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ATV Safety
Riding an ATV can be a great way to enjoy the outdoors, whether it's in your own back yard, or exploring on the thousands of miles of trails available in Maine. ATV s (including UTV s and off road motorcycles) can also be useful around the woodlot or farm and let's face it, they're simply fun to ride! It's important to ride safely, responsibly, and to be prepared before you go. Many of Maine's ATV trails reside on private land. Respecting these generous private landowners by riding responsibly is critical to maintaining trail access in Maine. Educating yourself before you go is an important component of being a safe and responsible offroad operator.
In Maine, youth ages 10 to under 16, must successfully complete an approved ATV Safety Certification course to legally operate on land other than their own. Anyone 16 years of age or older is encouraged to take the course to be educated and prepared for safe riding.
The ATV Safety Course is available in two different formats: online and in-person.
Online
Students 12 and older can complete the Official Maine ATV/Snowmobile Safety course online at offroad-ed.com/maine. The cost to register for the online course is $34.95. Upon successful completion of the online course, students will receive their Maine ATV/Snowmobile Safety Certification card that may be printed or you may order one through the provider. This course combines both ATV and Snowmobile content, and while snowmobile education is not mandated by law, it's simply good to have as many that ride ATV s also ride snowmobiles.
In-person
In-person courses are available to all students ages 10 and up, and are taught by certified volunteer instructors. The in-person course uses the "Today's Rider" student manual and provides the opportunity to ask questions of instructors and gain further guidance. There is typically no fee to complete a traditional in-person course, although some course hosts require a nominal fee to help cover facility rental or cleaning costs. Please note: Maine continues to offer in-person courses in ATV certification, or snowmobile certification, and some courses are combined courses where the student will earn both. (Check the course listing to find the course you prefer.)
Total Course = 6 hours
- Proper Operation and Safety (Riding Skill-Equipment-Maintenance) = 2 Hours
- Laws = 1/2 Hour
- Emergencies & Survival = 40 Minutes
- Map & Compass = 1 Hour
- Self Help First Aid = 20 Minutes
- Environmental/Landowner/Ethics = 1 1/2 Hours
New courses will be posted below as they become available.
Current Courses
County | Location | Contact | Date/Time | Info |
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Androscoggin | Lewiston - Central Maine Powersports | Darcey Emery - (207) 699-9623 or darceyemery@gmail.com for questions/information | April 27, 9am-4pm |
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Kennebec | Sidney - Kramer's Inc | Darcey Emery - (207) 699-9623 or darceyemery@gmail.com for questions/information | May 25, 9am-4pm |
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Aroostook | Caribou - Caribou Wellness & Rec | Neal Sleeper - (207) 493-4224 for questions/information | May 04, 8:30am-4pm | |
Kennebec | Sidney - Kramer's Inc | Darcey Emery - (207) 699-9623 or darceyemery@gmail.com for questions/information | June 08, 9am-4pm |
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Penobscot | Lincoln - Penobscot Off-Road Riders ATV Club | Henry Carey - (207) 290-0508 to register | May 04, 9am-4pm | |
Somerset | Skowhegan - Skowhegan Sportsman's Club | Russell Corson - (207) 858-3070 for questions/information | June 08,8am-4pm | |
Washington | Forest City Twp - Woodie Wheaton Land Trust | Haleigh White - (207) 446-8051 or Haleigh.white@maine.gov | May 18, 9am-3:30pm | |
Washington | Princeton - Princeton Rod & Gun | Haleigh White - (207) 446-8051 or Haleigh.white@maine.gov | June 01, 8am-4pm | |
Aroostook | Garfield - Garfield Town Office | Jessica Craig - jcraig@sad32.org for questions/information | June 8, 8am-4pm |
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Hancock | **FULL** Hancock - Acadia Area ATV Club | Brandy Marchetti - (207) 754-8554 or bmmarchetti@hotmail.com for questions/information | April, 27, 8:30am-3pm | |
York | Limington - Old Limington Town Hall | Lisa Gagnon - (207) 766-1744 or atv.safety411@gmail.com for questions/information only | April 28, 8am-4pm | |
York | Limington - Old Limington Town Hall | Lisa Gagnon - (207) 766-1744 or atv.safety411@gmail.com for questions/information only | May 26, 8am-4pm | |
York | Limington - Old Limington Town Hall | Lisa Gagnon - (207) 766-1744 or atv.safety411@gmail.com for questions/information only | June 30, 8am-4pm | |
York | Limington - Old Limington Town Hall | Lisa Gagnon - (207) 766-1744 or atv.safety411@gmail.com for questions/information only | August 25, 8am-4pm | |
Washington | Dennysville - Dennysville Clubhouse | Derek Brown - (207) 263-6306 for questions/information | April 13, 9am-3pm | |
Penobscot | Greenfield - Rocky Mountain Trail Riders | Vinal Appleebee - (207) 356-5868 or president@rmtrmaine.org for questions/information | May 11, 9am-4pm | |
Sagadahoc | Topsham - MOMS | Darcey Emery - (207) 699-9623 or darceyemery@gmail.com for questions/information | June 24, 9am-4pm |
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Penobscot | Enfield - The Montague | Trail Master Justin - (207) 290-5992 to register | May 12, 9am-4pm | |
Penobscot | Bangor - Cross Insurance Center | Real Deschaine - (207) 728-4992 for questions/information | May 18, 9am-4pm | |
Aroostook | Frenchville - Frenchville Community Center | Bob Marquis - (207) 436-0953 or bob-mrqs@gmail.com for questions/information | June 15, 9am-5pm |
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Aroostook | Stockholm - Sportsman's Inc | Ron Ericson (president) - (207) 551-4494 or rericson@msad45.org for questions/information | June 29, 9am-5pm |
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Androscoggin | Lewiston - Central Maine Powersports | Darcey Emery - (207) 699-9623 or darceyemery@gmail.com for questions/information | June 15, 9am-4pm |
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Aroostook | Sherman - Sherman Town Office | Beverly Lane or Jim Atkinson - (207) 365-4650 (Bev) or (207) 267-5080 (Jim) to register | April 27, 10am-3pm | |
Kennebec | Oakland - Williams Elementary School | Russell Corson - (207) 474-5361 for questions/information | May 18, 8am-3:30pm |
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Can't find a course for your area? Contact the Recreational Safety Division Office at (207) 287-5220.
Students must be at least nine years old to attend the in-person course, students under 16 years of age must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
When registering either by telephone or email, please be sure to include your full name, telephone number, and which course, date and location you are signing up for.