What licenses are needed for an ATV in 2021 – category, where to get it, how much it costs

Features of the ATV

An ATV is a four-wheeled type of motor vehicle designed for driving on dirt roads and off-road. It is especially popular with hunters, fishermen and farmers. This all-terrain vehicle is distinguished by increased maneuverability, maneuverability, ease of operation, low fuel consumption and a compact size that facilitates its storage.

ATV is a four-wheeled type of motor vehicle.

Depending on the level of equipment, ATVs are able to overcome a variety of obstacles (slides, mud, streams, wetlands). They travel on ATVs even in conditions of almost complete absence of roads. Additionally, a trailer can be attached to them and used as a traction vehicle.

When driving an ATV on roads, you must follow the established traffic rules. You should also remember that you can operate an ATV with an internal combustion engine with a volume of more than 50 cm³ only if the rider has a vehicle registration and a driver’s license.

What category of license is required to drive an ATV?

According to the same Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 796 of June 12, 1999, to drive an ATV you need a license for a tractor driver of category “A I”.

What category of license is required to drive an ATV?

To obtain them, you must contact an organization such as Gostekhnadzor. In this case, the owner of the vehicle must provide a self-propelled vehicle passport (PSM). This document provides basic information about the ATV.

It is Gostekhnadzor that is responsible for registering vehicles with PSM, so even if the driver has a driver’s license issued by the State Traffic Safety Inspectorate, he will still have to register a license for an ATV at Gostekhnadzor. The only exception is ATVs with a vehicle title. In this case, the license issued by the State Traffic Inspectorate will also be valid.

By the way, the license to drive an ATV is also valid for this type of equipment such as a snowmobile.

Registration of an ATV and a snowmobile with Gostekhnadzor or the State Traffic Safety Inspectorate

333.33 of the Tax Code of the Russian Federation. Registered used self-propelled vehicles are subject to state technical inspection.

Dear new owners, we consider it our duty to remind you that after purchase, according to the law, you are given 5 days to register an ATV; if you register after a longer period, you may face a fine.

Quite often, people who want to register ATVs, snowmobiles and trailers for them, for which there are no documents confirming ownership, come to the State Technical Supervision Inspectorate. The territorial inspection shared detailed instructions. The reasons for the lack of documents may be different, but in order to register self-propelled vehicles, owners are recommended to file a claim in court to recognize ownership.

Do you need a license for a 50cc ATV?

Battery-powered electric ATVs have become especially popular in the last decade. These models belong to the category of children and teenagers; they are used, as a rule, for moving over rough terrain or local areas without going onto the road. In this case, the supervisory authorities do not have any questions and registration of rights to a children’s ATV is not required.

ATV 50cc

It’s a completely different matter if the all-terrain vehicle is equipped with an internal combustion engine (ICE) with a displacement of up to 50 cubic meters. Previously, owners of such ATVs could drive onto the roadway even without a driver's license. However, the resulting increase in cases of traffic violations and accidents led to changes in the current legislation. In particular, articles 25 and 26 of Federal Law No. 196 specified a new category “M”, which regulated access to driving quadricycles and mopeds.

By the way, do not confuse the quadricycle with ATVs. These are two different types of vehicles. Their differences are as follows:

1. The ATV is designed for off-road travel. Quadricycles travel on public roads. Often their weight is limited to 400 kg.
2. A PSM (self-propelled vehicle passport) is issued for an ATV, while a quadricycle has a PTS (technical vehicle passport).
3. To drive ATVs, you need a license of category “A I” or “M” (for internal combustion engines with a volume of less than 50 cm³). To drive a quadricycle, you must obtain a driver's license of category “B1” or “M” (for light quadricycles).
4. The practical part of passing exams for the license of category “A I” is usually limited to the demonstration of skills in a training ground. When taking the “B1” category, it is mandatory to travel in the city.
5. A driver’s license, which gives the right to drive most models of ATVs (except those with a PTS), is obtained from Gostekhnadzor, while category “B1” licenses are obtained from the State Traffic Inspectorate.

