As the duning season begins to ramp up here in California and the ISDRA (Imperial Sand Dune Recreation Area), I'd like to remind all you ATV parents out there to get certified, and if your kids are old enough, get them certified. It's the law.

The LEOs will be ramping up patrols to enforce safety certification for ATV use, as well as many safety issues like the 15mph speed limit within 50 feet of any camp or concentration of people, something most people don't seem to know about...

The CVC states that persons under 18 years old are not to operate ATVs on public lands unless they have in their possession or in the adult's possession who is in direct supervision, an appropriate safety certificate. In addition to this law, effective January 1, 2007, any minor under the age of 14 years old must be in direct supervision of their parent/guardian or another adult that has been granted permission to supervise while riding an ATV. If you and/or your children have not completed the ATV safety course through ATV Safety Institute, you can [and probably will] be cited and forced to take the course by a Judge.

The course is $75 for kids under 15, $125 for adults.
Age and model size requirements for ATV's ridden during the course:
Model Size / Student Age
* less than 70cc / age 6 and older
* 70cc up to and including 90cc / age 12 and older
* greater than 90cc / age 16 and over
* Kids under 6 can not take the course

VC 38503. Conditions for Operating: Minors

VC 38504.1. Violation of Operating Conditions

VC 38504.2. Court Ordered Safety Training Course