ATVs are a significant cause of on-farm fatalities and rural crime

Wear a helmet!

While not a legal requirement in England, wearing a helmet on a quad bike is highly recommended and a vital part of preventing injury and even death. Research has shown the risk of death in quad bike accidents could be reduced by up to 42%* when a helmet is worn.

And it is a legal requirement for employers to provide adequate personal protective equipment (PPE) for those exposed to health and safety risks, i.e. helmets for those using ATVs.

The type of helmet is not mandated but should be suitable for the activity being undertaken. For example, when using a quad bike for feeding calves, it might be more suitable to use a riding hat-style helmet compared to using a more substantial helmet when riding on a public road.

Top tips for operating an ATV quad bike

• Be formally trained with a certificated provider. It is a legal requirement for employers to provide adequate training for staff operating ATVs. A refresher course is required every five years or sooner if bad practice has occurred
• Carry out regular safety checks and maintenance, e.g. tyre pressures, brakes and throttle cables. Do not under or over inflate tyres, average range is 3-5 psi
• Always wear a helmet when using a quad bike
• Secure your loads on the racks and avoid overloading them
• Take extra care with trailed or mounted equipment and how it could affect stability
• Plan your routes, thinking about the weather conditions, terrain and gradient of the land and whether a safer vehicle should be used, e.g. a gator or farm truck
• DO NOT carry passengers. The long seat on a quad bike is to allow the driver to shift body weight backwards and forwards for different slope conditions, not for carrying passengers
• Read and sign both the risk assessment and policy on ATVs
• Consider the use of trackers, rollover alarms and/or lone working devices to manage and control risk. Rollover protection systems (ROPS) are not recommended as they require a seatbelt, which is unsuitable on a quad bike as it reduces the driver’s ability to shift bodyweight as required

Please note: Children under the age of 13 are forbidden from using an ATV and should not be carried as a passenger. Those over 13 should only use ATVs of an appropriate size and power, and after completing formal training. The driver’s weight is a significant factor in the safe use of ATVs so check the manufacturer’s minimum age recommendations before allowing anyone under 16 to operate a vehicle.

Additional tips for side-by-side ATVs (gator) 

• Formal training with a certificated provider and a five-yearly refresher course is also required for side-by-side users
• Always wear a seatbelt
• Passengers are allowed only if a seat belt is available to them
• If a rollover protection system (ROPS) is not fitted, always wear a helmet
• Carry out regular safety checks and maintenance and, as with quad bikes, do not under or over inflate tyres, with an average pressure of 3-5 psi
• Do not overload and monitor speed and conditions closely

Using an ATV on public roads 

Before taking an ATV onto a public road, drivers require a B1 category full motorcycle licence or a full car licence and therefore must be at least 17 years old. The vehicle must be registered as a light agricultural vehicle and although an MOT is not required, it must be mechanically and physically safe to operate. An ATV must have a number plate and third-party insurance. Most are not eligible for vehicle tax, but if required, the class will depend on its use. 

Preventing ATV theft 

The theft of ATVs continues to rise. Prevention is paramount.  

• Keep your ATV/quad bike in a lockable building. Remove the vehicle’s keys and keep them in a secure location out of view and not hidden in the vehicle 
• Cover the windows of the building in which the vehicle is stored 
• Physically secure your machine using suitable locking devices and fixed ground anchors 
• Consider using a brake disc lock to make the vehicle harder to move when not in use 
• Consider fitting a GPS tracking device  

Mark it, record it! 

Marking all ATVs with a forensic marking kit is a good way to deter thieves. According to property marking producers, SelectaDNA, marking your property with forensic marking kits can help reduce theft by up to 83%.  

Also record serial numbers and take photographs for reference. This can help the recovery of your vehicle in the unfortunate event a machine is stolen, and contact your local rural crime team immediately.  

*Reference: Accident Analysis & Prevention, Volume 22, Issue 1, February 1990, pp 47-58. The effectiveness of helmets in reducing all-terrain vehicle injuries and deaths. Gregory B. Rodgers