IRVINE, CALIF., September 1, 2017 – More people than ever are enjoying the great outdoors in recreational off-highway vehicles, and many ROV enthusiasts will enjoy America’s great trails and dunes over the extended Labor Day weekend. The Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle Association, along with major ROV manufacturers and distributors, want to remind drivers to operate their ROVs safely and responsibly while having fun with family and friends.

“Enjoying the outdoors in recreational off-highway vehicles is exciting and fun. Safety is an important part of having a fun experience, and we urge drivers and passengers to use their ROVs responsibly and follow the ROHVA safety guidelines,” said ROHVA Executive Vice President Erik Pritchard. “These guidelines will help keep everyone safe and help protect our trails and dunes so that they remain open for generations to come. We encourage everyone to take the hands-on ROHVA ROV Basic DriverCourse℠ and our free online ROV E-Course.”

ROVs are sometimes mistaken for ATVs (all-terrain vehicles), but they are very different. Both are off-highway machines, but ROVs are operated with a steering wheel and foot pedals and they have other specific characteristics, thus requiring their own safety rules and training programs.

ROHVA’s Safety Guidelines

1. Always fasten your seat belt, wear a helmet and other protective gear and keep all parts of your body inside the ROV.
2. Avoid paved surfaces. ROVs are designed to be operated off-highway.
3. Drive only in designated areas, at a safe speed, and use care when turning and crossing slopes.
4. Never drive or ride under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
5. Never drive an ROV unless you’re 16 or older and have a valid driver’s license. ROVs are not toys.
6. Never carry more passengers than the ROV is designed for, and never allow a passenger who is too small to sit in a passenger seat to ride in the ROV.
7. Read and follow the operator’s manual and warning labels.
8. Take a hands-on ROV Basic DriverCourse℠ and the free online E-Course. Visit rohva.org or call 866.267.2751

Get Trained

ROHVA’s ROV Basic DriverCourse℠ allows drivers to get behind the wheel for approximately three hours to learn skills crucial for being safe in an ROV. A certified ROHVA DriverCoach guides students through hands-on driving exercises and encourages them to engage in group discussions between exercises. The course includes six closed range exercises and up to seven optional open trail experiences, depending on available terrain.

In addition to the DriverCourse℠, there is a free E-Course at rohva.org that is ideal for helping first time ROV drivers learn proper safety precautions or for experienced drivers to refresh their ROV skills and safe driving habits. The two-hour E-Course is intended to improve awareness about ROVs and inspire a safety-minded approach to off-road recreation. Users can take the safety course at their leisure. They have the ability stop the course at any time, save their progress, and pick up where they left off at a later time. Go to rohva.org for more information.

The Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle Association is a national industry organization that promotes the safe and responsible use of ROVs. ROHVA is accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) to develop equipment, configuration and performance standards. Based in Irvine, Calif., the not-for-profit association is sponsored by BRP, Honda, Kawasaki, Polaris, Textron Off Road, Yamaha and Yanmar.