*The information in this blog is for general educational purposes only and is not a comprehensive guide or substitute for official safety guidelines, training, or local laws. Follow all applicable regulations and ensure proper safety gear and supervision before allowing a child to operate an off-road vehicle.
SMALL RIDERS. BIG SAFETY.
Prep your child for KYMCO ATV fun!
As the weather cools and kids spend more time indoors with school back in session, you might be thinking about ways to get them outside and active. A recreational ATV can be a great option—but before your child climbs on one, there are a few important things to consider.
Riding an ATV can be exciting and rewarding, but it’s not without risks. Like biking or skateboarding, it takes skill, focus, and good judgment to stay safe. Understanding when your child is ready to ride—and setting the right rules—can help prevent accidents and keep the experience fun.
KYMCO USA offers a free ATV training course with every purchase of a KYMCO ATV. The training goes over how to properly operate a KYMCO ATV.
Evaluate your child's readiness to ride.
Is your child ready to ride? Riding readiness varies from one person to another, so consider the following factors when determining their readiness:
Make sure the ATV is the right size.
The first step to finding an ATV for your child is determining what size they need. An adult-sized ATV is simply too large and heavy for a child to control properly. They may not have the strength or leverage needed to do vital tasks like steering, braking, or shifting their weight safely. Similarly, the powerful engines in adult ATVs can reach dangerous speeds quickly; a child may be unable to react appropriately to sudden acceleration or rough terrain.
To make sure the ATV is the right size, have them stand up on the footboards and grasp the handgrips. They should have at least three inches (eight centimeters) of clearance between the their rear and the ATV seat. A rider needs at least three inches (eight centimeters) of clearance to stand up for balance and comfort, as well as shift their body forwards, backwards, and side to side.
Specialty Vehicle Institute of America (SVIA) Standard Youth ATV Guidelines
As members of the SVIA, KYMCO ATVs come with a warning label (see below) that clearly states the minimum age of the rider.
Check your child's coordination and control skills.
It’s also extremely important to make sure your child can comfortably reach and work all the controls. Can they turn their handlebars all the way to the right or left? Use the gear shift? Operate the brake levers and throttle while still holding onto the handgrips?
Your child should be good at riding a bicycle before they get on an ATV. Can they judge speeds and distances while riding a bicycle and react with proper hand and foot actions? Anyone who does not have good coordination, balance, and agility is not ready to ride an ATV.
Ensure your child knows how to work through problems and find solutions.
When they are riding a bike, do they follow all the safe riding rules? Young people who take unnecessary risks, make bad judgments, and don’t obey the rules are not ready to ride an ATV.
Teach your child to properly operate an ATV and always supervise.
Most youth ATVs are designed for one rider only; therefore, passengers are not recommended. When your child is riding an ATV, make sure they are always supervised by an adult.
Enroll your child in a hands-on training course to get them familiar with the vehicle. KYMCO has an ATV training course that comes with every purchase of a KYMCO ATV, or you can find more resources via the ATV Safety Institute.
Use the ATV Safety Institute’s Readiness Checklist to ensure your child is ready to operate an ATV on their own.
Equip your child with proper protective gear.
Wearing the proper protective gear can significantly reduce injury severity.¹ Consider making sure your child is wearing appropriate protective gear, including:
- A helmet certified by the Department of Transportation (DOT), ANSI, or the Snell Foundation
- Boots
- Gloves
- Goggles
- Long pants and sleeves
Know where they can ride.
ATVs are vehicles meant to use off-road or on dirt roads, not on paved roads or highways. Most states have regulations that prohibit ATVs on public roads, however, it’s best to steer clear of them regardless. Use designated trails or private land with appropriate terrain. Avoid riding near major obstacles, traffic or steep inclines.
Know the legal regulations in your area.
There are no federal regulations or age limits for riding ATVs; however, each state has its own guidelines and laws. Some states require riders to be at least 16 years of age and have a safety certificate. Others allow kids as young as 10 to ride as long as they’re supervised by an adult with a valid driver’s license.
Always check out your state’s legal requirements before allowing your child to operate an ATV on their own.
Be a role model.
Children often mimic the adults around them, therefore, it’s important for parents to ride responsibly to influence safer child behavior. Only you can truly guide your child to ride sensibly and safely. Set ground rules for when they can ride their ATV, that way they understand the serious nature and responsibility that comes with riding an ATV.
As a parent to a child with an ATV, you should:²
- Control access to ATV keys.
- Only allow children to ride an ATV when they’ve demonstrated they can follow direction.
- Don't let your child's friend ride the ATV without the parents' permission and your supervision.
- Don't let anyone ride your ATV who hasn't completed an ATV training course - including adults.
- If your child looks tired or physically fatigued, don't let them ride their ATV.
- Only let your child mount the ATV when they have all their gear on.
- Don't let your kids play on adult-sized ATVs (even if the key isn't in the ignition).
Safe and responsible riding is an ongoing commitment for you and your child. When you put safety first, you can enjoy more peace of mind, and your child can enjoy many hours of safe off-road riding.
Check out KYMCO’s Youth ATV models below:
¹Miller, Patti. (2018). All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) Safety. Nemours KidsHealth. https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/atv-safety.html
²ATV Safety Institute. (2025). Set Ground Rules. Parents. https://atvsafety.org/set-ground-rules/