Wisconsin ATV Laws
Understanding the Laws Regarding Alcohol and Drugs
Each year, injury accidents and fatal crashes are caused by persons riding an ATV after consuming alcoholic beverages. Alcohol slows your reaction time and distorts your judgment.
- It is illegal to operate an ATV under the influence of alcohol or other drugs while on any property that is held open to the public (generally this means trails, routes, lakes/rivers, or corridors).
- Wisconsin’s maximum blood alcohol concentration limit is 0.08%, and the limit is strictly enforced. However, a person can be under the influence of alcohol and in violation at lesser concentrations. Avoid alcohol altogether while riding.
- You are required to provide a sample of your breath if an officer has probable cause to believe you are operating an ATV while under the influence of alcohol. By operating an ATV on areas open to the public, you have automatically consented to provide a sample of your breath, blood, or urine to an officer who requests the test. If you refuse to provide a breath, blood, or urine sample, you will be charged with an additional violation.
- Wisconsin law allows substantial fines and imprisonment terms for those found guilty of operating an ATV under the influence of alcohol or other drugs.
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As the owner of an ATV, you may not allow another person to operate your ATV if he or she is:
- Prohibited to do so by law.
- Has not obtained the required Safety Certificate (or is underage).
- Incapable of operating an ATV because he or she is physically or mentally unable to exercise physical control over the speed or direction of an ATV.
- Under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
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Operating Your ATV Legally
You may not operate an ATV in a careless manner that endangers a person or property.
Speed, Distance, and Hours Restrictions
You must slow your ATV to 10 mph or less when you are riding an ATV within:
- 100 feet of a person who is not on an ATV, snowmobile, or motorcycle, or in a motor vehicle. This includes, but is not limited to, slowing for anglers, hikers, bicyclists, joggers, horses, etc.
- 100 feet of an ice fishing shanty (ice shack).
- 150 feet of a home or dwelling.
You must not operate an ATV at speeds that are unreasonable or improper.
Local rules also may exist that regulate hours, days, or season of ATV operation. Check locally for these restrictions.
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Excessive or unusually loud ATVs are illegal and hurt Wisconsin’s trail system. Do not increase your exhaust noise or operate with your exhaust system in excess of legal limits. Wisconsin enforces the sound limits, and penalties can be severe; however, the worst thing about a loud ATV is that it causes properties to be closed to ATV riding permanently.
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Waterway Restrictions
You may not operate an ATV in any navigable water, or on the exposed bed of a navigable water (including exposed lake beds in front of your property), except to:
- Cross a stream by use of a bridge, culvert, ford, or similar structure and only if the crossing is in the most direct manner practical.
- Launch or load a boat, canoe, or other watercraft in the most direct manner practical.
- Access the frozen surfaces of any navigable waters provided the crossing or access is in the most direct manner practical.
- Operate the ATV on the frozen surface of navigable water (public registration is required).
ATVs and Hunting
ATVs can be extremely helpful while transporting hunters, hunting gear, and big game. Hunters should keep several rules in mind when using their ATVs.
- All firearms must be unloaded and fully enclosed in a carrying case. Hard plastic gun boots mounted onto an ATV can protect a firearm from damage.
- Crossbows and compound bows must be unloaded and enclosed in a carrying case. Recurve bows may be transported unstrung.
- While on public hunting lands, travel is restricted to designated ATV trails and routes.
- Roads not seasonally maintained for other vehicle traffic may be operated on as long as they are not closed to ATV use.
- In general, off-trail/off-road operation is not allowed while hunting on public lands, even to retrieve downed game. Check with county, state, or federal officials for any exceptions.
Local Ordinances
Counties, cities, towns, and villages may regulate ATV operation (including hours, trail temperature/condition restrictions, and times of the year) on ATV trails or routes by creating local laws. The ordinances must be on file with the DNR. Check locally for the specific laws.
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