Age Restrictions
In Massachusetts, certain age restrictions apply to all recreation vehicle operators.
- Persons under the age of 16½ may operate a recreation vehicle across a public way only if the operator is directly supervised by an adult. The public way and the crossing must be marked and approved for recreation vehicle use.
- Persons 14 to 16 years of age may operate an all-terrain or recreation utility vehicle only if:
- The engine capacity is no greater than 90 cubic centimeters and…
- The operator is directly supervised by an adult.
- Persons 10 to 14 years of age may operate a recreation vehicle only if participating in a sanctioned race, rally, or organized event.
- The engine capacity of an all-terrain vehicle or recreation utility vehicle must be no greater than 90 cubic centimeters.
- The race, rally, or organized event must be approved by a municipal permitting authority.
- OHV operation in preparation for the sanctioned event is allowed up to 21 days prior to the event.
- During preparation and at the event, persons 10 to 14 years of age must be supervised by an adult at all times.
- Persons under 10 years of age:
- May not operate a recreation vehicle, other than a dirt bike, under any circumstances.
- May operate a dirt bike that is appropriate for the child’s size and age only if the child is participating in a sanctioned race, rally, or organized event.
- The race, rally, or organized event must be approved by a municipal permitting authority.
- For persons under 10 years of age, dirt bike operation in preparation for the sanctioned event must take place on private property.
- During preparation and at the event, persons under 10 years of age must be supervised by an adult at all times.
A supervising adult must be at least 18 years of age and sufficiently close to the operator at all times to maintain both visual contact and verbal communications with the operator. Supervising adults will be held responsible for any operational offenses by the person they are supervising.