All-Terrain Vehicles

2011

The newest arrivals in the list of vehicles currently in use are all-terrain vehicles (ATVs).

Official legislation knows these new vehicles by the designations

- four-wheeler (vehicle class L7e) and
- light four-wheeler (vehicle class L6e)

Originally planned for off-road use only, these vehicles can be equipped and registered also for road traffic use.

Growing popularity

The number of ATVs in road traffic and off-road has increased quite dramatically over the past years. Both the numbers of light four-wheelers and road traffic registered four-wheelers have doubled since 2005. Also the number of accidents has increased in recent years.

ATV types

All-terrain vehicles can be divided into three groups depending on purpose and size:

-   off-road four-wheelers,
-   street four-wheelers and
-   moped four-wheelers.

Off-road four-wheeler is meant to be used in terrain only.

Street four-wheeler is an engine-powered vehicle meant for road traffic use.

Moped four-wheeler's greatest allowed speed is 45 km/h.

Common denominator for all four-wheelers is that they must have traffic insurance when driving, both on and off the road.

Driving an off-road
four-wheeler

At least a B class driving license is required even to cross a road.

An off-road vehicle which has been equipped with a motor sled and wheels can be used to cross a road or bridge. Exercising due caution, they can be temporarily driven on roads if:
-   driving off road is unreasonably difficult
-   or driving on the road is viewed
    necessary from the point of view of
    crossing a road safely.

Temporary driving on the road is allowed also when one needs to move to general traffic area in the vicinity of terrain in order to acquire fuel; or the four-wheeler is on such an area and must be moved from a road traffic vehicle to terrain; or four-wheeler is kept in the parking lot of such an area.

Driving a street four-wheeler

The driver must have at least a B class license.

Street four-wheeler is meant for road traffic and is registered for this purpose. It is an engine-powered vehicle that must be inspected annually just like an automobile.

In December, January and February all vehicles of this type must use rough tread pattern tyres that are suitable for winter use.

Driving moped four-wheelers

A moped four-wheeler driver must have at least an M class license.

This type of a four-wheeler can have a 50 cm³ engine at the most. Its structural speed and greatest allowed speed on the road is 45 km/h.

Moped four-wheeler can not be driven on light traffic lanes, even if moped driving is permitted.

Brown info sheets

Yellow info sheets

Blue info sheets

Print out pdf

Liikenneturva
http://www.liikenneturva.fi