Author: Maine ATV Guide Editorial Team

Maine purple paint stripes must meet size, height, and spacing rules. ATV and UTV riders should treat marked land as closed unless they have permission.

Maine ATV riders should not treat trail access as hunting-season permission: confirm the route, timing, and landowner restrictions before riding.

Written permission for Maine ATV riding should name the land, route, dates, machines and riders—and clarify that access can be limited or withdrawn.

Maine recreational use law limits landowner liability for unpaid ATV riders, though permissions and hazards affect responsibility.

Adults generally can ride Maine ATV trails without a statewide helmet mandate, but a properly fitted helmet remains the safer choice for every trip.

Maine ATV helmet rules require riders under 18 to wear compliant headgear; check certification labels, fit, and machine type before riding.

Maine passengers under 18 need a properly fitted helmet on an ATV; confirm the machine, passenger seat, and route rules before riding.

A family woodlot may qualify for a narrow Maine ATV registration exemption, but trail access, youth rules, and landowner permission still matter.

Maine ATV rules change when a rider turns 16, but helmets, registration, trail permission and road-access limits still apply before every ride.

Maine ATV supervision requires more than an adult in the group: keep youth riders close, in sight and within communication, and verify the rules.