1. (1) The State Parks and Recreation Department shall issue or provide for issuance of a Class III all-terrain vehicle operator permit to any person who:

   1. (a) Has taken a Class III all-terrain vehicle safety education course established under this section and has been found qualified to operate a Class III all-terrain vehicle; or
   2. (b) Is at least 16 years of age, has five or more years of experience operating a Class III all-terrain vehicle and passes an equivalency examination.

2. (2) The department shall adopt rules to provide for Class III all-terrain vehicle safety education courses, equivalency examinations and the issuance of Class III all-terrain vehicle operator permits consistent with this section. The rules adopted by the department shall be consistent with the following:

   1. (a) The courses must be given by instructors designated by the department as qualified to conduct the courses and issue the permits.
   2. (b) The instructors may be provided and permits issued through public or private local and state organizations meeting qualifications established by the department.
   3. (c) The department may collect a fee of not more than $5 from each participant in a course established under this section.

[1999 c.977 §7; 2007 c.887 §12]