Mackinac County Sheriff's Department will conduct off-road vehicle (ORV) safety training courses at Engadine High School in Engadine Thursday, August 24, and Friday, August 25.

Deputy Ivan Wilde will be the course instructor. Class begins at 9 a.m. and continues until noon each day. The cost is $10. Participants will learn of state laws concerning ORVs and basic ORV safety practices and earn certification with completion of the training course.

To sign up for classes, call 6431911.

Sheriff Scott Strait said there are many guidelines and laws ORV operators must adhere to, such as:

+ No person younger than age 16 may operate any three-wheeled all-terrain vehicle (ATV).

+ No child younger than age 10 may operate any four-wheeled ATV, except on private land while performing farm-related work operations.

+ Children ages 10 and 11 may operate a four-wheeled ATV, only when all of the following guidelines are followed: young ORV operators must be on land owned by the child's parents or guardian; children operating ORVs must be under visual supervision by an adult; children must possess valid ORV permits.

+ Children ages 12 to 15 may operate a four-wheeled ATV under visual supervision by an adult or legal guardian, or possess a valid ORV safety certificate.

+ Children under the age of 16 may operate other ORVs (trail bikes, for example) with adult supervision or a valid safety certificate.

+ Children at least 12 years old may cross streets and roads, at right angles only. The parents and legal guardians of a child under the age 16 are legally responsible if they permit the child under their care to violate any guidelines.

+ No child younger than age 12 may cross a street, highway, or country road while operating an ORV.

+ No ORV can be operated on any state or county road, or road right of way, at any time. They can only be operated on state or federal trails that are marked open to ORVs and must be transported, not driven, to that location.