Arizona categorizes all-terrain vehicles as off-highway vehicles, or OHVs. The state has regulations to ensure the safety of those who operate ATVs and other OHVs, such as mandatory registration.
Review these recommendations to stay safe and avoid serious accident injury when exploring by ATV.
Equipment requirements
OHV operators and passengers ages 18 and younger must wear a helmet that fits correctly. It should have approval from the Department of Transportation. Arizona also urges older drivers to wear a helmet. The Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends long-sleeved shirts, long pants, gloves, boots, and either safety goggles or a helmet with eye protection.
The OHV must have a brake light, brakes, one or more rear reflectors, a spark arrestor device, a visible license plate and a rearview mirror. Each rider and passenger must have a separate seat and footrest. OHVs operated at night must also have headlights and taillights.
Safety guidelines
Before a child or adult operates an OHV, he or she should complete a safe driving course. Parents should always supervise kids younger than 16. Operators should not drive an OHV under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
An OHV should always fit the rider correctly. Operating an ATV that is too large or too small carries a significant crash risk. Carrying too many people on the vehicle is also dangerous.
While some OHVs are street-legal, riding these vehicles on the road increases the risk of serious auto accident injury. Operators should remain on designated trails whenever possible and stay visible to drivers at intersections and crossings.
