The Handbook of Michigan Off-Road Vehicle Laws Michigan Department of Natural Resources logo

Off-Road Basics—Riding Your ORV

Reading Terrain

  • To ride safely, you need to be able to assess the terrain ahead of you and understand the capabilities of your machine.
  • It’s best to stay on existing trails and avoid dangerous terrain such as steep slopes, marshes, and swamps. Also, keep an eye out for large holes, ruts, bumps, debris, and
    other obstacles.
  • Travel at a speed that’s prudent for the terrain, visibility, operating conditions, and your ability.
  • Carefully approach hills, turns, and obstacles.
  • Be especially alert when traveling over unfamiliar terrain.
  • Constantly scan the path ahead of you to pick the safest route around obstacles or hazards.
Reading terrain

Riding on Different Types of Terrain

Snow

  • Ride only on firm snow or groomed trails where permitted by law. Riding on soft snow can damage the terrain.
  • ORVs and all other wheeled vehicles are prohibited from using state snowmobile trails unless designated for ORV use.

Sand Dunes

  • Avoid riding on vegetation.
  • Avoid wet sand.

Crossing Roads and Highways

Because ORVs are designed for off-road use, they can be difficult to handle on paved surfaces. Riding on or crossing a road illegally or improperly is a leading cause of ORV rider fatalities.

If you must cross a road, follow this safe procedure.

  • Pick a crossing point where you have good visibility in both directions.
  • Bring your vehicle to a complete stop on the shoulder of the road.
  • Look both ways and yield to oncoming traffic.
  • Proceed forward slowly because your ORV may be difficult to maneuver on pavement.
  • Cross at a right angle.

Safety Tips

  • Don’t ride alone.
  • Avoid alcohol and drugs.
  • Don’t operate tired.

ORVs legally operate on ORV trails.

Operating on trails vs. roads

Cars legally operate on roads.

Michigan Department
of Natural Resources
Off-Road Basics
It's the Law!
More Information

Printable PDF version of The Handbook of Michigan Off-Road Vehicle Laws
Printable PDF Version
of Handbook

< Back to Previous Page Table of Contents Go to Next Page >
 
Online offroad vehicle safety handbook last modified: November 29, 2007
Send mail to with questions or comments about this web site.
Copyright © 2005-2008 Kalkomey Enterprises, Inc.. All rights reserved.
Review Offroad Ed's privacy policy.