Operations of off-highway vehicles on public lands 2008

[Thunderdually]

There has been some discussion on new regulations about riding ATV's in Fl. I went looking on the internet for new regulations for Fl. This is what I came up with. according to the Florida Senate these are the new Regulations.


1261.20  Operations of off-highway vehicles on public lands; restrictions; safety courses; required equipment; prohibited acts; penalties.--

(1)  This section applies only to the operation of off-highway vehicles on public lands.

(2)  Any person operating an off-highway vehicle as permitted in this section who has not attained 16 years of age must be supervised by an adult while operating the off-highway vehicle.

(3)  Effective July 1, 2008, while operating an off-highway vehicle, a person who has not attained 16 years of age must have in his or her possession a certificate evidencing the satisfactory completion of an approved off-highway vehicle safety course in this state or another jurisdiction. A nonresident who has not attained 16 years of age and who is in this state temporarily for a period not to exceed 30 days is exempt from this subsection. Nothing contained in this chapter shall prohibit an agency from requiring additional safety-education courses for all operators.

(4)(a)  The department shall approve all off-highway vehicle public safety-education programs required by this chapter as a condition for operating on public lands.

(b)  An off-highway vehicle must be equipped with a spark arrester that is approved by the United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service, a braking system, and a muffler, all in operating condition.

(c)  On and after July 1, 2008, off-highway vehicles, when operating pursuant to this chapter, shall be equipped with a silencer or other device which limits sound emissions. Exhaust noise must not exceed 96 decibels in the A-weighting scale for vehicles manufactured after January 1, 1986, or 99 decibels in the A-weighting scale for vehicles manufactured before January 1, 1986, when measured from a distance of 20 inches using test procedures established by the Society of Automotive Engineers under Standard J-1287. Off-highway vehicle manufacturers or their agents prior to the sale to the general public in this state of any new off-highway vehicle model manufactured after January 1, 2008, shall provide to the department revolutions-per-minute data needed to conduct the J-1287 test, where applicable.

(d)  An off-highway vehicle that is operated between sunset and sunrise, or when visibility is reduced because of rain, smoke, or smog, must display a lighted headlamp and taillamp unless the use of such lights is prohibited by other laws, such as a prohibition on the use of lights when hunting at night.

(e)  An off-highway vehicle that is used in certain organized and sanctioned competitive events being held on a closed course may be exempted by departmental rule from any equipment requirement in this subsection.

(5)  It is a violation of this section:

(a)  To carry a passenger on an off-highway vehicle, unless the machine is specifically designed by the manufacturer to carry an operator and a single passenger.

(b)  To operate an off-highway vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, a controlled substance, or any prescription or over-the-counter drug that impairs vision or motor condition.

(c)  For a person who has not attained 16 years of age, to operate an off-highway vehicle without wearing eye protection, over-the-ankle boots, and a safety helmet that is approved by the United States Department of Transportation or Snell Memorial Foundation.

(d)  To operate an off-highway vehicle in a careless or reckless manner that endangers or causes injury or damage to another person or property.

(6)  Any person who violates this section commits a noncriminal infraction and is subject to a fine of not less than $100 and may have his or her privilege to operate an ATV on public lands revoked. However, a person who commits such acts with intent to defraud, or who commits a second or subsequent violation, is subject to a fine of not less than $500 and may have his or her privilege to operate an ATV on public lands revoked.

(7)  Public land managing agencies, through the course of their management activities, are exempt from the provisions of paragraph (5)(a).

History.--s. 4, ch. 2006-290.

1Note.--Effective July 1, 2008.
 
 
http://www.flsenate.gov/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=Ch0261/ch0261.htm

[AintSkeered]

(3)  Effective July 1, 2008, while operating an off-highway vehicle, a person who has not attained 16 years of age must have in his or her possession a certificate evidencing the satisfactory completion of an approved off-highway vehicle safety course in this state or another jurisdiction.
So, who's offering the "approved" courses, now?

