Permission Slips Worth Carrying

A permission slip can prevent confusion when an ATV or UTV ride crosses private land, but a signature alone does not settle every access question. North Dakota riders need to know what the document should say, how to carry it, and what it cannot authorize. The practical approach is to get clear, specific permission from the landowner and keep proof handy.

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Why a written permission slip is useful

Riding on private property is different from riding on a public trail or road. A landowner’s permission can establish that you have approval to use a particular area, but misunderstandings are easy: the landowner may have meant one field, one route, one day, or one rider, while the group assumes the whole property is open.

A written slip makes the arrangement clearer for both sides. It can record who gave permission, who may ride, where the permission applies, and any limits. If someone asks about your access, you can show what was agreed rather than trying to reconstruct a conversation from memory.

Written permission is especially practical when:

You are riding with a group, family members, or guests.
You have permission for a particular route or date rather than general access.
The property has several owners, tenants, or people who manage different areas.
The land is posted, gated, or near land where access is not allowed.
You are visiting from outside North Dakota and do not know the landowner.
A landowner has set conditions about gates, speed, timing, or where to park.

A permission slip is not a substitute for getting permission. It is evidence of the permission the landowner actually gave. Do not assume that a signed note for one section of land includes the neighboring parcel, a connecting lane, or the route to a trailhead.

The details of posted land and private access can be easy to misread. Before riding, review North Dakota Posted Land Permission and What a Posted-Land Sign Must Show in North Dakota. If you use electronic posting information, remember that it helps identify posted land; it does not grant access. North Dakota Electronic Posting Lookups can help you understand that distinction.

A landowner’s permission also does not automatically turn a private road into a public route or authorize riding on a ditch, shoulder, or other area with separate rules. For broader context, see North Dakota Trespass Law for Riders and North Dakota Rules for Riding to a Field. When a route touches a roadway or public right of way, check the rules for that specific location before setting out.

What to put on the permission slip

There is no reason to make a permission slip complicated. It should be easy to read, specific enough to avoid misunderstandings, and signed by someone authorized to give permission. Use a form supplied by the relevant landowner, club, event organizer, or land manager if one is required. Otherwise, ask the landowner what they want documented. A general starting point is North Dakota Landowner Permission Forms.

Include the following information where it applies:

Information	What to record
Landowner or authorized contact	Name and a way to contact them
Rider or group	Names of the people covered by the permission
Property	A clear description of the parcel, entrance, or approved riding area
Route	The allowed trail, field edge, access road, or other route
Dates and times	The day or period when permission applies
Machines	ATV, UTV, or other machine types included
Conditions	Restrictions on speed, passengers, gates, parking, noise, or other use
Signature	Landowner or authorized person’s signature and the date granted

A property description should be useful on the ground. “The north field” may be clear to the owner but ambiguous to a guest. If possible, specify a gate, driveway, marked trail, field boundary, or other recognizable feature. A map or a simple route sketch can help, but it should match what the landowner approved. Do not draw in access across neighboring property unless that owner has also granted permission.

List every rider who is covered, or attach a roster that the landowner approves. A permission slip signed for one person may not clearly cover a spouse, friend, child, or entire group. If riders will change, ask whether the landowner wants an updated list or a separate approval. Do not assume that permission transfers to someone who was not part of the original agreement.

Be precise about dates. “This season” can mean different things to different people. If the arrangement is ongoing, write that down in plain language and ask whether the landowner expects to renew it. A note for one weekend should not be treated as approval for a later trip.

Conditions deserve their own space. Common examples include:

Stay on the designated route and do not cut across crops or pasture.
Close gates exactly as found, or leave them open if instructed.
Do not disturb livestock, equipment, buildings, or stored materials.
Park or unload only in the approved spot.
Keep the group within agreed hours and avoid riding during sensitive work.
Do not bring additional riders without asking.
Avoid riding when the ground is wet or when the landowner has asked for a temporary pause.

