A person operating a recreational off-highway vehicle on lands, as described in Section 38001, shall be at least 16 years of age, or be directly supervised in the vehicle by a parent or guardian or by an adult authorized by the parent or guardian.
Chapter 8Recreational Off-Highway Vehicles
Section § 38600
In California, to drive a recreational off-highway vehicle on designated lands, you must be at least 16 years old. If you're younger, you must be directly supervised by a parent, guardian, or an adult they allow.
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Section § 38601
If you're driving or riding as a passenger in a recreational off-highway vehicle on public lands, you must wear a safety helmet that meets the standards used for motorcycles and motorized bicycles.
A person shall not operate, or allow a passenger in, a recreational off-highway vehicle on public lands, as described in Section 38001, unless the person and the passenger are wearing safety helmets meeting the requirements established for motorcycles and motorized bicycles pursuant to Section 27802.
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Section § 38602
If you're driving or riding in a recreational off-highway vehicle in certain areas, you must wear a properly fastened seatbelt and shoulder belt or safety harness while the vehicle is moving.
A person operating, and any passenger in, a recreational off-highway vehicle on lands, as described in Section 38001, shall wear a seatbelt and shoulder belt or safety harness that is properly fastened when the vehicle is in motion.
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Section § 38603
If you're driving an off-road vehicle made in 2014 or later, you can’t let passengers sit in any seat that's not an original seat designed by the manufacturer.
For vehicles from 2013 or earlier, passengers can use non-original seats as long as they stay fully protected by the vehicle’s roll cage while driving.
(a)CA Vehicle Code § 38603(a) A person operating a recreational off-highway vehicle with a model year of 2014 or later on lands, as described in Section 38001, shall not allow a passenger to occupy a separate seat location not designed and provided by the manufacturer for a passenger.
(b)CA Vehicle Code § 38603(b) Seats that are installed in a separate seat location not designed and provided by the manufacturer for a passenger in a vehicle with a model year of 2013 or earlier on lands, as described in Section 38001, may be occupied by a passenger if the occupant of the seat is fully contained inside of the vehicle’s rollover protection structure at all times while the vehicle is being operated.
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Section § 38604
This law states that when driving a recreational off-highway vehicle, like a dune buggy or ATV, you can't have a passenger unless they’re sitting upright, wearing a seatbelt, and can hold onto a handhold. It also explains that a handhold can be anything designed to help passengers stay secure and keep their hands inside, including the steering wheel for the driver. Additionally, these handholds must be designed so passengers can easily exit the vehicle.
(a)CA Vehicle Code § 38604(a) A person operating a recreational off-highway vehicle on lands, as described in Section 38001, shall not ride with a passenger, unless the passenger, while seated upright with their back against the seatback, can grasp the occupant handhold with the seatbelt and shoulder belt or safety harness properly fastened.
(b)CA Vehicle Code § 38604(b) For purposes of this chapter, “occupant handhold” means any factory or aftermarket device grasped by an occupant to provide support and to assist in keeping arms and hands within the recreational off-highway vehicle. The steering wheel shall be considered an occupant handhold for the recreational off-highway vehicle operator.
(c)CA Vehicle Code § 38604(c) Occupant handholds shall be designed to allow the
recreational off-highway vehicle passenger to exit the vehicle without interference from the handholds.
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