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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 (students under 16 years of age must be accompanied by a parent or guardian). 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kennebec | Sidney - Kramer's Inc | Darcey Emery - (207) 699-9623 or darceyemery@gmail.com for questions/information | May 17, 9am-4pm |
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| Aroostook | Caribou - Caribou Wellness & Rec | Neal Sleeper - (207) 493-4224 or sleeper@cariboumaine.org for questions/information | May 10, 8:30am-4pm |
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| Cumberland | Brunswick - Sam's Italian Food | Darcey Emery - (207) 699-9623 or darceyemery@gmail.com for questions/information | May 04, 9am-4pm |
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| Cumberland | Brunswick - Sam's Italian Food | Darcey Emery - (207) 699-9623 or darceyemery@gmail.com for questions/information | May 18, 9am-4pm |
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| Oxford | Andover - Lone Mountain Riverfront Campground | Darcey Emery - (207) 699-9623 or darceyemery@gmail.com for questions/information | June 08, 9am-4pm |
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| York | Limington - Old Limington Town Hall | Lisa Gagnon - (207) 766-1744 or atv.safety411@gmail.com for questions/information only | May 25, 8am-4pm | |
| York | Limington - Old Limington Town Hall | Lisa Gagnon - (207) 766-1744 or atv.safety411@gmail.com for questions/information only | June 29, 8am-4pm | |
| York | Limington - Old Limington Town Hall | Lisa Gagnon - (207) 766-1744 or atv.safety411@gmail.com for questions/information only | August 31, 8am-4pm | |
| Kennebec | Augusta - Sam's Italian Foods | Darcey Emery - (207) 699-9623 or darceyemery@gmail.com for questions/information | May 10, 9am-4pm |
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| Kennebec | China - China Four Seasons Clubhouse | Darcey Emery - (207) 699-9623 or darceyemery@gmail.com for questions/information | June 22, 9am-4pm |
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| Penobscot | Lincoln - American Legion | Henry Carey - (207) 290-0508 or henryc@midmaine.comfor questions/information | May 10, 9am-3:30pm |
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| Somerset | Skowhegan - Skowhegan Sportsman's Club | Russell Corson - (207) 858-3070 for questions/information | May 17, 8am-4pm |
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| Penobscot | Medway - East Branch Snow Rovers ATV Club | Linda Heinzelman - (207)704-4040 or eastbranchsnoroversatv@gmail.com to register | June 07, 9am-3:30pm |
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| Androscoggin | Lewiston - Central Maine Powersports | Darcey Emery - (207) 699-9623 or darceyemery@gmail.com for questions/information | July 26, 9am-4pm |
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| Aroostook | Presque Isle - Sargent's Family Community Center | Ed Plourde - (207)-227-3939 or eplourde73@outlook.com for questions/information | May 03, 9am-3pm | |
| Aroostook | Presque Isle - Sargent's Family Community Center | Ed Plourde - (207)-227-3939 or eplourde73@outlook.com for questions/information | May 17, 9am-3pm | |
| Aroostook | Sherman - Sherman Town Office | Beverly Lane - (207) 365-4650 or kvwheelers@gmail.com for questions/information | May 17, 9am-4pm | |
| Franklin | Jay - 4 Knoll Rd | Darcey Emery - (207) 699-9623 or darceyemery@gmail.com for questions/information | June 29, 9am-4pm |
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| Somerset | Madison - Abnaki Snowmobile Club | Jeff - (207) 431-4141 for questions/information | May 10, 8am-4pm |
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| Washington | East Machias - East Machias Fire Station | Charles Corliss - (207) 546-6477 or trail.ridersdowneast@gmail.com for questions/information | May 04, 9am-3:30pm | |
| Cumberland | Cumberland - Cumberland Fairgrounds (Horse Pulling Arena) | Steve Barr - (207) 446-4173 or Stephen.L.Barr@maine.gov for questions/information | May 11, 9am-3:30pm |
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| Penobscot | Enfield - Cold Stream Cruzer's Clubhouse | TrailMaster Justin - (207) 290-5592 to register | May 11, 9am-3pm | Combination ATV/Snowmobile |
| Penobscot | Enfield - Cold Stream Cruzer's Clubhouse | TrailMaster Justin - (207) 290-5592 to register | June 08, 9am-3pm | Combination ATV/Snowmobile |
| Penobscot | Enfield - Cold Stream Cruzer's Clubhouse | TrailMaster Justin - (207) 290-5592 to register | July 13, 9am-3pm | Combination ATV/Snowmobile |
| Penobscot | Enfield - Cold Stream Cruzer's Clubhouse | TrailMaster Justin - (207) 290-5592 to register | August 10, 9am-3pm | Combination ATV/Snowmobile |
| Penobscot | Enfield - Cold Stream Cruzer's Clubhouse | TrailMaster Justin - (207) 290-5592 to register | September 14, 9am-3pm | Combination ATV/Snowmobile |
| Penobscot | Enfield - Cold Stream Cruzer's Clubhouse | TrailMaster Justin - (207) 290-5592 to register | October 12, 9am-3pm | Combination ATV/Snowmobile |
| Kennebec | Sidney - Kramer's Inc | Darcey Emery - (207) 699-9623 or darceyemery@gmail.com for questions/information | June 21, 9am-4pm |
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| Kennebec | Sidney - Kramer's Inc | Darcey Emery - (207) 699-9623 or darceyemery@gmail.com for questions/information | July 12, 9am-4pm |
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| Aroostook | Easton - Easton Rec Department | Hillary Hallet - (207) 488-6601 for questions/information | May 31, 9am-4pm |
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| Waldo | Unity - Unity Snow Dusters Clubhouse | Darcey Emery - (207) 699-9623 or darceyemery@gmail.com for questions/information | June 1, 9am-4pm |
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Can't find a course for your area? Contact the Recreational Safety Division Office at (207) 287-5220.
Alternative Courses
ATV Safety Institute Riders Course
The ATV Rider course may be taken as a legal alternative of the course offered by the Department. For information on the ASI Course, see atvsafety.org - Select ATV Rider Course, Click on Online Enrollment, and follow prompts for information on requirements.
Note: The ATV Safety Institute E-Course is not recognized by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.