Is there a Min Age to drive on the Trails at URE?

storeman

storeman

Known by Few
Joined
Mar 8, 2007
Location
Whiteville nc
I ask this because a friend of mine takes his 12 year old Grand Daughter and she has a Jeep of here own she drives by herself on the trail not the gravel road. Somebody told me that was not legal.
 
don't quote me, but I thought about anything goes on the trails, as long as you stay on the trails. On the gravel roads, DL is required, they are like any "normal" roads that require tags and DL.
 
It would not be allowed in the JNF or the GWNF here in VA, trail or road. I know of one ticket written on Potts Mountain for that
 
I see kids on ATVs, and SideXs out there I don't see any difference, but I would wait for Snappy or krzyabncanuck to chime in they have a good finger on the pulse out there.
 
I am not sure but will check it out today...
 
snappy said:
Again that is ohv only... No gravel no main roads all state laws apply there.
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That's the difference between Potts Mountain and URE, Potts is considered a "state road" and not a trail. Officer Price is quick to point that out in conversation!
 
I'll say it.

I'd rather not share the trail with a 12 year old driver.

My daughter is 13. I wouldn't dream of letting her drive by herself. At URE or anywhere else.

Maybe on a tractor, out in a field.
 
No way it is legal for a 12 year old to operate a motor vehicle. While it was always just an assumption for me, now I need to call the DMV to check. Similar to Got Lime, I see adults that I wouldn't trust with a 4x4 on the trails much less a 12 year old. Not because of the age, but simply because of the lack of experience and judgment that comes with the next 4 to 6 years of life.

However, not to be TOO big of a hypocrite, I was taught how to drive a manual Isuzu Trooper when I was 12. I drove it on county roads at 55mph by myself to the hunting club. I got my first car when I was 15 and drove in a major city (suburbs) of distances up to about 8 miles round trip (groceries, friends house, etc). Also, as a new parent, I am already planning a build so when my son is 8, 9, 10, etc he has an offroader.
 
REDLYNER said:
No way it is legal for a 12 year old to operate a motor vehicle. While it was always just an assumption for me, now I need to call the DMV to check. Similar to Got Lime, I see adults that I wouldn't trust with a 4x4 on the trails much less a 12 year old. Not because of the age, but simply because of the lack of experience and judgment that comes with the next 4 to 6 years of life.

However, not to be TOO big of a hypocrite, I was taught how to drive a manual Isuzu Trooper when I was 12. I drove it on county roads at 55mph by myself to the hunting club. I got my first car when I was 15 and drove in a major city (suburbs) of distances up to about 8 miles round trip (groceries, friends house, etc). Also, as a new parent, I am already planning a build so when my son is 8, 9, 10, etc he has an offroader.
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It not a publice road, dmv has no say in it....
 
I'm talking about something about which I have little knowledge, but I don't think it has to do with the road, but the vehicle. I was on hold with the DMV for 10 minutes and hung up. I'd like to be educated this as well because it will be relevant for my family in a few years. Charlotte 311 didn't have an answer, fyi.
 
GotLime? said:
I'll say it.

I'd rather not share the trail with a 12 year old driver.

My daughter is 13. I wouldn't dream of letting her drive by herself. At URE or anywhere else.

Maybe on a tractor, out in a field.
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Not alone in this one.
Often there is a difference between what is "legal" and what is "a good idea".

But of course then there are huge differences in level of maturity, experience, blah blah. Maybe some kids at 12 are pretty responsible. So who knows.

Redlyner, I'll be shocked if you can get any answer to this. The state only has purview on state roads. It's functionally the same as driving on your own property.
Only possibility is if there is a general federal mandate about motor vehicles.
 
