ATV Question

[C-Money]

Anyone know if it legal to take my 3yo daughter trail riding on my ATV using green dot roads? We would ride double, both wearing helmits. I ride the green dots all the time, just wondering if there is a law on the books prohibiting riding double. We will be on my Honda rancher. Thanks!

[firefighter4607]

Hey C_money,
I can't find anything on the books about riding double on off road vehicles. It is under Chapter 46.09 RCW
Off-road and nonhighway vehicles
I couldn't find any other information

[C-Money]

Thanks for the help FF4607! Little One sure has been bugging me to go riding!

[270Shooter]

Hey I want to ride on the green dot roads. What do I need to do to get my ATV licensed to ride off road.

[dontgetcrabs]

Take your atv's vin # to your local DOL and just buy the tabs.

[270Shooter]

Take your atv's vin # to your local DOL and just buy the tabs.

So thats all I gotta do? They don't need to look at it for a spark arrester or anything? And is that all you have to do to ride these roads? Thanks for the info. Sorry to jack the thread.

[dontgetcrabs]

yep that's it. just make sure you don't get caught without a sparky on the trail.

also c-money i got nailed on lake chelan with my little one riding in front of me on a jetski. the sheriff told me my kid had to be behind the operator? don't know if it's the same on land, but i assume so?

[bobcat]

It depends on where these "green dot" roads are. Is this on National Forest, or is it on WDFW land? If it's on National Forest it's probably not legal to ride an ATV there at all. If you're talking about WDFW land, then it might be legal, if it isn't posted otherwise. I don't know of any law about riding double. Although every 4 wheeler I've ever seen will say right on it that it is NOT meant to carry passengers.

[bobcat]

Take your atv's vin # to your local DOL and just buy the tabs.

ATV's are supposed to have an "ORV" sticker and registration tabs but that doesn't make them street legal.

[firefighter4607]

It depends on where these "green dot" roads are. Is this on National Forest, or is it on WDFW land? If it's on National Forest it's probably not legal to ride an ATV there at all. If you're talking about WDFW land, then it might be legal, if it isn't posted otherwise. I don't know of any law about riding double. Although every 4 wheeler I've ever seen will say right on it that it is NOT meant to carry passengers.

I will educate you on Green Dot Roads in case you didn't know
Green Dot Trail System for WDFW and DNR
The Green Dot system means only roads and trails with Green Dot road markers are open. You can ride on all the Green Dot roads and trails unless it is posted closed or is a trail being groomed for snowmobiles.
Green dot roads are a cooperative road management program between public land management agencies and private landowners. In the Green Dot Road Management System all roads in an area are closed unless posted open with a green dot. Roads identified as “green dot roads” on green dot maps and posted with a round green reflector on white markers are open to public motor vehicles. Green dot maps of most areas are free and available at WDFW and DNR offices. Some maps and agreements are being reformatted due to current land exchanges and are out of print right now.
Except for roads open by green dot designation, all roads and trails are closed to all wheeled motor vehicles including ATVs. Violators will be subject to prosecution pursuant to W.A.C. 232.12.187. Closing sensitive areas helps protect fish from sediment running off of roads, migratory routes of big game, wildlife habitat, and timber and road resources while allowing for safe and fun recreation opportunities. The green dot roads are meant to remain at a net amount of miles, so when one section is removed from the management agreement, another may be added of equal length. Roads designated as green dot can change as harvest or sites are identified which may need protection or rehabilitation. We appreciate help from users in maintaining and educating about our green dot system!

Information about Forest Service Roads in the Wentachee Forest you have to look at each district to find out about the one you are riding in.
Where can I ride an Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV), All Terain Vehicle (ATV), or Over-Snow Vehicle (OSV)?
OHV recreation is just one of the many uses allowed on National Forest lands. OHV travel is restricted to designated routes. Many routes are open and accessible to those who enjoy recreating on OHVs.  It is your responsibility to know and abide by regulations relating to motor vehicle travel. State law requires registration of all motor vehicles before being operated on public lands. You must have either a current Green Sticker or Highway license, both issued by the State Department of Motor Vehicles. If highway licensed, the vehicle must meet all standards for operating on a public highway. Many areas are open and accessible to those who enjoy recreating on ATVs and OSVs during the winter months. Motorized over-snow travel is prohibited in some areas. Federal law (36 CFR 261.16(a)) prohibits operation of any mechanical or motorized equipment within the boundaries of a Wilderness

[FALFire]

Thank you Firefighter4607, some people are simply not aware of the green dot road system in Wa. State.

I have ridden them for years, just stay off of the red dot marked roads and you will be fine.

As far as riding a passenger on an ATV, it's perfectly legal but it's a common sense thing. If you are just puttering around on the trails, just be sure that your passenger is wearing protective gear, helmet, boots, gloves and preferably knee and elbow protection and maybe long sleeves and jeans to cover for brush scatches. It is legal to ride passengers but use common sense and ride safe. The manufactures don't want you to do it due to the lawsuits they had to deal with when they first introduced the ATV's to the public.

ATV's are very dangerous to operate and can easily kill you and your passenger, so just play it safe. But you already know the dangers involved so have fun 

[bobcat]

I still say a road isn't open for ATV use just because it is a "Green Dot" road. The green dot only means the road is open for motorized vehicles, it isn't necessarily legal to ride ATV's on that road. Many of the Green Dot road mangement systems ARE on WDFW and DNR lands and in that case they are  very likely legal for ATV's. But if it's National Forest then most likely NOT.

[billythekidrock]

a road isn't open for ATV use just because it is a "Green Dot" road.

Correct. Some private timber land that has a Dot system won't allow ATVs.

[norsepeak]

Firefighter,

Your info is exactly right, with one addition.  It is legal to ride ATV's offroad on national forest land where ever you want as long as you don't do "resource damage".  What is "resource damage" you ask?  Well according to the OWF headquartes in Wenatchee, they have a "working" definetion, but it is open to interpretation by law enforcement.  So as long as you are treading lightly and not tearing up the ground or vegetation, it is legal to ride anywhere you want on the national forest.  That being said wether or not riding on forest service road is legal, that is up to the individual ranger district, however under federal mandate, the USFS is REQUIRED to open certain percentages of roads on each district to "multilple use", which includes atv.  On the Naches ranger district the percentage amounts to around 130 miles.  If you need more info or want to become involved in the educated use of atvs check out our club.  Cascade quad squad.

[bobcat]

Norsepeak,

So what about "Green Dot" roads? You're not saying they are automatically legal for ATV use just because it's part of a green dot management system, right?

Also, I'm not doubting you, as you seem to be more educated on the subject than most of us are, but it sure seems odd that it would be legal to ride cross country on National Forest land, but illegal to ride on the roads.