ATV Youth Models and Age Restrictions
Christmas is the time when some lucky children receive their first ATVs, and while we love to sell stuff, safety always comes first. Many customers are unaware of the federal guidelines and the CPSC guidelines which govern the sales of youth model ATV’s (and even full size ATV’s that could be operated by children).
It is a violation of Federal law for the OEM’s (Yamaha, Kawasaki, Polaris, Suzuki, Can-Am) to sell ATV’s to children who are younger than age limits defined by the government. Therefore, it is against Federal law for dealerships to sell ATVs to customers who we have determined will not abide by those age limits.
Current guidelines and ATV classifications are as such
- Y-6+
- Age 6 or older
- Maximum restricted speed – 10 mph or less
- Maximum unrestricted speed – 15 mph
- Y-10+
- Age 10 or older
- Maximum restricted speed – 15 mph or less
- Maximum unrestricted speed – 30 mph
- Y-12+
- Age 12 or older
- Maximum restricted speed – 15 mph or less
- Maximum unrestricted speed – 30 mph
- T
- Age 14 or older
- Maximum restricted speed – 30 mph or less
- Maximum unrestricted speed – 38 mph
- G
- Age 16 or older
- Recreational and utility use ATVs
- S
- Age 16 or older
- Recreational use ATVs
Currently there are no ATV’s designed for children under the age of 6. A better option for children of this age is a small youth model motorcycle (such as a Yamaha TTR50) which is outfitted with training wheels and a throttle limiter.
Also note that the engine size of youth model ATV’s is not the only determining factor in the age classifications of those vehicles. Each manufacturer is required to certify each model of ATV into a particular classification, and each ATV will have that decal firmly affixed to it.
