wooooo hooooo it's finally happening!

At the beginning of the season DUNERS promised that we would find a way to help get duners formally certified as required by California law.

It's been a long process (mostly because of inconsistent information and full schedules), and Tom Simrak is taking the final step to becoming our first certified instructor. Looks like he'll be all wrapped up by the end of summer which means school will be in session well before the beginning of next season!

That means DUNERS will be offering the certified classes, with Tom as one of our instructors (we'll be adding at least two more) at the dunes, as well as holding them at a couple other locations outside of the ISDRA, once we settle on mutually convenient locations. Oh! And we won't have to charge that nasty fee that the ASI has to charge.

We've been told that certification is going to be more stringently enforced next year, so this couldn't happen at a better time.

Visit the ATV Safety Institute website for more information about the classes we'll be offering and watch here for more information as it comes in.

By the way... thank you Tom for sticking with this and getting it done!

Vicki

Vicki...

Do you know how to become an instructor? I'd like to look into becoming certified...

Are we talking about the required training for juveniles?

tres...I hear you....honestly, I'm just this close: --><-- to being committed...

Yes, this is the certification course for the kids.

There are two types of instructors...

1. Take the training and become an instructor on behalf of the ATV Safety Institute. You will be required to charge the same fees that the ASI charges, and there is no fee to become their instructor.

2. Take the training and become an independent instructor on behalf of your company/organization. You are not required to charge the same fees that the ASI charges, but it does cost $450 to take the course.

There are other procedures such as background checks, registering with the DMV, that kind of thing... the whole process takes 6-8 weeks from the first date of class.

You might want to contact the ASI if you're interested in taking it further on your own behalf.

DUNERS is planning on certifying at least two more instructors, but we need to find out if they must be officers of the organization before we decide exactly who will get trained.

Vicki

Vicki when will the dates be? you know how the little man has been looking forward to your instruction.

We're hoping the first class can be held in July, somewhere in or close to the 909. Depending on who else we get certified, we'll have classes in the 714 and/or Brawley area before the season and then of course all those areas plus Glamis during the season.

Scheduling is such an issue that we're kind of at their mercy for now and we're having a terrible time trying to be patient!

Vicki

Thats awesome news guys, thanks Vicki, and congrats Tom!

Can someone refresh our memory on the details on this "RESTRICTION" again? What ages it affects, what bikes, who what where kind of info.

thanks.

Will kids be able to take the class on non-appropriate size quads for their age?

What are the fees if you take it at the atv safety institute

When you purchase a new bike the training is free.

But if you do what our family always has done... buy used and pass them along...

That's $125 a head.

Vicki

I took my daughters to the ATV training class held at Azusa Canyon a few weeks ago. The Instructor told me that kids under 16 are now FREE to take the class. We all took the training which is very, VERY basic... but required.

I'm now able to oversee those kids riding in camp (legally) without the cert. but we plan to get everyone enrolled soon. I too asked about getting certified to do the training and was told it took about 40 hours of classroom instruction plus... Thanks Tom for doing this great service...

Vicki and Tom,

CONGRATS!!!

It's awesome to see DUNERS taking this step.

In answer to the Age/CC-size, memory serves me correct, that is one of the "restrictions" of the ASI course. It's a pain, but it was what I always dealt with when I was the Instructor in San Diego. 'Course, knowing Vicki, there may be a change for DUNERS.

Oh yeah, first time buyers are always taught free, as well as a couple members of their family. Tom is getting all that gouge in his class.

Have fun out there. Roosting Gators ain't as much fun as doing the Bowls.

From Florida....

Latest update on the ATV rider cert!!!!!!!

I just got off the phone with the ATV institute.
My cert class will be completed on July 30th 2004. With that, I will be able to certify adults on Aug 1st.

I then will file paperwork with the DMV (background check) in order to certify children. Depending on how long it take th e DMV, I would assume I will be able to certify children by mid-August.


Just an update....

DO YOU HAVE TO FURNISH THE ATV WITH THE CORRECT CC'S FOR THEIR AGE GROUP IF NOT ARE THEY AVAILABLE.

Each rider will have to furnish their own ATV. If their ATV is not within the "guidelines" of the ATV Safety Institute, the student will not ride but will instead "observe" the class.

The student will still become certified even if they are only observing.

Vicki

hmmm...that last one left some doubt in my mind. But if you are only dealing with under 10 group, not a biggie.

But any teen or adult, should ride; since that is where the real learning happens.

By the way, when I get back....you've got another instructor. Either way way we go with the course

Curt! My goodness it's great to see you!

I know that last one leaves a moment to pause, but many here who have had their children already take the course can attest to it.

Oh, and I got your email... answering it in small bites

Vicki

In just a little more than 2 weeks, I will finaly be certifeid to teach ATV saftey classes. As most know, childeren under 16 yrs old are required to pass a certifeid atv safty course or must ride with an adult who has passed such a course. During the upcoming dunng season, DUNERs willbe offering this course to mebers of DUNERs and their families. By some of th eresponse I have recieved, classes will fill up pretty fast and they will be limited in size as required by law. Classes will be held as often as posible based on need and availabilty of a location, well and my ability to make a glamis trip. More info on the times and dates will be made available when we have more. For now, if you ae interested in attending the course for you or a child, it is time to start sending in your requests. Email me with your information such as how many people you want to attend and the ages of the attendies. We will start compiling a list and update you when we can. If you have any questions, you can also email those to me as well.

