TRACTOR SAFETY - RACINE and KENOSHA Counties

Wisconsin Safe Operation of Tractor and Machinery Certification Program

Kenosha, Racine and Walworth counties are working together to provide a tractor safety course for youth ages 12-15. It is required by the state of Wisconsin that any youth under the age of 16 that is driving farming implements on roads be certified and participate in a Wisconsin Safe Operation of Tractor and Machinery Certification Program. See Wisconsin Act 455

Tractor Safety courses are held at the Burlington High School. Classes are a total of 24 hours in length. The classes are Monday through Friday 8am - Noon with testing occurring on the following Monday from 8am - Noon. The 2007 classes are scheduled for June 18th - 22rd and June 25th. This class is very interactive and youth spend approximately half of the class time driving farm implements. The other half is spent in a classroom setting. Activities including learning general first aid and putting together a first aid kit. Posters, pictures and textbook assignments are also a part of the course.

Wisconsin Tractor Safety Course Information

Contact Information

Youth are required to attend all of the classes, pass a tractor driving test and a written test. Please contact Candy Cervenka at the Walworth County UW-Extension office by email cervenka@co.walworth.wi.us or phone 262-741-3190 or e-mail Rose Skora or phone 262-857-1945 (Kenosha), 262-886-8460 (Racine), for future registration information.

Points to Ponder

• 82% of fatalities involving youth under the age of 16 result from farm implements.

• Youth under the age of 14 are involved in nine times more accidents than operators who are between the ages of 25-44. 

• Youth under the age of 15 are involved in more accidents while driving on public roads.

• Common causes of accidents are inexperience, lack of maturity, and the inability to react quickly when confronted with a dangerous situation. 

Wisconsin Act 455, Section 10, Section 346.925 states: 

"Operation of agricultural machinery by youthful operators 

(1) After April 30, 1996 no person may direct or permit a child under the age of 16 years to operate a farm tractor or self-propelled implement of husbandry on the highway unless the child has been certified as successfully completing a tractor and machinery operation safety training course that is equivalent to the requirements other than age, specified under 29 CFR part 570.70 

(2) Subsection (1) does not apply to operation of a farm tractor or self-propelled implement of husbandry on the highway on a course that is perpendicular to the direction of the highway." 

Return to Agriculture home