go through the course so they could ride up by Walker the following weekend. Now that is committment. I let him know how much I appreciated him ensuring his son was certified.

I do believe the requirements are for anyone who rides in MN. We do accept safety training from other states such as Michigan, Wisconsin, South and North Dakota. Many of the programs that I ahve reviewed online in these states are very close to what the MN DNR offers.

For quick reference:

1-888-MINN-DNR to order the CD_ROM.

This has been the case since the program began. Snowmobiles go back to Dec. 31st of 1976.

Please note that I changed the date to July 1st, 1987.

I wish they would make this all the same between FAS, Snowmobile Safety, ATV's, and watercraft.

It sure would make remembering the dates a lot easier.

"I do believe the requirements are for anyone who rides in MN. We do accept safety training from other states such as Michigan, Wisconsin, South and North Dakota. Many of the programs that I ahve reviewed online in these states are very close to what the MN DNR offers."

Lep, I know in Wisconsin they have you follow your home state laws for requirements. Is this what MN does as well?

Yes, there is a reciprocal agreement between some states but you should always check each states regualtions if you plan to ride there since laws change quite often.

If I'm not mistaken, Idaho is one state that requires you to go through their training program.

What about safety training after buying a new machine? I get calls twice a week after buying a Sportsman last year. Anyone know anything about this and why they are so persistent? Do they get federal money for this or what?

I know they pay $100 for the day, but I can't afford spending $40 for fuel to get there and back and miss a day of work.

that training is through ASI which is a "conglomeration" of the CPSC and the manufacturers and highly influenced by lawyers.

Their training strictly adhere's to the warning labels and age requirements on the labels.

Another note is their training IS NOT valid in order to ride on MN public lands/frozen waters.

Thanks LEP7MM.

I took the ATV safety test back in 91 or 92 when I was about 12. I had a card for Certification, but the bard wore out and eventually got lost. Is there any record of this? If so, where can I find it?

Your old enough that you would be required to carry it. But if you do want a copy, contact the DNR office in Little Falls and they'll mail a new one out for a small fee.

... Don't need it unless you were born after 1987 per DNR regs.