[Thunderdually]

(3)  Effective July 1, 2008, while operating an off-highway vehicle, a person who has not attained 16 years of age must have in his or her possession a certificate evidencing the satisfactory completion of an approved off-highway vehicle safety course in this state or another jurisdiction.
So, who's offering the "approved" courses, now?

look Here http://www.floridaohv.org/ohv_safety.html#courses

[dgt714]

 Just another way big brother(goverment) tries to run our lives,Because they think we are to stupid  .

[Ida_Mann]

none of this is new as far as I can tell, it's been in the FL senate, and talked about since the first closings in ONF.

Id@

[Mars]

Just another way big brother(goverment) tries to run our lives,Because they think we are to stupid  .

We are. They passed the regulations did'nt they?

[digginfool]

Just another way big brother(goverment) tries to run our lives,Because they think we are to stupid  .

Unfortunately, too many have proven that, collectively, we are too stupid.   The newspapers and courts are full of proof that too many ATV riders have no common sense or ability to accept the consequences of their own actions.

[ridgerunner]

(3)  Effective July 1, 2008, while operating an off-highway vehicle, a person who has not attained 16 years of age must have in his or her possession a certificate evidencing the satisfactory completion of an approved off-highway vehicle safety course in this state or another jurisdiction.
So, who's offering the "approved" courses, now?
[/quote]


look Here http://www.floridaohv.org/ohv_safety.html#courses

  I tried to get my son who is 8 years old the "certificate" that he will need July 1st in order to ride on public lands,I was scheduled for this weekend.The class was canceled due to they need at least two people to show up in order to hold the class we where only ones scheduled so it was canceled.
 The instructor that I talked to on phone was tried to move the class to a different location to get a couple more to join ,but was shot down by the ATV Safety  Institute due to insurance reasons.  So what that boils down to the only place in the state that gives this training course  to children under 12 is the OHV Center in Salt Springs.

   This is the great part this so called ATV Institute says that my son of 8 years old has to take a class on a 50 cc ATV.I borrowed a Suzuki 50 for the class (my son is 4'9" tall and weighs 100 lbs] the weight limit posted on this ATV is 84 lbs but they told me thats O K because he"s under 12 and thats what he has to ride for the CLASS ONLY after that he can ride his 90cc because know he has been trained on a 50cc .So if you go to a class ride an ATV that over weight for and get your knees tangled up in the handle bars and bottom out the shocks thats O K "
    And also after you take the class if you call them you will be paid .40 a mile round trip for gas,so for me the class cost $75.00 after driving to Salt Springs and back they will pay me $66.40 also pay the instructor to teach the class it sounds to me like these folks are not even smart enough to realize they are losing money and putting children in danger.

  So my suggestion is everyone 60 miles or more from Salt Springs with children sign up for the take it and make these guy go belly up.

[foreman1]

More $$$ out of our pockets and for what?
Total nonsense , this isnt based on safety or any other BS excuse the state can come up with . I'm sure most parents here are more than capable of supervising their kids , there's no need for state to waste our time with crap.

With a license you can now be banned if you accumulate enough points.

Whats next .......airboat operators license .

[AintSkeered]

If safety is truly the goal of the new statute and of the ATV Institute, then each county should be providing convenient public classroom space for the course(public park, school, etc.) and ATV Institute instructors should be willing to travel to each county. We live in the largest metro area in the state and must travel 40 minutes to the only location.

[ridgerunner]

If safety is truly the goal of the new statute and of the ATV Institute, then each county should be providing convenient public classroom space for the course(public park, school, etc.) and ATV Institute instructors should be willing to travel to each county. We live in the largest metro area in the state and must travel 40 minutes to the only location.
[/quote


They are far from that I think there is only 4 in the state Apopka,Brooksville,Sarasota and Salt Springs and Salt Springs is the only one that will take  ages 6-11.
    I had a conversation today with the division of Forestry ohv dept. in Tallahasee today about the stupidity of the ATV Safety Institute and the law that is coming in to effect she told me that she will get back to me.

[CEC]

My 7 Year old Was Not Allowed To Take The Safety Course Because He Road A Predator 90 At The Time. I'm Hoping That I Can Keep Him Off Of One Of My 400s Until He Is 10 But He'll Propably Be One One Sooner