2010 Pennsylvania Code
Title 75 - VEHICLES
Chapter 77 - Snowmobiles and All-Terrain Vehicles
7725 - Operation by persons under age sixteen.

     § 7725.  Operation by persons under age sixteen.
        (a)  Crossing street or highway.--No person under 16 years of
     age shall drive a snowmobile or an ATV across any highway or
     connecting street thereto unless he is under the direct
     supervision of a person 18 years of age or older and unless he
     holds a valid and appropriate safety certificate from the
     Commonwealth or a valid and approved certificate issued under
     the authority of another state or Province of Canada. The
     department shall determine what certificates will be approved.
        (b)  Operation of an ATV by persons under eight years of
     age.--No person under eight years of age shall operate an ATV
     upon State-owned land.
        (b.1)  ATV size restrictions.--An ATV operated in this
     Commonwealth by a person eight or nine years of age shall have
     an engine size of 70cc or less.
        (b.2)  Operation of a snowmobile by persons under ten years
     of age.--No person under ten years of age shall operate a
     snowmobile upon State-owned land.
        (c)  Snowmobile and ATV safety certification.--No person 8 to
     15 years of age shall operate an ATV and no person between 10
     and 15 years of age shall operate a snowmobile in this
     Commonwealth unless the person satisfies one of the following
     conditions:
            (1)  Is under the direct supervision of a certified
        snowmobile or ATV safety instructor during a safety training
        course.
            (2)  Is on land owned or leased by a parent or legal
        guardian.
            (3)  Has received safety training as prescribed by the
        department and has received the appropriate safety
        certificate issued by the department.
            (4)  Holds an appropriate safety certificate issued under
        the authority of another state or Province of Canada and
        recognized by the department.
        (d)  Failure to exhibit certificate.--The failure of such a
     youthful operator to exhibit the appropriate safety certificate,
     upon demand, to any law enforcement officer having authority to
     enforce the provisions of this section shall be presumptive
     evidence that such person is not the holder of such certificate.
        (e)  Permitting unauthorized operation.--No owner of a
     snowmobile or an ATV shall authorize or permit the operation
     thereof within this Commonwealth by any person under 16 years of
     age unless the person under 16 years of age is the holder of a
     valid and appropriate safety certificate, or except as
     authorized in subsections (b), (b.2) and (c).
        (f)  Certification of snowmobile safety instructors.--The
     department may certify snowmobile or ATV safety instructors to
     act as its agents in conducting classes and examinations and
     issuing snowmobile or ATV safety certificates in its name.
        (g)  Operation on snowmobile and ATV roads.--No person under
     16 years of age may operate a snowmobile or an ATV on streets or
     highways designated under section 7722 (relating to designation
     of snowmobile and ATV roads) as open to snowmobile or ATV and
     vehicular traffic. A person under 16 years of age who holds the
     appropriate safety certificate may operate a snowmobile or an
     ATV on roads designated under section 7724(b) (relating to
     operation on private or State property) as open to snowmobile or
     ATV and vehicular traffic, provided he is under the direct
     supervision of a person 18 years of age or older.
        (h)  Snowmobile and ATV safety program.--The department shall
     implement a comprehensive snowmobile and ATV information, safety
     education and training program which shall include the
     preparation and dissemination of information and safety advice
     to the public and training of operators. The program shall
     provide for the training of youthful operators and for the
     issuance of snowmobile or ATV safety certificates to those who
     successfully complete the training provided under the program.
        (i)  Cooperation with other organizations.--In implementing a
     program which is established under this section, the department
     shall cooperate with private organizations and associations,
     private and public corporations, the Department of Education and
     local governmental units. The department shall consult with
     snowmobile, ATV and environmental organizations and associations
     in regard to subject matter of a training program that leads to
     certification of snowmobile and ATV operators.
     (July 11, 1985, P.L.220, No.56, eff. 60 days; June 25, 2001,
     P.L.701, No.68, eff. 120 days; July 14, 2005, P.L.285, No.50,
     eff. 60 days; June 29, 2006, P.L.284, No.61, eff. imd.)

        2006 Amendment.  Act 61 amended subsecs. (b), (c) and (e) and
     added subsec. (b.2).
        2005 Amendment.  Act 50 amended subsecs. (b) and (c) and
     added subsec. (b.1).
        2001 Amendment.  Act 68 amended subsec. (h).