ATVs with an internal combustion engine with a volume of less than 50 cm³ are equated to light quadricycles and mopeds, so you must obtain an “M” license to drive them.

Tricycle and snowmobile licenses

There are several other types of transport that raise questions regarding permits for driving them: a snowmobile and a tricycle.

What certification is required in this case? With a snowmobile everything is quite simple. Everything here is exactly the same as with an ATV. How to get a license for a snowmobile? Complete training (or train yourself) and pass an exam to an inspector of the State Technical Supervision Authority for the AI ​​category in order to receive a tractor driver’s license.

But with a tricycle it’s not so simple. Let's sort it out in order.

Do you need a license to drive a tricycle? Definitely yes! Which? Category B1. However, there are nuances.

B1 opens automatically upon receipt of category A and B licenses. But! With a category A license you can drive a tricycle with a motorcycle seat, and with a category B license you can drive a car.

Note! Category B1 is automatically assigned to everyone who, having category B, exchanges their certificate for a new form.

If your tricycle has an engine capacity of less than 50 cm³, then it belongs to the category of mopeds, albeit three-wheeled ones. Accordingly, category M is sufficient for him.

Do you need a license for a 125-200cc ATV?

A license is also required for an ATV with an engine with a displacement of 125-200 cm³. Everything is clear here. In this case, Gostekhnadzor or the State Traffic Inspectorate can issue a driver’s license of category “A I”. It all depends on the availability of PTS. If you do not have a driver's license to operate a vehicle, the traffic police inspector has the right to issue a fine or even tow the ATV to a parking lot.

Why an “AI” category tractor driver’s license? Again, we return to RF Regulation No. 796 dated June 12, 1999, which states that all all-terrain vehicles must be registered by the owner. And all registered vehicles require a driver's license.

And one moment. Many people confuse categories “A I” and “A1”. The first one is issued for driving mopeds, ATVs and snowmobiles. The second is needed for traveling on light motorcycles.

At what age can you ride an ATV?

In order to freely operate an ATV, you need to know the conditions for obtaining a driver's license.

It is possible to obtain a tractor driver's license upon reaching the age of 16 years, and from the same age you can already drive an ATV (clause a, clause 11 of the Rules approved by Resolution No. 796). The following are not allowed to take the exam:

• persons under the established age;
• citizens who have previously passed the exam and received a tractor driver's license with the specified category, unless the law requires passing the exam again;
• the presence of deprivation of a driver's license to drive transport until the expiration of the deprivation period;
• the presence of medical contraindications that prevent the operation of self-propelled vehicles;
• lack of documents that must be submitted to the State Technical Supervision Authority;
• failure to pay the state fee for issuing a certificate.

Fine for driving an ATV without a license in 2021

According to federal legislation, driving a vehicle without a driver's license is punishable by a fine in the amount of 5,000 to 30,000 thousand rubles (Article 12.7, Part 1 of the Administrative Code).

Where can I get a license for an ATV?

The driver’s lack of documents for the ATV, including confirmation of its state registration, is a gross violation and may lead to the seizure of the vehicle and its placement in a impound lot.

Requirements for ATV drivers

Clause 11 of the RF PP No. 796 dated June 12, 1999 sets out the basic requirements for applicants for a driver’s license.

Only persons are allowed to take the exams:

• over 16 years of age;
• have successfully passed a medical examination;
• who have completed professional training in all-terrain vehicle driving courses.

If any of these conditions are not met, the applicant will not be allowed to take the exams.

List of documents

To obtain a driver's license, the applicant must prepare the following list of documents:

1. Application on your own behalf for the issuance of a driver's license.
2. Passport.
3. Certificate of completion of a medical examination (confirming admission to exams).
4. Driver's license of other categories (if available).
5. Receipt for payment of state duty.
6. Two photographs on 3x4 matte paper.

An applicant may be denied a medical certificate if he is diagnosed with the following diseases:

• endocrine disorders;
• epilepsy;
• motor dysfunctions;
• hepatitis;
• mental disorders;
• hearing and vision impairment;
• alcohol and drug addiction.

