What a 13-Year-Old May Ride on Public Land
A 13-year-old can ride an ATV on Texas public land, but age alone does not make the trip legal. Adult supervision, the right machine, safety training, a Texas OHV decal and protective equipment all matter. Here’s how to check the requirements before heading to a trail, and what to verify with the land manager.
The supervision and machine rules for a 13-year-old
A 13-year-old may operate an ATV on Texas public land only while accompanied by and under the direct supervision of a parent, guardian or authorized adult. The Texas Legislature sets this supervision requirement for riders under 14; the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department also says riders under 16 must be supervised by an adult.
“Direct supervision” means more than having an adult somewhere at the park. The adult should be able to monitor the young rider and step in if a situation becomes unsafe. Plan the ride so the adult can keep the child in view and close enough to respond. If the terrain or pace makes that impractical, choose a less demanding route or have the adult ride alongside.
The ATV’s engine size is another condition to check before setting out. According to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, a 13-year-old riding an ATV on public land must use a machine with an engine displacement between 70cc and 90cc. A larger machine is not made suitable by an adult’s presence, and a smaller machine does not meet the stated engine-size requirement for this age.
| Requirement | What to check | Authority named in the Texas requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Adult supervision | A parent, guardian or authorized adult must accompany and directly supervise a rider under 14 | Texas Legislature |
| Engine size | A 13-year-old’s ATV must be between 70cc and 90cc for public-land riding | Texas Parks and Wildlife Department |
| Adult supervision for young riders | Riders under 16 must be supervised by an adult | Texas Parks and Wildlife Department |
| Safety training | The rider needs an accepted safety training certificate and must carry it | Texas Parks and Wildlife Department |
| OHV decal | A valid Texas OHV decal must be displayed on the machine, or proof of purchase must be readily available if the decal has not arrived | Texas Parks and Wildlife Department |
The age and engine rules concern ATVs. Do not assume they automatically describe what a 13-year-old may operate in a side-by-side or another type of off-highway vehicle. Before taking a young rider in a UTV, check the applicable rules for that vehicle and the specific place you plan to ride.
These requirements also do not grant permission to ride anywhere that happens to be open land. A public trail can have its own machine, route, equipment and access conditions. Confirm that the land allows the vehicle you have, and stay on routes open to it. For more detail on supervision, see Texas Supervision Rules for Young Riders and What Texas Requires of Riders Under 14.
Training, decals and where the rules apply
Texas requires a safety training certificate for ATV operation on public land. According to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, accepted certificates include successful completion of the ATV Safety Institute’s ATV RiderCourse, including hands-on training, or equivalent safety training issued under the authority of Texas or another state. A parent’s supervision does not substitute for the certificate requirement.
The rider should carry the valid certificate while riding and show it if requested. Keep it with the rider rather than relying on an adult to have it in a vehicle parked elsewhere. Check that the certificate is accepted for the planned ride before leaving; the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department recognizes certificates from Texas and equivalent training under another state’s authority. Read The Texas ATV Safety Certificate Explained for more on the training rule.
A Texas OHV decal is generally required when riding on public land, including in Texas state parks and at venues that receive OHV grant funding. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department administers the decal program. Its listed fee is $16.00 per fiscal year as of November 2026. Check the department’s current decal instructions for how to obtain one and what proof to carry.
The decal must be displayed on the vehicle. If it has been purchased but has not arrived, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department says the rider must have proof of purchase or a receipt readily available. Do not assume that a decal on another machine covers the ATV your child is riding; verify the requirements for each vehicle. The Texas OHV Decal Requirement Explained covers when the decal applies.
The private-property distinction matters. According to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, ATVs and recreational off-highway vehicles operated exclusively on private property do not need a Texas OHV decal. That does not mean public-land decal rules can be ignored on a trip that includes a public trail or other covered venue. Check the status of every riding area on the route, especially if a private property ride connects to a public facility.
Nonresidents should not assume a home-state sticker is enough. Texas currently has no OHV decal reciprocity agreement with other states, so nonresidents must purchase a Texas decal to ride on public lands or grant-funded venues, according to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. See Nonresidents and the Texas Decal for the related requirement.
Rules can also differ between places managed by different authorities. The Sam Houston National Forest OHV trail system is managed by the USDA Forest Service, while Texas state park OHV rules are enforced by state park law enforcement and game wardens, according to the relevant agencies. Check the specific trail system’s closures, access conditions and equipment rules before driving there. Texas Rules for Riding Public Land and Texas Rules for Riding a National Forest Trail are useful starting points.
