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ATV Safety
Riding an ATV can be a great way to enjoy the outdoors, whether it's in your own backyard, 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. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| York | Limington - Old Limington Town Hall | Lisa Gagnon - (207) 766-1744 or atv.safety411@gmail.com for questions/information only | August 31, 8am-4pm | |
| Androscoggin | Lewiston - Central Maine Powersports | Darcey Emery - (207) 699-9623 or darceyemery@gmail.com for questions/information | July 26, 9am-4pm |
|
| 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 |
| Lincoln | Boothbay Harbor - Boothbay Region Fish & Game | Darcey Emery - (207) 699-9623 or darceyemery@gmail.com for questions/information | August 10, 9am-4pm |
|
| Oxford | Mechanic Falls - Bog Hooters Clubhouse | Darcey Emery - (207) 699-9623 or darceyemery@gmail.com for questions/information | October 12, 9am-4pm |
|
| Somerset | Fairfield - Fairfield Fire Rescue | Darcey Emery - (207) 699-9623 or darceyemery@gmail.com for questions/information | July 13, 9am-4pm |
|
| York | Wells - Wells High School Rm 215 | Tammy Daly - (207) 646-4565 or tdaly@wocsd.org to register | October 25, 9am-4pm | Combination ATV/Snowmobile |
| Kennebec | Oakland - Oakland Fire Department | Russell Corson - (207) 858-3070 for questions/information | August 09, 9am-4pm |
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| Penobscot | Corinna - Perfect Fit Community Center | Darcey Emery - (207) 699-9623 or darceyemery@gmail.com for questions/information | August 03, 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 | August 09, 9am-3pm | |
| Piscataquis | Dover Foxcroft - Dover Foxcroft Fire Department | Charles Shaffer - (207) 446-4132 or Charles.b.shaffer@maine.gov for questions/information | August 10, 9am-3pm |
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.