ATV Information

Rochester Police ATV Enforcement Unit

The Rochester Police Department has a number of officers trained as ATV operators. They conduct random patrols of property where ATVs often ride and issue violations for offenses such as trespassing, reckless operation, unregistered, and other recreational vehicle violations.

ATV regulations are strictly enforced by the department.

SAFETY EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

All recreation vehicle operators under 18 years of age must complete an approved recreation vehicle safety and responsibility course.

Operators required to take a safety course must carry proof of successful completion of the course.

The course includes one mandatory, in-person session.
If the recreation vehicle operator is under 16 years of age, the parent or guardian must attend this session also.

PHYSICAL SIZE STANDARDS

A major cause of accidents among juvenile riders is riding a machine that's too large for them to handle physically.

- Leg length: When standing on the footrests, there should be a minimum of 3 inches of clearance between the seat and the top inseam of the pants. This clearance is required to maintain balance on the footrests when turning and riding over hills and rough terrain. While seated, the thigh should be roughly parallel to the ground.
- Foot Length: A child should be able to reach the brake by rotating the foot on the footrest.
- Arm Length: When seated on the machine, a child's arms should be long enough to:
  - Turn the handlebars and maintain a firm grip.
  - Operate the throttle comfortably when the handle is extended fully in a turn.
  - Operate the brake lever. The first joint of the index finger should extend beyond the brake lever when the child grips the handlebar.

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 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.