Subdivision 1. Prohibitions on youthful operators. (a) A person six years or older but less than 16 years of age operating an off-highway motorcycle on public lands or waters must possess a valid off-highway motorcycle safety certificate issued by the commissioner.

(b) Except for operation on public road rights-of-way that is permitted under section 84.795, subdivision 1, a driver's license issued by the state or another state is required to operate an off-highway motorcycle along or on a public road right-of-way.

(c) A person under 12 years of age may not:

(1) make a direct crossing of a public road right-of-way;

(2) operate an off-highway motorcycle on a public road right-of-way in the state; or

(3) operate an off-highway motorcycle on public lands or waters unless accompanied by a person 18 years of age or older or participating in an event for which the commissioner has issued a special use permit.

(d) Except for public road rights-of-way of interstate highways, a person less than 16 years of age may make a direct crossing of a public road right-of-way of a trunk, county state-aid, or county highway only if that person is accompanied by a person 18 years of age or older who holds a valid driver's license.

(e) A person less than 16 years of age may operate an off-highway motorcycle on public road rights-of-way in accordance with section 84.795, subdivision 1, paragraph (a), only if that person is accompanied by a person 18 years of age or older who holds a valid driver's license.

(f) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), a nonresident less than 16 years of age may operate an off-highway motorcycle on public lands or waters if the nonresident youth has in possession evidence of completing an off-road safety course offered by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation or another state as provided in section 84.791, subdivision 4.

Subd. 2. Helmet required. A person less than 18 years of age may not operate an off-highway motorcycle on public land, public waters, or on a public road right-of-way unless wearing a safety helmet approved by the commissioner of public safety.

Subd. 3. Prohibitions on owner. An owner of an off-highway motorcycle may not knowingly allow it to be operated contrary to this section.

Subd. 4. Eye protection required. A person may not operate an off-highway motorcycle without an eye-protective device.

History: 1993 c 311 art 1 s 7; 2009 c 176 art 1 s 6; 2010 c 361 art 4 s 9; 2017 c 93 art 2 s 5