Well finaly it is official....I am a certified ATV instuctor. As of Friday, I passed all my test and without dropping a single point I passed my final field evaluation. I should have my cert soon (depending on the mail and ASI paperwork) then I am able to teach ATV safty classes and certify the public.....I am soooo glad it is over.
4 days in the Colton Calif heat, fighting a cold and something that the doctor has yet to diagnose(that part scares me). But now I can rest, get healthy and prepair for whatever....

CONGRATULATIONS BROTHER !!!! THANKS FOR TAKING THE TIME TO GET THIS
DONE... OH YEA, ON FOR VOLUNTEERING TO GIVE ALL KIDS IN SOUTHERN
CALIFORNIA LESSONS FOR FREE.... (LOL)

HOPE YOU FIND OUT WHAT THE BUG IS AND FEEL BETTER.

THANKS AGAIN TOM.

HOPE YOU ARE FEELING BETTER .

Got a question for ya..(though I beleive I know the answer..so..maybe a STUPID question.....but considering my low IQ..I'm allowed.... )

Please define "all terrain vehicle" as it is ment in the VC. Our (last) underage kid (17) rides in a Odysse..(yea, I know it is spelled wrong ) and sometimes we let her drive our sand rail. Does she need a certificate? How about for the rail, even though she has her drivers license? Is she required to wear a helmut in either one of those?

Thanks.

I could get the legal def, but I dont want too....
In a nutshell,
an ATV is described as not being over 50" long, not weighing more than 600lbd, suspended by 3 or more low pressure tires, designed for a single rider, with a seat to straddle and handle bars for stearing...

FWI, the new Bombardier or Polaris ( I think???, its the one designed for 2 people) is classified as an ATR(recreational) but in california, for registration purposes, it is still an ATV. Because the DMV has no ATR classification in their computer system.

An oddysee (sp?) is NOT an ATV and no helmet is required. And she does not need to be certified to drive the buggy or oddysee.

a dirt bike only has 2 wheels so it is not an atv?

What's the status?

When can people start taking the classes and get certified?

Tom is waiting for a return call from the ATV Safety Institute... last time he checked he was told the background checks are in a backlog but should be completed soon.

Vicki

I again contacted ATVSI on friday, the western reps are all out of town and will return on Tuesday. As far as I know, I am waiting for the DOJ background check to become completed. It is out of my hands, however I am tryng to folow up on it. As soon as I know, you will...

My daughter has to take an effin trainning class before she can ride? She has been riding for 2 years. This is effin BS... Where are these class held?

Yep you can let your 10 year old drive a LS1 powered Funco with out a certificate but not a Quad. When she takes the class you can also and be certified to have a child that does not have a certificate ride with you. I have got my certificate in 1990 and a lot of kids have had me tag along just to be legal.

Hey Tom and Vicki....

are yo remembering to tell folks that the training is free through ASI if the quad is new? Most of the manufactureres sanction 2-3 people being taught for each new quad purchase. Though Mom and Pop may have used the free training in the past, it rolls over for subsequent purchases/relatives.

Enjoy and have fun.

When I come back, I'll lend you a hand.

How can I find out about classes in San Diego?

No its a 97 my daughter is 11 she has been riding for 2 years she rides an LT80. When did this take affect?

I think this went into effect in 1990 that is why I have my certicication.
This is one of the nuisance laws that if the LEO's have nothing better to do they use this to bust you for something if they want to.

This was the end result of a "Consumer Product Safety" complaint that was intended to completely halt the sale and use of OHVs to anyone under 16.

For our own safety of course.

To answer your question Zuki, we don't have an answer yet . We'd like to hold certification classes where they would be convenient to the duning community, but we also have to have them on a fair sized patch of earth... maybe you know of someone in the San Diego area that has a dirt lot, a large back yard, that kind of thing...?

Vicki

Called up the safety institute place in Fontana ( I think ) or somewhere close to that last year, They were backloged to 2010 or something...

hard to get into a class thats for sure.

Also, they have a cc restriction that they adhere to.... meaning, that if your kid is 16 or under they can't be tested on anything over an 80

It may not be an 80 exactly, point being my son 10 years old cannot test on his blaster.

and my daughter ( 13 ) cannot test on her turbo charged, NOS inj. 400EX

Wonder if they can both just use the ATC 70's for the class?

I'll try to touch on a few of the questions brought up here.
Yes, most manufacterers do offer FREE training to customers with a purchase of a new quad. In some case, you can have family memebrs certified once they reach th eproper age. For instance, you buy a honda 200, your child is 12 and can not be certifeid on that size bike. However, when the child reaches the age of 16, some manufacturers will then certify them. So there may not be a time limit on the certification offer. Check with the manufatcurer to see if they offer it.

When we finally get this off the ground(still waiting for the state) we can perform the classes ANYWHERE that fits certain rules. It needs to be dirt, flat, and 200'x 150'. If you know of someone that has this size lot that is willing, we can hold a class there.

Adults can also be certified, and if they do, children can legally ride with them. So the kids dont have to be certified if the adults choose to.

So whats the penalty for not having a certification

Why not just have somone who is certified do it in the dunes.