When paying the state fee, you must decide in advance on the type of license form. A driver's license issued on paper will cost 500 rubles, and on a plastic form – 2,000 rubles.

How is the exam going?

There are two ways to register for the exam:

• Contact the State Technical Supervision Authority at your place of registration or residence in person.
• Submit an online application through the State Services portal.

In the latter case, a receipt for payment of the fee and an invitation to the exam are sent to the user’s personal account. Even before the exam, you must provide the inspection with original documents and 2 photographs.

The exam takes place in accordance with the pre-approved schedule. Within the prescribed period, the applicant brings a passport and a certificate of medical examination.

Exam

The exam for obtaining a license to drive an ATV takes place in two stages: theoretical and practical. At the first stage, it is checked how the candidate has mastered the theory, namely:

• basics of safe vehicle control;
• Traffic Laws;
• the influence of factors (risks) that provoke emergency situations, as well as their consequences and ways to prevent them;
• design features of self-propelled vehicles;
• rules for providing first aid in cases of road accidents;
• types of administrative, criminal and other liability for traffic violations.

The exam card contains 28 questions. Of these, 8 questions relate to the topic “Basics of operating a self-propelled vehicle,” the remaining 20 to traffic rules, first aid and the design of an all-terrain vehicle. You are allowed to make one mistake in the first part and no more than two in the second. Moreover, if you fail the exam, you are allowed to retake it no earlier than 2 weeks later.

If the candidate has a valid driver's license, there is no need to take the theory test. An unsatisfactory grade in the theoretical part does not allow the candidate to take the internship.

The practical part of the exam to obtain a driving license is sometimes carried out in two stages. First at the training ground, then in real traffic conditions. The candidate must consistently follow all the instructor’s commands and demonstrate to him the skills of maneuvering, reversing, climbing, braking and “snake”.

Procedure for obtaining rights

If a citizen has a bank debt or traffic police fines that he has not paid, as well as taxes, alimony, etc., then he will probably not receive rights. Experts strongly recommend: “Don’t become a hostage in an offensive situation—check your debts in advance!”

So, what features need to be taken into account when receiving a document:

1. Those over 16 years of age can apply for a license.
2. Before taking the exam, you must pass a medical examination.
3. You need to prepare documents to obtain a driver's license.

After the driver becomes more confident, he will have to pass a test at the traffic police. But first you need to study the structure of the car, traffic rules and gain good driving skills.

Features of obtaining a snowmobile license

If the owner of the vehicle has a license with category “A”, obtained before 2000, and a special confirmation card, then the category can be opened. In this case, you will only need to pay the state fee, and you do not need to take an exam.

Features of obtaining a license for ATVs

Sometimes this document is needed by military people in service. They can get it where the military unit is based. Seafarers, citizens of other countries and refugees are in a special position to receive this document. These categories of citizens can take the exam directly to the chief inspector of the State Technical Inspectorate only in a specific subject. The assignments can be obtained from the same organization to take the exam.

Education

Training for a category A1 license for an ATV or snowmobile is carried out by specialized schools that have a license for this. In large populated areas, finding a company will not be difficult, but sometimes you have to look for a special school in neighboring areas.

If there is no training center nearby, then you need to take courses remotely. But you still need practical lessons to perform all the exercises correctly.

Preparation for passing the exam at Gostekhnadzor

Before going to the exam, you need to find out where exactly the Gostekhnadzor institution is located. For example, in Moscow, where students are admitted for the exam for category “A1,” there is only one such institution, and it is located on Vernadsky Street, building 50. In the regions, the technical supervision department is often located in district or regional centers. Due to the fact that there are not as many people willing to take the exam for an ATV or snowmobile as for other vehicles, there are no large queues of students. Therefore, specialists often do not conduct exams, and without fear of long queues you can come to Gostekhnadzor, find out which inspector is dealing with this issue and find out the time for the next exam.

Prepare the necessary documents, in particular a medical certificate. She is shown in the picture.

