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MINNEAPOLIMEDIA NEWS | Six October Off-Highway Vehicle Fatalities Prompt Minnesota DNR Safety Appeal
The agency is urging riders to check protective equipment, training requirements and permitted routes before heading onto trails.
SAINT PAUL, MN (October 23, 2026). Six reported off-highway-vehicle-related fatalities in October have prompted the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to renew its warning about the risks of riding without appropriate equipment, preparation and attention to trail conditions.
In an October 22 announcement, the DNR said 12 fatalities had been reported earlier in 2026. The additional October deaths bring the figures identified in the announcement to 18.
The agency’s appeal emphasizes helmet use, seat belts where equipped, safety training, sober operation and designated riding routes. It also encourages riders to travel with others or leave someone their destination and expected return time.
Equipment and vehicle choice matter
The DNR says riders younger than 18 must wear an approved helmet and recommends helmets for adults as well.
For Class 2 ATVs manufactured with seat belts, occupants must use them on public roadways and rights-of-way. The agency urges riders to buckle up wherever they ride when their vehicle has belts, including trails.
Its warning also identifies roadways as a recurring danger: most fatal crashes involving another vehicle occur along roads. Staying on designated routes is therefore part of the agency’s prevention message.
Age, vehicle type and riding location also affect what is permitted. The DNR’s regulations prohibit children younger than 15 from operating Class 2 ATVs. Separate supervision, certification and road-crossing provisions apply to younger riders using other machines.
For riders younger than 16, the agency also specifies fit requirements intended to ensure they can reach controls, maintain balance and operate the vehicle safely.
Training requires more than familiarity with the machine
The DNR offers different training routes according to age.
Students ages 10–15 taking the hybrid certification route complete an online course followed by an in-person class covering operation, regulations, environmental protection and demonstrated riding skills. Certification becomes valid at age 12.
People 16 and older can complete the approved online course, including a virtual riding component. A separate introductory course for children ages 6–9 does not provide certification.
Before a trip, riders can use the DNR’s trail directory to identify routes and the vehicle types they accommodate. The directory distinguishes ATV, motorcycle and off-road-vehicle access, making it important to check the intended route for the specific machine being used.
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