A bill for an act requiring persons twelve years of age or older to pass a written test and obtain an education certificate prior to operating an all-terrain vehicle or off-road utility vehicle on streets, highways, certain land, ice, and trails, providing fees, and making penalties applicable.

2025-2026 Regular Session

Requires 12+ to pass a written ATV/UTV knowledge test to obtain an education certificate before riding in specified areas.

Committee report approving bill, renumbered as HF 1005.

#all-terrainvehicles #education #off-roadutilityvehicles

HF 762 (renumbered HF 1005): Summary

Purpose and intent

HF 762 would require any person aged 12 years or older to pass a written knowledge test and obtain an education certificate before operating an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) or off-road utility vehicle (UTV) on streets, highways, certain private lands, ice, and trails. The bill aims to standardize the education requirement around a written exam, aligning ATV/UTV education with the current snowmobile education framework.

Key provisions

Age trigger: Applies to individuals 12 years of age and older.

Test-based qualification: Abolishes the option to qualify by demonstrating riding skills; instead, a successful written test is required to receive an education certificate.

Education certificate: Must be obtained prior to operating an ATV/UTV in the covered areas.

Fees and funding: Maintains an education certificate fee of $5. Fees are credited to the special ATV fund and used for educational programs.

Certificate validity: Under current law, education certificates do not expire unless suspended or revoked. HF 762 would maintain that approach unless a violation triggers suspension or revocation.

Violations and penalties: Operating an ATV/UTV without a valid education certificate would be a simple misdemeanor, punishable by a $70 scheduled fine.

Who is affected

ATV and UTV operators 12 years of age and older.

Education program providers and instructors who administer the written test and certify completion.

Department of Natural Resources (DNR), which administers the education certificate program and enforces compliance.

Law enforcement and the judicial system, which would handle violations and penalties.

Fees and funding

Education certificate fee: $5 (same as current law).

Fund allocation: Fees go to the special ATV fund and are used to support ATV/UTV educational programs.

Procedural timeline and legislative actions

2025-03-05: Introduced; referred to Ways and Means.

2025-03-18 to 2025-03-25: Subcommittee proceedings; subcommittee members Meggers, Wilson, and Young; recommendation of passage.

2025-04-09: Committee report recommending passage; vote: Yeas 23, Nays 1, Excused 1.

2025-04-10: Committee report approving bill; renumbered as HF 1005.

Status: Committee report approved; bill renumbered to HF 1005.

Potential impact and considerations

Consistency with snowmobile education requirements may simplify compliance.

Could affect instructional delivery choices (focus on test preparation rather than riding-skill demonstrations).

Administrative burden on DNR and testing providers to administer the written test and issue certificates.

Behavioral impact: clearer requirement to possess a valid education certificate prior to ATV/UTV operation may reduce unlicense operation in the affected areas.