ATV dealers in Nova Scotia are blaming new provincial rules for a drop in sales.

Karl Crawford says sales of all-terrain vehicles at his store in New Glasgow are down by about 35 per cent from the year before.

Dealers say ATV sales have plummeted since the new rules went into effect last year.

"A year ago we had 27 full-time employees, and for the first time in 16 years we had layoffs and now we're down to 18," said Crawford, owner of Adventure Motors.

With children under 14 banned from riding anywhere except on a closed course, parents are considering alternatives to ATVs, he said.

"Now that their kids can't drive, they're looking for something else to do with them," Crawford said.

Richard Murray, co-owner of Sackville Motorsports, estimates sales of ATVs are down by about 50 per cent across the province.

Among the new rules, ATVers are now required to register their vehicles, take safety courses and pay for a permit.

Murray says people are confused about the rules so they're reluctant to spend money on new off-road vehicles, while others feel ATVers aren't benefiting from the new fees.

"We see lots of walking trails and thousands of dollars spent on walking trails, but we don't see a dime spent on ATV trails," Murray said.

That could change soon, says Susan Hruszowy, with Nova Scotia's Department of Natural Resources.

Hruszowy, the co-ordinator in charge of the Off-Highway Vehicles Act, says a recently created advisory committee will make recommendations on how the fees should be spent.

"Registration has just been coming in so the money's been collected into an account," she said.

Hruszowy says the drop in ATV sales could be attributed to many factors, including a rise in gas prices.

ATV dealers will have their say, she says, because a representative for dealers is on the advisory committee.

Hruszowy says the department plans to send out fact sheets to try to clear up any confusion over the new regulations.