Operating on Roads and Highways

You may not operate your vehicle on or within the right-of-way of any public way unless there are signs posted that specifically allow ATV or snowmobile operation. This includes roads, streets, highways, bridges, or any other public ways that are maintained by any city, town, county, state, or federal agency.

Crossing Roads and Highways

Maine law states that a properly registered ATV may be operated on a public way only the distance necessary, but in no case to exceed 500 yards, on the extreme right of the traveled way for the purpose of crossing, as directly as possible, a public way, bridge, overpass, underpass, sidewalk, or culvert as long as that operation can be made safely and does not interfere with traffic approaching from either direction on the public way.

A person under the age of 16 may not cross a public way maintained for travel unless:

• The operator has a valid safety education certificate and…
• The operator is accompanied by an adult that is 21 years of age or older.

You may not operate your ATV or snowmobile to cross an interstate highway, toll road, or limited-access highway. Other public ways may have permitted crossing points.

To cross legally at a permitted crossing point, you must:

• Bring the ATV or snowmobile to a complete stop before entering any part of the public way, including the shoulder.
• Yield the right-of-way to all traffic on the public way.
• Cross at a 90-degree angle, at a location without any obstructions to crossing safely and quickly.