Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania's Snowmobile and All-Terrain Vehicle Law defines an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) as a motorized off-highway vehicle which travels on three or more tires: a Class I ATV has a maximum width of 50 inches and a maximum dry weight of 1,200 pounds, and a Class II ATV is wider than 50 inches or heavier than 1,200 pounds dry. The term does not include trail bikes, among other listed vehicles, or any vehicle that is or is required to be registered under Chapter 13 of the Vehicle Code. The definition names no power source.

75 Pa.C.S. § 7702, checked 2026-10-01. Official text for Pennsylvania, 75 Pa.C.S. § 7702, external site

Pennsylvania's State forest rules define a motorized off-road vehicle as a motorized recreational vehicle designed for either off-road use or for both off-road and road use, other than a snowmobile or all-terrain vehicle. In State forests, operating one on a road, trail or area that has not been posted as open for motorized off-road vehicles is prohibited except with written permission of the Department, as is operating one on a road, trail or area that has not been posted as open outside two periods: from the Friday before Memorial Day through the last full weekend in September, and from the day following the last day of the regular or extended rifle deer season set by the Game Commission through the following April 1. Breaking these rules is a summary offense under section 7506 of the Crimes Code. The same State forest rules separately prohibit operating an unregistered, uninspected or uninsured motor vehicle, and operating a motor vehicle without a valid driver's license; they define motor vehicle by the Vehicle Code meaning, other than a snowmobile or all-terrain vehicle.

17 Pa. Code §§ 21.101, 21.102, 21.110(b)(5)-(6), 21.114(b)(1)-(2), 21.123, checked 2026-10-01. Official text for Pennsylvania, 17 Pa. Code §§ 21.101, 21.102, 21.110(b)(5)-(6), 21.114(b)(1)-(2), 21.123, external site

In Pennsylvania State forests, operating or riding a motorized off-road vehicle (a motorized recreational vehicle designed for off-road use or for both off-road and road use, other than a snowmobile or all-terrain vehicle) without wearing a securely fastened helmet that meets the specifications established for motorcycle helmets in 67 Pa. Code Chapter 107 is prohibited, except with written permission of the Department.

17 Pa. Code §§ 21.101, 21.102, 21.114(b)(3), checked 2026-10-01. Official text for Pennsylvania, 17 Pa. Code §§ 21.101, 21.102, 21.114(b)(3), external site

Pennsylvania's age rules for young off-road riders, in the Snowmobile and All-Terrain Vehicle Law, cover snowmobiles and ATVs, and that law defines an ATV as a vehicle that travels on three or more tires and excludes trail bikes. For ATVs, no person under eight may operate one on State-owned land, and no person 8 to 15 years of age may operate one in Pennsylvania unless under the direct supervision of a certified safety instructor during a safety training course, on land owned or leased by a parent or legal guardian, or holding a safety certificate issued by the department or a recognized certificate from another state or Province of Canada. An ATV without an ANSI/SVIA 1 - 2010 (or successor) certification label operated by a person eight or nine years of age must have an engine size of 70cc or less.

75 Pa.C.S. §§ 7702, 7725(b), (b.1), (c), checked 2026-10-01. Official text for Pennsylvania, 75 Pa.C.S. §§ 7702, 7725(b), (b.1), (c), external site

Under Pennsylvania's general registration law, no person may drive or move, and no owner may knowingly permit to be driven or moved, upon any highway any vehicle which is not registered in Pennsylvania unless the vehicle is exempt from registration. A violation is a summary offense with a fine of $75 or double the registration fee, whichever is greater ($25 if the vehicle was registered in Pennsylvania within 60 days before the offense). This section sets the general rule; it does not say whether a particular off-road electric dirt bike can be registered.

75 Pa.C.S. § 1301(a), (d), checked 2026-10-01. Official text for Pennsylvania, 75 Pa.C.S. § 1301(a), (d), external site

Pennsylvania's electric bicycle, the pedalcycle with electric assist, weighs not more than 100 pounds, has two or three wheels more than 11 inches in diameter, an electric motor system rated at not more than 750 watts and operable pedals, and is capable of a speed of not more than 20 mph on a level surface when powered by the motor alone; the term does not include a device specifically designed for use by persons with disabilities. The law counts it as a pedalcycle. Separately, the Vehicle Code defines a motorized pedalcycle to include an electric motor-driven cycle equipped with operable pedals and an automatic transmission, powered by an electric battery or battery pack-powered electric motor, with a maximum design speed of no more than 25 mph.

75 Pa.C.S. § 102, checked 2026-10-01. Official text for Pennsylvania, 75 Pa.C.S. § 102, external site