This section applies only to operations of off-highway vehicles (OHVs) on public lands. Not all Florida State Forests permit OHV usage. The three State Forests that allow OHV are: Blackwater River State Forest, Tate’s Hell State Forest and Withlacoochee State Forest.
Section 261.20, Florida Statutes:
Any person operating an OHV as permitted in this section who has not attained 16 years of age must be supervised by an adult while operating the OHV.
Effective July 1, 2008, while operating an OHV, a person who has not attained 16 years of age must have in his or her possession a certificate evidencing the satisfactory completion of an approved OHV safety course in this state or another jurisdiction. A non-resident who has not attained 16 years of age and who is in this state temporarily for a period not to exceed 30 days is exempt from this subsection. Nothing contained in this Chapter shall prohibit an agency from requiring additional safety education courses for all operators. This applies only to operations of OHVs on public lands.
More about Section 261.20, Florida Statutes, and riding on public lands:
It is a violation of this section:
Any person who violates this section commits a noncriminal infraction and is subject to a fine of not less than $100 and may have his or her privilege to operate an ATV on public lands revoked. However, a person who commits such acts with intent to defraud, or who commits a second or subsequent violation, is subject to a fine of not less than $500 and may have his or her privilege to operate an ATV on public lands revoked.
If you have a child under the age of 16 years that is going to operate an OHV on public lands, then they need to complete an approved safety training course. In Florida, an OHV is defined as an All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV), Off-Highway Motorcycle (OHM), or Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle (ROV). To register or find training schedules and locations in Florida contact the ASI (ATV Safety Institute).
While some safety guidelines may be required by law, good riding means planning, safety and following guidelines like these:
Florida currently has training courses approved to provide the necessary safety training and important environmental awareness education. An ATV or dirt bike safety training certification card will be given to those who are age 6 and older who have successfully completed an ATV or dirt bike safety training course. Florida state statutes require an OHV Safety Certification Card for riders under 16 years of age to ride OHVs on public lands.
All ATV training courses and information are provided by:
Parent must be in attendance for children 11 years and younger.
Safety gear to include:
The ATV Safety Institute's ATV Rider Course is about 4.5 hours long. Students practice safety techniques with hands-on exercises covering starting, stopping, swerving and riding over obstacles. Particular emphasis is placed on safety. The course covers protective gear, the protection of our resources while riding, and local and state laws. Each rider receives an ATV Rider Course Handbook that reinforces the safety information and riding techniques covered in the course. The instructional materials, as well as the course curriculum, have been designed in consultation with the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
The ATV Safety Institute also offers three age-specific e-learning courses to address basic ATV safety principles. Adults, teens and children will learn how to apply the "golden rules" of ATV riding through the course, which includes videos, photos and interactive games. After taking the course, users can take an ATV safety exam and receive a certificate of completion.
