The Clatsop County Sheriffs Office is making All-Terrain Vehicle safety classes available to Clatsop County youth.

As of January 2012 all youth riding ATVs on public land in Oregon are required to have completed a hands-on class. The sheriffs office presents the ATV Safety Institute Ridercourse, a four-hour safety course that satisfies this new requirement, and the OSU/4-H Youth ATV Safety Evaluation, a two-hour session for experienced youth riders, which also satisfies the hands-on requirement.

On July 31 and Aug. 1 organizers will conduct rider courses at the Clatsop County Fairgrounds on Walluski Loop. The morning session begins at 9 a.m., and the afternoon session begins at 1 p.m. Organizers have two ATVs available for those who may not have their own machine but wish to take the class. Students must request the loaner when registering.

Registration is handled by the ATV Safety Institute. Students should call Enrollment Express at 800-887-2887. They should request the Oregon Resident Tuition Subsidy.

The ATV Safety Institute sets the fee for the class. Youth are normally charged $55 for the class, but Oregon Parks and Recreation Department contributes $50 per Oregon resident student, leaving a balance charged to the student of $5.

On Aug. 2 and 3, organizers will conduct the OSU/4-H Youth ATV Safety Evaluation, with Aug. 2 sessions at 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. and Aug. 3 sessions at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Registration is handled online at www.oregonatvsafety.org. Two loaners are available for these evaluations by reservation. To reserve, contact Sheriff Tom Bergin at (503)?325-8635 or Deputy Michael Nelson at (503) 791-4978.

OSU charges $55 for the evaluation, but Oregon Parks and Recreation Department contributes $35 per Oregon resident student, leaving a balance charged to the student of $20.

If there are enough requests, sessions may also be scheduled for Aug. 4, especially if youth cannot make it to the weekday sessions.

Students are required to obtain the Oregon ATV Safety Education Card by completing online training available at www.rideatvoregon.org prior to attending these hands-on classes.

The online training course is free.

Additional information is available at www.atvsafety.org or www.rideatvoregon.org