A person under the age of eighteen cannot drive or ride an off-road vehicle on public or state land without a protective helmet. A person is in violation of this subsection if they are a parent or guardian responsible for the care of a child under 18 years of age who drives an all-terrain vehicle in violation of this chapter. In addition to any sanction imposed under this subsection, the court may, subject to section 9321 and Title 17-A, Chapter 54, order the restitution of firefighting costs incurred by state or municipal government entities in suppressing a fire caused by an all-terrain vehicle operating without a functioning spark plug. A person may not operate any 4-wheel-drive vehicle, a dune buggy, an all-terrain vehicle, a motorcycle, or any other motor vehicle, other than a snowmobile and ancillary equipment, on snowmobile trails that are fully or partially funded by funds from the Snowmobile Trail Fund, unless that use has been authorized by the owner or owner's agent, or unless it is necessary due to an emergency involving safety or people or property.
An all-terrain vehicle must have an effective silencer system in good working condition, a fender approved by the USDA Forest Service in good working condition, and a braking system in good working condition. As used in this subsection, “farmland” means the area dedicated to the rotation of tillage, cultivated land and shrub land, and “grazing land” means the area dedicated to the production of forage plants used for animal production. The owner of an all-terrain vehicle or other person in possession of an all-terrain vehicle cannot knowingly allow or authorize anyone under 16 years of age to operate an all-terrain vehicle in violation of any state or local law. The owner of an all-terrain vehicle, the person who delivers or delivers an all-terrain vehicle to a person, and the parent or guardian responsible for the care of a child under 18 years of age are jointly and severally liable to the operator for damage caused during the operation of the vehicle or by the minor when operating any all-terrain vehicle.
No person under the age of 14 may drive an all-terrain vehicle unless it is in preparation for participating in an authorized race or event under the supervision of a person 18 years of age or older. Children under 16 years of age cannot operate an ORV unless they are under the direct visual supervision of an adult and have an ORV safety certificate in their immediate possession, unless they are engaged in agricultural activities. A person may not operate any 4-wheel-drive vehicle, a dune buggy, an all-terrain vehicle, a motorcycle, or any other motor vehicle, other than a snowmobile and ancillary equipment, on snowmobile trails that are fully or partially funded by funds from the Snowmobile Trail Fund, unless that use has been authorized by the owner or owner's agent, or unless their use is necessary for an emergency involving the safety of people or property. A person cannot operate an all-terrain vehicle unless it is equipped with a fender type silencer, in good working order and in constant operation.