Protective gear and machine condition
For an ATV ride on public land, the helmet rule applies to passengers as well as operators. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department requires ATV operators and passengers on public lands to wear a safety helmet that meets United States Department of Transportation standards. A helmet that merely looks like a motorcycle helmet is not enough if it does not meet the standard.
Check the helmet’s fit and condition before the trip, and make sure the young rider keeps it on while riding. A helmet does not replace adult supervision, training or the other requirements. For the specific helmet rule, see Texas Helmet Law for ATV Riders.
If the vehicle is a UTV, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department rules require occupants to wear seat belts when the UTV is equipped with them. Use the installed belts and follow the machine’s seating arrangement. An ATV is different: Texas law prohibits carrying a passenger unless the manufacturer specifically designed that ATV to transport one, regardless of the rider’s age. A spare seat or an adult’s permission does not change the vehicle’s design. See [Texas Rules for a Passenger Under 14] for more on passenger limits.
Lighting and exhaust equipment need attention, too. According to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, an ATV or UTV on public property must display a lighted headlight and taillight from one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise, and whenever visibility is reduced. The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles also states that an OHV on public off-highway vehicle land must have a headlight and taillight. Check that the lights work before leaving, even if the plan is to ride in daylight.
The Texas Legislature requires OHVs on public property or public lands to have a United States Forest Service-qualified spark arrester that has not been removed or modified. The machine also needs an adequate muffler system in good working condition, and Texas law prohibits muffler cutouts, bypasses and similar devices on motor vehicles operating on public property. On a state park trail system, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department sets the maximum allowable exhaust sound at 96 decibels.
These are not just equipment details to sort out at the trailhead. A missing spark arrester or faulty light can keep the machine from meeting the rules, and a modified exhaust can create a separate compliance problem. Inspect the ATV before the trip and confirm any additional park-specific requirements. Texas Rules for Riding a Closed Trail can help explain why access conditions matter as much as the machine itself.
A practical check before the ride
Before taking a 13-year-old onto public land, work through the conditions in a deliberate order. That makes it easier to spot a problem while there is still time to choose a different machine or location.
- Confirm the riding area is open to the ATV. Check the land manager’s current access information and make sure the route allows the type of vehicle you plan to bring.
- Match the machine to the rider. For a 13-year-old on public land, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department specifies an ATV engine displacement between 70cc and 90cc.
- Arrange direct adult supervision. The Texas Legislature requires a parent, guardian or authorized adult to accompany and directly supervise anyone under 14 operating an ATV on public land.
- Check the training certificate. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department recognizes the ATV RiderCourse with hands-on training and equivalent certificates issued under Texas or another state’s authority. Have the rider carry the certificate.
- Handle the decal before the trip. Confirm the Texas OHV decal is valid and displayed. If it has not arrived, carry readily available proof of purchase, as the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department requires.
- Inspect required equipment. Check the DOT-compliant helmet, working lights, unmodified qualified spark arrester and muffler. If riding a UTV equipped with seat belts, make sure occupants use them.
- Review passenger and conduct rules. Do not carry a passenger on an ATV that the manufacturer did not design to carry one. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department rules prohibit public display or consumption of alcoholic beverages in state parks, including OHV trail systems, and operating trail machines under the influence of alcohol or drugs is prohibited.
A title is a separate issue from permission to ride. Texas residents must title off-highway vehicles, including ATVs and UTVs, through the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles, but those vehicles are not eligible for standard motor vehicle registration. A title does not replace the OHV decal, safety certificate or public-land access requirements. For the paperwork side, see Titling an ATV in Texas.
Keep the adult close, choose terrain that fits the young rider’s ability, and stop if the child becomes tired or conditions change. A legal setup is only the starting point; a suitable pace and active supervision are what help make the ride manageable. If any detail is unclear, check with the agency or land manager responsible for the specific riding area before heading out.
Sources
- Texas Legislature — Transportation Code Title 7, Chapter 663. Certain Off-Highway Vehicles (checked November 2, 2026)
- Texas Parks & Wildlife Department — OHV FAQ — Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (checked November 2, 2026)
- Texas Parks and Wildlife Department — Eisenhower State Park OHV Rules and Regulations (checked November 2, 2026)
Disclaimer
This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Laws, prices and regulations vary by location and change over time. Consult a qualified professional for guidance on your specific situation.
