04/01/2025
2025 ✅
REMINDER ❌
New 2025 Orv license/permits are required as of today.
ORV license and trail permit
Your $26.25 ORV license is required to ride eligible county roads, frozen surface of public waters, state forest roads (open to ORV use) and eligible national forest roads.
A $10 ORV trail permit, is required in addition to your ORV license ($36.25 total), when operating on state-designated ORV trails and scramble areas.
The ORV license and the ORV trail permit are both valid for one year, which begins April 1 and ends March 31 of the following year.
ORV licenses and trail permits can be purchased:
Online through eLicense (your sticker will be mailed to you within 7 to 10 days).
In person at a number of DNR license agents and dealers.
Exemptions
ORVs are exempt from an ORV license and trail permit if they are operated exclusively on lands owned or under the control of the owner.
License and permit by vehicle type
Vehicle type / what's needed
Use the following table to determine when you need an ORV license, ORV trail permit, both a license and trail permit, or neither one. You can also view the FAQs for street-licensed ORVs.
*Refers to DNR-designated ORV routes and trails.
Type of vehicle *ORV trails (for vehicles up to 50" wide) *ORV routes passable by conventional passenger vehicle *ORV routes not passable by conventional passenger vehicle; Scramble areas Frozen surface of public waters
Street-licensed ORV permit and license neither permit and license neither
Non-street-licensed ORV permit and license permit and license permit and license ORV license
Street-licensed motorcycle permit and license neither permit and license neither
Off-road motorcycle (not street licensed) permit and license permit and license permit and license ORV license
Off-road, street-licensed motorcycle permit and license neither permit and license neither
Street-licensed truck or passenger vehicle not permissible neither permit and license neither
Certificate of title
When selling, purchasing or transferring an ORV, it is unlawful for the owner to do so without transferring the certificate of title showing the assignment of the ORV in the transferee’s name. It is also unlawful to purchase or acquire an ORV without receiving a certificate of title.
Residents are required to obtain an ORV certificate of title for ORVs and ATVs through the Secretary of State.
Applications for a title must be made within 15 days of the purchase or transfer.
Registration is not required for ORVs.
A Michigan title is not required for non-residents to operate ORVs in Michigan.
Your dollars at work
Fees generated through ORV licenses and trail permits are reinvested back into the ORV system. These important dollars help fund trail expansion, grant funding to sponsors and clubs for annual trail grooming, infrastructure improvements and law enforcement.
