Date: October 24, 2025
URGENT SAFETY BULLETIN
Under-age Operators and Forest Service Roads (FSRs)
Dear Club Presidents and Executives,
It has come to the attention of the ATVBC Safety Committee that we are receiving an increasing number of complaints regarding minors operating ATVs on active Forest Service Roads (FSRs).
This letter serves as an urgent reminder of the B.C. laws governing youth operators to ensure the safety of all riders, the public, and other resource users. This is a critical safety and liability issue for our individual clubs and our provincial association.
The rules for operating an ORV are divided by two separate pieces of legislation, and the rules change depending on where you are riding.
1. The Law: Operating on Forest Service Roads (MVA)
This is the area of greatest concern and where the complaints are originating. It is crucial to understand that under the B.C. Motor Vehicle Act (MVA), Forest Service Roads are legally defined as 'highways'.
Therefore, the following rules are absolute: Any person operating an ATV on an FSR must be at least 16 years old AND hold a valid driver's license (at minimum, a Class 7L Learner's Permit).
The operator must carry a minimum of $200,000 in third-party liability insurance for FSR use.
The ORV must be registered and display the proper plate/decal.
An approved helmet must be worn.
To be perfectly clear: Adult supervision does not legally permit a minor (under 16) to operate an ORV on a Forest Service Road.
2. Permitted Riding Areas for Minors (Under 16) (ORVA)
The rules for minors are different only when riding on designated Crown Land trails and other areas that are not FSRs or highways. In these designated off-road areas, the Off-Road Vehicle Act (ORVA) applies.
Under the ORVA, a minor (under 16) is permitted to ride, provided they adhere to all of the following conditions:
Direct Supervision: The minor must be supervised by a competent adult (19 years or older).
Age-Appropriate Machine: The minor must be operating an ATV that is appropriate for their age, size, and weight, as specified by the manufacturer's safety recommendations.
No Passengers: A minor operator is not permitted to carry a passenger,
and carry ID: Operators aged 12 and older must carry government-issued photo ID (e.g., BC Services Card).
Future ATVBC Youth Training Program
On a related note, please assure your members that the ATVBC Board understands the desire for more youth riding opportunities. The Safety Committee is currently developing an alternate training program specifically for minor operators. This program will follow a very similar structure to the adult CSC training that we currently offer, adapted for younger riders.
Key areas of focus will include: comprehensive pre-ride inspections, safe riding strategies, how to read terrain, and practical, hands-on maneuvers such as climbing, descending, and safely crossing obstacles.
Once this new curriculum is finalized and ready to launch, we plan to offer it alongside the adult CSC training at all future ATVBC events. We will be rolling out more information on this new program soon.
Summary & Call to Action
Can a Minor (Under 16 years of age) Ride?
Minors under 16 cannot ride on an active Forest Service Road (FSR) as per the Motor Vehicle Act.
Minors over the age of 12 and under 16 can ride on Designated Trails on Crown Land as per the Off-Road Vehicle Act.
Minors over the age 12 must carry valid government issued ID.
Minors over the age of 12 can ride with adult supervision and on an age-appropriate machine.
We kindly request that you immediately distribute this safety bulletin to all your club members through your newsletters, social media channels, and at your next club meeting.
Emphasizing this distinction is vital for preventing a serious incident, protecting our members from fines, and ensuring our continued privilege to ride on Crown land.
Thank you for your immediate attention to this critical safety matter.
Sincerely,
Padraig Tedford
2nd Vice President
Safety Committee Chair, ATVBC
URGENT SAFETY BULLETIN
Under-age Operators and Forest Service Roads (FSRs)
Dear Club Presidents and Executives,
It has come to the attention of the ATVBC Safety Committee that we are receiving an increasing number of complaints regarding minors operating ATVs on active Forest Service Roads (FSRs).
This letter serves as an urgent reminder of the B.C. laws governing youth operators to ensure the safety of all riders, the public, and other resource users. This is a critical safety and liability issue for our individual clubs and our provincial association.
The rules for operating an ORV are divided by two separate pieces of legislation, and the rules change depending on where you are riding.
1. The Law: Operating on Forest Service Roads (MVA)
This is the area of greatest concern and where the complaints are originating. It is crucial to understand that under the B.C. Motor Vehicle Act (MVA), Forest Service Roads are legally defined as 'highways'.
Therefore, the following rules are absolute: Any person operating an ATV on an FSR must be at least 16 years old AND hold a valid driver's license (at minimum, a Class 7L Learner's Permit).
The operator must carry a minimum of $200,000 in third-party liability insurance for FSR use.
The ORV must be registered and display the proper plate/decal.
An approved helmet must be worn.
To be perfectly clear: Adult supervision does not legally permit a minor (under 16) to operate an ORV on a Forest Service Road.
2. Permitted Riding Areas for Minors (Under 16) (ORVA)
The rules for minors are different only when riding on designated Crown Land trails and other areas that are not FSRs or highways. In these designated off-road areas, the Off-Road Vehicle Act (ORVA) applies.
Under the ORVA, a minor (under 16) is permitted to ride, provided they adhere to all of the following conditions:
Direct Supervision: The minor must be supervised by a competent adult (19 years or older).
Age-Appropriate Machine: The minor must be operating an ATV that is appropriate for their age, size, and weight, as specified by the manufacturer's safety recommendations.
No Passengers: A minor operator is not permitted to carry a passenger,
and carry ID: Operators aged 12 and older must carry government-issued photo ID (e.g., BC Services Card).
Future ATVBC Youth Training Program
On a related note, please assure your members that the ATVBC Board understands the desire for more youth riding opportunities. The Safety Committee is currently developing an alternate training program specifically for minor operators. This program will follow a very similar structure to the adult CSC training that we currently offer, adapted for younger riders.
Key areas of focus will include: comprehensive pre-ride inspections, safe riding strategies, how to read terrain, and practical, hands-on maneuvers such as climbing, descending, and safely crossing obstacles.
Once this new curriculum is finalized and ready to launch, we plan to offer it alongside the adult CSC training at all future ATVBC events. We will be rolling out more information on this new program soon.
Summary & Call to Action
Can a Minor (Under 16 years of age) Ride?
Minors under 16 cannot ride on an active Forest Service Road (FSR) as per the Motor Vehicle Act.
Minors over the age of 12 and under 16 can ride on Designated Trails on Crown Land as per the Off-Road Vehicle Act.
Minors over the age 12 must carry valid government issued ID.
Minors over the age of 12 can ride with adult supervision and on an age-appropriate machine.
We kindly request that you immediately distribute this safety bulletin to all your club members through your newsletters, social media channels, and at your next club meeting.
Emphasizing this distinction is vital for preventing a serious incident, protecting our members from fines, and ensuring our continued privilege to ride on Crown land.
Thank you for your immediate attention to this critical safety matter.
Sincerely,
Padraig Tedford
2nd Vice President
Safety Committee Chair, ATVBC
