A Tracked Bike’s Extra $25
A tracked dirt bike can need more than the permit you would buy for an ordinary wheeled OHV when you visit North Dakota. The extra $25 is easy to miss if you plan around your home-state registration or a standard visitor permit. Here’s what the tracked-bike permit covers, how it fits with other paperwork, and what to confirm before riding.
Why a tracked bike needs a separate permit
A dirt bike fitted with tracks is not treated as if it were simply a wheeled dirt bike with a different tire choice. North Dakota has a separate permit for tracked dirt bikes, and the permit is an additional requirement for a visitor whose machine needs a North Dakota non-resident OHV permit.
That is the reason for the “extra” $25: the tracked-bike permit does not replace the ordinary non-resident permit. If both requirements apply to your machine, you need both. A home-state registration, plate, or sticker does not automatically substitute for North Dakota’s permits. North Dakota does not offer general reciprocity that lets a visitor rely on another state’s OHV registration in place of the required North Dakota permit.
This distinction matters most when you are planning a winter ride or taking a track-converted bike to a place where tracked machines are allowed. Before buying permits, identify the machine as it will actually be used. A dirt bike on wheels and the same bike fitted with tracks may follow different permit requirements. A track conversion kit bought from a dealer or Amazon does not change the state’s permit rules.
The special permit is specific to tracked dirt bikes. It is not a general pass for every snowmobile, tracked utility vehicle, or machine that happens to have tracks. If your machine is not a dirt bike, or its classification is unclear, check with the state agency responsible for OHV permits before you travel.
| Your situation | What to check |
|---|---|
| Visiting with a wheeled OHV | Whether a North Dakota non-resident permit is required |
| Visiting with a tracked dirt bike | Whether you need both the non-resident OHV permit and the tracked-bike permit |
| North Dakota resident with a tracked dirt bike | Which state registration or permit applies to your specific machine |
| Planning to ride a snowmobile trail | Whether the trail is open to your machine and whether seasonal restrictions apply |
| Unsure how the machine is classified | Ask the state agency before buying permits or heading to a trail |
If you are still sorting out the visitor requirement, North Dakota’s Non-Resident OHV Permit covers the general permit, while A Second $25 Permit for a Tracked Bike explains why a tracked machine can require an additional one. For a broader look at how home-state paperwork fits in, see North Dakota Has No Reciprocity With Any State.
What the extra $25 does and does not cover
The tracked-bike permit is a permit requirement, not a trail pass that opens every riding area in North Dakota. Paying for it does not override trail closures, land-use restrictions, local rules, or limits on which kinds of machines may use a route.
Think of the paperwork and access questions as separate checks:
- Does the machine need a North Dakota permit? A visiting rider may need a standard non-resident OHV permit, and a tracked dirt bike may also need its separate permit.
- Is the particular riding area open to tracked bikes? A permit does not turn a closed route into an open one.
- Is the route open at the time you plan to ride? Seasonal operation and weather-related closures can affect access.
- Do you have permission to ride on the land? A permit is not permission to use private land or land with restricted access.
This distinction is especially important for snowmobile trails. A tracked dirt bike may be associated with winter riding, but you should not assume that every snowmobile route allows it. Confirm the trail’s current rules and status with the land manager or agency responsible for it. North Dakota’s snowmobile trail season and closures matter too; Snowmobile Trails Closed April to November explains why the existence of a trail on a map does not mean it is available year-round.
The same principle applies at OHV areas. A permit is not a promise that a particular trail, park, or route is suitable for a tracked bike. For example, width limits, gates, surface conditions, and machine-specific rules can restrict access. Check the information for your intended riding area rather than relying on a general permit description.
Do not treat the tracked-bike permit as a replacement for a non-resident permit, registration, landowner permission, or a park entrance permit. Each document or permission serves a different purpose. Why a Permit Is Not a Trail Sticker explains the difference between permission to operate a machine and access to a specific trail or property.
How to prepare before you travel
The easiest way to avoid a problem at the trailhead is to verify both the machine category and the permits before leaving home. If you are using a track conversion, make your inquiry about the bike as configured for the trip—not only how it was originally sold.
Confirm the permit combination
Check the current official instructions for North Dakota’s non-resident OHV permit and tracked dirt bike permit. Confirm whether your trip requires both, how each permit is issued, what period it covers, and whether you need to display or carry proof in a particular way. The $25 figure is the tracked-bike permit amount referenced here; permit details can change, so verify the current amount and instructions with the issuing agency before you buy.
If you are visiting from another state or province, do not assume that a local sticker or registration is enough. North Dakota’s visitor rules are separate from your home jurisdiction’s system. Why the Sticker Does Not Substitute explains why a home-state sticker may not satisfy North Dakota’s requirements, and North Dakota Visitors Staying Over 30 Days can help if your machine will remain in the state for an extended stay.
Ask about the machine’s classification
Have the bike’s make, model, year, and details of the track setup available when you contact the agency. Photos can help if the conversion makes the machine’s configuration unclear. Ask whether the special tracked-bike permit applies to your exact setup and whether the standard visitor permit is also required.
This is particularly useful if the bike has been modified beyond a straightforward track conversion, or if it is registered in another category at home. A seller’s description, an online listing, or a manufacturer’s label may not settle how North Dakota classifies it. If the paperwork is ambiguous, get an answer before relying on it during a trip.
Check access and current conditions
Once you understand the permits, contact the riding area or land manager to confirm that tracked dirt bikes are allowed. Ask about open dates, closures, route-specific restrictions, parking, and any additional entrance requirements. If the area is on private land, get permission from the landowner; a state permit does not provide it.
Weather can change trail conditions quickly. Tracks may help a bike move over some surfaces, but they do not make wet ground, soft approaches, or closed trails safe or legal to ride. Check for recent closures and avoid riding when the land manager has restricted access to protect the trail.
Common mistakes to avoid
The most frequent misunderstanding is thinking that the $25 tracked-bike permit is the only permit a visiting rider needs. It may be an additional requirement, not a substitute. Check the visitor permit separately and make sure you have the full set of documents required for your machine.
Another mistake is assuming that buying a permit guarantees access. It does not. A route can be closed, limited to other machine types, or subject to seasonal rules. Confirm the rules for the exact location you plan to ride, especially if you are hoping to use a snowmobile trail.
It is also easy to confuse a tracked dirt bike with other tracked machines. The special permit described here is for tracked dirt bikes; do not assume it applies to every vehicle with tracks. If the machine is a side-by-side, utility vehicle, or a custom build, ask about its classification rather than buying a permit based on appearance alone.
Finally, do not wait until you arrive to resolve paperwork questions. A phone call or official permit check before departure can prevent a wasted trip and help you bring the right proof. Keep permit confirmations and receipts accessible, and follow the agency’s instructions for carrying or displaying the permit.
For related background, North Dakota Tracked Dirt Bike Permits covers the special permit more broadly, while North Dakota Permits for Visiting Riders explains the visitor permit system. If you are unsure which permits apply, ask the issuing agency to confirm the requirements for your particular bike and travel dates.
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.
