Georgia has some great places to ride your ATV, but you need to be familiar with the State rules and regulations before you ride. A ticket is a no fun and can put a real damper on your day of ATVing.
In order to ride your ATV on federally managed lands in Georgia, you must follow all State vehicle laws and must have a valid driver's license. An exception to this regulation is made on a few Forest Service roads specifically designated by the Forest Supervisor for ATV travel. However, you will have to travel on roads and trails that enforce the other rules and regulations to get to the non-regulation ATV roads.
ATVs must stay on designated ATV trails and roads and in assigned areas marked specifically for off road vehicle use. Pay close attention to the signage, as some trails are restricted for a certain type of use such as only motorbikes or only four-wheel drive vehicles. These restrictions are set for safety reasons and to meet the special needs of each type of vehicle. For example, there are some types a terrain an ATV will handle better than a motorbike and those safety issues were taken into consideration when these trails were designated.
If you do not have a valid driver's license or you are underage, you must be accompanied by an adult and/or licensed driver. Unlicensed drivers are not allowed to operate ATVs on federally managed lands or public roads.
The damage for getting caught, this was the ruining your day of riding I was telling you about, can result in a ticket to the tune of up to $500 and/or up to six months in prison. It's a small thing to make sure you're riding within the limits of the law and have a properly licensed and registered ATV in Georgia. Now that you know the basics, have a great day of riding your ATV in Georgia.
