Free Safety Courses

Boating Safety Classes are offered by the Oakland County Sheriff's Office at no charge. Classes are taught at the Sheriff's Patrol Services Building: 1200 N. Telegraph, Bldg. 57 West, Pontiac, MI. 48341.

Boating safety class schedules and reservation are available online at Event Programs (kalkomey.com). When on the DNR website, select Boating Safety Education and type the zip code 48341 in the search box. Here you can register for the classes taught at the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office.

Successful completion of the course requires the full 6 hours and a test at the end of the class. A boating safety certificate will be issued upon completing the course and passing a written test.

Children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult.

Those born on or after July 1, 1996, may legally operate a motorized boat over 6 horsepower only if they have been issued a boating safety certificate and have it in their possession.

Those born before July 1, 1996, may legally operate a boat without restrictions.

Those at least 16 years of age and born after Dec. 31, 1978, may legally operate a PWC only if they have obtained a boating safety certificate and have it in their possession.

Those born on or before Dec. 31, 1978, may operate a PWC legally without restrictions.

Boating Safety Tips

• Always wear your life jacket.
• Make sure the life jackets are the proper size and type for the person wearing them.
• Make sure to have all the required equipment when operating your watercraft.
• Don’t drink and drive.
• Be weather wise.
• Bring extra gear you may need.
• Tell someone where you're going, who is with you, and how long you'll be away.
• Ventilate watercraft after fueling.
• Stay dry and warm.
• Anchor from bow, not stern.
• Take a boating safety course.
• When changing seats, stay low and near the center line of a small boat.

Keys to a Safe Boating Season

Hunter education classes are offered by the Oakland County Sheriff's Office at no charge. Classes are taught at the Sheriff's Patrol Services Building: 1200 N. Telegraph, Bldg. 57 West, Pontiac, MI. 48341.

Hunter education schedules and reservation are available online at Event Programs (kalkomey.com). When on the DNR website, select Hunter Education - Traditional Class and type the zip code 48341 in the search box. Here you can register for the classes taught at the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office.

Successful completion of the course requires a minimum of 10 hours and a test at the end of the class. A hunting safety certificate will be issued upon completing the course and passing a written test.

Children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult.

The class schedule will consist of two classes. Usually, a Thursday evening from 5:00 pm till 9:00 pm and a Saturday class from 8:00 am till 3:00 pm. Students must attend both classes. An alternative schedule of a Tuesday evening class from 5:00 pm till 9:00 pm and then a Sunday class from 8:00 am till 2:00 pm may also be available.

All individuals born after January 1^st,1960, must present their hunter safety certificate or previous hunting license to purchase a license.

Hunter Safety Tips

• Treat every firearm as if it is loaded.
• Always point the muzzle in a safe direction.
• Be certain of your target, and what's beyond it.
• Keep your finger outside the trigger guard and off the trigger until ready to shoot.
• All firearm hunters on any land during daylight hunting hours must wear a hat, cap, vest, jacket, rainwear, or other outer garment of Hunter Orange visible from all sides.
• All hunters, including archers, must comply during gun season.
• Legally required blaze orange garments during firearm deer season.  “Hat, Jacket, or Vest.
• Control your emotions when hunting or shooting.
• Always let someone know where you are hunting and when you plan on returning.

Staying Safe While Hunting

Off-Road Vehicle Safety Classes are offered by the Oakland County Sheriff's Office at no charge. Classes are taught at the Sheriff's Patrol Services Building: 1200 N. Telegraph, Bldg. 57 West, Pontiac, MI. 48341.

Off-Road Vehicle Safety Classes schedules and reservation are available online at Event Programs (kalkomey.com). When on the DNR website, select ORV Safety Education and type the zip code 48341 in the search box. Here you can register for all classes taught at the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office.

Successful completion of the course requires the full 6 hours and a test at the end of the class. A off road vehicle safety certificate will be issued upon completing the course and passing a written test.

Children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult.

Off Road Vehicle Safety Tips

• Always keep your machine in top mechanical condition
• Always wear protective clothing including a helmet, gloves, and eye protection
• Never ride alone
• Never operate on a street or highway
• Operate at a safe speed based on trail conditions, weather, and skill level
• Utilize correct riding positions to ensure balance and agility
• Ride on designated trails to avoid Environmental Impacts
• Always keep headlights and taillights on
• Understand safety zones when pulling out a stuck ORV
• Don’t remove the factory-installed air box or muffler

Follow ORV laws and Operator Regulations 

Snowmobile safety classes are offered by the Oakland County Sheriff's Office at no charge. Classes are taught at the Sheriff's Patrol Services Building: 1200 N. Telegraph, Bldg. 57 West, Pontiac, MI. 48341.

Snowmobile safety class schedules and reservation are available online at Event Programs (kalkomey.com). When on the DNR website, select Snowmobile Safety Education and type the zip code 48341 in the search box. Here you can register for all classes taught at the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office.

Successful completion of the course requires the full 6 hours and a written exam. A snowmobile safety certificate will be issued upon completing the course and passing the written exam.

Children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult.

Snowmobiling Safety Tips

• Always keep your machine in top mechanical condition.
• Always wear insulated boots and protective clothing including a helmet, gloves and eye protection.
• Never ride alone.
• Avoid, when possible, crossing frozen bodies of water.
• Never operate in a single file when crossing frozen bodies of water.
• Always be alert to avoid fences and low strung wires.
• Never operate on a street or highway.
• Always look for depressions in the snow.
• Keep headlights and taillights on at all times.
• When approaching an intersection, come to a complete stop, raise off the seat and look for traffic.
• Always check the weather conditions before you depart.

These free four-hour classes are sponsored by the Oakland County Sheriff's Office in partnership with Oakland County Parks and Recreation, UWM Sports Complex, South Lyon VFW, and the Salem-South Lyon Public Library.

Choose from one of the following classes:

Saturday, February 21, 2026 9am- 1pm CLICK TO REGISTER

Southfield Civic Center Parks and Rec Rm 115 26000 Evergreen Rd. Southfield MI 48037-2055

Saturday, March 7, 2026 9am- 1pm CLICK TO REGISTER

Hazel Park Rec Center 620 W. Woodward Heights Hazel Park,. MI 48030

 

Classes will be held at these outdoor venues across Oakland County with capacity limits and physical distance restrictions in place. Please view location addresses and register at the sign-up genius site.

Participants are asked to bring:

• Layered clothing
• Water bottle
• Folding chair
• Comfortable outdoor and weather appropriate shoes

Also please note:

• Written permission is needed for participants 14-17 years of age
• Space is limited-first come/first served