Myth: The Class VI roads are just trails. I can let my 8 year old drive my truck on them.
The Real Story: Class VI roads are, well, legal roads. They require drivers licenses like all other public roads in the state. In the same way that you wouldn't let your 8 year old drive to the grocery store through town, its not legal to let them do it on a Class VI either. Technically, this would also apply to adults with suspended or revoked licenses, or any other unlicensed driver. It's also not the best idea to post videos of you doing this to social media with your full name - but clearly different people have different styles.
Myth: Mud season doesn't damage roads
The Real Story: Mud season can be very hard on all types or roads, especially unmaintained roads. One inconsiderate driver can cause damage that may stick around for years, or promote erosion such that the road becomes much more difficult or impassable. It is still best to stay off the roads until they are dry enough to prevent damage. Driving on a road that is closed due to mud season would put the driver under the rules of RSA 265 in terms of violations.
Myth: I can drive any vehicle I want on a Class VI road.
The Real Story: As far as motorized vehicles go, they need to be registered and inspected just like on any other public road. The only exception would be towns that allow ATV or UTV use on some or all of their Class VI roads. In those situations, ATV laws would apply regarding vehicles and registrations. In short, just because it is motorized and you want to use it on a Class VI road doesn't mean you legally can. Leave the unregistered vehicles at home to prevent the roads from being completely closed (returned to landowners) or turned into restricted Class A trails.
Myth: I think I saw an old trail next to a road, so I can just pull out my saw and start cutting to drive my truck farther and see if its a trail.
The Real Story: Uh, no. That's straight up trespassing. Land outside of Class VI right-of-ways is owned by the abutting landowners. Those landowners might be private citizens or local governments. Just because something looks like a trail does not mean that anyone can just start cutting. The only fully legal paths of travel are open Class VI roads, or private trails for which you have permission of the landowner. Land that is not posted does not automatically allow the use of motorized vehicles. And BTW, just because your GPS app shows something there doesn't mean you can drive on it with the same legal vehicles as a Class VI road. However, if you do insist on doing this, make sure that you post pictures to social media with your license plate (and those of your friends) fully visible.
Myth: There is no map in the state that shows the level of difficulty of the Class VI roads.
The Real Story: Actually, there are lots of such maps! Nearly every 4WD club in the state that does runs on the Class VI roads knows the level of difficulty of the roads in their area! These clubs are great sources of information and a way to acquire skills related to off-highway driving. Its also way more satisfying to go on a trail ride with people who have lots of experience than it is to head off on your own based on some comments of random folks on your social media feed. ExploringNH has one such map with lots of detailed information.
Myth: Someone has to tell me where the Class VI roads in this area are because there isn't a way to find out.
The Real Story: Hmm. Let's revisit this again. Actually the state posts maps of all of its roads (including the Class VI roads) right on their website! Town maps too! See our more detailed post on this here.
People often share outdated information from forums, websites, etc. The unfortunate reality is road classes change. Some class IV roads get converted to types that are no longer legal for all motorized vehicles. Using the outdated maps means a good chance of trespassing. Sometimes the source maps of those frequently shared resources are also not known - it may not have been correct when published let alone many years later! We also highly discourage people from sharing these resources as they are just not the correct source of information. Frequently sharing an incorrect resource does not make it correct.
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