Bills › 91st General Assembly
Requiring persons to pass a written test and obtain an education certificate prior to operating an all-terrain vehicle, off-road motorcycle, or off-road utility vehicle on certain land, ice, and trails, providing fees, and making penalties applicable
Sponsored by Rep. Joshua Meggers (R)
Where it is now
- Done: IntroducedJanuary 16, 2025
- Done: SubcommitteeJanuary 29, 2025
- Done: House committeeFebruary 26, 2025
- Skipped: Passes the HouseContinued as HF 762
- Next: Senate committee
- Next: Passes the Senate
- Next: To the Governor
- Next: Signed into law
Became HF 762 → Its progress continues under the new number. Go to HF 762 What’s a funnel?
What’s in it
AI summary People riding ATVs, UTVs, or off-road motorcycles on public land or trails in Iowa will now all need to get an education certificate from the Department of Natural Resources. To get this certificate, riders must complete an approved course and pass a written test instead of just showing their riding skills. These rules apply to everyone regardless of age, though riders can still operate these vehicles without a certificate if they are under the direct supervision of a certified instructor during a training course.1
Read the official explanation
Under current law, a person years of age or older but less than years of age is required to obtain a valid education certificate approved by the department of natural resources (DNR) prior to, and have the certificate in the person’s possession while, operating an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) on public land, public ice, a designated riding trail, or land purchased with ATV registration funds in Iowa. operating an off-road motorcycle or off-road utility vehicle (UTV) are excepted from the education instruction, certificate, and associated fee requirements. This bill strikes such exceptions for off-road motorcycles and UTVs and the age range associated with education certificates. As a result, the bill requires every person to obtain a valid education certificate approved by DNR prior to, and have the certificate in the person’s possession while, operating an ATV, off-road motorcycle, or UTV on public land, public ice, a designated riding trail, or land purchased with ATV registration funds in Iowa. A person is not required to possess an education certificate if the operation is part of a prescribed education training course and the operation is under the direct supervision of a certified ATV education instructor. The bill does not amend similar education certification requirements in Code chapter 321G (snowmobiles) for persons though years of age operating a snowmobile in Iowa. Under current law, the fee for an education certificate is $5 and an education certificate must be issued to a qualified applicant who successfully completes an education course and pays the fee. The fees are credited to the special ATV fund and must be used for educational programs. Any person who has completed a course of instruction established under DNR rules, including the successful passage of an examination which includes either a written test relating to such course of instruction or the demonstration of adequate riding skills, is considered qualified to receive an education certificate. An education certificate does not expire and remains valid until the certificate is suspended or revoked by the DNR director as a result of a Code chapter 321I (ATVs) law or rule violation. The bill strikes the ability of a person who wishes to obtain an education certificate to do so by demonstrating adequate riding skills, thus requiring all such persons to successfully complete a written test. snowmobile education certificate under current law. A person who is required to have a valid education certificate and who operates an ATV, UTV, or off-road motorcycle without a valid education certificate commits a simple misdemeanor punishable by a $70 scheduled fine.
House subcommittee
Named January 29, 2025. On February 6, 2025 it recommended amendment and passage.
Three legislators hear a bill first and recommend what the committee should do; it’s the best time to weigh in. How to take part
Fiscal note
AI summary This bill requires people ages 12 or older to get an approved education certificate to operate an all-terrain vehicle or utility vehicle on certain public lands and roads. It is estimated to provide a one-time revenue increase of approximately $536,000 to the ATV Registration Fees Fund. This increase may be realized over multiple fiscal years.3
Read the fiscal note
Description
House File 1005 requires operators of an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) or utility vehicle (UTV) who are ages 12 or older to obtain a valid education certificate approved by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The operator is required to hold the certificate while operating an ATV or UTV on streets, highways, public land, public ice, a designated riding trail, or land purchased with ATV registration funds in Iowa. An operator is not required to hold a certificate during an education training course under the direct supervision of a certified ATV education instructor.
The Bill requires operators to complete a written test and eliminates the current option of obtaining a certificate through a driving test.
Background
Under current law, a person 12 through 17 years of age is required to obtain a valid education certificate approved by the DNR prior to, and have the certificate in the person’s possession while operating an ATV on public land, public ice, a designated riding trail, or land purchased with ATV registration funds in Iowa. Persons under 12 years old are prohibited from operating an ATV on public land unless the person is under direct supervision. Persons who are exempted from the education instruction, certificate, and associated fee requirements are those operating an ORM or UTV, those 18 years of age or older, and those operating on private land. Fees remitted to the ATV Registration Fees Fund are used for the establishment, maintenance, and operation of ATV recreational riding areas through the awarding of grants administered by the DNR. The fee for an education certificate is $5. The fees are credited to the ATV Registration Fees Fund and must be used for educational purposes.
A person who is required to have a valid education certificate and who operates an ATV, UTV, or ORM without a valid education certificate commits a simple misdemeanor punishable by a $70 scheduled fine.
An education certificate does not expire and remains valid until the certificate is suspended or revoked by the DNR director as a result of a violation of Iowa Code chapter 321I or related administrative rules.
Assumptions
- The DNR currently uses an outside vendor for certified education. The online course user fee is $34.95, which includes the $5 education certificate fee required under Iowa Code section 321I.26. The vendor collects the fee and remits it to the DNR.
- In 2024, there were 107,163 ATVs, UTVs, and ORMs registered with the DNR.
- It is assumed that one individual per vehicle registered with the DNR will complete the online course to obtain an education certificate.
Fiscal Impact
House File 1005 is estimated to have a one-time revenue increase of approximately $536,000 to the ATV Registration Fees Fund that may be realized over multiple fiscal years.
Source
- Department of Natural Resources
- All-Terrain Vehicles, Education Certificate · April 23, 2025 · $536,000
Iowa Code it changes
Lobbying
4 for · 0 against · 17 undecided · Who →
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91st General Assembly