A ride-on vehicle is provided that has optional remote control capabilities. The ride-on vehicle comprises front and rear wheels, a steering wheel, a steering motor, a drive motor, an accelerator, a parent override switch and a main controller for controlling the drive motor and the steering motor based on input signals. A remote control is also provided to send signals to the main controller. The main controller provides for three modes of operation of the ride-on vehicle, including a child only drive mode, a partial child and partial remote drive mode, and a full remote drive mode, and wherein the main controller switches between the three modes of operation in real time based on signals received from the remote control and the parent override switch.