These are examples to discuss, not standard rules that apply to every property. The landowner sets the conditions for their land, subject to applicable law. Ask questions before signing or accepting the permission. A vague document is less useful than a short agreement that everyone understands.

A signature confirms the written terms, but it does not prove that every person or route on the page was approved. Make sure the person signing has authority over the property or the specific area. If someone leases or manages the land, ask who can grant riding permission. Where ownership or authority is uncertain, pause and clarify instead of relying on a neighbor’s informal assurance.

How to carry and use the permission

Keep a copy with the person leading the ride and make sure each rider knows the boundaries and conditions. For a small group, one clearly identified leader can carry the original while other riders carry a photo or copy. For a larger group, have the list of covered riders available so that the paper does not become separated from the people it describes.

A practical routine is:

Confirm the plan with the landowner. Recheck the date, route, group size, and any current restrictions before riding.
Review the slip with the group. Point out where permission starts and ends, and explain the conditions in plain language.
Keep it protected. Carry a paper copy in a waterproof document sleeve or another secure place. A basic sleeve from a retailer such as Amazon can help protect it from rain, mud, and handling.
Keep a backup. Store a clear photo or scan on a phone, but do not rely on a phone alone if it could lose power, become wet, or have no signal.
Follow the approved route. If the route is blocked or conditions have changed, do not improvise across land that was not included.
Ask before making a change. Get fresh approval if you want to add riders, extend the dates, take another route, or bring a different type of machine.

A digital copy can be useful, but it has limits. A screenshot may not show the full agreement, signature, or map. If the landowner gives you a specific form, carry the complete document. For a group, share the approved terms in advance so that guests do not have to guess where they may ride.

Be courteous if a landowner, neighbor, or officer asks about your presence. Explain where you have permission and show the document if appropriate. Do not argue that a slip gives you unlimited access. If there is a disagreement about property lines or the terms, leave the area and contact the person who granted permission.

Treat a permission slip as a record, not as a shield against every complaint or legal issue. It does not override posted restrictions, authorize damage, or permit riding beyond the described area. It also does not guarantee that another person will recognize the signer’s authority. If a boundary is unclear, ask the landowner to identify the approved route before your ride.

How permission fits with permits and other access rules

Landowner permission answers one question: whether you may use the land covered by that permission. It does not answer whether your machine is properly registered, whether you need a permit, or whether a particular road or public area is open to riding.

For example, a visitor’s permit and a landowner’s note do different jobs. North Dakota Non-Resident OHV Permit explains the visitor permit issue, while North Dakota Has No Reciprocity With Any State covers the separate question of whether another state’s registration or permit is accepted. A permit does not grant access to private land; a permission slip does not replace an applicable permit.

The same separation applies to public riding areas. Check the rules for the trail, road, or public property you plan to use. A private-land permission slip does not authorize travel across an unapproved connecting parcel just because that route would be convenient. Which Ground a Visitor Permit Opens to You is useful for distinguishing permit coverage from land access.

Before a ride, check each part of the route:

Private parcels: Get permission from the owner or an authorized contact for every property you will enter.
Posted areas: Do not treat a sign, gate, or map entry as permission. Resolve uncertainty with the landowner before crossing.
Roads and rights of way: Check the rules for the road or roadside area separately. Permission to cross a field does not necessarily authorize riding on the road beside it.
Public trails and managed land: Confirm that machines are allowed there and that your machine meets applicable requirements.
Group rides or events: Ask whether the organizer needs additional approvals, participant records, or event paperwork.

If the landowner changes the arrangement, follow the new direction. A once-approved route may close because of farm work, livestock, wet conditions, hunting activity, or another practical concern. A clear slip helps document an agreement, but it is not a permanent guarantee that access will remain available.

The safest permission slip is specific, current, and easy to show. Confirm who may ride, exactly where they may go, and when the permission applies. Then check permits and route rules separately. That simple separation helps riders respect private property without mistaking a signed note for unrestricted access.

Disclaimer

This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Laws, prices and regulations vary by location and change over time. Consult a qualified professional for guidance on your specific situation.