Parents, Know The Winter Snowmobile Laws For Young Riders

Before we know it, the snow in Michigan will pile up, and snowmobilers will be out carving up the powder as I do every winter season. It’s not just grown adults who enjoy snowmobiling, but kids as well, and there are some important laws to keep in mind when it comes to kids who are handling a motor vehicle, such as a snowmobile.

Although you do not need a driver's license in order to ride one, there are some rules when it comes to kids operating them, much like the 500-foot snowmobile law from New York, which states riders ages 10 to 13 have to be with someone 18 or older who stays within 500 feet of them.

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Although Michigan doesn’t have that particular law, it has set in place some regulations to keep kids safe this winter:

Those under the age of 12:

• May not operate a snowmobile without direct supervision of an adult, except on property owned or controlled by the parent or legal guardian.

• May not cross a highway or street.

Those who are at least 12 but less than 17 years of age:

• May operate a snowmobile if they have a valid snowmobile safety certificate in their immediate possession, or are under the direct supervision of a person 21 years of age or older.

• May not cross a highway or street without having a valid snowmobile safety certificate in their immediate possession.

Please make sure to stay safe while riding them, and to check out all the laws, regulations, and tips of riding a snowmobile on Michigan's website here.