© R. Scott McNeill

Illinois winters can create great snowmobiling conditions. Join the Forest Preserves Ranger Police for a snowmobile safety course from 8 am to 5 pm Saturday, January 18, at the Operations and Public Safety Facility, 19808 W. Grand Ave., Lake Villa. Learn safety basics and respect for others and the environment to keep snowmobiling fun for all.

The program is primarily designed to train ages 12 and older but is open to participants of all ages. Parents and guardians are invited to join as well.

Registration is required. To secure your spot, call 847-968-3404 from 6:30 am to 3 pm on weekdays. The course is free. Participants are asked to bring their own lunch.

Participants 12 and older who successfully complete the course by fulfilling the minimum eight hours of instruction and pass the final examination on the same day will be awarded a State of Illinois Certificate of Competency, granting them the authority to independently operate a snowmobile.

Students under 11 may participate in the class but cannot take the exam to receive certification until they are 12. Students between 11 and 12 will receive their certificate upon their 12th birthday.

Who Must Take the Course?

Illinois law states that individuals 12 to 15 may operate a snowmobile only if:

• They have a valid Snowmobile Safety Education Certificate of Competency issued by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Safety Education Section.

or

• Those aged 10 to 11 may operate one only under the direct supervision of a parent, guardian, or someone at least 16 years old designated by a parent or guardian. Children under 10 are not allowed to operate a snowmobile.

Visit the Illinois Department of Natural Resources online for more information about Snowmobile Safety Education.

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