RatLabGuy said:
Redlyner, I'll be shocked if you can get any answer to this. The state only has purview on state roads. It's functionally the same as driving on your own property.
Only possibility is if there is a general federal mandate about motor vehicles.
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Ok, so here is what I now know as fact:

I called the Charlotte police department with a hypothetical scenario of a 12, 13, or 14 year old driving a motor vehicle on national forest roads, they didn't know. Suggested I call NC DMV headquarters in Raleigh. I spoke with them, they couldn't confirm, suggested I call US National Wildlife. They couldn't confirm and said each state was different, suggested I call NC Wildlife and speak with their law enforcement division.

They knew right away: Uwharrie is federal property and they have adopted NC driving laws, along with all other national forests in NC. You must be 16, you must have a valid drivers license. If you are under age, or operating on a expired license, you are ticketed. Doesn't matter if it is gravel, or dirt.

Black and white. All that said, I would ask around the local clubs and see what they would allow- IE The Farm, The Flats, DPG.

I'm not raining on a parade, because I will be in the same situation.
 
REDLYNER said:
Ok, so here is what I now know as fact:

I called the Charlotte police department with a hypothetical scenario of a 12, 13, or 14 year old driving a motor vehicle on national forest roads, they didn't know. Suggested I call NC DMV headquarters in Raleigh. I spoke with them, they couldn't confirm, suggested I call US National Wildlife. They couldn't confirm and said each state was different, suggested I call NC Wildlife and speak with their law enforcement division.

They knew right away: Uwharrie is federal property and they have adopted NC driving laws, along with all other national forests in NC. You must be 16, you must have a valid drivers license. If you are under age, or operating on a expired license, you are ticketed. Doesn't matter if it is gravel, or dirt.

Black and white. All that said, I would ask around the local clubs and see what they would allow- IE The Farm, The Flats, DPG.

I'm not raining on a parade, because I will be in the same situation.
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So the driver has to be legal, but the vehicle does not? I'm talking about trails, not forest service/fire/gravel/numbered roads.

Thanks for making the calls Jay.
 
GotLime? said:
So the driver has to be legal, but the vehicle does not? I'm talking about trails, not forest service/fire/gravel/numbered roads.

Thanks for making the calls Jay.
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From what Melissa said at the fs that if you where on ohv just like no tag no lincse and no age requirment. Not doubting what you where told but if thats the case every one under age on 4 wheelers are also illegal??
 
snappy said:
From what Melissa said at the fs that if you where on ohv just like no tag no lincse and no age requirment. Not doubting what you where told but if thats the case every one under age on 4 wheelers are also illegal??
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I didn't ask about 4 Wheelers, I asked about jeeps, ford explorers, samurais, and trucks. The officer eliminated all grey areas- if it is a motor vehicle, you must be of legal driving age AND have a valid drivers license. I said, what about the trails, not the gravel roads? He said if it is on federal property, in North Carolina they have adopted NC driving regulations, so it applies whether or not you are on dirt or gravel or asphalt. I asked specifically about the trails, he said same rules.

His recommendation was that if I wanted a minor to drive, I better find some private property- and even under those circumstances on private property he said some LEOs would find an objection to it.



Again, this is just what I was told. It probably wouldn't hurt for others to get more info for comparison. I called:
  • Charlotte Non Emergency Police: 311
  • NC DMV Main Office: 919-715-7000
  • US Forest Service National Office: 800-832-1315
  • NC Forest Service- Law Enforcement Division: 828-257-4200
 
They'd be pissed if they knew what I was doing in my parents woods in my dads old b2600 15 years ago. I remember driving it in seventh grade around our new middle school hauling mulch for a landscaping deal they did for the brand new school.

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Didn't they pass a law that you had to meet the age requirements on a quad to ride at Ure? Like the sticker that's on most saying no one under 16.

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tireburner1975 said:
Didn't they pass a law that you had to meet the age requirements on a quad to ride at Ure? Like the sticker that's on most saying no one under 16.

This every where in nc

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State law is no quads uNder age 8
9-11 70cc max
12-15 90 cc max

This info was from Scot fields utv handbook for nc
 
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