North Dakota Permit for a Second Machine
A North Dakota visitor permit is generally tied to the off-highway vehicle, not to the rider. If you bring an ATV and a UTV, or two ATVs, plan on a separate permit for each machine you ride where a permit is required. Here’s how to handle the second machine, avoid common mix-ups, and check what applies before you travel.
The short answer: each machine needs its own permit
If you are visiting North Dakota with two off-highway vehicles, one nonresident permit does not cover both. The permit is machine-specific, so the second ATV or UTV needs a separate permit as well. That remains true if the same person will ride both machines, or if you take only one out at a time.
Think of the permit as authorization for a particular machine, rather than a pass for everyone in your group. It does not become a group permit just because the machines share an owner, trailer, or trip. The state’s North Dakota Non-Resident OHV Permit rules are the starting point for understanding the visitor requirement.
This can catch riders who are used to a different system at home. A state registration, plate, or decal from your home state does not automatically replace North Dakota’s visitor permit. North Dakota does not offer reciprocity with other states, so check the North Dakota Has No Reciprocity With Any State requirements before assuming your existing paperwork is enough.
A practical example: if you bring one ATV for yourself and one UTV for another rider, arrange permits for both machines. If you bring two ATVs but expect to alternate between them, each still needs its own permit when used in a place where the visitor permit is required. Buying a permit for the first machine does not make the second one covered.
| Situation | What to plan for |
|---|---|
| One visitor brings one ATV | A permit for that ATV, if required for the planned riding |
| One visitor brings an ATV and a UTV | A separate permit for each machine |
| Two riders share two machines | A permit for each machine, not one permit per rider |
| You ride only one of two machines at a time | The machine being ridden needs its own required permit |
| A machine has a home-state registration or decal | Do not assume it substitutes for North Dakota’s permit |
| You bring a tracked dirt bike | Check its separate permit requirements before traveling |
The simplest planning rule is to count machines, not people. Make a list of every ATV, UTV, or other OHV you may operate in North Dakota, then confirm the permit requirements for each one.
What the second permit does and does not cover
A second permit authorizes the second machine under North Dakota’s visitor permit system. It is not an extra rider permit, a statewide trail pass for your whole group, or a substitute for checking whether a particular route or property allows OHVs.
That distinction matters because people sometimes use “permit” to mean several different things: permission to operate a machine, access to a specific riding area, or permission from a landowner. A visitor OHV permit does not grant access to private property, open a closed trail, or override local restrictions. Riders still need to follow the rules for the land and route they use.
Nor should you assume that one permit sticker can be moved from one machine to another. Treat each permit as belonging to the machine for which it was obtained, and follow the permit’s display instructions. If you change which machine you plan to bring after buying a permit, contact the issuing office or check the official instructions before riding. Do not rely on a permit intended for one machine to cover a different one.
There are also distinct situations that may have their own requirements. For example, a tracked dirt bike has a separate permit issue; it is not simply another ordinary wheeled ATV or UTV. See North Dakota Tracked Dirt Bike Permits if that describes the machine you are taking.
A visitor permit is also separate from an entrance permit for a state park. Depending on where you go, you may need to check both the OHV permit rules and park access requirements. The North Dakota State Park Entrance Permits information can help you distinguish the park vehicle entrance permit from the OHV permit.
Before setting out, confirm three things for each machine:
- Does the machine fall under the OHV rules? If its type or intended use is unusual, check the state’s classification and permit guidance.
- Does the planned riding require a visitor permit? Consider whether you will ride on public land, a designated trail, or another place with separate access rules.
- Is the permit attached to the right machine and displayed correctly? Follow the current instructions rather than moving a decal or relying on a receipt alone.
For a typical visitor bringing an ATV or UTV to ride in North Dakota, the safe approach is to arrange a separate permit for every machine that will be operated where the permit is required.
Buying permits for two machines before the trip
You can make the process easier by gathering the details for both machines before you apply. Have the identifying information available for each one, such as its make, model, and vehicle identification number if requested. Check that the information entered for the second machine is not accidentally copied from the first.
