ATV Riding Laws – Idaho

Idaho requires all ATVs to be titled and registered. Operators must renew their registrations once a year. The registration requirements do not apply to those who use their vehicles for agricultural purposes. As in many states, an all-terrain vehicle cannot be used on a paved road or highway, unless a local ordinance specifies that this is permitted.

Anyone under 18 years old must wear a safety helmet that meets the recognized standards. This law pertains to people who drive on public property, and does not apply to those who operate vehicles on private land. Other provisions cover:

• The forbidding of operators of all-terrain vehicles or snowmobiles to ride under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Anyone doing so on public roads, highways, or off-road may be charged with a misdemeanor.
• The use of a spark arrestor device on exhaust systems.
• Noise suppression systems that keep output below 96 decibels.

Provisions of the Idaho Code

The Idaho Code authorizes the Idaho Park and Recreation Board to enforce rules pertaining to ATV operation, and conduct testing for noise abatement. It outlines the test procedures including where tests are to be performed and the types of surfaces they should be conducted on. Operation, position, and engine temperature are specified as well. The Code also indicates the proper sound level meter settings, testing on exhaust outlets, and location of a microphone or sound level meter, which should be 20½ inches behind the vehicle’s exhaust.

According to trails.idaho.gov, ATV drivers on designated trails, motocross tracks, and open riding areas must have a valid IDPR OHV registration sticker. Also in accordance with state laws, vehicles must be equipped with a muffler and, as approved by the Forest Service, a spark arrestor. Drivers must have a valid license if riding on state or federal, and those on city or county roads must have a license plate. Individuals under 16 riding on state/federal land must be supervised by an adult.

Registration stickers must be visible and legible. Idaho Code also allows non-residents to operate ATVs, so long as they have a valid registration from the state they reside in or a sticker from Idaho. If a resident of another state wishes to drive and doesn’t want to get a plate, they can operate on local jurisdiction roads if they purchase a restricted vehicle license plate. This must include the IDPR OHV registration sticker.

All-Terrain Vehicle Statistics in Idaho

Although not near the top of the list, Idaho had 234 ATV-related fatalities from 1982 through 2015, based on data from the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Accidents are affecting people of all ages, as in other states. In June 2017, a 13-year-old boy from West Jordan was killed in a Wyoming ATV accident. Wearing a helmet, he sustained injuries after hitting a tree. The hazards of all-terrain vehicle driving are present here as anywhere else, whether riders abide by safety rules and the law, or not.