Wisconsin State Law Requirements

Anyone who was born after Jan. 1, 1985 and wants to operate a snowmobile off their parents property, without an adult on the same snowmobile, must have a snowmobile safety certificate. This coming season, some 24 year olds will be required to have a Snowmobile Safety Certificate to operate a snowmobile. Taking a DNR approved course with volunteer safety instructors is the only way to earn this certificate if you are under 16 years of age. Attending one of these courses is also recommended for adults and especially the parents of young students.

You may take this course if you are at least 11 years of age, and the snowmobile safety certificate will become effective as soon as you become 12 years of age.

In some states, you are required to have a snowmobile safety certificate if you were born after 1978. This would include adults up to 30 years of age!

Information about Upcoming Snowmobile Safety Classes may be viewed on the Wisconsin DNR website.

A copy of the 2008-2009 Wisconsin Snowmobile Laws booklet in .pdf format is on the Wisconsin DNR website. .pdf help

The Sussex Sled Bugs held a 2011 safety school the first three Thursdays of November (11/3, 11/10, 11/17) at Village Bowl in Menomonee Falls.

This class was taught by members of our club who are DNR certified Snowmobile Safety Instructors.

The course was instructed by Scott Landon, Dwight and Laurie Parkinson, Kevin Sonnemann, and Phil Hohlweck.

There were 24 new snowmobilers certified from this safety school. Happy Trails!!!

Information about the DNR CD ROM course option may be viewed on the Wisconsin Natural Resources website.

To understand a little better why we stress snowmobile safety so much, and to help understand what can be avoided by proper training, you can review the snowmobile fatality statistics on the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources website.