Snowmobile safety is paramount to an enjoyable trip. The NHSA and the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department strongly recommend that all riders participate in a snowmobile safety education class.
Age Requirements and Accepted Safety Courses
State law requires that all operators 12 years of age and over must possess either a valid motor vehicle driver’s license or have successfully completed an approved snowmobile safety education class when operating off their own property. License & Age Restrictions details.
There is no charge to take the in-person course and parents are encouraged to stay during class time. Snowmobile Safety Education Schedule and pre-registration information.
Online Snowmobile Safety Course
The official online New Hampshire OHRV/Snowmobile Rider education course provides all the information you need. It will help you obtain your New Hampshire Rider Certificate. The entire course can be taken on a smartphone, tablet or computer. Pay only when you pass, unlimited exam attempts allowed. Take the Online Course now!
Do You Take a Traditional Course or Online Course?
Traditional vs. online safety course: The traditional course is taught throughout the state by a professional and dedicated group of volunteer instructors with the support of the club, or by a paid regional coordinator from Fish and Game. A Conservation Officer attends that class to go over the laws and rules and to answer any questions. This is usually a one-day class. The online course can be taken anytime from the comfort of your home. Both courses are at least 5½ hours long, plus a written test. Both are great, but the “flagship” course is and always will be the traditional course taught by the great volunteer instructors.
Other Accepted Safety Courses
New Hampshire honors many other snowmobile safety education programs taught in the United States and Canada. Get information on accepted programs.
Safe Riders Program
The Safe Riders! Snowmobile Safety Awareness Program provides basic essentials about snowmobile safety and includes short quizzes to help test your knowledge about safe snowmobiling practices. It is meant to supplement information provided by the state or province in which you register or ride your snowmobile, so be sure to check local rules and requirements before venturing out on the snow. Visit Safe Riders!
Snowmobile Trail Etiquette
Why is trail etiquette needed?
New Hampshire promotes sharing the trail with other users so that everyone can equally enjoy their experience. Trail etiquette is a tool to help inform other users of the courteous way to interact on recreational trails. This is not a complete list, nor are these rules or laws. When in doubt, smile and use common sense.
- Yield the to non-motorized users.
- Keep noise levels to a minimum where practicable, especially around residential areas.
- When approaching an oncoming equestrian or musher, pull off to the right, stop your vehicle and let the horse or musher pass.
- When passing a horseback rider or musher, alert the rider to your presence by calmly calling out you wish to pass. The horseback rider or musher should pull the horse or dogs over. If the rider has the horse under control, proceed on. If not, allow the rider to move the horse or dogs to a safe spot on the trail and then proceed.
- Park your snowmobile and walk to sensitive, historic, scenic, and cultural areas.
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