Amusement Ride Safety Program

Every year, Oklahomans make memories on roller coasters, carnival rides, bounce houses, inflatable attractions, and other amusement rides across the state. The Oklahoma Department of Labor Amusement Ride Safety Program works behind the scenes to help make sure those experiences are safe.

ODOL registers and inspects approximately 3,600 amusement rides across Oklahoma each year, helping ensure rides and operators meet state safety requirements before the fun begins.

Our certified amusement ride inspectors provide:

• Annual inspections of permanent amusement rides and inflatable amusement devices
• Inspections after each move for mobile rides traveling to fairs, festivals, carnivals, and other events
• Year-round surveillance and compliance oversight to help identify unsafe or unregistered operations

ODOL inspectors are also on site throughout both the State Fair of Oklahoma and the Tulsa State Fair, conducting inspections and monitoring ride safety during each event.

All regulated amusement rides, including inflatables, are required to display a current-year inspection sticker on the tag or manufacturer’s plate. This sticker shows the ride has passed inspection and is approved for operation.

In Oklahoma, the Amusement Ride Safety Division regulates certain types of rides and attractions to ensure they meet safety and inspection standards before operating.

What We Regulate

A regulated amusement ride is any device or combination of devices that:

"Carry, convey, or direct a person or persons over or through a fixed or restricted course or within a defined area for the primary purpose of amusement or entertainment. This includes water rides and structures used in water parks."

These rides must be registered, insured, and inspected before they can operate legally.

What We Don’t Regulate

Not all attractions fall under our jurisdiction. Some examples of activities that do not require registration or inspection from ODOL include air boats, permanent ball crawls, batting cages, coin-operated rides, carnival games, hay rack rides, hot air balloons, arcade games, non-inflatable laser or paintball games, live-animal rides or shows, corn mazes, paddle boats, parasails, play lands in public buildings, permanent playground equipment, pony rides, and rider-propelled merry-go-rounds.