North Dakota permits may be available through official online channels and at state parks. Check North Dakota Permits Sold Online if you want to arrange permits before leaving home, or North Dakota Permits Sold at Any State Park for the in-person option. Availability and purchase procedures can change, so confirm the current process through the official source before relying on a particular sales location.
Use this checklist when buying:
- List every machine you expect to ride. Include a backup machine if it may be used during the trip.
- Record each machine’s identifying details separately. Check the VIN carefully to avoid mixing up the two applications.
- Select the correct permit for each machine. Do not treat the second permit as an add-on that automatically inherits the first machine’s details.
- Save the confirmation or receipt. Keep it with your trip documents until each permit is properly received and displayed.
- Read the display directions. Put the permit decal or other required proof on the machine it applies to, in the location specified.
- Check the expiration date. North Dakota’s nonresident permit follows a calendar-year period; a permit from a previous year should not be assumed valid for a later trip. Review North Dakota Permit Expiration Date before traveling.
If you are buying permits at a park, ask whether the location can issue permits for both machines and what information it needs. If you buy online, complete a separate transaction or application for each machine if the system requires it. Keep records organized so you can match each confirmation and permit to the correct ATV or UTV.
The fee is charged according to the applicable permit rules, and the amount or purchase process can change. Check the official source for the current cost and accepted payment methods before you submit payment. Do not estimate the total from the number of riders; calculate it based on the number and type of machines that need permits.
It is also worth checking whether your trip includes a rental. A rental company may handle some paperwork, but you should not assume that it has covered the North Dakota visitor permit requirement. Ask the rental provider which permits are included and which are the rider’s responsibility. See [North Dakota Permit for a Rented Machine] for the rental-specific question.
Common second-machine problems and how to avoid them
One permit, two machines
This is the most straightforward mistake: the owner buys one permit and thinks it covers every vehicle in the trailer. It does not. Match one permit to each machine that will be operated where a permit is required.
A permit bought for the wrong ATV or UTV
When a household has multiple similar machines, it is easy to mix up the identifying details. Compare the permit information with the machine itself before leaving. If the permit has already been issued for the wrong machine, ask the issuing agency how to correct it; do not assume that changing a note on your receipt makes the permit valid for the other vehicle.
Moving the permit between machines
A decal or other proof should not be shifted casually from one vehicle to another. The permit is associated with the machine, and display requirements matter. If a decal is damaged, lost, or attached incorrectly, follow the replacement or correction procedure rather than using the second machine’s permit as a workaround. The process for a lost permit is covered in [North Dakota Permit Replacement If Lost].
Bringing a machine late in the year
A visitor permit does not necessarily cover a rolling twelve-month period. North Dakota’s nonresident permits are associated with the calendar year, so a permit purchased late in one year does not automatically extend through the following year. Check the applicable expiration date before planning a return trip, even if the machine has not changed.
Assuming the home-state sticker is enough
A visitor may arrive with a current registration or trail sticker from another state and assume it will be recognized. North Dakota’s lack of reciprocity means that assumption can leave a machine without the required North Dakota permit. Check the rules for your home state and your North Dakota destination separately; a document that works at home may not meet North Dakota’s requirements.
Confusing a visitor permit with trail access
A permit does not guarantee every route is open. Riding areas can have closures, surface conditions, width limits, or land-access restrictions. Before unloading, check the status and rules for the place you plan to ride. A second machine may also have a different width or equipment setup that affects where it can go.
When in doubt, ask the issuing office or the relevant land manager a specific question: “I have these two machines, with these identifying details, and plan to ride at this location. What permit does each need, and how must it be displayed?” A precise question is more useful than asking whether your “group” needs a permit.
For a short trip, a simple written inventory helps prevent confusion at the trailhead:
- Machine one: type, make, model, VIN, permit status, and display check.
- Machine two: type, make, model, VIN, permit status, and display check.
- Riding area: access rules, current status, and any additional entrance permit.
- Documents: purchase confirmations and any required safety certificate or proof.
The key point is uncomplicated: if you plan to operate two machines that require North Dakota nonresident permits, arrange one permit for each machine. Verify the current application, fee, expiration, and display rules through the official source before traveling, and treat trail access as a separate question from permit coverage.
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.
