Do I Need a License to Ride an ATV or SxS?

By Eli Madero / ATV.com

As off-road vehicles continue to grow in popularity, many states are educating users on safe practices and off-road etiquette in hopes of minimizing accidents and protecting endangered riding areas for years to come.

So you’ve just picked up a new ATV or Side-by-Side (SxS) vehicle, loaded your cooler with water and food, and packed all of the required safety gear. Can you think of anything else that you might need before hitting the road for your adventure to start? We can. Before you even think about leaving the house, you need to make sure that you don’t need any special licenses or safety certificates that many state agencies are now requiring.

The purpose of these courses isn’t only to prevent accidents from happening on the trail, but also to inform new riders where they can and can’t ride. You’d be surprised at how many people see signs of an unauthorized trail and start to follow it. This can not only do damage to the environment, but can also lead to more public lands being shut down to OHV use. Don’t be that guy! CONTINUE READING