Welcome to ATV Operation in Wisconsin!

Riding an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) can be a very exciting, exhilarating experience; but in the hands of an untrained operator, an ATV also can be very dangerous to operate. ATVs handle differently from other vehicles. Accidents happen very fast, even during routine exercises like turning, riding over obstacles, or riding on hills.

The purpose of the Wisconsin ATV Safety Training Program is to promote responsible, safe, and ethical ATV use. By participating in the program, students will obtain a better understanding of their obligations to the resources, the landowner, other ATV users, and themselves.

The objectives of this program are to reduce the potential for ATV accidents, injuries, and fatalities; to reduce the potential for conflict between ATV riders, landowners, and other resource users; and to promote safe, responsible, and ethical use of the environment and our resources.

The Future of ATV Riding in Wisconsin Depends on You—Ride Responsibly

The Wisconsin ATV Safety Training Program consists of a minimum of six hours of instruction. Instruction emphasizes the importance of laws and regulations, ethics, personal safety, and the proper use of all-terrain vehicles.

All ATV enthusiasts who ride on public riding areas (trails, frozen waters, routes, permitted county and/or forest lands, etc.), who are at least age 12, and who were born on or after January 1, 1988, must complete a safety certification course. These ATV operators must carry their ATV Safety Certificate, and they must display it to law enforcement officers when requested to do so.

All ATV operators are encouraged to take an ATV safety course, regardless of age. Parents are encouraged to complete the course with their child and to help reinforce the lessons taught in this course.

Completion of this course will not make you an expert ATV rider. Riders will need to practice the techniques learned in this course until they become more confident and comfortable riders.