When preparing for the theoretical part of the exam and learning to ride, you also need to prepare other documents:

• application (must be completed on site);
• passport;
• medical certificate (already indicated above - this is a simple “car” certificate of type 083, but with the 8th paragraph “Special notes” entered, which states that the driver has the right to drive a tractor and self-propelled vehicles);
• a document confirming that the training was successful (if the student managed to successfully pass the exam);
• tractor driver's license (if previously issued);
• driver's license (if you have one);
• 2 photos 3x4 cm on matte paper;
• a document that confirms payment of the state fee for issuing a certificate (this is a bank statement that confirms that the state fee in the amount of 500 rubles was paid).

A book with exam papers that you can memorize will help you pass the exam. But finding its version of the publication specifically for category “A1” “tractor driver” is not easy, but it is not necessary. All books on this topic are available on the Internet. The questions for the driver of a self-propelled vehicle are quite easy and most of them relate to the topic of operation and repair. Even if the snowmobiler does not ride an expensive self-propelled vehicle, it will still be necessary to study the structure of its mechanisms. After all, an ATV is the “younger brother” of a tractor, and the requests from Gostekhnadzor are similar.

In practice, inspectors treat drivers of self-propelled vehicles better than traffic police inspectors during exams. If on the day of taking the exam at Gostekhnadzor the driver does not have a car license, then he will also need to pass an exam on the rules of the road! If you have a certificate from the traffic police, you will only need to hand over tickets for the tractor.

It is recommended to take one lesson with an instructor on the topic of practice; this should help you understand the inspector’s requests for the exam, learn more about the site and the technical equipment on which you will need to take the exam.

Exam

The examination test is similar to a similar procedure in the traffic police, but there are differences:

• the exam is divided into two parts: theoretical and practical;
• The theoretical exam is conducted using tickets approved by the Ministry of Agriculture of the Russian Federation.
• If you were unable to pass the exam immediately, you will be able to do so next time in seven days. If the third attempt does not lead to anything, then there will be additional training.
• The practice is also divided into two parts: first the highway, then the city.

At the race track you need to learn how to perform the following actions:

• start from a place on the overpass;
• drive into the garage in reverse, focusing on the rear-view mirrors;
• unfold in confined spaces;
• perform emergency stops and braking at different speeds;
• connect the towed vehicle.

When driving around the city, the inspector must check whether the student complies with the following points:

• traffic regulations;
• driving skills in various difficult road situations;
• how the driver complies with the rules for operating the vehicle.

In general, passing the license exam at Gostekhnadzor is much easier than at the State Traffic Inspectorate, and almost all applicants receive a license the first time. This can be explained by the small percentage of danger and liability involved in driving such vehicles.

Completion of training and passing license exams

After completing the training and successfully passing the test, you need to collect additional documents. The list of these certificates can be found at Gostekhnadzor, after which you can check and carry out, if necessary, the following:

1. State duty must be paid. This can be done at any bank branch, terminal or ATM, as well as through various online systems and electronic wallets.
2. When the documents have been collected, you need to contact an employee of the institution and arrange a meeting with him. This can be done either during a personal visit to the institution or by telephone.

The employee will receive all documents by the appointed date and check them for further processing of rights. If no violations are found during the check and everything is in order, the driver will receive his license in about half an hour.

Driving license category "B"

If you have a category “B” license, the owner of an ATV can only drive it if the engine displacement is limited to 50 cubic meters. In other cases, the driver is required to have a category “A I” driver’s license. To obtain it, the candidate only needs to pass the practical part of the exam and undergo a medical examination.

To summarize, it is worth noting: firstly, ATVs belong to the class of self-propelled vehicles, are registered with Gostekhnadzor and their operation requires obtaining an “AI” category driver’s license. Secondly, a license for an electric ATV with an engine less than 50 cc is not needed. But only on the condition that it is not used on public roads.

Driving on ATVs without a license or vehicle registration is punishable by heavy fines and the removal of equipment to an impound lot. Therefore, before purchasing a reliable steel friend, it is worth finding out all its technical characteristics and the resulting nuances of vehicle design.

What is the difference between categories M, A and B1 for self-propelled vehicles

Categories M, A (A1) and B1 are intended for driving different types of vehicles. The differences between the categories are shown in the table.