Purpose

To update Minnesota law by revising the definition of all-terrain vehicle (ATV) in order to set specific technical criteria for what counts as an ATV and to clarify which vehicles are included or excluded from that category.

Main Provisions

• Amends Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 84.92, subdivision 8, to define “Allterrain vehicle or vehicle” with these criteria:
  • A motorized vehicle with at least three but not more than six low-pressure or nonpneumatic tires.
  • A total dry weight of 2,000 to 3,000 pounds (inclusive).
  • A total width from outside of tire rim to outside of tire rim of 65 inches or less.
• It explicitly includes class 1 ATVs and class 2 ATVs within the ATV definition.
• It explicitly excludes certain vehicles from being ATVs:
  • Electric-assisted bicycles (as defined in section 169.011 subdivision 27).
  • Golf carts.
  • Minitrucks.
  • Dune buggies or go-carts (gocarts).
  • Vehicles designed and used specifically for lawn maintenance, agriculture, logging, or mining purposes.

Significant Changes to Law

• Provides a precise, numeric set of criteria (tires, weight, width) for what qualifies as an ATV, replacing or refining broader, prior language.
• Clarifies which vehicles are not considered ATVs, which can affect regulatory treatment, safety standards, and applicable rules for registration or operation.
• Establishes that ATVs include both Class 1 and Class 2 models, ensuring they fall under the same definitional category for regulatory purposes.

How the Definitions Apply (Summary)

• If a motorized vehicle has 3–6 tires that are low-pressure or nonpneumatic, weighs between 2,000 and 3,000 pounds, and is 65 inches wide or less, it qualifies as an ATV.
• If a vehicle is an electric-assisted bike, golf cart, minitruck, dune buggy, go-cart, or a vehicle used for lawn maintenance, farming, forestry, or mining, it does not qualify as an ATV under this definition.

Relevant terms allterrain vehicle, ATV, all-terrain vehicle, motorized vehicle, low pressure tires, nonpneumatic tires, dry weight, total dry weight, weight, pounds, 2,000 pounds, 3,000 pounds, width, outside of tire rim, tire rim, 65 inches, class 1 ATV, class 2 ATV, electric-assisted bicycle, electric bicycle, golf cart, minitruck, dune buggy, go-cart, gocart, lawn maintenance, agriculture, farming, logging, mining, Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 84.92, subdivision 8.