With the warm weather fast approaching, local police departments have once again begun receiving complaints regarding the use of All Terrain Vehicles (ATV’s) and off-road motorcycles on the public roadways and on public lands.

In an effort to reduce the likelihood of injury or death associated with the improper and illegal use of these types of recreational vehicles, the Manchester Police would like to remind owners of these types of recreational vehicles of the laws that govern their use.

Although you do not need a permit or license to operate an ATV in New Jersey, the vehicle must be registered and you must observe the following regulations:

• All riders (operators and passengers) must wear a helmet.
• Operators must be at least 14 years of age.
• Operators must always carry proof of liability insurance and the vehicle’s current registration.
• Use the ATV or Dirt Bike for off-road use only. No person shall operate an ATV or Dirt Bike upon a public street, on any highway or limited access highway or within the right-of-way limits thereof.
• No person shall operate an ATV on the property of another without first receiving written consent from the owner of that property.
• If you are under 18 years of age, you must enroll in the ATV Safety Institute course to operate an ATV. If you are operating a dirt bike, you must enroll in a safety course provided by www.dirtbikeschool.org to obtain a safety certificate.
• Anyone under the age of 16 is prohibited from operating an ATV or Dirt Bike with an engine capacity greater than 90 CC during training or on public lands or to cross a public roadway

If you are stopped for riding an ATV or Dirt Bike you could be issued a summons for any of the above violations and have your vehicle impounded.

Please speak to your children about these regulations. For more information, check out the State of New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission website at www.state.nj.us/mvc.com or call (800)887-2887.

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