ATV/UTV Rider Information
Wisconsin ATV/UTV Association (WATVA)
WATVA memberships are for 1 year and start from your registration date.
The WATVA website has a wealth of information for riders.
WATVA Website
WATVA memberships are for 1 year and start from your registration date.
The WATVA website has a wealth of information for riders.
WATVA Website
Wisconsin Off Highway Regulations
Related to All-Terrain Vehicles, Utility-Terrain Vehicles Off-Highway Motorcycles
Off-Highway Regulation in pdf
Related to All-Terrain Vehicles, Utility-Terrain Vehicles Off-Highway Motorcycles
Off-Highway Regulation in pdf
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Do we need to wear a helmet on an ATV/UTV?
A. DOT-approved ATV or motorcycle helmets are required for all ATV/UTV operators and passengers under the age of 18. Bicycle helmets do not meet this reuirement.
Q. Are all snowmobile trails open for winter ATV/UTV use?
A. No. Only certain trails are open to ATV/UTV during the winter months. These trails are desiganted with a green line on the Blue OX Trail Map and the air temperature remain below 28 degrees.
Routes are open to ATV/UTVs all year round.
Q. I can find a helmet small or light enough that my child can wear. Is it okay to place my child in a car seat with a bicycle helmet in a UTV?
A. No. The majority of the ATV/UTV safety laws were written to regulate ATV/UTV use on off-road trails. If an appropriate, legal helmet cannot be found for your child, they are most likely too young to safely transport in a UTV.
Q. Are there speed limits for ATV/UTVs?
A. Yes - You must obey the posted trail speed limits at all times.
You must slow your ATV/UTV to 10 mph or less:
• When you are riding within 100 feet of a person who is not on a motorized vehicle. This includes, but is not limited to slowing for anglers, hikers, bicyclists, joggers, horses, etc. as well as for other ATV/UTV operators standing along the trail.
• When you are riding within 100 feet of an ice fishing shanty while on the ice.
• When you are riding within 150 feet of a home or dwelling.
Q. I’m from out of state. Can I still purchase Wisconsin Public Use registration? Do I still need to purchase a non-resident trail pass?
A. Yes, anyone may register their machine for Wisconsin Public Use registration. Machines displaying valid Public Use registration don’t have to display a non-resident trail pass.
Q. I modified my ATV/UTV with a track system. Can I legally use is on the snowmobile trails?
A. No. Whereas certain snowmobile trails may allow winter ATV/UTV use, the snowmobile trails? replacing the tires with tracks has now moved your machine outside of legal ATV/UTV definition. Tracked ATVs/UTVs may be used on private property with permission and on frozen waterways.
Q. How old do I need to be to ride a ATV/UTV?
A. All ATV/UTV operators at least age 12 and born on or after January 1, 1988 must possess a valid ATV safety certificate issued by this state or any other state or province.
Safety Certificate Exceptions for ATVs:
• No safety certificate is required while operating on private property owned by the operator’s immediate family.*
• No safety certificate is required for children under the age of 12, while operating on other private property with permission if they are accompanied by a designated adult.*
• No safety certificate is required for children under the age of 12, while operating a small ATV* on a public ATV trail, if they are accompanied by a designated adult.*
• No children under the age of 12 may operate on a roadway for any reason, even to cross. Small ATVs* may be towed with the key off or otherwise operated by an adult while on roadways.
• No safety certificate is required while operating an ATV or UTV during a demonstration event* on a closed course. All operators under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a designated adult. ATV Supervision Requirement All ATV safety certified operators age 12-15 must also be accompanied* by an adult while operating on a designated ATV Route except for operation for agricultural purposes with adult supervision.
Small UTV Rule Children age 12 – 15 years may only operate small UTVs (200 ccs or less) on public, off-road ATV trails only. The child may cross roads at trail crossings, however no other roadway operation is allowed.
Q. Do we need to wear a helmet on an ATV/UTV?
A. DOT-approved ATV or motorcycle helmets are required for all ATV/UTV operators and passengers under the age of 18. Bicycle helmets do not meet this reuirement.
Q. Are all snowmobile trails open for winter ATV/UTV use?
A. No. Only certain trails are open to ATV/UTV during the winter months. These trails are desiganted with a green line on the Blue OX Trail Map and the air temperature remain below 28 degrees.
Routes are open to ATV/UTVs all year round.
Q. I can find a helmet small or light enough that my child can wear. Is it okay to place my child in a car seat with a bicycle helmet in a UTV?
A. No. The majority of the ATV/UTV safety laws were written to regulate ATV/UTV use on off-road trails. If an appropriate, legal helmet cannot be found for your child, they are most likely too young to safely transport in a UTV.
Q. Are there speed limits for ATV/UTVs?
A. Yes - You must obey the posted trail speed limits at all times.
You must slow your ATV/UTV to 10 mph or less:
• When you are riding within 100 feet of a person who is not on a motorized vehicle. This includes, but is not limited to slowing for anglers, hikers, bicyclists, joggers, horses, etc. as well as for other ATV/UTV operators standing along the trail.
• When you are riding within 100 feet of an ice fishing shanty while on the ice.
• When you are riding within 150 feet of a home or dwelling.
Q. I’m from out of state. Can I still purchase Wisconsin Public Use registration? Do I still need to purchase a non-resident trail pass?
A. Yes, anyone may register their machine for Wisconsin Public Use registration. Machines displaying valid Public Use registration don’t have to display a non-resident trail pass.
Q. I modified my ATV/UTV with a track system. Can I legally use is on the snowmobile trails?
A. No. Whereas certain snowmobile trails may allow winter ATV/UTV use, the snowmobile trails? replacing the tires with tracks has now moved your machine outside of legal ATV/UTV definition. Tracked ATVs/UTVs may be used on private property with permission and on frozen waterways.
Q. How old do I need to be to ride a ATV/UTV?
A. All ATV/UTV operators at least age 12 and born on or after January 1, 1988 must possess a valid ATV safety certificate issued by this state or any other state or province.
Safety Certificate Exceptions for ATVs:
• No safety certificate is required while operating on private property owned by the operator’s immediate family.*
• No safety certificate is required for children under the age of 12, while operating on other private property with permission if they are accompanied by a designated adult.*
• No safety certificate is required for children under the age of 12, while operating a small ATV* on a public ATV trail, if they are accompanied by a designated adult.*
• No children under the age of 12 may operate on a roadway for any reason, even to cross. Small ATVs* may be towed with the key off or otherwise operated by an adult while on roadways.
• No safety certificate is required while operating an ATV or UTV during a demonstration event* on a closed course. All operators under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a designated adult. ATV Supervision Requirement All ATV safety certified operators age 12-15 must also be accompanied* by an adult while operating on a designated ATV Route except for operation for agricultural purposes with adult supervision.
Small UTV Rule Children age 12 – 15 years may only operate small UTVs (200 ccs or less) on public, off-road ATV trails only. The child may cross roads at trail crossings, however no other roadway operation is allowed.