ATV Restrictions & Police Safety Guidelines

Review Delaware regulations, safety rules, and enforcement information for our community.

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New Castle, DE 19701

Along with the nice weather comes an increase in complaints pertaining to All-Terrain Vehicles and/or Off-Highway Vehicles (ATV/OHV).

All-Terrain Vehicles are designed for off-road use. Their low-pressure tires are not meant for use on paved surfaces and are prone to rollovers. On roadways, additional issues arise, including the fact that motorists may not see the ATV until it is too late to avoid an accident.

Public Roadway Safety Risks

Public roads pose particular safety risks for ATV riders. Research published in the health journal Injury Prevention found that accidents on public roads account for more than 60 percent of all ATV-related deaths.

Delaware Law & Restrictions

The New Castle County Division of Police reminds residents that Delaware law prohibits the operation of OHVs/ATVs on:

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    Public roadways.

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    Sidewalks.

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    Private property (without the consent of the property owner).

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    Right-of-way locations within the State of Delaware.

The only exception to this law is during special events, which require permits from the governmental body having jurisdiction over the area.

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Penalties for Violations

The penalties for riding an OHV/ATV in prohibited areas include:

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    A citation.

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    Towing and storage fees.

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    If convicted, a fine of $100 and impoundment for up to 100 days at the owner's expense.

Increased Penalties for Repeat Offenses

If there are subsequent offense(s) within 24 months of a prior conviction, or of a similar OHV state or local law, statute, or ordinance, an operator could face:

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    A fine of $1,000.

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    Impoundment for a mandatory minimum time period of six (6) months, at the expense of the owner.

Report Violations

Please contact the New Castle County Division of Police if you observe an OHV/ATV operating in any of the above-listed areas.

This can be done by calling the non-emergency number at (302) 573-2800. You will be asked to provide a description of the OHV/ATV, operator, and location.

Citizens can also submit a tip via:

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    Website: http://www.nccpd.com.

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    (IM) on the New Castle County Division of Police Facebook page.

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    Anonymous text tip: Send a text to 847411 with NCCDE in the text field, along with your tip.

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Keep the Community Safe

If you have concerns, questions, or need additional information, please visit our Contact page to get in touch with us directly.

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