New Hampshire Written Permission Requirements
New Hampshire riders can’t assume that an open-looking field or woods road is available for ATV or UTV use. Private land requires the landowner’s written permission, and a nearby trail or registration sticker does not grant access. Here’s what written permission should cover, how to handle shared or changing access, and what to check before you ride.
When written permission is needed
In New Hampshire, written permission is generally required before operating an OHRV on private property belonging to someone else. That applies to ATVs, UTVs, and other off-highway recreational vehicles. Permission can matter even when the land is not fenced or posted, and even when a route looks like a well-used woods road.
A lack of signs is not an invitation to ride. The owner, lessee, or other person authorized to control the land may set conditions, restrict access, or withdraw permission. For the practical difference between land that appears open and land you are authorized to use, see Why Unposted Land Is Still Off Limits and New Hampshire Landowner Permission Rules.
There are important distinctions between private property and routes open under a separate access arrangement:
- A private trail or road: Get permission from the person authorized to grant it before riding there.
- A marked club trail: It may cross private land under an agreement between the landowner and a club or trail organization. Ride only on the authorized route and follow its current conditions; do not treat the agreement as permission to explore nearby property.
- State-owned land: Different land-use rules may apply. Check the rules for the specific property rather than assuming that private-land permission is the only requirement. See New Hampshire Rules on State-Owned Land.
- Your own property: Requirements may differ from riding on land belonging to another person. If you plan to leave your property or connect to a public or club route, check When Registration Applies and the rules for the route you will use.
Registration and land access are separate questions. A New Hampshire registration does not give you permission to cross private property. Likewise, a signed permission note does not replace a registration or other requirements that apply to the machine or ride. The details of private-land riding are covered further in New Hampshire Rules for Riding Private Land.
If your route crosses a small corner of a parcel to get between two other places, get permission for that crossing too. A short distance does not make it public, and permission to ride on one parcel does not automatically extend to neighboring land.
What the written permission should say
The safest permission is clear enough that both the landowner and rider can tell what access was granted. A brief signed note may be useful, but a vague message such as “you can ride here” can leave important questions unanswered. Ask the owner what they want documented, and confirm that the person signing has authority to grant access.
A written permission record should identify:
| Detail to include | Why it helps |
|---|---|
| Landowner or authorized contact | Shows who granted the access |
| Rider or group covered | Avoids assuming permission extends to guests |
| Property or permitted route | Helps distinguish the approved area from nearby land |
| Machine type or identifying details | Clarifies which ATV or UTV is included |
| Dates or season | Prevents an old permission from being treated as current |
| Conditions and restrictions | Records limits on hours, speed, parking, passengers, or activities |
| Signature and date | Documents who approved the arrangement and when |
These are practical details to request, not a claim that every item is a state-mandated field on a specific form. Confirm any formal requirements with the relevant New Hampshire authority before relying on a note for a particular situation.
Be precise about the location. If permission covers a named driveway, woods road, field edge, or connector, describe that route rather than asking for permission to ride “the property.” A marked map or a written description can help, especially where parcels meet, gates divide routes, or several owners share a road. Do not assume that a map attachment expands permission beyond what the owner agreed to.
Clarify who may ride. Permission for one named operator may not cover a family, club group, guests, or anyone borrowing the machine. If more riders may join, ask the owner to include them or confirm in writing how the permission applies. For organized rides, commercial use, or events, individual permission may not be enough; the activity may require additional arrangements or approvals.
Ask about conditions before riding. An owner may allow access only at certain times, during a defined season, on a particular route, or for a limited purpose. A permission note should not be read as permission to cut trees, create a trail, leave the approved route, camp, build a fire, or bring additional vehicles unless those activities are specifically allowed.
For help thinking through how permission is obtained, see Getting a Landowner’s Signature in New Hampshire. If an owner provides a form, use the owner’s version and follow its instructions. Keep a copy you can access while riding. A paper copy in a protected sleeve or a legible digital copy can help you show the terms if questions arise; if you use a waterproof document sleeve from Amazon or another retailer, remember that storing the paper safely does not replace getting valid permission.
How to handle club trails and shared routes
New Hampshire’s trail network can cross land that is privately owned. In many cases, a club or trail organization has arranged access with the landowner. That arrangement is why a trail can be open to riders without each rider separately asking every landowner along the route. It does not give riders general access to the entire parcel.
Stay on the marked trail and obey signs, gates, and temporary closures. Do not use a nearby road or field as a shortcut just because it appears to connect with the route. If trail markings are unclear, stop and check a current map or contact the relevant club before continuing. Club Trail Access in New Hampshire explains the distinction between an authorized trail route and private land beside it.
Access can also change. A landowner may limit or withdraw access, maintenance work may close a section, or a club may post a temporary reroute. A trail shown on an older map may no longer be available. Before setting out, check current trail conditions and use the latest information from the club responsible for that area.
If you are asking a landowner for access to a route used by a group, be clear about the group’s size and plans. A landowner might agree to occasional riding by a neighbor but not to a large gathering, repeated traffic, commercial tours, or an event. Don’t treat one rider’s permission as a standing agreement for other people.
A practical check before a ride is:
- Identify whether the route is private property, an authorized club trail, or state-owned land.
- Confirm that the specific route is currently open to your type of machine.
- Get written permission from the person authorized to grant it when you will ride on private property outside an established access arrangement.
- Read the conditions and make sure every rider in your group understands them.
- Keep the permission record available and stay within the approved route and dates.
Common problems and how to avoid them
A neighbor says it is okay
A neighbor, tenant, or friend may not own or control the property. Before relying on their permission, confirm that they have authority to grant access. If the land has multiple owners or is managed by an organization, ask who can approve OHRV use and whether the permission must come from more than one person.
Permission covers one property, but the route crosses another
Permission for a starting point or destination does not authorize the connecting section. Check every private parcel on the planned route, including short crossings and roads that appear to be public. When an existing marked trail provides a legal connection, stay on that trail instead of making an informal detour.
The note is old or unclear
An old note may not reflect a change in ownership, current land-use limits, or a later closure. Contact the person who granted access and confirm that permission remains valid, especially after a season has passed or the route has changed. If the note does not identify the route or riders, ask for clarification before riding.
A group assumes everyone is covered
Permission can be limited to named riders, particular machines, or a specific outing. Before bringing guests, ask whether they are included. For clubs, guided trips, races, or other organized activities, check the additional rules that may apply; permission for ordinary individual riding should not be treated as automatic event approval.
A signed note is treated as a substitute for other requirements
Written landowner permission is about access to the property. It does not automatically satisfy registration, safety, equipment, age, or trail-use rules. Check the requirements that apply to your machine and riders, and confirm any uncertain legal detail with New Hampshire Fish and Game or another appropriate official source.
The simplest way to avoid a dispute is to get permission before unloading, keep the terms clear, and ride only where the owner or authorized trail system allows. If the route, dates, or riders change, ask again rather than stretching the original agreement.
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.
