Observing ATV Laws in Vermont

Operating Your ATV Legally

You may operate an ATV on any privately owned land or body of private water if:

• You or an immediate member of your family are the owner or …
• You have with you the owner’s written consent to operate an ATV in that area during that time, given to you or to a club of which you are a member.

Most public lands are not approved for ATV use in Vermont. However, you may legally operate on any public land or body of public water which has been designated by the Vermont Secretary of Natural Resources for ATV operation.

You may operate an ATV on a public highway only if:

• It is not being maintained during the snow season or ...
• It has been opened to ATV travel by a local governing body.

You may cross a public highway only if you:

• Cross at a 90-degree angle, at a location without any obstructions to crossing safely.
• Bring the ATV to a complete stop before entering the highway.
• Yield the right-of-way to motor vehicles and pedestrians using the highway.
• Are at least 16 years of age (if operating alone) or ...
• Are at least 12 years of age and under the direct supervision of a person 18 years of age or older.

It is illegal to harass, drive, or pursue any wildlife with your ATV.

You may not operate in a careless or negligent manner that would endanger a person or property.

You may never operate:

• Within a public or private cemetery
• On limited-access highways, on rights-of-way or approaches, or on the national system of interstate and defense highways, unless permitted by the Vermont state traffic committee
• On a sidewalk unless permitted by a local governing body

You must bring your ATV to a stop if you are instructed to do so by an enforcement officer wearing identifying insignia or operating a law enforcement vehicle sounding a siren or displaying a flashing blue or blue and white signal.

Violating the law on your ATV can cause you to be fined $300. You also may have your ATV registration suspended or revoked.

Carrying Required Documentation

You must always carry the following documentation any time you operate an ATV:

• ATV registration certificate and number plate
• Safety education certificate (if required by law for you to operate)
• Current, dated, written consent forms from landowners (if operating on private property)

Remember ... You should never ride your ATV without insurance. Your ATV is valuable and can bring you many hours of riding enjoyment. It’s no fun to think about losing it. Yet accidents, fires, and thefts do occur. Insurance makes good sense because it protects you against these losses and others.

Meeting ATV Safety Equipment Regulations

Any ATV in Vermont must have the following safety equipment in good working order:

• One or more headlights (Note: Lights must be operated from 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise)
• A red rear light
• Brakes
• An effective muffler system to reduce maximum machine noise to 82 decibels or lower on the “A” scale at 50 feet. (Note: No person may sell an ATV in Vermont that does not meet this standard.)
• Windshield, if equipped, free from sharp or jagged edges
• U.S. Forest Service–qualified spark arrestor
  

Responding Appropriately After an Accident

If you are involved in an accident, you must:

• Stop immediately and render assistance and …
• Give your name, address, registration number, and the ATV owner’s name to the person injured or the owner of the damaged property.

If someone is injured or killed, or if damage to the other person’s property exceeds $100, notify an enforcement officer immediately.

You must send a written accident report to the Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles within 72 hours.

Obeying Law Enforcement Officers

• If you are asked to stop your vehicle by a law enforcement officer wearing the appropriate insignia or operating a law enforcement vehicle, you must do so.
• The officer may do this with a siren or with flashing blue and white lights.
• ATV laws may be enforced by sheriffs, deputy sheriffs, constables, police officers, state attorneys, motor vehicle inspectors, state game wardens, or state police.
  

Operating an ATV Under the Influence of Alcohol

Review the Understanding the Dangers of Alcohol and Drugs section in Chapter 4.

• It is illegal to operate an ATV under the influence of drugs or intoxicating beverages.
• For adults 21 years old and older, driving with a blood alcohol concentration at 0.08% or more is considered to be driving under the influence (DUI).
• For those younger than 21 years old, driving with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.02% or more is considered to be driving under the influence. It is illegal for anyone under 21 years old to drink alcohol in Vermont.