Utah pushes ATV safety training as summer riding season begins
Utah’s summer ATV push now starts with certification, as riders under 18 must be trained and supervised before hitting public lands, roads or trails.
Utah’s summer riding season brought a familiar tradeoff into focus: the same family-friendly dirt routes that draw vacationers also demand real training before a kid climbs onto an ATV. State officials said riders under 18 must complete safety certification before operating on public lands, roads or trails, and that rule has been in place since Jan. 1, 2023.
Lt. James Skaggs of the Utah Department of Natural Resources said the training has already lined up with fewer serious injuries among young riders, which officials view as a sign the requirement is doing its job. Utah Outdoor Recreation says minors must have an OHV education certificate in their possession and remain under direct adult supervision. The youth online course costs $34.95 and only has to be passed once.
The state’s approach is not just paperwork. The training is set up as a blended course, with the online lessons followed by an in-person skills session for minors. That hands-on part matters on Utah terrain, where a rider’s first crack at braking, speed control and rough ground should happen in a controlled setting, not on a steep slope or a remote trail. Instruction covers safe riding techniques, proper terrain handling and safety gear, all of which become even more important when family trips involve rental ATVs, trail loops or off-highway riding areas across the Southwest.
Gear was another point officials pushed hard. The Consumer Product Safety Commission says riders should wear helmets and protective gear, including eye protection, boots, gloves, long pants and a long-sleeved shirt. It also says riders younger than 16 should use age-appropriate youth models, not adult machines. That warning lines up with the reality of family recreation: an ATV can look like a toy to a child, but on dirt it behaves like a machine that can punish sloppy judgment fast.
Utah’s broader education rules extend beyond minors. The state says all OHV operators 18 and older must complete a free online adult course to legally operate on public land, roads or trails. The same youth certificate system applies through separate education tracks for ATVs, motorcycles and snowmobiles, and local agencies have been pushing the message too. The Summit County Sheriff’s Office offered free youth ATV safety training this summer, while the City of Parowan noted the statewide education requirement began Jan. 1, 2023. For Utah riders heading into summer, the message was clear: the fun starts with certification, not after the first close call.
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